Chapter 5

January

Regina rolled over in her bed. She was exhausted, but her skin was still on fire and covered in a fresh layer of sweat. She was in desperate need of a shower, but she knew she should try to get some sleep before her next wave of arousal. It was the second night of her rut, and for some reason, this month was more intense.

She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with a certain blonde. Her dreams didn't last very long, as a familiar throb between her legs woke her from her light sleep. She didn't need to look to know that she had a new erection, one that was quickly growing. She sighed as her hand slowly caressed her own body, moving toward the hard shaft between her legs, when the sound of her cell phone vibrating on her nightstand distracted her. It was three in the morning, and she wondered who could possibly be awake at this time of night. Fearing there might be an emergency, she reached over to grab her phone, quickly turning on the screen.

Her face lit up when she saw the sender of the text message.

"Hey, are you awake?" Emma's text read.

"Of course I'm awake. I'm in a rut," Regina texted back, laughing to herself.

"Answer your phone." She had only a moment to read Emma's text before she was receiving a FaceTime call from her favorite blonde.

"Hi." Emma smiled through the phone. Her face was flushed, much like Regina assumed hers was as well.

"Hi yourself." Regina smiled, shifting so Emma could see her better. "How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. How are you?"

"Just okay? Are you feeling alright? Do you need anything?" Regina asked, her Alpha nature kicking in, desperate to make sure Emma was alright. Taking care and protecting their Omegas was always top priority for Alphas.

"Yes, I'm fine, Regina," Emma said, a smile reaching across her face.

"Fine? Emma, do you need anything? Emma, seriously, is everything alright?" Regina asked, Emma's short ambiguous answers clearly distressing her.

"Everything is good, Regina. I'm alright, I promise." Emma laughed, pushing a strand of sweaty hair away from her face. "There is one thing that I need though."

"Anything! Just tell me what you need, and I'll find a way to get it to you," Regina said, her Alpha instincts revving into full gear.

"You, Regina. All I need right now is you." She laughed at the shocked expression on Regina's face.

"Believe me, if I could, I would," Regina answered, her face turning red. She didn't know if it was Emma's sudden need for her or the heat from her growing arousal.

"Unlock the door, I'll be over in ten minutes," Emma said, shifting on her bed.

"EMMA, NO! DON'T!" Regina shouted, almost loud enough to wake the house. "You can't. An unmarked Omega in heat can't go out during her heat. It's too dangerous."

"Then come here. Mary Margaret won't care. We'll just wake her up and explain that you are my Soulmate and that we desperately need to mate or we will explode. She'll understand," Emma suggested.

"You know we can't do that either," Regina whispered. "Plus, you deserve something more romantic than spur of the moment sex. You deserve romance. Candles burning. Rose petals. The whole nine yards."

"You deserve those things too," Emma said, smiling into the camera. "But seriously, Regina, I don't know how much longer I can take not being with you. Everything is getting more intense. I think I might actually explode if I'm not with you." Emma laughed.

"I agree," Regina said, blushing again. "I have given it some thought though."

"You have?" Emma asked.

"Yes. Is it still so shocking that I think about you almost every moment of every day?" Regina laughed. "I was thinking maybe we could mate on our next cycle."

"Yes. Yes! I very much agree!" Emma answered immediately.

"I see you've given it some thought as well." Regina laughed at Emma's insistence. Emma didn't need to answer; her deep blush was evidence enough. "But, before we make this huge decision, we need to talk about logistics. But not while we are both hopped up on hormones. I want to make sure we are making the best possible decision. And that our minds are clear when we do so."

"Yeah, I can understand where you're coming from," Emma said, squirming slightly off camera.

"Are you okay?" Regina asked, noticing the shift in Emma's body.

"I'm very…excited…right now," Emma admitted, her heat causing waves of arousal that only intensified now that she was talking to Regina. "What about you?" Emma asked, a devilish expression on her face.

"I am also…excited…very much so…" Regina answered, once again blushing.

"Let me see." Emma winked.

"What?" Regina asked, her voice once again a little louder than it should be.

"Let me see. I want to see you," Emma said. "Are you naked right now?"

"What? No! I mean…yes, I'm naked. But no, you can't see me."

"Why not? I'll show you me," Emma said, trying to convince Regina. "I want to see you, Regina. I want to see all of you."

"No, Emma. We can't," Regina said, stuttering.

"Why not?" Emma asked, clearly hell bent on seeing her Alpha naked.

"Because, we're too young."

