A/N: As you might have sensed after the last update - it's time to fasten your seatbelts...because the ride will get a little bit rocky.
Are you in the mood for a roller coaster ride full of twists and turns...filled with emotions?
Well, then...here we go! Let's get this story moving...
Thanks again to the review writers - you're the best!
Thanks to everyone, who follows, favorites...for taking the time to read this story!
Love you all xoxo
TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND
Chapter 11
"Has mom gone to sleep already?"
Emma jumped at the sound of Henry's words.
She had been staring at her cell phone for minutes, waiting for a text message or call from Regina, but nothing had happened.
The brunette should have been home an hour ago at the the latest.
But Regina had not shown up.
And when she had tried to call her she had ended up in the brunette's voice mail.
She had left two messages by now, but no word from Regina so far and Emma started to worry.
Deep down she was highly alarmed by now, her gut feeling had never betrayed her before, but she coud not tell Henry.
"Uh...yeah...she's been really worn out."
"Kay."
He jumped up on a bar stool and started to eat his breakfast.
"Hey kid, I have to go down to the garage real quick...I've forgot some papers in my car and I need to see them throughf before I go to work...I'll be right back, okay?"
Emma could not just sit there and wait, she had to do something, anything really – before her worries would get the best of her.
She would probably scare Henry to death and that could not happen.
"Sure. Is everything alright? You seem off..." the boy eyed her suspiciously.
"Everthing is fine, kid...stressy day ahead...that's all."
Emma tried to give him a smile, not sure if she would succeed, but she must have because he nodded and continued to eat his pancakes, "I'll be right back."
The moments in the elevator were almost too much for Emma and once the doors opened to reveal the garage she left out a breath, that she had not even been aware of holding.
Her heart hammered in her chest, but then she caught sight of it – her yellow bug.
Right there in the parking lot with the name tag 'Mills'.
Right where it belonged.
What was that supposed to mean?
Why had Regina not shown up?
Why was her cell phone turned off?
Had she really been too tired to show up for her morning coffee?
Because she had always shown up, had not missed it once, no matter how worn out she had been.
She had sometimes gone to bed right afterwards and Emma had brought Henry to school, yes, but she had never missed to check in on Emma and say 'Good night'.
Was that the beginning of the end?
Was Regina pulling away from this like she had said would be better for Henry?
Emma was devastated by the bare thought, but she would have to figure that out later.
First she had to get Henry to school.
Of course Henry had picked up on the fact that she had not brought a file with her when she had returned from the garage.
That kid was too smart and observant for his own good.
She had barely been able to save the situation, but in the end she had told him that she probably had forgotten the documents in her office yesterday since she had left in a hurry to make it home on time, because she had been stuck in a meeting for longer than expected.
If Henry had believed her she had not known, but Emma had not been able to focus on that.
She had gotten him ready and over to school, all the while trying to stay calm, but as soon as Henry had disappeared inside of the building she had called her secretary to re-schedule all her meetings, because she had some things to take care of and would not be able to show up at her office that day.
To say that Virginia Vaughn was not amused would have been an understatement, but Emma had not cared one bit.
She had to talk to Regina and she had to talk to her right now.
On the way back up to the top floor the first doubts came to the surface.
Was it wise to push Regina?
Probably not. Especially since she had to be tired and worn out.
What if the brunette really had just needed some rest?
If she had been more exhausted than usual, if she really had wanted nothing, but some peace and quiet?
Maybe she should let Regina sleep for a couple of hours before they got back to the heavy talking?
Yes, that might be a good idea.
By the time she left the elevator Emma had made up her mind.
She would get some work done and then she would cook lunch.
And she would invite Regina to said lunch to have a decent conversation, because she was not ready to give up without a fight.
That was when she caught sight of something she had not seen before.
There were drops on the corridor floor.
Red drops.
Drops of blood.
Leading straight to the Mills apartment.
Regina!
Emma headed down the corridor, barely able to stop once she reached to door.
