A/N: Okay here's 17! Fluff chapter, honestly. It was needed after that last chapter. And hi!
Oh and about a week has passed since the events in the last chapter.
Enjoy! I still don't own anything.
Chapter Seventeen
Emma heard a familiar laugh and it made her smile in her sleep. The sounds of barking and the dogs' collars slowly began to rouse her. She felt the bed dip, then something cold and wet touched her cheek, and she could hear sniffing. Emma chuckled tiredly and she reached up to pat Brutus on the head. He barked happily and licked her face.
"I don't know what you're looking for," she mumbled as her eyes opened slowly, "...but, where's your mother?"
She began looking around the room before her eyes settled on the door that was pulled all of the way open, clearly Brutus' doing. A brunette head popped out from behind it and Emma's entire face lit up at the sight of her love. She started to greet her, but Regina's finger pressed to her lips as if telling her to hush. Emma furrowed her brow but did what she was told.
Brock came in and at the sight of his older brother, Brutus seemed to remember what he had come in there for. He sniffed Emma again then leaned back and stared at her. Brock waddled over and sat next to his brother staring up at Emma. Emma looked between the two of them, then back at the door that Regina was hiding behind.
Brock huffed and shook his head as if annoyed. Emma furrowed her brows and after a moment, her half-asleep mind understood. Regina was playing with them, hide and seek. They, of course, naturally thought Emma had Regina because she is her mate after all, but they were disappointed to find that Emma did not.
"You're looking for your mama, huh?" She asked and his ears perked up at that. "Sorry, kid, I don't have her. When you find her, tell her I said come back to bed." She added the last part pointedly knowing that Regina could hear her.
The dogs barked and Brutus kissed Emma's cheek, then the two of them were on their way. They went sniffing out of the room. As soon as they exited, Regina slipped out from behind the door and Emma's mouth began watering at the sight.
Those tiny white shorts she had on and the tight white tank top she was wearing, my gosh. There was a low neckline so a decent amount of cleavage was on display for Emma's eyes to enjoy. She knew that Regina only dressed that way for her and Emma appreciated the love.
"Good morning," Emma groaned as she stretched just a bit. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. She felt a bit more rested. An entire week had passed since that night and the nightmare. The Beast had been very irritated with her lately-from getting herself injured to Emma putting Regina first. She could feel it, but she chose to not give in; she chose not to be bullied by it anymore.
A lovely smile bloomed across Regina's face. "Good morning, beautiful." Her eyes reflected the same adoration they always held whenever they settle on Emma. "I've been trying to keep myself busy waiting for you to wake up. The boys and I were getting impatient and I missed you. I didn't mean for them to wake you though. You need your rest."
"Mmm..." Emma patted the bed. "Come here."
"I can't," Regina whispered. "They'll catch me."
Emma raised a brow. "Winning a game of hide and seek is more important than coming here and letting me hold you?"
Regina pouted adorably. "No, but-" she stopped mid-sentence when she heard the dogs. Brutus walked passed the room and saw only Emma. The two stared at each other for a moment, then he continued on his way down the hallway.
"Come here," Emma groaned and reached for her. "I want to cuddle a bit."
Regina's head popped out from behind the door and she gave her a stubborn look. "You're helping them?"
Emma grinned. "No. I just want to hold you and possibly cop a feel."
Regina snorted. "In a minute." She stepped out from behind the door and stared at Emma. She made her way over to the bed and hovered above her. She bent a little and pressed her lips to Emma's. "Good morning." She wrinkled her nose as she pulled away. "You smell."
Emma's brows rose and she laughed. "Do I? I haven't showered in two days." Her injury made it difficult and she frankly didn't have the energy.
Regina kissed her again. "Mmm...I know but I think you need to shower and-" she cut herself off when she heard Brutus coming back. She yelped and slipped behind the curtain. Emma snickered.
"Babe, you're having fun, huh?"
Regina didn't say anything because Brock scampered into the room with Brutus following him. They looked around and began sniffing again. They were positive that they picked up Regina's scent in there. Emma watched them search in this place and that. It was only a moment before Brutus sniffed the air. His head turned towards the curtain and he sniffed again. Emma smiled because the dog had found her. She'd seen this before with K9 training.