"We're Soulmates, Regina. And we were just talking about having sex for the first time in a month. It's not like we are going to magically get way more mature in the next four weeks."

"Okay fine. I'm embarrassed, okay," Regina finally said. "What if you're not attracted to me?"

"Not. Possible," Emma said without missing a beat, emphasizing each word. "You're beautiful, Regina."

"You're just saying that."

"No. I'm not," Emma said firmly. "But I totally understand. Just know, the offer stands to see me if you want. Even if you won't show me you." She smiled.

"No, it's ok. I…I…ok I'll do it," Regina said, shifting to lay on her back. "Just promise you won't laugh, ok."

"Regina, seriously?" Emma said, slightly insulted at Regina's remark.

"Ok…here I go," she said.

Regina took a deep breath and slowly moved her phone into the air, allowing more of her naked body to be visible on screen. She bit her lip as she watched Emma's expression change, her eyes widening and her jaw dropping at the sight of Regina's bare breasts, a sheen of sweat covering her skin.

"You alright?" Regina asked with a chuckle.

"Very much so," Emma said, her eyes barely blinking as she stared at Regina on the screen.

"Would you like to see more?" she asked, suddenly gaining confidence.

"Yes, please," Emma whispered, her eyes still stuck to the sight of Regina on the screen.

Regina took one more deep breath before she panned the camera down, allowing her lower half to become visible, including her ever-growing erection.

"Are you freaked out?" Regina asked after a minute.

"Not even in the slightest," Emma responded, not missing a beat. "Can you show me your entire body together?"

"Give me a second," Regina said, the phone shifting around as Regina attempted to position it correctly. Eventually, she propped it up against a book at the edge of her bed, shifting back until her entire body was on screen.

"Regina…" Emma said, her breathing rapidly increasing. "You're…you're…you're amazing."

"Thanks." She blushed. "My turn," she said, after giving Emma a few moments of silence to take her all in.

"Yes, of course," Emma said, snapping out of her trance.

Emma shifted quickly, moving her phone to allow Regina to see her naked breasts, her skin covered in a thin layer of sweat as well. She paused for a moment before she continued to pan down, allowing her lower half to come into frame as well. She took a moment to allow Regina to see her, before shuffling the same way Regina did, propping her phone up on a pillow and laying on her side to allow her entire body to be visible as Regina's.

They didn't speak for a few minutes. Just stared at each other through their phones.

"Regina…" Emma whispered after a few minutes, pulling Regina out of her thoughts. "Regina, I really need to touch myself now. And by the looks of things, so do you."

"Yes," was all Regina could manage to say.

They stared at each other for a few moments, not saying a word as they continued to take in the sights in front of them. Without a word, Emma slowly brushed her hand down her body, moving her hand slowly between her legs, where her throbbing clit was waiting to be touched. She watched Regina for any signs that she should stop, and when she didn't see any, she slowly opened her legs, allowing her better access to herself.

Emma slowly began to rub small circles around her clit, her eyes never leaving Regina the entire time. A small moan escaped her lips as she watched Regina's hand slowly lower itself to her penis, her delicate fingers wrapping themselves around the tip. She slowly began to move her way down the shaft, stroking the member in the same rhythm that Emma was touching herself to.

They moaned together, their eyes locked, as Emma inserted two fingers, slowly fingering herself, as she quickly brought herself close to climax.

"Are you… ? " Emma asked, unable to formulate the words to finish the sentence.

"Yes…you…?" Regina asked, knowing exactly what Emma was trying to ask.

Before either of them could speak again, they both came, yelling each other's name as their orgasms came crashing through them.

"Regina…that was…"

"Incredible…" Regina answered, both trying to catch their breaths.

"That was the most intense orgasm I have ever had," Emma said, trying to focus on the still very naked woman on her phone screen. "Thank you."

"Yes, I agree. That was definitely the most intense orgasm I've ever had. But there's no need to thank me. I didn't do anything."

"Yes, you did. You let me see you," Emma explained. "I needed you, Regina. And you let me see you. So thank you."

"Anything for you, Emma," Regina said, losing the fight against a large yawn. "I think we should get some sleep. I have a feeling that after the intensity of that orgasm, we'll finally be able to get some decent sleep."

"I second that," Emma said, grabbing her phone so her face was the only thing on the screen. "Sleep well."

"You as well. I'll talk to you later. Call me if you need anything else," Regina said, fighting another yawn. "I love you, Emma."

"I love you too, Regina." Emma smiled before the screen went black.