The hammering of her heart was back, adrenaline was rushing through her veins and it took her a moment to regain enough control over her body and mind to think straight.
Would Regina be able to open the door?
What if not?
Breaking the door in two would not be an option since it was a security door.
Probably it had been just a harmless nose bleed?
Well, she would only figure it out if she would get inside of that apartment.
But the second she wanted to knock she realized that the door was not even closed.
Emma burst into the apartment, onlyf to stop dead in her tracks in the middle of the living room.
Regina was lying on the couch, her hands and face covered in blood, her lip swollen, her right eye bruised.
"Oh my god, Regina! What happened?"
She knelt down right next to her and realized that the brunette was shaking, "Who did this to you?"
"It's nothing, it doesn't matter..."
Regina's voice was low, her answer lame, but she did not have the strength to say anything more.
"It's nothing?! Regina, you have blood all over you...and that gash on your forehead probably needs stitches. The hell it doesn't matter! You need to see a doctor...I'll take you to the hospital!" Emma was too upset to control her voice.
"No."
"Then I'll call Whale", Emma demanded.
"No! I'll be fine."
"This is a joke, right? Regina, you are hurt. Badly. You need help", Emma insisted, close to losing her mind.
"Then...help me", it was barely a whisper.
"Only if you tell me what happened. Or I'll call the cops. Your choice."
Regina nodded as best as she could.
"I'll go, get the first aid kit. I'll be right back..." Emma got up, but the brunette grabbed her arm and held her back, "I'll come with you."
"Are you sure you can walk?" Emma eyed her suspiciously, but there was something in Regina's not swollen eye that told her that she could not leave the brunette here, simply because Regina seemed to be scared to the bone.
Once Regina had been on her feet she had managed to walk over to Emma's penthouse surprisingly well, but when Emma had headed for her bedroom, Regina right behind her, the blonde had realized that Regina got weaker by the second.
And so the brunette had ended up sitting on Emma's bed while she looked for bandages and a wash cloth in the second bathroom of the penthouse.
The one right next to her bedroom.
When Emma had gathered all the things she needed she stood there and watched Regina for a second, unsure how to proceed, "Uhm...I brought you a bowl of water...so you can...clean yourself up."
The brunette nodded weakly, but as soon as she tried to raise her arm she hissed loudly and stopped her attempt the same second and Emma got even more worried than she already was.
"Regina, I know you are in a lot of pain...but I have to take care of your wounds and bruises. May I?" Emma asked carefully, showing the brunette the already wetted wash cloth.
Another nod was all the answer she got, but as soon as Emma raised her arm Regina flinched and ducked her head, turning away from her hand and the blonde realized that this was going to be a lot more complicated than she had expected.
She knelt down right in front of the still shaking brunette, "Regina, look at me. Please."
It took a while till Regina complied, but Emma just knelt there patiently and rewarded the brunette with a smile when their eyes finally met, "It's okay, Regina. You're safe here. I won't let anything happen to you, okay?"
Silence overtook the room till there was a hoarsely whispered approval, "Okay."
And so Emma started to wash the blood off of the brunette's face, neck and arms, always careful not to make a rushed move, because she did not want to make the already highly tense woman even more uncomfortable.
Once she was done she took a closer look at Regina's face, but thankfully there was only this one gash on the right side of her forehead, close to the hairline, "Okay...it looked worse before...with all the blood. I still think stitches would be better, but well...I'll clean that gash...but I'm afraid that it will sting a bit. Maybe I can get it together with these thin and tiny band aid stripes...don't know what they are called..."
When Regina did not argue Emma continued and the brunette only winced once when she put some desinfection spray onto the wound, but afterwards Regina stayed quiet and Emma indeed succeeded in vetting the gash.
After that she put some cooling gel on the bruise round Regina's eye and arms, but then she hesitated, "What about your ribs? You want to put some of it on there too?"