He barked and jumped up. Emma snorted. This is not a side of the trio that she gets to see often but she really liked this. He ran across the room with Brock trotting behind him. He stopped at the curtain and sniffed. His snout connected with Regina's stomach causing the woman to chuckle. He barked happily and nuzzled her through the curtain.
"Who's there, Brutus?" Emma asked. "Is it Mama?" He looked at her and barked. Brock yipped in agreement. "Tell her to come out so we can all give her kisses."
Brock barked some more, but Brutus had enough and he wanted Regina. He took the curtain into his mouth and pulled it open. Emma snorted at that and the surprise on Regina's face when she was revealed. He smiled the biggest doggy smile. He moved closer and put his head against her stomach. Regina bent at the waist and took his face into her hands. She kissed his nose. He tried to lick her face but she dodged it then kissed his cheek. Brock waited his turn which quickly came after. Regina knelt and gave him the same attention.
She then stood and gave Emma a smile. She made her way to the bed and sat gracefully as to not jar Emma too much in a way that could hurt her. She laid on Emma's pillow.
She kissed Emma's jaw softly.
Emma smirked and turned her head. "You lost."
Regina scrunched her face in that cute way she does. "Next time. I almost had them."
Emma grinned. She kissed Regina's forehead. "Of course you did."
"Shower," Regina said finally.
"If I smell so offensive why are you all over me?" Emma teased with a raise of her brows.
Regina gave her a look. "Because I love you and you don't smell that bad, but you do smell."
"Hmm..." Emma hummed thoughtfully.
"Besides, I'm always all over you."
Emma's grin grew. "True and I love that."
Regina's cheeks colored softly and her eyes avoided Emma's. Emma picked up the hint of shyness. Which was rare and endearing.
"Are you hungry?" Regina asked quietly as her eyes finally met Emma's.
"A little," Emma admitted. She was a lot hungry.
Regina nodded and began to pull away. "Shower and I'll begin cooking." Emma missed her already. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Scrambled eggs and bacon?" Emma said. Regina nodded.
"Toast?"
Emma nodded. "Of course."
"Coffee, orange juice, or hot chocolate." Regina never kept hot cocoa around when it wasn't Christmas Time until she started dating Emma. Now she always had it on hand.
"Hot cocoa," Emma answered easily.
"With cinnamon, I presume," Regina said and stood. "You want help with the shower?"
Emma shook her head. "Nah. I don't need you seeing my private parts."
Regina stared at her for a long while then she frowned. "Emma..."
Emma's grin told her that the blonde was only playing around with her. Regina shook her head with a smirk. "You are so silly, Emma Swan." She turned serious again. "Are you sure you don't need help?"
Emma smiled. "I'm positive." She raised a brow. "It seems like you want to get into the shower with me very badly. Why would you wait until I can't do anything to want to try shower sex?"
Regina stared at Emma blankly for a moment, then shook her head. "Get in the shower." She turned on her heel and left the room, Brock chasing after her. Brutus hung back and sat in the middle of the room staring at Emma.
"Yeah." Emma rolled over, ignoring the pain and sat up with her feet dangling off the edge of the bed. She braced herself and stood. A sharp pain shot through her side. She doubled over and placed her hands on her knees. She inhaled then exhaled and composed herself before straightening up.
She hobbled to the bathroom and the dog watched her with concern. She gave him a look of reassurance then shut the door behind her.
After breakfast, Regina and Emma retired to the living room where Emma found a marathon of her favorite crime drama. Regina wasn't particularly a fan of the show but Emma liked it so that's all that mattered. Together they sat, with Emma laid out across the couch and Regina sitting up straight with Emma's legs across her lap.
"It's really stupid of them to give that jackass a deal," Emma said grumpily. Regina gave Emma a side glance and watched her as she shoveled more popcorn into her mouth.
"He is a despicable person," she agreed.
Emma scoffed then nodded. "Fuck yeah, he is."
Regina smiled. "Does this make you miss work?"
Emma glanced at Regina. "What do you think I do all day?"
Regina's grin grew. "Well, Monica told you what we think."
Oh right-shootouts, chasing perps, stopping robberies. Emma shifted a bit so she could look her girlfriend in the eyes. "Baby, the most exciting thing that has ever happened to me was a week ago when I thought that kid had a gun. Jason and I don't really get that sort of stuff."
"Do you want to?" Regina asked softly.