Emma stretched as the last bits of her orgasm slowly faded away. The intense sexual drive was finally gone, leaving only a sense of relief. Her heat was over, and she could finally think clearly again. She grabbed her phone and instantly started writing a text message to Regina, knowing her rut was ending as well.

"Hey. How are you feeling?" Emma texted.

"Relieved. This month was exceptionally intense for some reason. How are you feeling? Do you need anything ?" Regina asked, her Alpha instincts always taking over.

"Nope. I'm good. Just in desperate need of a shower though."

"Unfortunately, I can not help you with that. Should I come over after we have both showered?"

"Yes, please!" Emma said, already excited to see Regina.

"Great! I'll be over in a little bit."

"I'll leave the door unlocked. Just come in when you get here," Emma texted before tossing her phone on the bed. She wrapped herself in a sheet and rushed toward the bathroom downstairs to take a much-needed shower.

An hour later, she was clean, dressed, and had changed the sheets on her bed (a practice both Mary Margaret and Regina had taught her to do after her heat was over). She sat on the couch, patiently waiting for Regina to arrive. Her heart skipped a beat a second before she heard the front door open, Regina's head popping around the corner.

"Hey!" she said, rushing over to greet her Alpha with a kiss and a strong hug.

"Sorry I'm late. I stopped at the store to pick up a bag of that kettle corn popcorn you like. I know you're always looking for your comfort food after your heat ends," Regina said, handing her a large bag of popcorn. "And I got you this too." She handed Emma a single red rose.

"Regina, thank you. It's beautiful," Emma said, inhaling the sweet smell of the rose.

"Not half as beautiful as you are," Regina said, an instant blush rising in her cheeks.

"I…umm…I…I…" Emma stuttered, trying to find her words, her face turning bright red. "Thank you." She hid her face as she motioned toward the couch. "Do you want to hang out down here? Or up in my room for a little?"

"I think it's best to stay down here," Regina said, her heart beating a little faster. "I think the scent will be too strong for me in your room. I think it needs to air out a little." Even though Regina has just spent the last three days in a rut, the overwhelming scent of Emma was already beginning to take a toll on her.

"Couch it is." Emma smiled, grabbing Regina's hand and leading her over to the couch. She shifted nervously for a few minutes before gaining the confidence to talk to Regina. "Regina…I…umm…are you…are we…are you mad about what happened the other night?" Emma finally asked.

"Mad about what?" Regina asked, confused.

"When we were facetiming…and I made you show me your body…and then we… you know… in front of each other," Emma said, once again blushing from embarrassment.

"I'm not mad at all." Regina smiled.

"Really? Because I feel like I forced you to do it. And I don't want to force you to do anything you don't feel comfortable doing," Emma stammered.

"Emma. You didn't force me to do anything. And you're right. We are Soulmates. There's nothing to be ashamed of. We were made to be together." Regina said, reaching for Emma's hand, blushing slightly. "To be honest, I quite enjoyed myself."

"Really? Because I did too. I really did too!" Emma said, a little too eager.

"I guess, perhaps, this is a good time to have that conversation," Regina said, pausing as she watched the slight confusion wash over Emma's face. "The conversation regarding our first mate."

"Oh…ummm…is it weird that I still really want to?"

"Not at all. I really want to as well." Regina blushed slightly.

"I don't think I can wait any longer, to be honest. This last heat was intense."

"My rut was the most intense I have ever experienced as well. Perhaps that's a sign that we are ready to be together."

"So…it's settled? Next month, we are going to mate for the first time?" Emma asked, suddenly unsure of herself.

"Yes. Unless you change your mind, which I want you to tell me if you do. I won't force you to do anything you're not ready for," Regina said, gently cupping Emma's face.

"No, I'm ready. I'm beyond ready. I'm ready to be with you. And I'm ready for you to mark me," Emma said, as tears welled in her eyes. "So, how are we going to do this? Should I go to you? I'm sure if we tell Mary Margaret, she'll understand and let us do it here."

"Let me take care of all the details," Regina said, tucking a lock of hair behind Emma's ear. "I promised you special, and that is exactly what you're going to get."

"Have I told you that I love you?" Emma smiled, closing the space between them, her lips a hair's breadth away from Regina's.

"Not in the last five minutes." Regina smiled, teasing Emma slightly.

"I love you, Regina Mills," Emma whispered.

"I love you too, Emma Swan," Regina said, finally pressing her lips against Emma's.

