Final chapter to tie up the loose ends. Won't suit everyone, but hoping leaves everything resolved.

Enjoy, review, sorry for the (really) long wait.


"A NUN Regina, are you fucking kidding me?"

"Miss Swan you may wish to tone down the profanity during your sessions, not everyone converses in such a way."

"But a Nun. Honestly?"

"It was Charles suggestion, you understand he refused Belle and Tink saying they were close to you. Are you refusing to allow Marjorie, or Jade to use her fae name, to mediate in this? She has no direct contact with either of you. I personally think she is a good choice."

"I just don't want some shrivelled up geriatric giving me marriage advice. And she was a fairy, apart from waving a wand and inhaling dust what life experience does she have?"

"Since the curse broke she has integrated well. And she isn't geriatric, she is in her early fifties. She understands much more than you give her credit for." Regina bit her lip, the older woman truly was a surprise, but Regina would only share that story after the meetings had concluded. She wanted Emma to go into the meetings without preconceptions, she wanted her to respect Jade and not have made any snap judgements. Telling Emma tales about Regina's meeting and subsequent interactions with the woman might damage that.

"It was difficult to find someone who was removed from the situation and was prepared to involve themselves. Marjorie agreed to this, and she is one of the more sensible fairies. She will remain impartial and treat you both fairly."

"What do you mean it was difficult to find someone? You suggested counselling! Don't moan at me now that it has been hard to organise!"

"I did suggest it, yes. But most people see this as a love triangle involving The Saviour, The Evil Queen and some poor sap who got himself married into the mess. Between Charles refusing people and you not putting forward any suggestions, all I am saying is it hasn't been easy."

Emma opened her mouth but Regina held up a hand to halt her no doubt profanity ridden denial.

"I know that isn't how it is, but whatever it actually is, you are still going to have counselling. To explain what has happened, to work through all sides of the arguments and to make you consider other alternatives."

"But she is a fairy nun. She knows nothing about getting married or being with a man!" Emma said in exasperation.

The brunette sighed, "Are you refusing this choice?" She was getting a little tired of this. Emma wanted a divorce. Regina had made the terms clear. The sooner the 3 months of counselling started, the sooner she would review the paperwork. If Emma refused Marjorie then it could be weeks before someone else was appointed and an even longer wait for the blonde's divorce papers to be given attention. And Regina knew until the papers were dealt with or discarded, there would be more of the blonde moaning, more inconvenient visits, more phone calls and just more stress that she didn't need. She wondered how Emma was still her problem even now, fate must really hate her because every other break up she had witnessed, from TV shows to other friends in Storybrooke, never meant you had to baby sit your ex like this.

It made sense for the Sheriff to accept, and Regina was trying to tell her that. It didn't help that Emma was wrong about Marjorie.

Regina thought back to her first real brush with the older woman. She had been drunk shortly after Emma had left her and had spent time rambling to the kindly lady at The Rabbit Hole.

When she had sobered the following morning and investigated her mystery confident she had shuddered to find out she was one of the Blue Gnat's order, but she had delved a bit further, after all the woman had been in a bar. Maybe she wasn't quite as pure and sanctimonious as Blue liked to appear to be.

It appeared that the older woman had decided this new world was an opportunity, and that the fairy life of secrecy and solitude didn't really work in Maine or for her. There was nothing stopping her from interacting and being viewed as an engaged member of the town, rather than some special and reserved magical being. She often went to the library, where Belle told Regina she borrowed a wide range of fiction including horror, romances and sci-fi.

She liked ice cream, hamburgers and an occasional drink as she was a regular patron at the Diner, Any Given Sundae and The Rabbit Hole, but she also enjoyed sitting at a stool in the establishments and watching people and seeing how real life was lived.

She was known to reach out to other customers, to chat, to reminisce, and to meet new people and was considered a good listener and friend by many.

And then Regina had bumped into her at the post office one day, collecting a rather large parcel. Regina, who was no longer any shade of Evil, offered to carry the parcel, surprised when the older woman told her no, it wasn't heavy. The brunette had made some off hand joke about the size of the package and what was in it if it wasn't heavy. She had been staggered when the older woman told her it was sex aids, going further into detail saying the box held some dress up outfits, lacy and silk underwear and a nice new vibrator. And she had been quite serious. She had quipped, "I might be old, but I'm not dead. I have needs like everyone else." Regina liked her even more after that day.