Emma wasn't exactly sure. Maybe she did want a bit more excitement, but after seeing the fear in Regina's eyes when she thought something had happened to Emma, she decided that what she did is fine. "Nah. I mean, I will always back up my brothers and sisters. If I'm called in to help them, I will do everything in my power to keep them safe. If they need me, I'm in, but no, I won't go wishing for that stuff."
Regina gave her a long look but nodded. "Just always come home, okay?"
Emma nodded. After all this time Regina referring to her place as home still sent a jolt to her heart. She loved it. "I promise to try."
Regina accepted that and leaned forward so that she was hovered above her but not exactly touching her. She lowered herself so that they were barely a breath away. "Good." She pressed her lips to Emma's before pulling away just as quickly. Emma sat up a bit and followed Regina's lips. Her hand settled on the back of her neck, holding her there.
She resealed their lips and in that kiss was the silent promise. She couldn't promise that if she were in a situation like the other day-one where she could save a life, she wouldn't try. But she would be more careful. She understood that she had been careless and stupid. The Beast had told her as much and that Regina was probably thinking it, too. She would never want to scare Regina in such a way ever again.
Emma nipped Regina's bottom lip before sucking it into her mouth, eliciting a very soft moan that she would have missed if she hadn't listened so closely. All of her senses were awakened and she could feel everything, smell everything and taste everything. Regina's body lotion and shampoo surrounded her and she wanted nothing more than to taste every inch of her. Her other hand came up and settled on Regina's back and began traveling down to the swell of her behind.
Regina inhaled sharply before pressing her mouth fully against Emma's, begging her to kiss her. Emma obliged and led Regina into a kiss that was hot and all tongue. Her hand traveled over the woman's ass where she squeezed and Regina moaned louder. Emma knew that for the last couple of days, Regina had been dying to be touched by her and she had been patient.
She gasped when Regina's hand gripped her crotch. She felt Regina chuckle against her mouth. Regina began massaging her and rubbing just right. Emma pushed down just a bit, asking for more pressure. Regina always eager to please, gave her what she asked for.
The space between them was on fire and it dawned on Emma just how long it had been. She knew this would hurt because she was so tender but she wanted Regina. She had to try. She reached for the bottom of Regina's top and began pulling it up.
The sound of the doorbell caused her to freeze right there.
Regina chuckled as she broke the kiss. "We shouldn't be doing this anyway...you are not feeling well."
"I feel better. I'm cured." Emma said with a frown.
"Oh yeah?" Regina asked and made like she was going to poke Emma's side. Emma shifted to avoid her finger. "Hmm..."
Emma laughed. "I want you."
"I want you too but we can't. Think about how good it's going to be after you couldn't have me for weeks."
"Weeks?" The doorbell sounded again and Regina slid over from underneath Emma's legs.
"Emma, it's already been a week. Come on." Regina said as she stood.
"How are you okay with this?" Emma all but whined. Regina raised a brow. "We haven't had sex in over a week and you aren't craving..."
Regina smirked lazily.
"What?"
"What a cocky thing to say."
Emma was surprised and confused by the statement. She was cocky. She'd seen what she could do to Regina and she knew that Regina always wanted her. That built up her ego and she didn't care that she came off a tad arrogant when it came to sex. It took her a while to get there. "We used to go at it multiple times a day and now we aren't fucking at all. I don't know about you but I'm feeling it."
"Imagine how much you're going to cum," Regina whispered.
Uh yeah, all over herself, Regina and the bed. She might get some on the window, wall, and door as well. She was ready to explode. The tiniest things gave her an erection these days. Regina could look her in the eye for too long and she's straining against her briefs. She didn't know how much more she could take of this. "When's the last time you came?"
Regina shrugged. "The last time you did."
"And you're fine. You don't need to?" She could never understand how Regina's body worked. She at least expected her to have touched herself or something, but to think that she hadn't even...
"Oh I need to, but I need you to feel better more."
Emma frowned. That was adorable, but seriously, she needed to fuck. The doorbell rang again. She watched Regina tug on one of her tees over the way too revealing tank and shorts.
"Be right back," Regina muttered before sweeping out of the room.
She headed for the front door and yanked it open. She smiled at who she saw standing there.
"Jason!" Regina exclaimed happily.
"Regina!" He chuckled.
