A/N: Hello everyone!

Thanks for all the love for "Take me to Wonderland"!

Welcome to the new followers, it's a pleasure to have you along for the ride.

There's still a few chapters left, of course, but know that Wonderland is slowly headed towards the end. I'm a bit conflicted about it 'cause I'm looking forward to all the new stories I have planned, to the new adventures I'm already working on and looking forward to take you on next year, but of course it is hard to see Wonderland go as I have grown quite fond of my girls.

At this point I can reveal one thing – I know how it is going to end. I always knew. The ending basically existed in my head before the story did. And I still think that it is the only fitting and worthy ending for this story.

I'm looking forward to seeing it all unfold now and I hope I can do the characters, and everyone who has been part of the journey as a reader, justice.

This chapter was supposed to be longer, but I decided to split it in two, because I felt like this moment between Regina and Emma should stand alone. They deserve as much.

Much love to everyone,

R.


TAKE ME TO WONDERLAND

Chapter 42

Regina had not bothered to change, she had only wanted to get out of The Rabbit Hole as fast as possible. She had left a note for Ashley though, a note with her phone number and address and an invitation for dinner on Sunday, hoping Ashley would take her up on it.

Emma had handed Killian Regina's car keys and he had promised to bring it by later. He had also told Regina to take the next day off to breathe and relax and Emma had promised him that she would make sure Regina did.

The drive home had been silent, Regina had buried her hand in the pile of clothes in her lap to keep them from shaking while Emma kept stealing glances at her, but Regina did not even blink.

They had called David briefly once they had gotten home as he had picked up Henry, who was already sleeping, but both Mary Margaret and David had assured them that he was fine and had no clue of the whole Gold debacle.

Regina had disappeared into the bathroom wordlessly after that, leaving Emma to stare after her in worry.


She hated her reflection in the mirror.

The fake hair, the heavy make up, it simply was not her.

And yet Regina could not stop staring, could not stop looking at this part of herself. A part she thought she would never see again, but here she was.

Emma had to be so disappointed, probably even disgusted.

She kept staring at the stranger in the mirror that was so familiar at the same time.

The Evil Queen was a part of her past, it was a part of her, whether she liked it or not. She would love to say that it was just a job, just a way to get by, but the truth was the queen had become part of her every day life, part of her reality. She might not have had another choice, but to work for Gold, but she had not fought him either.

She had not noticed that she had been standing there motionlessly for quite a while, it was only when Emma knocked on the door and asked if she was alright that Regina realized that she needed help, even if Emma was mad at her.

"You can come in", she rasped out and Emma appeared right behind her only a moment later.

What a stark contrast that was – the two of them reflected in the mirror.

Emma was the light and she was the darkness and she really should send Emma away, because Emma, of all people, should not have to see her like this, but she couldn't.

"What can I do?" Emma asked carefully and put her hands on Regina's shoulders, squeezing them encouragingly, "Just tell me what you need, Regina."

"Hair."

It was the only thing she could say without her voice breaking, but Emma understood all the same.

She maneuvered Regina over to the bathtub and made her sit on the edge, "Maybe you want to get out of those killer heels, your feet must be hurting like hell."

Regina's gaze dropped to her feet. She had not even realized that she was still wearing shoes.

But so was Emma, who seemed to catch onto it as well.

Emma slipped out of her heels unceremoniously, moved them to the side and knelt down in front of Regina, gently taking hold of her right leg and removed the black high heel in one slow move, causing Regina to wince, which did not go unnoticed by Emma.

"Hurts?" Emma asked, looking up at Regina worriedly.

"It's okay".

The truth was that Regina was quite in a bit of pain, but she did not want to add any more weight to Emma's guilt ladden shoulders as the burden seemed to be crushing her as it was and yet Emma was still strong for her, for the both of them.

Regina felt Emma's hands on her other foot and the shoe was taken off as well. She was glad that she was sitting already because Regina was sure she would have keeled over otherwise. How she had worn those heels for hours on end on a daily basis back in the day was beyond her.

While Regina was lost in thought of the past Emma got up and started to take out clips and hair needles, together with strands of fake hair. She worked in silence, allowing Regina a moment to breathe and pull herself together because Regina was shaken up way more than she was letting on.

Once she was done Emma went to get some of wipes to clean Regina's face.

Regina looked so different with all the dark colors and it was not that Emma did not like it, but it simply was not Regina.

It was like an armor, a mask Regina wore to shield herself from the world outside and The Evil Queen persona might have been part of Regina's past, but it had nothing to do with who she was now although Regina would clearly disagree on that.

Regina blamed herself for most of the choices she had to make, for most of the things that had happend to her and she was convinced that it made her a bad person.

