A/N: Thank you all for your continuous support! Here is a new update for your enjoyment. This story is coming close to reaching it's end. One more chapter to go. Enjoy! :)

The Mercedes pulled up off to the side slowly, as Regina shut off her headlights, just in case there was anyone still inside her house. As both women made their way out of the vehicle, weapons drawn out, they moved silently towards the front door, standing on each side of it.

"One, two…" Emma counted in a low whisper as she then kicked the door open. Both women aimed their weapons as they stopped in front of the door.

Regina immediately picked up a piece of folded paper that had fallen from between the door. Emma made her way inside the house, moving quickly through every room as Regina unfolded the paper, reading the message that was left for her.

"The bastards have Henry." she whispered, her eyes filled with anger but also tears as she feared for her son's life. She handed over the note for Emma to see as she now stood behind her.

If you value his life, wait by the phone for instructions.

Emma's lip curled up in anger as her eyes read over the note. Tears made their way down, rolling down the brunette's cheeks as her eyes drank in a picture of Henry who in fact had been taken. His hands were tied to the arms of a chair as a rag was placed over his mouth. This was not how Regina ever wanted to see her son. They could do whatever they wanted with her- but her son was untouchable.

Emma silently looked over at her partner, holding on to her as Regina wanted to collapse on the stairs. She sat her down on the first step as she joined her, not letting her go for a single minute.

"They have my son." Regina's voice broke as she looked into her partner's eyes, "My son, Emma."

"We'll get him back." Emma's reply was soft as her hands rubbed the older woman's shoulders.

It didn't take long for the phone to ring, as Regina raced to it, answering it immediately as Emma stood beside her.

"Mills." Regina spoke loud and clear as she held the phone by her ear.

"Mom?" Henry's voice sounded on the other line.

Regina's eyes softened, feeling relief but also a great fear as she heard her son's frightened voice, "Henry! Are you alright? Where are you?" she asked all at once as she soon heard another voice speak in reply.

"Your son is fine." Hyde's voice sounded in her ears, "If you wish to know the answers to those questions, I'd stay by your phone. This was just a quick call so you'll know we aren't bluffing."

A click was all Regina heard as she walked away from the phone to sit back on the steps, leaving Emma to walk up to the house phone as she hung it up- anger was displayed all over her eyes as she glanced over at a worried Regina. Her partner always seemed so strong, but now… this was the first time Emma had ever seen her look so vulnerable.

"Detective, you have a direct call on line three." said a fellow officer as Graham sat by his desk, picking up the phone.

"Homicide, Sgt. Humbert speaking."

Hyde spoke in a professional manner, as he made himself pass as a reporter of one of New York's news stations, "Yes, this is WNYW news. We understand there was an officer involved shooting tonight. Can you give us more information, please?"

"Sgt. Emma Swan was shot and killed. Who is this?" asked Graham.

"Thank you. We'll send somebody right over." was the last thing Hyde said as he hung up the call. Emma and Regina had put everyone at the station on high alert, in case whoever was behind this murder was stupid enough to call. They needed to believe that Emma was dead. At least for now.

Hyde turned towards Hades, a smirk on his face, "Bingo. Swan is out of the picture."

Hades nodded as a smirk of satisfaction formed on his lips, "I want Mills taken alive."

"She may not talk, sir." replied Hyde.

"We have her son. She'll talk."

Regina paced back and forth as Emma sat on the arm of the couch in the living room. How did things get so out of hand? Why Henry? Why not just take her?

"Be honest with me, Emma." Regina finally spoke as she stood before the blonde, a pleading look in her eyes, "You know guys like this lunatic who took my son. What are the odds here?"

Emma knew exactly what the odds were. People were going to die, one way or another. There was no way around that. Her eyes looked into Regina's as she spoke, "They could kill him." she paused, "And if you want him back, you'll have to take him away from them."

Regina held back tears as she nodded, understanding exactly what the blonde meant. She sighed as she turned her back on her.