Emma looked at the brunette, trying to read her. "You believe she is capable? And she understands this isn't the old world?"

Emma was giving the brunette woman one of her looks, one that told her she thought she was deluded. How could a fairy from the Enchanted Forest who's only understanding of love was from a trail of pixie dust, help in their marriage?

"She is more than capable, she is a surprisingly well rounded individual."

Emma looked at Regina, trying to see the lie, but there was none. And she trusted Regina, deep down she was probably the person she trusted most.

"Ok then. Yes. I agree." Emma muttered.

"So Marjorie will chair the sessions and you will try and be respectful to her. She won't appreciate your swearing so please try and think before you open your mouth around her."

"Fine." Emma gritted out and stormed out of the office leaving Regina hoping the poor fairy knew what she was letting herself in for.


"How was the meeting with Jade?"

Regina asked her visitor, one seen a lot less frequently since the bizarre marriage counselling has started. Regina knew it was bound to be something Charles would bring up as a problem in the discussions he had about his relationship with Emma. After all, Charles was feeling insecure, and Emma spending time with her old lover wouldn't be helping build trust between the married couple.

Regina knew the older fairy was sharp and had identified it early in the counselling that Emma's friendship with her Ex wasn't healthy for the cultivation of the marriage. The Mayor respected the fairy come nun for identifying his insecurities and asking Emma to think more about her actions and how they hurt and affected her husband. Emma was being forced to consider her own failings as a wife, made to see that avoiding Charles didn't actually solve any problems. And when she actively tried to limit the time spent with him, Marjorie had explained that it was natural he would cling tighter and become suffocating.

So to try to appease her husband and the counsellor Emma was doing as Marjorie suggested and only spent time away from Charles when visiting Henry or at work. Otherwise they ate together, watched TV together, woke up and did early morning small talk over breakfast together. It was probably the domestic relationship Charles had always wanted and Emma had to admit she hadn't invested any real time in doing what he wanted. She had been wholly selfish and resolutely tried to ignore any of his suggestions. It had taken someone outside of the relationship to point that out to her and she had to admit, now it had been said she could see it was true.

And she was trying, even though it wasn't what she really wanted. Because apparently a marriage was about compromise. The fact that this was alien to Emma, that she had never had to be uncomfortable or make concessions before filled Regina with some kind of twisted pleasure. Emma had obviously been happy with her and the blonde had been making compromises subconsciously when they were together. It just highlighted to the brunette that theirs had been a strong relationship, running smoothly, naturally.

Emma had fought the fairy over seeing Regina, but after much discussion where Emma explained she needed a safe place to vent and wanted someone in her life that was a friend and understood her, Marjorie had been quite forceful in explaining to Emma that the role she wanted filling could be served by her husband if she just communicated and opened up to him. He was willing, she needed to be able to see him as a friend rather than a threat. To be able to be honest with her husband rather than hiding away.

Marjorie also mentioned that as Regina would ultimately make the decision on the divorce after 3 months of sessions, that it wasn't appropriate for Emma to be visiting her most evenings, not during this delicate period in the marriage.

Emma had laughed, quite disrespectfully, before she had reined in her self-control.

"Sorry." She apologised, "But the whole situation is completely messed up, NONE of it is appropriate."

Marjorie smiled at her. "That is true Emma, but we can't change the circumstances we find ourselves in, the past and the actions we have taken are set in stone. Only our actions going forward can change, and Regina needs to be as impartial as she can be. Which means you can't be discussing personal details, or complaining about me or Charles to her, it isn't fair to burden her or fair to Charles that he suspect her decision was biased."

Grudgingly Emma had agreed to this and the visits to see Regina became less frequent.

The brunette was glad the blonde appeared to be listening to the advice, that she seemed to be considering the fairy's words and to be taking the meetings seriously. The distance had been difficult for Regina, she knew she had no claim on Emma, but she had been enjoying their evenings. The gaping hole in her heart had eased somewhat as they talked and laughed and relaxed around one another once again. It was bittersweet for her, because the way Emma was handling this illustrated to her that Emma could grow and face her feelings. And even though the process is difficult and makes Emma uncomfortable, she isn't running away. But the brunette knows it is about 18 months too late and wishes Emma could have been made to behave this way when it was their relationship hanging in the balance.