When Regina arrived home a few hours later, she was startled to see her father's car parked in the driveway. She was always careful to make it home before her parents when she visited Emma after their cycle ended. Her stomach was in knots as she walked into the house, her brain trying to come up with an excuse for her absence.

"Regina? Is that you?" her father called, the moment she closed the front door.

"Yeah, Daddy. It's just me," she called back, quickly bolting toward the staircase to avoid her father.

"Can you come in here please? I'm in the kitchen," he called. Regina cursed under her breath as she slowly walked into the kitchen. She knew she was in trouble for leaving after her cycle ended. And she couldn't think of an excuse to tell him when he asked where she was.

"Yes, Daddy?" Regina asked as she walked into the kitchen.

"Can you have a seat, please? I want to talk to you about something," he said, handing her a bowl of ice cream.

"Ice cream?" Regina asked, skeptically. "I don't usually get ice cream when I'm in trouble."

"It's a good thing you aren't in trouble then." Her father laughed, handing Regina a spoon. "But I would like to see your arm," he said, eating a spoonful of his own ice cream.

"What?! Why do you want to see my arm? There's nothing different about it. You've seen it a hundred times," Regina said, panic and terror filling her eyes.

"Because I don't think it is the same. I think it is different. I think your Soulmate initials have turned red. Am I correct?" he asked, a sparkle in his eye.

"I…uhh…" Regina stumbled, eating a spoonful of ice cream to prevent herself from speaking.

"Regina, you can tell me anything. You can always talk to me about anything. I hope you know that," her father said, reaching to rest his hand gently on Regina's wrist. "You are my daughter, and I want to support you in every step of your life. I love you and want nothing more than for you to be happy."

"I love you too, Daddy," Regina said quietly. She thought for a few more seconds before taking a deep breath and slowly lifting up the sleeve of her T-shirt, exposing her Soulmate initials, which were now a deep red color.

"You've met her!" he said, his face lighting up, tears welling in his eyes.

"Yes," Regina said, quickly returning her sleeve to the previous spot. "We met in September."

"What does 'E.S.' stand for?" he asked.

"Emma Swan," Regina said, a deep blush forming across her face.

"Emma, what a lovely name. I want to hear all about her," Henry said, waiting to hear all about his daughter's Soulmate.

"I don't know…she's…Emma," Regina said, not quite sure what to say.

"Well, how old is she? How did you meet? She must be new to town, or you would have met earlier," Henry asked.

"She's a Junior, just turned seventeen in October. She moved to Storybrooke shortly after school started for the year. She's…well…she's actually a foster kid, living with Miss Blanchard. I actually approached her at Granny's one Friday afternoon," Regina said, blushing again when she described how she met Emma.

"Is that where you've been spending your Friday evenings? And most afternoons after school? With Emma?" Henry asked, smiling wide.

"Yes," Regina said, averting her gaze back to her ice cream.

"Do you have a picture of her?" her father asked. Regina smiled wide as she fished her phone out of her pocket, swiping through pictures to show her father. She chose a picture of her and Emma, snuggled on the couch.

"This was this afternoon," Regina said, handing her phone to her father.

"She's beautiful. You both look deliriously happy," Henry said, handing her phone back, just as a text message came through, causing Regina to smile. "Does she make you happy?

"I am deliriously happy," Regina said, stuffing her phone back into her pocket, her face turning slightly red. "She makes me incredibly happy, Daddy."

"I'm so happy for you, sweetheart. May I ask a personal question?" he asked.

"Ummm….sure?" Regina said, unsure about the possible question from her father.

"I can tell you haven't mated yet. Have you spoken about when that might happen?"

"We have, actually. We've decided to mate next cycle," Regina answered, averting her gaze to avoid eye contact with her father.

"Do you have any questions?" Henry asked, respecting Regina's uncomfortable feelings.

"Not right now. I think I'm still processing the information," Regina answered.

"And you understand what is expected of you, both during and after you mate and mark her?" Henry asked.

"Yes, I think I do. I'm expected to take care of her and make her feel comfortable as well as safe and protected," Regina answered, clearly embarrassed about their conversation.

"That's right. And you are expected to provide the protection. I will get you condoms, that way I know you are getting good quality products, not something that you get for free. And if there is anything else that you need, or if you have any questions, please come to me."

"I will. Thank you, Daddy," Regina said, looking up.

"You're welcome. I am so happy for you, sweetheart. Both you and Emma," Henry said, standing to hug his daughter tightly. "I expect to meet her shortly. I don't mind waiting until after you've marked."