Emma stood to her feet as she walked up to her partner, placing her hands on the brunette's shoulders as a sign of support. It was there, Emma was surprised to see her actually crying as she turned in her arms and glossy eyes stared back into hers. That crushed her heart.

"Henry's father was in a similar situation." the brunette's voice remained soft, allowing herself to open up to the blonde, "It was before Henry was even born. I had no idea I was pregnant yet. He went undercover and was discovered. Turns out my old partner sold him out, he was dirty and I didn't know."

Emma could read Regina so well, it surprised her. She knew that this story leaded to the same day Regina was saved by Kathryn's father.

More tears made their way from Regina's eyes as she continued, "Once Henry was born, I promised myself that no matter what I'd keep him safe. And, now…" her voice broke, not being able to pronounce her last words.

Emma's hand came up as it rested on the brunette's cheek, while her tumb wiped away a fallen tear, "Now we get him back." she paused, "We do this my way. You shoot and you shoot to kill. Get as many of them as you can. Just don't miss." her eyes were locked on brown ones in front of her.

Regina's eyes were locked on to the blonde's, "I won't miss." her hand rested on her partner's forearm as her touch alone provided her with the most absolute comfort.

"It's going to get bloody, Regina. But, you have my word, I'll be with you every step of the way." replied Emma.

Regina leaned forward as her lips pressed directly on Emma's thin ones. She couldn't hold back any longer. She knew what they would stand up against and just in case they didn't make out of there alive- the last thing she wanted was to die without ever kissing this crazy blonde she had for a partner. Emma's lips melted on Regina's as they danced together in a pool of desire and, what the hell, love. They didn't need to say it to one another right now. They felt it as it radiated through that kiss they now shared. It was then the blonde made a promise to herself. No matter what the outcome of this stand off would be, she swore to herself to get Henry back, and get him and Regina out alive.

Their kiss came to an unpleasant end as their hearts sank as soon as the phone rang again.

"Here we go." said Emma, following Regina as the brunette answered the phone.

"Mills." Regina's voice was more calm this time as she heard Hades' voice this time speak through the other end.

"I don't want your son. I just want to know what Midas told you. Dry lake. Victorville. Sunrise tomorrow. Be there."

Click.

The line was dead. A night without Henry? Regina wasn't sure how to deal with that as millions of questions raced through her mind. Including Emma's plan that the blonde had set up and ready for the next day. It had to work. It just had to. Henry had to come out of this live. She trusted Emma to keep her safe- keep them both safe. But, if worse came to worst, she rather die than have anything happen to her son. She needed for the two people she loved most in this world to be safe.

Emma couldn't dare to leave the brunette alone that night. Or ever again. So, she stayed the night. It was hard for Regina to go to sleep. How could she when her son's life was in danger?

After opening up the way she finally did to Emma, Regina asked her to do something for her that she never thought she would ever say again to anyone else.

"Would you lay here with me? Please?" Regina's eyes locked with the blonde's as she sat up in her bed.

The last person Emma ever shared a bed with was her daughter, just as Daniel was the last person Regina ever shared a bed with.

Emma slowly made her way towards the bed, not being able to turn her down. Because how could she, really? When she was already head over heels this woman. She sat back, her back resting against the headboard of the full size bed. The blonde's breathing stopped all at once as soon as Regina moved closer only to cuddle up to her, her head resting on Emma's shoulder.

Emma's heart beated faster than it ever had before. It was in that moment, that her arms had a mind of their own as they slowly wrapped around her partner, as her chin rested on top of the woman's head. She had almost forgotten what a nice feeling this was. To love someone so much that you would give your life just so they would be safe and happy. That's what Emma felt in this very moment. She was willing to do that and more.

As for Regina, she never felt safer as she did now in her partner's arms. Emma's kiss alone gave her a sense of security and love that she hadn't felt anyone have for her in a very long time. Except for Henry, of course. She never imagined she could love again after Daniel- but, ever since her encounter with Emma Swan, all that changed. It seemed crazy given that they've only been partners for such a short time. But, it happened.