"Come in!" Regina said stepping aside. That was a pleasant surprise and she told him to stop by any time. He accepted her invitation and stepped inside, a woman and a child following him.
He wrapped Regina in a gentle yet firm hug before pulling away. He looked at the other two people. "This is my wife Jess." He motioned to the woman standing beside him with bright red hair and eyes almost bluer than her husband's. She was dressed simple enough in jeans and a tee. Her black sneakers added to the casual look. Regina could tell that she was young. She too was tall and had a few inches over Regina. She was wearing a friendly smile on her pink, painted lips. That appeared to be the extent of make up she decided to put on. She was overall a cute girl.
"Hello, welcome to our home." Regina smiled at the other woman and offered her hand. The woman shifted the box in her hand to the other so they could shake hands.
Jessica smiled at Regina referring to it as their home. Clearly, she meant she and Emma's. "Hi, thank you for having us. I heard about Em and had to come see her. She's like a part of our family," she said as Regina released her hand.
Regina smiled. She remembered Emma mentioning Jason's wife and son. Regina thought it was cute that all of their names began with the same letter.
"Yes, well, I'm sure Emma will be thrilled that you stopped by."
Jessica smiled and so did Regina. Her attention turned to the smallest in the foyer. She bent a little so she could be somewhat leveled with him. "And you must be Justin."
The little boy beamed at her. His bright eyes that were slightly hidden behind his long strawberry blonde bangs lit up even further. "You know me?"
Regina smiled. "Of course, Em talks about you all of the time. It's nice to finally meet you."
His grin grew. "It's nice to meet you too, Gina. Can I call you Gina?"
"She's Miss Mills to you, honey," Jessica corrected.
Regina looked up at the woman. "Gina is fine for me. Is it for you?"
Jessica smiled, slightly surprised by Regina asking that. She shrugged. "Uh yeah, it's fine."
Regina smiled then looked at the little boy. "So, Gina it is."
"Sweet! Can I see Aunt Em?" He asked bouncing on his heels.
Regina started to make a Wizard of Oz joke but refrained. "Sure. She's in the den. This way."
She turned on her heel and padded down the hall. She heard the group following her.
"Emma mentioned that you had dogs. One of which is a huge beast," the man said and she could hear the excitement in his voice. Regina looked over her shoulder where she saw the trio admiring her house.
"Brock and Brutus. Brutus is a Tibetan Mastiff. He's rather big but he's only a puppy."
"Where is he?" Justin asked curiously.
"In the yard, since I couldn't take them to the park," Regina explained.
"Can we see them?" Jason and Justin asked in unison.
Regina nodded. "Sure. I'll go grab them," she answered as they entered the living room.
Jessica looked around and nodded in approval. "You have a lovely home, Regina."
Regina smiled brightly. "Thank you."
"Of course," Jessica said.
"I thought I was going to have to come get you," Emma said only half joking. "What were you doing?"
"We have guests, Honey."
Emma's head peeked over the couch. She grinned when she saw her friends and her 'nephew'. "Hey!"
"Hey!" Justin said as he scampered over to her and sat beside her on the couch.
"Hey tiger," Jason said. "Got you some balloons and a card."
"And donuts!" Jessica said holding up the pink pastry box. "Jason wanted flowers but I said you would appreciate something you can eat more."
Emma shifted. "To think he's my partner but you know me better than he does."
Jessica laughed softly. "Yes well..."
Jason rolled his eyes and turned to Regina. "Can I see the dogs now?"
Regina smiled. He reminded her of a child and it was actually cute. She eyed the four brightly colored balloons that read, 'Get Well Soon' in different fonts. "Yes, I'll go get them. Have a seat anywhere you like."
"Thanks." Jessica and Jason said at the same time and took seats in the armchairs. Jason sat the balloons that were attached to a small weight on the floor beside him and placed the card on the coffee table. Jessica did the same with the donuts.
Justin stayed beside Emma. He poked Emma's ice pack.
She gave him a look. "Dude!"
The little boy giggled. "Sorry."
Regina slipped out of the room to allow Emma some time with her company and to grab her boys.
Emma saw Regina leave and she figured she was off to get the boys. She turned back to her friends.
"How did the fair go?" She asked. She hadn't forgotten that. She really wanted to take Regina.
"Firstly, " Jessica cut Jason off, "How are you feeling?"