"I think we can arrange that." Regina smiled. "Can I ask for a favor though? Could we keep all this a secret? Until Emma and I are marked."

"Yes, I think that is a very good idea. I don't think she would actually do anything, but just in case. Once you're marked, there's nothing she can do to keep you two apart," Henry said, hugging Regina one more time. "Your secret is safe with me. Now go and talk to your Soulmate. I know she's been texting you for the last few minutes. I'll let you know when dinner is ready.

"Thank you, Daddy. For everything."

"You're welcome, sweetheart," Henry said as Regina rushed upstairs, pulling her phone out of her pocket, already responding to Emma's text before she reached the stairs.

February

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Emma screamed as Regina approached her car. It was Wednesday, February 1st, Regina's eighteenth birthday.

"Thank you!" Regina said, pulling Emma in for a tight hug. They rushed into the car, immediately pulling each other into a passionate kiss as soon as the doors were closed. "I've been waiting to do that all day."

"We should get going. I have a surprise waiting for you back at Mary Margaret's," Emma said, twisting to put on her seatbelt.

"You know I hate surprises," Regina said, starting the engine and quickly pulling out of the school parking lot.

"I know. That's why I did it!" Emma smirked.

They arrived at Mary Margaret's loft a few minutes later, and before they knew it, they found themselves on the couch once again, Emma on Regina's lap, hands roaming under shirts as they kissed passionately, Regina's secret birthday surprise forgotten. That is, until the front door opened, indicating Mary Margaret was home from work, forcing Emma to catapult off Regina's lap suddenly.

"Happy Birthday, Regina!" Mary Margaret said as she entered the loft, hanging her coat up on the coat rack by the door, not seeming to notice their slightly disheveled appearance. "Did Emma give you her surprise yet?" She laughed.

"I forgot!" Emma yelled, springing to her feet, rushing to the kitchen to grab a large tupperware container, bringing it over to Regina. "I didn't have any money to buy you a birthday gift, so I stayed up late last night making you these." Emma removed the lid to present a dozen cupcakes, each with purple frosting and rainbow sprinkles.

"Oh Emma, you shouldn't have," Regina said, carefully grabbing a cupcake from the container, unwrapping the delicate paper before taking a big bite. Her face hitched for a second as she chewed the cake, swallowing thickly. "They are delicious."

"Really?" Emma said, surprised. She ripped the paper off her own cupcake, taking a large bite, nearly spitting the cake out all over Regina. "Oh god, Regina. They are horrible."

"They aren't that bad," Regina said, taking another bite, struggling to chew the pastry.

"Stop. You don't have to keep eating them. They are disgusting, I'm sorry," Emma said, disappointment filling her voice. "I tried really hard."

"I love them," Regina said, finishing her first cupcake, reaching for a second. "Miss Blan…eh Mary Margaret, would you like to try one of my birthday cupcakes?" Regina offered the container to Mary Margaret.

"I would love one, thank you," Mary Margaret said, carefully lifting the cupcake out of the container, taking a bite as soon as the paper was unwrapped, trying her hardest to avoid making a face. "She's right, Emma. These are delicious."

"You guys are crazy. These taste like crap," Emma said, trying hard not to let her disappointment in her baking skills show.

"I agree with Regina. These are delicious," Mary Margaret said, finishing her cupcake in three bites.

"You guys are wrong…" Emma said with a slight sniffle. "…but thank you for pretending."

In the end, Regina ate three cupcakes, insisting on taking the rest home with her to eat later. Although Mary Margaret invited her to stay for dinner, Regina declined, saying her father was at home cooking her favorite dinner. Mary Margaret insisted she come for a special birthday dinner Saturday, to which she eagerly accepted.

"This is your real present," Emma said, handing Regina a simple envelope as she walked her out of the building. "Well, this and the cupcakes, which I tried really hard not to screw up."

"The cupcakes were wonderful. Should I wait until I get home to open this?" Regina asked.

"No. I kinda want you to open it now, if that's okay," Emma said, clearly nervous about the contents of the letter. Regina smiled and ripped open the envelope, reading the letter inside.

My Dearest Regina,

I think I finally found the words.

When I look at you,

It makes my heart overwhelmed with love

flowing from my spirit through my itty bitty tiny veins.

The glow that your face gives

when I look into your eyes

as I stare at you,

it's like your love

for me spells out in the air saying

baby, I will always be there.

Thinking 'bout that day when we met,

it was like we were meant for one another…

The way we connected,

the thoughts we shared,

the love we showed,

if only everybody could see and know that

my heart is a passionate reflection of you

that no one can ever undo.