"This is crazy, isn't it?" Regina spoke, breaking the silence around them.

"This job always is-" Emma's words were stopped as the brunette jumped in.

"I'm not talking about the job."

Emma's heart jumped to her throat, "Crazy does suit me." she joked.

"Are you really crazy?" asked Regina, looking up at the blonde, keeping their bodies close to another, "Or are you really as good as they say you are?"

Emma looked into her partner's eyes, her voice soft, "No matter what happens. I'll make sure you get out of this alive. You and Henry."

"I need you to come out of this alive as well, Swan." Regina shot a glare over at Emma as the blonde gave her a tiny smile.

"I'm starting to think you don't mind having me as a partner. I could almost swear that you trust me."

"I do." Regina's reply was as soft as the blonde's as she knew they weren't exactly talking about trust, but feelings.

Their eyes never left one another, as they slowly leaned into one another as their lips met once again in a soft and passionate kiss. There was no need for either of them to say those three little words. Not when they felt it with every kiss and gentle caress they shared along that sleepless night. What started out as a partnership, ended with it becoming much more. They weren't about to lose that now.

After rescuing Henry and getting out of tomorrow alive, they would take a much needed break where they could finally say those three words they were too afraid to say right now out loud.

Regina's black Mercedes drove along a deserted area, leaving a trail of a cloud of dirt along her way as she came to a stop before finally coming face to face with whoever had her son. Emma ran out of the car as she made her way through the heat and hot sand, carrying a sniper rifle in hand. She needed to remain hidden for her plan to work.

Regina came to a stop as she made her way out of her car, while Emma who was a yards away from them, kept a watchful eye on the whole situation as she hid underneath some twigs that were surrounding her. Leaving her red leather jacket behind as she now wore a simple sand colored one, to blend in with her surroundings.

A limo, followed by another vehicle and the same helicopter that was at the scene when Robert Midas had been killed started making their way towards the brunette.

Regina looked up and over as the helicopter flew right past her as the two vehicles in front of her came to a halt. At least 5 goons with guns came out of the truck as they stood in position, while the helicopter made its way around as it landed close by. 2 more guys with weapons stepping out as they stood by, while Hyde and Hades remained in the limo.

"Mills?" yelled a goon.

"You said to come alone. I'm alone." shouted Regina, "Show me my son. I see that he's unharmed- I'll come quietly."

A man ran towards the limo as the back door opened, "She wants to see the boy!"

"Get out." Hades ordered Henry, as the other back door began to open. Henry soon stood, his eyes on his mother as 2 of Hades' goons grabbed on to him, from preventing him to run.

"Mom!" shouted Henry.

"Everything's going to be alright, Henry. I'm here." there was fear and worry in the brunette's eyes. Everything had to be alright. It just had to.

"Simple exchange." spoke the same man as before, as he stood a few feet away from Regina, "You come with us. The boy takes a walk."

"Then, let him go." Regina shouted, her hands remaining in her pockets of a jacket she happened to be wearing, along with jeans, instead of her dress pants and suit jackets like always. All part of the plan.

The goon noticed her change of clothing however as he shook his head, "Take your hands out of your pockets." he ordered.

Regina removed her hand out of the pocket only to reveal she had been holding a grenade this whole time. "It's alive!" she shouted, as everybody tensed up for a minute while they witnessed her finger was pressed down on the handle.

Hyde soon made his way out as he walked towards the brunette just a few feet.

"Let him go now, or we all die!" shouted Regina.

"Take her!" Hyde ordered.

"She has a grenade!" the goon shouted back.

"She's bluffing! She wouldn't risk killing her own kid!" Hyde assured.

"If he's going to die, he's going to die with me. My way, not yours." the brunette challenged them, not backing down as Hyde began walking slowly towards her once again.