The brunette stared at her as if she wanted to ask why she even knew, but Emma cut her off before Regina could have said anything, "Please. You can barely raise your arm and you inhale sharply...like every second breath you take."
No reply.
"Listen...I'll unbutton your shirt if that's okay. I guess then you can take it off by yourself. I'll get you one of mine...and I'll let the cooling gel here so you can put some on...okay? I'll get you some painkillers and some tea in the meantime...would that be...alright?"
To Emma's big surprise Regina nodded her approval once again.
"Okay, great. Can you...uhm...stand up?"
She knew she was asking a lot of Regina, because the brunette clearly was close to collapsing, but everything would be done much faster if Regina stood and obviously the stripper knew that too, because she made it to her feet only moment later.
With gritted teeth, but she made it.
It was then that Emma realised what she was about to do and she stopped dead in her tracks, hesitating, because she felt like she had no right to do that, but this time it was Regina, who broke the silence, "It's okay, Emma. I...I tru...I trust you."
Emma was so overwhelmed by the admission, because she knew exactly how big of a deal that was, but she shook it off quickly – taking care of Regina was her only priority.
And so she unbuttoned the shirt in the end, her eyes never leaving Regina's face.
She would never take advantage of a situation like that.
By the time Emma had returned with the tea and the pain killers Regina was already wearing one of her shirts and all she had to do was help her get the last three buttons done.
The brunette took the pills and had some tea, already in a sitting position, because it was obvious that Regina would not be able to make more than two steps before she would faint.
And once Emma had supported her to lie down Regina had fallen asleep within a heartbeat.
Right there in the Emma's bed.
Regina woke up and paniced instantely.
She was not in her bedroom.
Where the hell was she?
It took a moment or two for the memories to come rushing back, but when they did they washed over here like a gigantic wave and she was left breathless.
She had to be in Emma's bed!
Her fears got the best of her before she could blink her not swollen eye open and Regina wanted to jump up and run, but she became very much aware that she would not even be able to get up when she tried to move to a sitting position.
Damn it!
She had to get away before Emma...
Before Emma what?
The blonde had helped her for heaven's sake.
Again.
Why was she freaking out now?
Regina knew exactly why, but she forced the unwanted memories down with all her strength.
This was not the time, nor the place.
But what the hell should she do?
Clearly Emma would want answers, but what should she tell her?
The truth?
She wanted to, but could she?
Emma would probably flip and worse than that – she would probably do something stupid.
And yet she had a feeling that lying to Emma would be pointless.
At least she managed to turn her head enough to be able to take a look at the alarm clock on the nightstand.
2.17 pm.
Henry would be home in less than an hour...
Regina felt the panic rising in her chest once again.
She had to calm down, she had to calm down.
Closing her eyes she took a deep breath and that was when she smelled it – the familiar scent on the pillow.
It was so uniquely Emma.
She had no better description for it- it was just so Emma.
And it made her feel warm and safe.
And protected.
"Hey...you are awake!"
Emma entered the room a few minutes later, a bowl of soup in hand, a smile on her face, but it did not reach her eyes - they were filled with worryinstead.
The blonde showed up only minutes after Regina had managed to calm down for real, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Regina croaked.
"I'm sure you are", Emma anwered with a frown, "Are you hungry?"
The brunette nodded and struggled to move to a sitting position, hissing in pain more than once, but she succeeded in the end.
It was hard for Emma to watch Regina in pain, but she knew better than to just walk over and help her, because the brunette was not comfortable with being touched, no matter the circumstances or reason.
"Can you...can you help me with...the pillow?" Regina asked all of a sudden and Emma hurried to her side, put the bowl on the nightstand and took two pillows out of her closet instead of pulling the other one out under Regina. It would have done nothing, but cause the brunette pain and why would she do that if there was another option available.
Once the pillows were set up behind the brunette's back, Regina let herself sink against the headboard and obviously found a position to "sit" where the pain was at least bearable.