"Like crap but Regina has been taking great care of me, so it's bearable."
"Yes, she seems really caring. She's great," Jessica said with a mischievous grin. "And cute. Her figure is like wow." She mouthed the last part.
Emma grinned. "Right?"
"Emma's a lucky woman," Jason chimed in. Jessica shot him a look.
"Oh is she?" Jessica asked in a way that told him that he had better choose his answer very wisely.
"Regina's sweet and basically a genius," Jason said quickly. "That's a catch."
Jessica nodded and rolled her eyes at him. She turned back to Emma. "Anyway. I agree with stupid here. I approve."
Emma glanced at her scolded friend and snorted before turning back to Jessica. "She's awesome."
"Yeah, she and I should get together. Maybe while you two are at work. We can get brunch or something."
Emma shrugged. "Sounds good to me. Ask her."
Jessica nodded. "I will."
Emma heard some happy little barks and the jingle of collars. It was only a moment before Brock trotted into the living room. Justin's face lit up and he jumped up from the couch and ran over to the dog.
Brutus entered and Justin was in heaven. Both dogs looked happy to see the little boy.
"Brock and Brutus, meet Justin," Regina introduced. "Justin, Brock and Brutus."
The little boy giggled. "Hi!" He waved.
"That's a big ole dog," Jessica muttered.
"Yeah but he's a big softy," Emma assured. Regina smiled.
"Awesome," Jason said standing as well.
Brock jumped up on Justin, knocking him to the carpet. The little boy went down giggling. The dog immediately started covering the boy's face in kisses. Jessica and Jason laughed.
"They don't see many kids." Emma provided.
"But they love them," Regina added.
"I see," Jessica said watching her son with a smile.
Jason bent a bit to play with Brutus. "This dude is huge. Hey, you want to be a police dog?"
Brutus barked.
"You're hired." The man said.
Regina chuckled as she headed for the couch and sat beside Emma, leaving the dogs to entertain the men.
"So, Regina, I hear you're from Puerto Rico."
Regina nodded. "Born and raised. I moved here for college."
Jessica grinned. "Awesome. I bet this weather made you miss home."
"Indeed." Regina chuckled.
"Maybe you can take us there. A girl's trip!"
That did sound fun. Monica had been dying to get there. "Sure. I'll let my parents know we're coming so we can stay at the Villa."
Jessica gasped. "I love her." She whispered to Emma despite Regina being right there.
Regina shook her head with a fond smile. "Where are you from?"
"New Orleans," Jessica answered. "I can't shake the accent."
"It's cute," Regina said with a smile. "I've never been there. Tell me about it."
"Oh." Jessica gasped right before she launched into tales about New Orleans. She described it in a way that made Regina and Emma both want to visit. "We should do Mardi Gras. You two would love it!"
"I think so too." Regina agreed. "I'm in."
"Me too." Emma agreed.
The three women fell into an easy conversation about traveling. Emma found fairly quickly that she and Jason were right. Regina and Jessica had clicked after all. Regina found Jessica to be hilarious and Jessica thought Regina was charming. There were parts of the conversation where Emma zoned out because she knew nothing about the subject but she loved that her girlfriend and her best friend's wife were getting along so well.
Jason finished up playing with the dogs and headed back over to his chair and sat. He and Emma shared a grin.
"The fair?" Emma asked him in a whisper as to not interrupt the other two women.
"Oh! it went great. No one got hurt. Fun mostly but we all missed you," Jason replied. "Oh, and I needed you. I felt like a loser standing around, eating everything by myself."
Emma grinned. "Next time."
She heard Regina laugh softly at something Jessica said. She glanced at her and could see her entire face lit up. That made Emma smile a bit.
"Cute huh?" Jason mumbled as to not be heard. "We're in trouble though because they joined forces. This is the end for us."
Emma laughed. "You're so dramatic, Jason." She eyed the pair again then nodded. "But you might have a point."
Jason hummed. "Uh yeah... it's been nice knowing you, Swan."
Emma snickered.
Justin came barreling over to where they are. "Can we play something?" He asked pointing to Emma's systems.
"The games are next to our movies. Take your pick."
"Our..." Jason said in a teasing tone.
"What's hers is mine and what's mine is hers." Emma winked and Jason laughed.
"You just set up shop though. Your games, your systems."