Emma, of course, saw it differently.

Regina had done what she had to do in order to survive and protect herself. And her son.

She felt Regina closing her eyes while she wiped the make up off of her face, always careful not to put too much pressure onto the soft skin, not wanting to cause Regina any pain.

The rich, blood red lipstick was the last thing Emma removed in soft strokes, revealing the last part of the real Regina.

Gone was the armor, the mask had fallen and a smile spread on Emma's face as soon as Regina opened her eyes, "There you are."

Emma's eyes sparkled happily, "Let me draw you a bath."

Regina was so captivated by Emma's gentle touches that she could only nod.

She heard the water running only seconds later.


The light of countless candles was providing a rather relaxing atmosphere together with the smell of the cinnamon and vanilla oil Emma had added to the water.

She was ready to leave the room, but Regina held her back, "I need help with my corset."

Emma nodded robotically and helped Regina to her aching feet. She turned her around, her fingers trembling as she untied the laces, holding her breath as the corset fell open to reveal Regina's scarred, but beautiful back.

Emma was not keen on seeing all the dents the tightly tied corset had left on Regina's skin, knowing full well that it must have been painful to wear.

As Regina loosened her grip on the constricting piece of clothing it dropped to the floor like an old rag.

Emma instantly closed her eyes as she realised that Regina was turning around to face her.

"You can look at me, you know", Regina husked out, her voice shaking, "Unless you don't want to."

Emma opened her eyes and met Regina's gaze, "Never think I don't want to, Regina. You're so beautiful. Breathtaking really. I just don't want you to be...uncomfortable. I don't want to push you."

Regina smiled then, really smiled, "I know. And I love you for that, Emma. But this relationship isn't just about me, it's about the both of us. You matter just as much as I do."

Emma nodded, "I know, Regina. But you're working so hard to get better and I don't want to cause any set backs. Besides..."

"Yes?"

"A relationship is about two people, true. But Regina...I do respect you, I hope you know that. And whatever you are willing to share with me...emotionally and physically...will always be your choice."

Emma's eyes were so sincere and so full of love, Regina thought she might drown in them.

She pulled Emma into an embrace, leaning against her for support and warmth, feeling Emma's hands on her bare back and she revelled in it. Regina loved the feeling their skin on skin contact provided, she literally craved it.

"Can you just hold me?" Regina did not like how fragile and needy she sounded, but Emma did not seem to mind. She simply put a gentle kiss to Regina's temple, "Always."

They stood like that for a couple of minutes, right there in the candle lit bathroom, but then Regina's feet began to hurt so badly, causing her to sigh heavily, "I wish I could stay like this all night, but I'm afraid I need to sit down 'cause my feet are really killing me."

Emma nodded, ready to step back and let go, but then she decided to do something Regina would have never expected.

Emma simply got into the bathtub fully clothed and gestured for Regina, who looked at her in disbelief, to do the same. Eventually she did, her back leaning against Emma's front, the blonde's arms securely wrapped around her waist.

"You ruined your clothes", Regina mumbled, her head resting against Emma's shoulder, her eyes closed.

"Doesn't matter."


The water had started to turn cold when Regina finally got out of the bathtub and therefor out of Emma's embrace.

It was also the moment she got rid of her black hot pants and panties and wrapped herself in one of Emma's big, fluffy towels.

Emma stepped out of the bathtub then as well and Regina grabbed another towel, holding it out for her, but when Emma wanted to take it Regina shook her head, "Clothes off first."

Emma looked at her with wide eyes, clearly not expecting that, but Regina held her gaze, her mind set.

Wendy Darling had pointed out the other day that she was the only one who held herself back and Regina knew Wendy was right.

Sure, they had to keep the pace slow, but they had to keep moving forward still or they would be stuck in some purgatory like state forever and that was the last thing Regina wanted.

And now that the potential threat that was Mister Gold was dealt with they could finally move on with their lives. They were a family and they were in love and after countless hours of therapy Regina could admit, at last, that she wanted to be with Emma.

She wanted to be with her in every sense of the way and she would get there one day.

The sound of wet clothes falling to the ground had Regina out of her thoughts and she caught a glimpse of Emma's naked body before she wrapped her girlfriend in the towel.

She was not entirely sure where her sudden boldness came from, but Regina figured it was long overdue.

She knew, without a doubt, that she could trust Emma.

She did not even want to know to what lengths the Swans had went to make this new deal with Gold, but it was not the fact that Emma had saved her once again, but the devestation in Emma's eyes when she thought she couldn't. It had touched something within Regina, something she could not quite grasp, but it had made all the difference.

It had been the reason Regina had decided to go back to Gold, to protect Emma, because Emma was willing to do the same.