"Is it okay if I sit down?" Emma made sure to show Regina that she would not cross any lines, that she would do nothing without her approval, because she suspected that the seemingly composed woman in front of her was more than a little on the edge – deep down.
Because Regina did not want anyone physically near her, except for Henry, and the brunette tolerating, "suffering" through this was not because she wanted this, but because she needed Emma's help.
"Yes."
And so Emma sat down carefully, facing the bruntte, who's bruises seemed to had gotten at least three shades darker over the last few hours, and started to feed her some of the chicken soup she had cooked while Regina had been out like a light.
"Do you know who did this to you?"
After Regina had finished her bowl of soup Emma had not been able to stay quiet anymore. She had to know, she had to do something.
"Yes, but Emma...it's okay. It won't happen again, so just let it go", Regina countered and prayed that the blonde would give in, because she was still worn out and the last thing she needed was a fight. She did not have the strength for that.
"Let it go? Regina, I swear to God...if you don't tell me what's going on...right now...I'll call Jefferson", Emma demanded, making clear that she would do no such thing as let it go.
The hell she would. She would rip whoever did this to Regina to shreds.
"Leave Jefferson out of this. The poor man has trouble enough because of me", Regina sighed heavily.
"What? What do you mean?"
Regina's answer had Emma completely confused for a moment, but then it dawned on her, "Gold...he has finally returned from his business trip, hasn't he? Did he...was it him?"
Regina did not dare to answer, afraid of what might happen if she did.
But of course her silence made it even worse.
Emma was too smart to not figure it out.
"I knew it! That asshole...I'm going to..."
"You are not going to do anything, Emma. Please, let it go!"
"Regina, I can't. I just can't."
"You have to. There are a few things you don't understand, things you don't know. Gold was furious when he came back and learned that Jefferson had changed my shifts without his permission, that I moved out...he was pissed off, because he thinks I'm going to break the deal we have, but I won't. He is mad, because he believes I want to quit on him, that he will lose a shitload of money because of it and he made it very clear that nothing of that will happen. He is a business man...and he did "help" me once...not without conditions...of course...but he did. And for that I owe him...so, please...promise me that you will let it go."
Regina locked eyes with Emma, silently begging the blonde to stay out of this.
"Don't you want to get out of there? Don't you want to get away from all this crap?"
"What I want, Emma...does not matter, because I can't afford it. I have stopped dreaming about that years, because it is nothing, but a dream. There is no way out of there for me. I've come to terms with that long time ago."
"Emma, are you home? And do you know where mom is?"
Henry's voice made both of them jump. They had totally forgotten time.
"He can't see me like this", Regina whispered. Not again.
"What do I tell him?" Emma was too overwhelmed to think straight, her question causing the brunette to shrug helplessly, "Tell him that I am sick or something."
Emma nodded and headed for the door, but stopped to turn around and face Regina once again, "Don't think this is over. We'll talk about this later."
Of course Henry had not believed Emma's story for a second and had tricked her when she had started to prepare dinner, just to sneak into her bedroom and see his mom.
He had suspected right away that something had to be very wrong and once he had caught sight of his sleeping mother with her bruised face he had gotten so unbelievably angry, because he had seen his mom like this before.
More than once.
And it was time somebody made it stop.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He stared at Emma expectantly, who was completely startled by his appearance and met his eyes only hesitantly.
Of course she knew what he meant.
"Your mom didn't want you to see her like that. She didn't want to scare you..." she explained quickly before she turned her attention back to the pots on the stove.
"Why? I've seen her like this before...it never scared me, just had me worried."
Emma shot around and knelt down in front of him, "What do you mean, kid? How often has this happened before?"
The boy shrugged helplessly, "I don't know...probably three or four times in the last few years. It was Mister Gold, who hurt her, wasn't it?"
"I'm afraid so", Emma hugged him close, her mind racing.
When Regina had said it would not happen again, when she had seen the begging look in those warm, brown eyes, she had considered for a moment to do as Regina had asked her to, but now it was very clear that she could not let this go.