"Dude my laptop and iPad are here." Emma pointed out. "And half my clothes."
"You moved in. You two are practically married."
Emma snorted. She liked that idea. "Honestly."
"Well, I'm happy for you. She's a wonderful lady, smart, kind, funny.. generous. She didn't have to let us pop up like that." He said. "I love her for you."
"Well, I love her for me too," Emma joked. Her friend laughed at her quip.
"Found one!"Justin shouted and ran back to Emma and showed it to her. Emma looked at the case. A zombie game.
"Your mom gonna let you play this?"
Jason shrugged. "He has two parents."
Emma grinned. She knew he wouldn't do anything without Jessica's okay. "Oh right."
"Emma got NBA over there?" He asked, trying to distract his son from the game his mother obviously wouldn't let him play. Justin ran over, searched the collection, grabbed the game and brought it back to him. Jason looked at Emma. "I knew you had great taste."
The little boy giggled and ran over to set the game up. He grabbed the controllers off the coffee table and offered Emma one but she shook her head. He pouted and handed it to his dad.
"Geez, don't look too excited to get your butt kicked by your pops."
Justin giggled. "I'm gonna kick your butt, daddy."
"Probably." Emma agreed. Jason gave Emma a look.
"Come here, man," Jason said pulling Justin closer so he could whisper. "You know Regina is Emma's girlfriend, right?"
Justin furrowed his brow and looked up at his father. "Do they kiss like you and Mommy?"
Jason hummed with a nod. "Yeah. They love each other."
Justin smiled. "Cool."
Emma chuckled. Regina would have thought this conversation was cute.
"It's about time Emma got a girlfriend right?" Jason asked. Justin giggled and nodded. "What do you think of Gina?"
Justin blushed and hid his face in his hands. Emma's brows rose. Oh! He had a crush on Regina. She could thoroughly relate.
"Huh?" Jason prompted.
"She's pretty and nice," Justin said as his cheeks colored deeper and the blush traveled to his neck.
"She is..." Jason patted his son on the back. "Now, let's play some basketball!"
Justin grinned then. His embarrassment forgotten. "Yay!" He took a seat on the floor beside Emma's legs.
Brock went over and laid his head in his lap. The little boy patted the dog's head and Emma smiled at that.
"I don't know, I'll ask them," Jessica said to Regina. "Pizza?"
"Yeah!" Emma, Jason, and Justin said at the same time. Brock and Brutus, who was sitting beside Regina with his head in her lap, even looked excited.
Regina chortled. "Okay, I'll go order."
"I'll go with you," Jessica said following Regina out of the room.
Jason looked at Emma and leaned closer so that he could whisper, "Best girlfriend ever!"
Justin looked up and nodded his head in agreement.
Emma laughed but she couldn't agree more and it wasn't just about the pizza either.
After Emma's, and now Regina's friends left, Regina and Emma headed upstairs to bed. Regina helped Emma into bed before going off to take a bath. When she returned, Emma was propped up with her eyes glued to the television. Emma sensed Regina's presence before she saw her. She glanced over to see Regina flick the light switch and emerge from the bathroom.
"Baby!" Emma said happily and Regina snorted.
"Emmy!" Regina teased back.
Emma snorted then turned her attention back to the news that was playing on the screen.
Regina padded across the room in the big fluffy towel and sat at her vanity.
She turned so that she was facing Emma and could see the television. She undid the towel and let it fall open. Emma was distracted and the news was left just playing in the background like a gentle hum.
Regina picked up the lotion bottle and squirted it into her hand. She then began rubbing it on her long legs.
"Fuck," Emma whispered at the sight. "Come here." She demanded a bit louder. Regina looked up at her. It took a moment before it clicked then she smiled.
"No." She pouted.
"Regina, please." Emma groaned.
Regina finished her legs then rubbed lotion across her stomach and breasts. "No. Not until you feel better."
"So you're just going to tease me?"
Regina grinned. "Maybe, but seriously, can you get my back?"
"Regina," Emma groaned. Regina chuckled and walked over to her and sat on the bed.
Emma sighed and accepted the offered bottle. She squirted the lotion into her hand then began rubbing it over Regina's flesh. The warmth of her and the feel of the muscles that were flexing and reacting to her touch was making it difficult for her.