Emma was watching everything yards out, the scope on her sniper ready and focused as she held aim, "Come on, Regina, get out of the way." she murmured to herself, "Move to your left. Come on!"

"Put the pin back in!" the goon ordered.

Hyde kept making his way up towards Regina calmly, his voice just as calm, "Officer Mills, don't be foolish. Look at the hardware."

"Move to your left." Emma murmured, her eye never moving from Hyde as he made his way up to the brunette.

Hyde came to a stop as three other goons followed right behind him, as he now stood in front of the brunette, "Look at the firepower. You're grounded. Swan is gone. Now, put the pin back in the grenade."

Regina stared him down, "You come any closer and we all die."

"No." Hyde smirked, not showing one bit of fear, "I don't think so." his hand quickly came up towards the brunette as he fired a shot.

Regina grunted in pain as the bullet grazed her arm. Everyone ran off as she dropped the grenade before them.

"Mom!" Henry shouted as he was soon placed back inside the limo.

The brunette quickly turned towards the two goons that were standing by the chopper just behind her, firing two shots as they both dropped dead. Taking cover behind her car.

"Come on." Emma mumbled under her breath, as a small explosion sound came from what now was revealed to be a smoker instead of a grenade. A cloud of smoke making its way out of the device instantly.

"It's just a smoker." shouted Hyde while he cowered behind a door of the other vehicle.

"Bingo." whispered Emma as she fired a direct shot, hitting one of the goons that were holding on to Henry right in the heart. She fired two more towards the one to the boy's right just as fast, hitting him in the heart as Henry simply ducked down. His hands over his head.

"Swan." Hyde said to himself.

"Where the hell is she?" asked a man that was right beside Hyde.

Emma fired another shot as the bullet went through a car window, hitting the driver.

"Henry, get in the car!" Regina shouted to her son as she remained in cover behind it.

Henry made a run for it, his heart pounding inside his chest as shots were being fired. He should have gone in hiside his mother's car, but instead, being fear or the adrenaline he was feeling in that moment- maybe even both, Henry made his way inside one of the vehicles as he turned the keys to the ignition, as he drove off on it.

A scream was heard coming from Henry as one of Hades' men jumped on top of the hood of the car, ready and willing to take a shot at the boy.

Emma was quicker though, as she fired two shots at the same goon, as his body rolled off the car and onto the dirt.

"Run, Henry, go!" Regina shouted.

Emma's next aim was directed right at Hyde who was hiding behind the limo door, "Come on, asshole. Stick your head up." she smirked as he did so, she could swear he was looking right at her. "That's it, you son of a bitch. Good night."

Click.

Was all Emma heard as an AK-47 was aiming right at her head, she froze in place as her hands came up slowly.

"Don't try it, Swan. You're not that fast." said Hades as he stared down at the blonde who was now placing her hands above her head.

Come in, Hyde. sounded Hades voice from Hyde's walkie.

"Yes, sir?"

I have Swan.

"Yes, sir." replied Hyde as he signaled the rest of their men, "Swan's been captured. Get the kid!"

The helicopter raced after Henry as he was still driving off in fear, no clue on where to go. Shots were fired at Regina's Mercedes as the tires were blown out in the process. The brunette stood up with her hands in the air in surrender.

Hades was walking behind Emma as the blonde kept her hands above her head, while he kept his weapon aimed right at her.

"You're Gen. Hades, commander of Shadow Company." said the blonde.

Hades chuckled, "I see we've heard of each other."

"Yep. It'll almost be a shame when I kill you. I ran into some of those Shadow Company pussies in Afghanistan."

"You did, did you?" asked Hades. Even if Emma could kill him, he knew for sure she wouldn't try anything at the moment. Not when Regina and Henry had been captured as well. He knew- she cared far too much for them to try anything stupid.

Both women exchanged looks as they were now brought together, along with Henry. They knew this was a risk that could possibly happen. They had been caught. But, Emma made a promise to the woman she loved, and she intended to keep that promise.