"I wish I could do something to help my mom", Henry stated, "As soon as I am old enough to get a job I will start to work and save up money...because mom has to get away from Mister Gold...she has been hurt enough. This is about money, right?"
"You don't have to worry about it, kid. I will find a way to help your mom", Emma stated, baffled that Henry seemed to understand so much more about the world than she was aware of, despite of his young age.
"Promise? Because a lot of people have promised mom that they would help her in the past...but things never got better...they just got worse", he's eyes were so unbelievably sad and Emma wanted to cry, "I promise, Henry. I will help your mom. For real. I'm not like other people."
"I know."
Dinner with Henry had been silent and after he had done his homework he had went to the guestroom to read a book.
Emma knew that he had a really hard time, that he was struggling with the fact that his mom had been beaten up and that he could not help her, could not make it stop.
But she would.
She checked on Regina, made her eat some more soup and gave her some pain killers again and once the brunette had fallen asleep Emma headed for her home office, because she had to do something.
She would do anything to get Regina out of 'The Rabbit Hole', no matter what it might cost her, because she was in the lucky position to have more money that she could ever spend.
Emma had called Jefferson – to check if he was alright and when he assured her that there was nothing he could not handle she had told him that she needed an appointment with Gold.
As soon as possible.
Jefferson had not been too fond of the idea, but Emma had been persistent and so he had given in in the end.
He would text her the date and time as soon as he had it.
And then she had called Graham, who had been on his way to the airport, on his way to a huge photo shoot in New York, but he had listened anyway.
Emma had completely fallen apart, had cried during most of the call, too worried and heart broken about Regina's situation, about Henry's words, but Graham had managed to calm her down, had assured her that everything would be fine.
She received a text from Jefferson only minutes after she had hung up.
Gold would expect her the next day at 2 pm – at 'The Rabbit Hole'.
Emma had fallen asleep on the the couch once she had tucked Henry in, because she had been completely worn out by the events of the day.
But she woke up with a feeling of determination the next morning and that got her going with ease.
Regina had looked a bit better, stronger as well, despite of her bruises and Emma had been surprised to see her walking to the bathroom and back by herself, but had not commented on it.
After she had brought Henry to school she had headed to work, because Regina would sleep most of the day anyway – thanks to the pain killers.
Emma had hated to lie to her, but it was not like she could have told Regina what she was planning to do, simply because the brunette would never agree to that.
But there was no other way.
She was about to leave her office around 1 pm although it was just a thirty minute drive to 'The Rabbit Hole', but she did not want to be late.
This Mister Gold seemed to be a real asshole, so maybe he would refuse to talk to her if she would not be on time.
Her car keys already in hand she caught sight of Graham, who was leaning against the door frame, watching her with interest, "What the hell are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in New York taking pictures of too thinwomen in way too expensive dresses?"
"I re-scheduled."
"You did what? Why would you do that? I thought it was such a big deal? What if they hire someone else?" Emma stared at him in disbelief. He had talked about that shoot on the phone for hours a couple of nights earlier.
"If they hire someone else...so be it. I'm here to help you. I'm not letting you go to face that weasel by yourself", he stated matter-of-factly.
"Graham, you really don't have to do that...it's none of...Regina is not even your friend", Emma countered, feeling guilty about pulling him into this mess.
"Shut up, Emma. Regina might not be my friend, but you are. And I know how important she is to you...besides that I don't tolerate stuff like that. I can't just look away...I've learned that from you. When my dad...you helped me, you didn't care that I had no money or anything...you talked your father into letting me stay...you've always been there for me...always. This one time I can be there for you...so, don't you dare argue with me about that. I'm coming with you."
The tone in his voice made it clear that nothing would change his mind, so Emma nodded and he smiled at her, "Let's go, Swan. Time to slay a dragon!"