She managed to do Regina's entire back without losing it and she was proud of herself despite her frustration. Regina smiled over her shoulder at her.
"Thank you."
Emma smiled. "Anytime." She handed Regina the bottle. Regina sat it on the nightstand. She gave Emma a wink before standing.
Emma watched her nude form as she headed across the room to the drawer where she pulled out a dark red slip.
A report came on the screen that pulled both of their attention. Regina quickly dressed and walked over and stood beside the bed.
There were missing posters for about six women who have gone missing in the past couple of months. Emma's eyes grew. She recognized four of the six.
Her victims.
She felt a bit of panic and her heart began pounding. She shut her eyes and the flashes of blood and dismembered limbs flew through her mind. She inhaled, then exhaled. She heard the volume go up on the television and her eyes opened slowly. The bed dipped beside her as Regina sat.
The report went on to explain the women's names, ages and when they were last seen. Other than that they had nothing. It ended with a plea that if anyone had any information to call an information hotline.
Regina muted the television after that. "You know about this?"
Emma's eyes blew wide before she realized that Regina was asking because she was a cop. "There aren't any leads." She said softly.
"So those women are just gone without a trace?"
Well, no. Emma knows exactly where they are. "Well yeah. Without a suspect or at least evidence, it's difficult to find out anything." Which was because Emma had been careful. God, she felt a crushing guilt.
Regina sighed. "That's too bad. Do you think they're dead?"
Emma started to assure Regina that they were possibly alive but she felt that she had lied to the woman she loved enough for one night. "Most likely."
Regina frowned. "Is there a possibility that they aren't?"
Emma sighed and looked at her girlfriend for a moment. Those big brown eyes had so much hope in them. She hated what she had to say. "It's a tiny possibility but not likely."
Regina's eyes dropped to the spread. "Well, I hope they turn up so their families have something to bury. It must be hard not knowing."
Emma nodded. That has crossed her mind before. She knew that she and the Beast had caused a vast amount of despair. Emma was burdened with the thoughts of not only her victims' last moments but their friends and family's loss as well. It hurt. "Yeah." She agreed.
Regina sighed deeply. "That's awful."
Emma stayed quiet because she didn't know what else to say. Regina began nibbling her lip and Emma knew that her wheels were turning and soon she will begin worrying herself sick. "Okay, no more of that." She opened her arms. "Come."
Regina didn't have to be told twice. She turned off the bedside lamp, then crawled into Emma's arms, laying her head on her chest. They laid there in silence for a while and Emma thought Regina had fallen asleep until she spoke.
"Is it a serial killer?" She asked quietly.
Emma's stomach flipped. Leave it to Regina to hit the nail on the head like that. In a way, she was a serial killer. The Beast had killed many people through her. In the court system, she would be found responsible. "Probably."
"That's scary. It makes me worry. You know, Monica, you, Jessica..."
"You?"
Regina nodded against Emma's chest. "Yeah. What if he gets one of us?"
Emma frowned. She wished that she could tell Regina everything but she just couldn't. It was interesting, however how she thought the killer was a man. "That won't happen, Regina."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I'll make sure of it." She said wrapping a protective arm around her and holding tightly.
"How can you-"
"Do you trust me?"
"Of course." Regina's voice was barely a whisper in the darkness of the room. Emma nodded.
"Good, so trust me when I say I'll keep you safe from him. From anyone."
Regina began feeling around, her hand grazed Emma's stomach and Emma knew exactly what she was feeling for. Her hand quickly found Regina's and squeezed.
"I know you will always protect me."
Emma smiled at that. "Forever. No matter what."
Regina exhaled softly and relaxed against her. "I know."
Emma's lips found Regina's forehead where she kissed her softly. Regina hummed and a smile pulled at Emma's lips. She began rubbing soft circles on the woman's back. She knew that she liked that and it comforted her. A few moments of that would soothe her.
As predicted Regina fell asleep under her touch and to the sound of her heartbeat.
Emma exhaled softly and stared up at the ceiling. She made a promise that she intended to keep, regardless of what it meant for her.
*sings* Thanks for reading!
I feel like this needed a little fluff after what happened before.
Emma's thoughts are complex when it comes to the beast and seeking help. She's done everything by herself and had been alone for so long that she doesn't really know how to ask for help and a heavy secret like this isn't easy to reveal. She needs time to work through that.