My passionate heart…

It cries for you,

but only if you knew

that my passionate heart is

a reflection of how I feel about you.

Love Always,

Emma.

Tears were streaming down Regina's face as she read and re-read Emma's letter. By the third time she read through it, Emma was clearly besider herself with worry.

"I love you so much, Emma Swan! I love you so much my heart feels like it's going to explode out of my chest! Thank you," she said, pulling Emma in for a sweet yet passionate kiss.

"I love you too, Regina," Emma whispered before her lips were captured by Regina's one last time before she returned home for dinner.

Three days later, Regina arrived at the Blanchard loft in the early afternoon, ready to spend the rest of the day with Emma and Mary Margaret, the two people who had quickly become her family. Mary Margaret appeared on the other side of the door, which startled Regina slightly.

"Regina, welcome. Come in!" Mary Margaret said, opening the door for her. The loft smelled heavenly; the duo had clearly been cooking all day in preparation of her birthday celebration. "Emma insisted on planning tonight's menu, as well as insisted she help me cook." Regina spotted Emma in the kitchen, her apron covered in marinara sauce.

"Everything smells amazing," Regina said, hanging her coat on the coat rack next to Emma's new red leather jacket, a Christmas gift from Mary Margaret.

"Let's hope it tastes as good as it smells. Which, considering I was helping, might end up tasting just like my cupcakes." Emma laughed, stirring a pot of something on the stove.

"Then why don't you let me finish cooking dinner, while you two hang out for a little while. I'll call you when dinner is ready," Mary Margaret said, gently pushing Emma out of the kitchen.

"You don't have to tell me twice." Emma laughed, tossing her messy apron on the counter before following Regina upstairs, their lips finding each other as soon as the bedroom door was closed.

Emma gently guided Regina to her bed, their lips separating only when Regina lost her balance and fell onto the mattress, pulling Emma down with her. They quickly settled onto Emma's bed, their arms wrapped around each other as they laid on their sides, their faces inches apart. Emma reached under her pillow to pull out her iPod, handing one of the earbuds to Regina, who quickly popped it into her ear as Emma pressed play. They listened to a couple of songs in silence, staring into each other's eyes.

"Are you nervous?" Emma asked a few songs later, breaking their silence.

"A little. Are you?" Regina asked.

"Yeah, I'm a little nervous too."

"What are you nervous about?" Regina asked, eager to understand why Emma was nervous, in an effort to make sure Emma's first time was as special as it possibly could be.

"To be honest, I'm afraid the marking is going to hurt," Emma said truthfully.

"I have to bite you pretty hard for it to work," Regina explained calmly. "But Kathryn said she barely felt it. It happens at the point of climax, so you're so wrapped up in that feeling that you don't notice. We don't have to mark if you don't want to."

"No way! I want you to mark me!" Emma said, erasing any doubt in Regina's mind that she wanted to proceed. "What are you nervous about?"

"I'm afraid I'm not going to know what to do. Or that I'm really bad at it," Regina said, honestly.

"Regina. That's silly. You're going to be great. Everything is going to be great. I have no doubt about that," Emma answered, matter-of-factly.

"What if I hurt you? I've heard it can sometimes hurt the first time," Regina said.

"I know you would never intentionally hurt me. If it happens to hurt, I know it's just the nature of the act. I'm not worried about that," Emma said, gently cupping Regina's face to help her calm down. "So how's it going to work next week?"

"I'm going to come over here in the afternoon, while everyone is at work. It usually starts around noon, so if I get here around eleven, we can be together when our cycle starts. Plus, that way Mary Margaret won't even know I'm here until it ends, at which time it's too late for anyone to do anything. We just have to make sure to be quiet." Regina laughed. "I'm going to bring food and water for myself, since Mary Margaret only leaves enough food for you. My dad already bought me enough condoms to last the entire time, and he's agreed to cover for me with my mother. He's going to tell her that he's checked in on me and that I'm eating the food he leaves for me. She won't question him, since she barely speaks to me these days," Regina explained.

"And what happens after our cycle is over?" Emma asked, pulling Regina a little closer.

"After that, we'll be a mated and marked couple, and no one can keep us apart!" Regina smiled, leaning in to kiss Emma's lips.

"I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, Regina," Emma said, tears forming in her eyes.

"I can't wait either, my love," Regina said, wiping the fresh tears from Emma's eyes.

"Just one more week, then we can really be together," Emma said.