Although she wanted to do nothing, but hit the man in front of her silly, Emma did stay calm, because she was aware that her only chance to help Regina was to come up with a reasonable offer.
And the only way to accomplish that was to talk, not fight.
Thankfully Graham had stayed quiet till now, because Emma could see how close he was to murder that man with the letter opener, that was lying on the table in front of them.
But making a deal with Mister Gold, who reminded her a lot of Rumplestiltskin from the fairy tales with his maniacal way of giggling, turned out to be a lot trickier than she had expected, but she would give him what he wanted – if only he would let Regina go.
"You have to understand, dearie...this is not only about the money Miss Mills owes me. If I let her go I'll lose a lot of money...she is one of my clients' favorites", he announced with a sly grin.
"There has to be a way. Tell me your terms...I'm sure we can work something out", Emma countered, trying to hide her annoyance.
"There is always a way, dearie. And it always has a price", Gold started, "From what I understood you are an event manager?"
She nodded.
"One of the best from what I've heard. You have quite the reputation, , here is my offer", he giggled once again and it gave Emma chills, "I want the seventyfive thousand dollars Regina owes me...and I want you to plan two events for 'The Rabbit Hole' next year. For free of course. I will pay for all the material, that's out of the question, but your work...it will be for free. I know my etablissment is not your piece of cake, but that's the deal. Right...and Regina has to do one more shift on December 30...as a 'Good bye'. What do you say?"
"Two events and that's it. Then you let her go for good?" Emma seemed not convinced.
"Two events...'The Rabbit Hole' is turing twenty next year and celebrations are in order", Gold explained, pride swinging in his voice, "And yes, I will hand out all documents I have about Regina...medical reports...borrower's note...everything."
"I want to be present during her last show", Emma stated dryly.
"That can be arranged", Gold snickered.
Emma looked him straight in the eye, "And she gets full payment for this month. And she gets it before Christmas, because she has a kid."
"I'm afraid that will cost you an extra favor, dearie."
Graham, who was not too happy about the deal they were coming up with, could not stay quiet anymore, because he did not want Emma to promise that man any more – that job for Gold could cost her her image, her reputation and her career anyway, "What if I offer to take the promotion pics for your parties...for free?"
"Interesting", Gold nodded, "Graham Hunter, most famous photographer, in the Boston area offering to take pictures of my girls."
Emma and Graham both stared at him and the maniacal giggle could be heard once more, "Didn't think I know who you are, now did you, dearies? But you know what...I accept your offer. So, the question is...do we have a deal?"
Emma and Graham looked at each other for a moment, silently communicating before Emma finally nodded, "We do have a deal. Do you take a check or do you want the money in cash?"
"Right down to the business, Miss Swan. I like that. A check will do."
Graham was driving on the way back to Emma's penthouse, because she was too worked up from their conversation with Gold.
She was holding a stack of papers in hand, documents about Regina's past, documents that would probably answer most of her questions – and yet Emma refused to take a look, because she felt she had no right to do that.
"I have some errands to run, but I'll come by later...will you be okay?" Graham asked once they arrived in front of the building, worry written all over his face.
"Yes, I'll be fine. Everything will get better now. Thanks for coming with me...and for offering your help...not sure if I would have gotten Gold to agree to let her go by myself..since he knew from who you were...", Emma smiled at Graham, but could not hide the sadness in her eyes.
"You'll never know with that...with that...I don't even have words for that devil...but it's over now. At least for Regina."
"Yes. Yes, it is. And that's all that matters", Emma opened the car door, but turned to face her friend again, "You can take the car. I don't need it anymore today. See you later then?"
"See you later."
The moment Emma unlocked her apartment door and entered her penthouse she was greeted by an obviously furious Regina Mills, who glared at her with anger shining in her ususally warm, brown eyes, "What the hell did you do? I told you to stay out of it!"
Emma dropped the papers on the kitchen counter and turned to face the upset woman. She had feared that Regina would freak out once she found out about what Emma had done, but she had not expected it to happen so soon. Gold must have called her the minute they had left.