"Long." Emma replied to the asked question with a small shrug, and Regina feels it is like pulling teeth. Emma answers things much like she used to when they were frenemies during the curse, she is blunt and to the point, there is a lack of small talk, and Emma's words are concise and not inviting further comment. It is how Emma is dealing with the distance she has been asked to impose and trying not to influence Regina's decision, but, Regina thinks, she is here, she hasn't hidden, and she hasn't run. The blonde is still in her life, even if it is in a limited capacity and that means they still have something to hold on to, even if it is basic. Regina thinks back to her broken relationship with Henry, with Snow, with the town. You can build from basic and make it better, given time and effort. She knows she will make the effort if Emma asks her to, but right now this will have to be how things are.

"Are they helping?" Regina presses. She had asked out of concern, she didn't want details, just to know that Emma didn't think this was a complete waste of her time.

Emma grins. Reina expected a flat out "No." but gets more conversation and is surprised.

"Actually yes, but not the way you think. I think Jade's colleague, Lilac, has a crush on Charles. She was asked to take notes at one session and her eyes followed him round the room. Then either before or after a session she has bumped into us once too often to be coincidence. She always smiles extra bright when he is talking and bites her lip nervously and twirls her hair. I think he is oblivious to it, but maybe I can palm him off on her."

"Emma!" Regina allows the harsh bite in her reply, because you don't just "palm off" your husband on someone new. She didn't have a typical marriage, she was practicing magic behind his back, coming and going as she pleased and the notion of "to honour or obey" her husband was farcical. So she had no frame of reference, but she knew that wasn't the plan when she had suggested this.

Emma just shrugged, her smile devious and Regina rolled her eyes. The woman was a nightmare, and Regina's heart clenched when she hoped that someday, far down the line, when this was all put behind them, she might be her nightmare again.

Finding it hard to know what to respond with, she shelved the feelings and moved the conversation on to Henry and his upcoming trip home. That was safe and a legitimate reason for Emma to visit, they still co-parented after all and Marjorie couldn't refuse them time together if it involved Henry.


"Can I speak to Charles on his own please Emma?" The fairy asked and Emma was just glad to get out of the room, so she nodded and stood, quickly exiting the room.

But she had never been one to do as she was told, and the sneaky thief in her, the one that liked to break the rules, made her loiter outside the door and listen to what was being said. She had her suspicions that Marjorie had seen Lilac's unsubtle adoration and realised the other woman was sweet on her husband. And she knew she didn't want him anymore, but she was damned if some fairy was going to sweep in and take him from her.

"Charles, Charlie." The fairy amended. "I know you want to honour your vows and want to make this work, but at some point you are going to have to realise Emma can't love you like you want her too. She is still in love with The Queen. It is clear from just the few sessions we have had. She compares this relationship to her last one, and sadly finds it lacking. That isn't your fault, Emma just has expectations you can't meet. She wants something you are unable to provide, despite the fact that I see you trying."

Emma stood there, shock on her face. She still had feelings for Regina, yes that was true. And they were deep and complicated, but they weren't that kind of love anymore. They had warped into something Emma just couldn't understand or deal with. For the fairy to be adamant, and she was, her tone had been confident, she had to be seeing Emma wrong. She couldn't be listening properly. Perhaps her friend's feelings were impairing her judgement or she had snorted too much fairy dust.

"She defends the other woman as she should defend you if this was a proper relationship. She speaks The Queen's name more than yours or even that of her son. And we are not in a world where her father will make her honour her promise, or just being a good husband is enough. She is a strong woman, raised in a world where she can make her own decisions and independence is celebrated. And relationships aren't forged out of respect or mutual gain like they were in our land. Emma believes in love, in her heart guiding her, and it is leading her back to Regina and nothing you do or say will stop that. In fact, to stand in the way of it will only end up hurting you more, you have to let her go."

"But how do I do that?" He asked and Emma felt guilty, he sounded broken and she hadn't heard him ever sound like that. And maybe she had married him, but she had never properly listened to him, she didn't really know him. He should be comfortable with her, but he was obviously more comfortable talking with this woman. She realised their whole relationship, all they did, was say things they thought the other wanted to hear, behave the way it was expected, never being truthful to themselves or each other.

"You stop fighting and let Emma pick her own path. Even though that path is away from you."