"Just one more week," Regina repeated, pressing her lips against Emma's.

Their kiss was interrupted by the sound of Mary Margaret, calling them both downstairs.

"Sounds like dinner is ready. I hope you're hungry. Mary Margaret and I have been cooking all day. We have TONS of food," Emma said, crawling off the bed, leading the way out of the door.

She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the familiar woman standing in the living room, a somber look on her face.

"No! Please no!" Emma said as she slowly walked down the stairs, a very confused Regina behind her.

"I'm afraid so, Emma. You know the drill," Mrs. James said.

"Why? Mary Margaret, what did I do? I thought we had a good thing here. Why are you sending me back?" Emma asked, tears already streaming down her face.

"No, sweetie. It wasn't me. I promise. I want you to stay here forever!" Mary Margaret said, tears falling from her eyes as well.

"Then why?" Emma asked, turning her attention back to Mrs. James.

"We received a complaint from a woman named Cora Mills. She states that you have been engaging in an inappropriate relationship with her daughter…" Mrs. James said, looking down at her notes. "…Regina Mills. We take these accusations very seriously, especially once you reach presentation age. She is demanding that you be removed from the premises immediately. I have been instructed to transfer you to a different state."

"There's been a misunderstanding. I'm Regina Mills," Regina explained, stepping forward. "I can explain everything."

"I'm afraid there's nothing you can do," Mrs. James said.

"No, you don't understand. Emma and I are Soulmates. She is my Omega and I am her Alpha," Regina explained, eager to put this whole thing to rest. "We were not engaging in any inappropriate relationship. We are Soulmates! And since I am an Alpha, you can not separate me from my Omega."

"Unfortunately, that only applies if you are over eighteen," Mrs. James explained.

"I am eighteen. I turned eighteen a few days ago. I can prove it!" Regina exclaimed, frantically searching for her purse to find her wallet, the reality of the situation finally hitting her. "See look, I'm eighteen! You can't take her away!"

"Unfortunately, that only applies if both parties are over eighteen. Emma is only seventeen, and thus still a ward of the state for another eight months. My hands are tied."

"No! No! You can't take her away! Please!" she begged.

"I'm afraid there is nothing I can do. Emma, you know the drill. Please go upstairs and pack your things. You have twenty minutes."

"Can I have a little more time? To say goodbye to Regina?" she asked, her voice sounding so small.

"I'll give you an extra ten minutes, since she's your Soulmate and an Alpha."

"Thank you." Emma grabbed Regina's hand, lacing their fingers together. "What can I take with me?" Emma asked, a question she had to ask far too many times in her life already, turning her attention to Mary Margaret.

"You can take whatever you like, sweetie," Mary Margaret said, clearly trying to keep herself together. Emma nodded, leading Regina up to her room to start to pack her things.

"Sometimes, when you leave a foster home, the foster parents don't let you keep any of the things they bought for you while you were living there," Emma explained as she pulled a worn duffle bag out from inside her closet, quickly pulling her clothes out of her drawers, stuffing them into the bag. "And they don't usually give you a lot of time to pack your things, which is why you often forget things when you leave."

"Emma, how are you so calm about this?" Regina said, tears already streaming down her face, dripping onto her shirt.

"This isn't the first time I've been forced to leave, Regina," Emma said, stuffing clothes into her duffle bag. "This is, however, the first time my foster parents didn't kick me out."

"This is all my fault, Emma. I don't know how my mother found out about us. I'm so sorry," Regina cried, sitting on the edge of Emma's bed when her legs could no longer sustain her weight.

"This isn't your fault, my love. I have the worst luck with foster homes. I'm sure this was bound to happen eventually," Emma said, stuffing the remainder of her belongings into her new bookbag, making sure to leave the school-issued textbooks and uniform on the desk.

"If we had just mated earlier. They can't break us up if we are already mated and marked. We should have done it earlier," Regina said, her gaze on the floor to avoid watching Emma pack up. "What are we going to do, Emma? I don't know if I can live without you."

"We will figure this out, my love" Emma said, rushing over, kneeling in front of Regina, grabbing Regina's hands tightly. "I'll find a way back to you, I promise. In the meantime, we will continue to talk every day."

"How are you so calm right now?" Regina asked, suddenly growing angry at Emma's lack of emotion.

"Because if I allow myself to fully feel everything, I'm going to break down completely. And I don't want the last time you see me to be me breaking down and losing it," Emma explained. "I want you to remember me with a smile on my face, not with tears streaming down my face."