Asshole.
"Listen, Regina! I know I should have talked to you about it before I..."
"No! No, you shouldn't have done this at all. I would have never agreed to this if I you had given me a choice!"
"Please, calm down...I wanted to help. Henry made me promise that I would help you", Emma tried to defend herself.
"You told Henry?!" Regina got even more worked up.
"I didn't. He sneacked into the room while I was cooking yesterday, okay? And when he told me that it had happened before...he was so sad, Regina. He was beating himself up over what happened to you...because he couldn't do anything to protect you. No kid should worry about their mothers getting beaten up by their boss..." Emma tried to reason with the brunette, "And I had the possibility to get you out of there. One more shift and you are done...you can work for Killian and everything will be..."
"No! Nothing will be fine...but that's what you don't get! What if I don't want to work for Mister Jones? Have you ever thought about that?" Regina challenged her.
"Then we'll find you another job..." Emma suggested quickly.
"I don't want your help! I asked you to stay out of this! But no, you had to interfer...and now I don't have a job anymore. How am I supposed to pay my bills? Let you pay for my stuff? No way in hell, Emma. You think you have done me a favor, but you've made things so much worse."
"And how did I do that? Tell me, Regina...because the way I see it you are finally out of that hell hole..."
"But now I am caught here. I trusted you, Emma. I trusted you and I begged you to let it go, but you couldn't. Gold might not own me anymore...but you do now...and you know what that means...we can't be friends anymore."
"There is no such thing as owning someone", Emma countered, shocked by Regina's statement.
Regina laughed hysterically, "Easy to say for someone who never has been treated like someone's possession. "
"Regina, I swear..."
"Don't. I begged you, Emma. I begged you. I really thought you were different...but turns out you are just like the others. You think you helped me by getting me out of 'The Rabbit Hole'...and now you want to tell me what to do with my life...where I should work, what I should do...and there is nothing I can do against it...because you have that", she pointed over to the stack of papers, "I told you everyone expects something in return...but I really started to believe you when you said you didn't. And now look at what you've done. You made decisions behind my back, against my will, because you think you know better than me. Now you have the power...over me...over my whole life. In fact you have more power than anyone else ever had...and that makes this so much worse."
"What?!" Emma was completely aghast, "You think I did that...to...to control you? So you can be my lap dog? Regina, you can't be serious! I never meant to...I..."
As much as she wanted to hold the tears back Emma failed miserably, Regina's words simply had cut too deep.
For the first time since she had heard the news Regina took a real breath.
Was it possible that she had misjudged the situation? Was is possible that Emma really wanted nothing, but help her? That she was true to her word?
No, it could not be.
But then she saw the tears and her doubts arose anew.
Emma looked so heart broken and miserable and there was so much hurt in her usually bright eyes.
Regina did not know about the rest, but the pain was real – she could tell.
What if...
"Emma, I..."
But the blonde waved her off, "Forget it. You made your point very clear. You think I'm a manipulative bitch, who uses her money to gets her will...not giving shit about others...but I have news for you, Regina...I am no such thing. You've got it all wrong, but you can't see it, because of your fucking pride. Fine...But know one thing...I trusted you too. I trusted that you could see me for who I am, your prejudice aside...but obviously you lied to me all this time...you never trusted me...you never believed me. No matter what I do...you'll always question me...my intentions...you'll always judge me...I can never be innocent in your book", she wiped the tears from her face, "No matter what I'd do...I could never do it right...because you would still believe that I'm the devil...who hides behind some faked kindness...just to lurk you into signing your soul over to me. I got it. I've received the message...loud and clear. I can't change that I let you into my life, that I wanted to help you...that I came to think of you and Henry as family...I'm sorry that I obviously forced myself on you. That was never my intention."
That said Emma headed for her home office, but then she turned around again, "You got one thing right though...after this...we can't be friends anymore."