She was aware that Emma would have sold her soul over to that devil in a heartbeat had she gotten the chance, if it would have been the price and Regina could not put into words how loved and treasued it made her feel.

It also made her feel incredibly guilty that she had broken her promise.

"I know you are mad at me", she stated at last, sounding utterly defeated for some reason.

Emma looked at her in confusion, "Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?"

It was a bit of a ridiculous sight, both of them illuminated by the candelight, wrapped in big fluffy towels, one looking miserable and one rather clueless, but it was them. It was their dynamic.

It could have been rather romantic, but that would be too easy, would it not?

"I shouldn't have gone to see Gold without telling you...I promised...I'd wait", Regina dropped her head and Emma stepped closer, lifting her chin with index finger, "What you did was so brave, Regina. I'm not mad...I was scared as hell that he did something to you, but...I know why you did it and I would have probably done the same...if anything I am proud of you."

Regina was not sure how to react to that statement just yet, she had to let it sink in for a moment, "What about your parents? Are they okay?"

Emma only shrugged, "I have no idea. My father wasn't too thrilled that my mother decided to help me...they might face a bit of a rough patch I think...but then again...it was time that my mother finally stood her ground. Sure, I would have wished for more joyful circumstances, but well...that's life."

"I don't want them to fight because of me."

"Hey", Emma ran her fingers over Regina's cheek, "I told them I'd deal with this myself. Hell, I told my father I'd rather go strip for Gold myself than to send you back there." She chuckled, but Regina glared, "Emma!"

"What? I would have. And it would have been my choice. It also was my mother's choice to help. No one made her. I know the concept is a little foreign to you, but have yo learned nothing from Lilo and Stitch? I'm sure Henry made you watch it on one or two occasions", Emma chuckled and rolled her eyes dramatically, but then sobered up quickly and quoted, "Ohana means family. Family means no one gets left behind."

Regina took Emma's face in her hands then, looking into Emma's sparkling eyes, "Thank you for staying true to your word. You did show Henry...you did show me...that there is still good in this world, Emma."

"You heard that?"

She could remember the moment vividly, although it had been months ago. Back when Regina had been so sick and she had given Henry those sevenhundred dollars when she had left.

"No. I was out like a light. But he told me when I woke up...when he handed me that money", Regina confessed, "It helped us out a lot, you know. Even if I would have never seen you again...it made all the difference. I don't know what I did to deserve you, Emma Swan, but don't think I'll take you for granted for a second...Henry loves you. I love you. And not because you helped us out so much, but because you are the most beautiful human being I've ever met. I love you...because you are everything."

Regina kissed Emma then, kissed her without hesitation, kissed her with everything she was as a wave of emotions washed over them, drowing them in their love for one another. It was pure and it was beautiful and it was warm.

When they finally broke apart it was Regina's smile that illuminated the whole room, putting the candlelight to shame.

Emma grabbed the candles nonetheless and brought them over to the bedroom while Regina dropped her towel to the floor and got under the covers. Emma debated for a second whether she should do the same when she caught sight of Regina nodding at her and so she got into bed as well.

The moment Regina snuggled into her, the moment their bare skin connected everything fell into place. They were together, they were one.

They were exactly where they had always been meant to be.

As Emma ran lazy circles over Regina's back with her fingertips, feeling the shiver that ran down Regina's spine, Emma finally found peace.

After the emotional rollercoaster Gold had sent her on, after the pressure being taken away at last, she felt content.

"Regina?"

"Hm?"

"I think Mary Margaret knows..." Emma stated, realising that Regina might not understand, so she added, "That we are together I mean."

Regina lifted her head off of Emma's shoulder and looked at her, "Is that a problem?"

"Of course not. She just asked if she should send two seperate wedding invitations or one", Emma chuckled.

Regina smiled as well, "What did you answer?"

"Nothing yet. It depends..."

Regina raised her eyebrow, "On what, dear?"

Emma cleared her throat nervously, "Regina...will you do me the honor of accompanying me to the wedding?"

"As your date?" Regina asked to clarify. It was a big step so she wanted to be sure that they were talking about the same thing.

Emma only nodded shyly, not sure what to expect. Maybe it was too early, maybe it was...

"Yes."

Regina's answer came without hesitation. If anything she sounded relieved, confident and happy, "I'd love to."

She put a kiss to Emma's bare shoulder before she put her head back down, snuggling even more into her.

It was then, in the warmth and safety of Emma's arms, that Regina found solace after a lifetime of pain and she fell asleep, knowing, that the next day would be beautiful. And every day after that.

Because no matter what else life might throw at her – she had Emma and Henry. They had their love for one another. It was honest, it was pure and it was good.

And really, nothing else mattered.