"Emma, I can't do this," Regina said, sobbing.

"Yes, you can, my love. You can because you're stronger than you think. You can do this, and before you know it, we're going to be together again. We're going to mate and you're going to mark me, and then no one will be able to separate us ever again."

"Emma…" was all Regina was able to say before Emma's lips were against hers. They kissed with passion. They kissed with every ounce of their being. They kissed for every kiss they were going to miss while they were apart. They kissed to remind each other that they loved each other. A knock on the door forced them to pull away from each other.

"Emma, sweetie. It's time to go," Mary Margaret's shaky voice said through the door.

"No, please. Five more minutes, please," Emma called, the severity of the situation finally hitting her.

"Mrs. James is saying your time is up," Mary Margaret said. "She said it's time to go."

"Fine. Tell her I'll be right down. I just need one more minute to make sure I don't forget anything," Emma said, standing, reaching out her hand to pull Regina up.

"I'll call you as soon as I can, to let you know where I am," Emma said, silent tears falling from her eyes as she grabbed her duffle bag, securing her backpack on her shoulders.

"Emma, wait! Don't forget this!" Regina said suddenly, grabbing Emma's iPod from under her pillow, where they had carefully placed it when they left the bedroom a half hour prior. "Do you have the wire for it too?"

"Yes, thank you." Emma said, clutching the device, shoving it deep into her pocket, her tough exterior suddenly faltering. "Regina…"

"EMMA SWAN! TIME IS UP!" Mrs. James called from downstairs. "I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME UP AND DRAG YOU OUT, BUT YOU KNOW I WILL."

"I'm coming," Emma called back meekly.

Regina followed Emma out of her bedroom and down the stairs to the living room, where Mary Margaret was already silently crying.

"Am I allowed to say goodbye?" Emma asked, her voice getting caught in her throat.

"Of course," Mrs. James said.

"Mary Margaret. I can't thank you enough," Emma said, pulling the older woman into her arms.

"Oh, sweetie. You don't have to thank me. It was all done out of love," Mary Margaret said, holding Emma tight.

"I'll never forget you," Emma said with a sniffle, her tears dripping onto Mary Margaret's shoulder. "You were the only person to ever make me feel loved. To ever make me feel like I was home. I'll never forget that."

"I'll never forget you either," Mary Margaret whispered just before Emma pulled away.

She turned her attention to Regina, standing off to the side, her arms wrapped around herself as she tried in vain to hold herself together.

"Regina…" she said, taking a few steps toward her Soulmate, her Alpha.

"No…don't leave, please," Regina sobbed. "Please, don't take her away. Please!"

"Regina…" Emma said, wrapping her arms around her, holding her impossibly tight. "Regina, I love you. I love you so much!"

"I love you too. I love you so much, Emma," Regina sobbed.

"Kiss me, Regina. Please, kiss me one last time," Emma cried, pulling away from Regina just enough to press their lips together. As long as they were kissing, then they didn't have to deal with the reality of the situation. Emma was being taken away.

"Okay, it's time to go, Emma," Mrs. James said after a few minutes. When they still didn't separate, she was forced to intervene, pulling them apart herself.

"No! Please no!" Emma screamed as Mrs. James dragged her through the door, grabbing Emma's duffle bag and jacket as she passed.

Emma screamed for Regina as Mrs. James dragged her down the stairs and out of the building toward the car. Regina rushed out of the apartment, against Mary Margaret's suggestion to stay. Regina burst out of the building just in time to see Mrs. James close the passenger-side door, securing Emma into her car.

"EMMA!" she screamed, pounding on the glass as Emma struggled to roll down the window. They clung to each other as soon as the window was open. Mrs. James ignored their constant pleas to not separate them as she started the engine slowly starting to drive away. Regina held onto Emma, walking alongside the car for as long as she could, before the speed became too much for her to keep up with, their fingers separating suddenly before Regina could stop it.

"NOOOO!" Regina cried as she watched the car drive down the street, Emma's head sticking out the window, her long blonde hair blowing in the wind.

Regina collapsed into Mary Margaret's arms the moment Emma disappeared into the distance, crying hysterically into the older woman's chest.

Across the street, just out of sight, Cora Mills smiled as she watched the scene unfold in front of her.

A/N: I can not take credit for Emma's poem in this chapter. Those beautiful words, titled "A Passionate Heart", were written by someone else, however their identity is unknown. All I know is the author's name is Ericka. Unfortunately I can't post a link to the website though.