"But I will be left with nothing." And Emma realised he was hanging onto her because of fear, like she had fallen into his arms because of it. What a pair they made. Regina might refer to Snow and Charming as "The Two Idiots" but Emma could see her parents had competition for that title.

God it was messed up.

The fairy gently told him, "Charles, you aren't a bad man, you made a bad choice. We have all done that. You have to believe that in time you will heal and there is every possibility you can find someone else, someone that does want you."

"But…." He tried to continue and Emma heard the fairy shush him.

"Don't argue right now, go home and think about today, the things Emma said, and the more telling things she didn't say. Think about what I have told you from my own observations and see if you can see other examples. Take your time, and remember I am here to listen if you need me."

Emma moved down the corridor as she heard their conversation come to a close, she stepped into a darker corner, recessed in the wall. She heard her husband's footsteps lead away from her and she stepped out and ran straight into the fairy.

"Emma." The older woman greeted her. "How much did you hear?" She asked with no real hint of surprise or accusation.

"Enough." Emma's mouth was dry, and she felt off kilter. She became defensive, aggressive, a bad habit she had picked up from her time with Regina, "Why do you think I still love Regina?"

"Don't you?" The fairy asked.

"No. Well yes I do, but it isn't love like it was."

"But it is still there, any fool can see that." The fairy told her bluntly. "Emma people change and so do relationships. I know you had overcome great disadvantages in your past and are stronger for it. You aren't the same frightened child that gave birth to Henry for example."

Emma hummed her agreement. Yes she had changed drastically.

"Love changes too, how can it stay static when the people and relationship between them shifts?"

"Well obviously I understand that." Emma told her.

"So why couldn't your love for Regina change, why did you panic when it did and throw it away?"

"That isn't what happened." Emma defended.

"Well something happened, because the love is still there, you just admitted it."

Emma made a strangled noise, she was finding it harder to breathe as her world tipped on its axis. She felt she had been punched in the gut. It really was news to her. But she also saw the truth of it. She loved Regina, she had always loved Regina. And now, because of her own actions, she couldn't have Regina. Oh she had fucked this one up so badly. She tried to feel her heart, but it was sort of stuck, mid beat, in her chest. Why had it led her astray?

She absently rubbed at her chest and the fairy noticed.

"What does it tell you?" She queried.

"Nothing." Emma muttered, shaking her head.

"Would you like me to guess what the problem is?" The older woman asked, "I do have a theory."

Emma wanted to roll her eyes or huff in exasperation, but she hadn't picked up all of Regina's bad habits, so she nodded at the woman.

"If I had fairy dust and the right spell I could confirm it, but I think you have frozen your own heart to stop the pain and deflect any emotion that might hurt you. It is rare, but because of your ingrained magic, you could do it. How do you feel about Henry or your parents?"

"I love them." Emma said, but it was a stock answer.

"Put your hand over your heart and tell me that." Marjorie told her and she followed the order.

She repeated the words and then looked at the fairy.

"Do you feel your heartbeat?" Marjorie asked.

"Yes..." Emma tilted her head and looked quizzically at the other woman.

"Does it beat harder, warmer?" The fairy pressed and Emma shook her head.

"It should do, when you think of loved ones. But you have managed to stunt your heart so it does its physical function of pumping blood, but doesn't relay any depth of the emotion."

"Then how do you know I still love Regina, if I can't feel it myself?" Emma was lost, magic always confused her and often left her with a headache. This seemed like another pointless use of it, sometimes she wished she had never been born with it.

"True Love can't be denied, it has filtered into you head, your heart, your very being. You can see it where you have borrowed some of her characteristics, and are still pulled to her side, even when I have tried to discourage it. Even with your frozen and uncooperative heart, she chipped away at it and cracked the surface, she is the only one who could have. And she is probably the only one who can help you thaw it, and she will Emma because she never really let you go, you live in her heart as much as she does in yours."

The blonde stood still and let the words sink in.

The woman in the dark green smiled at the shocked face, and slowly walked away, knowing the blonde would snap out of it on her own. She had done what was needed, she had eventually got both her "patients" to see what was clear and obvious and re-focused them. It should be enough for nature and love to break through and lead them both away from each other and towards their true destiny.


Emma arrived the next morning, they didn't have an appointment and she was on her own.

She called out and grabbed the fairy's attention.

"Marjorie?"

"Yes Dear?"

"Thanks. For your honesty and your insight."

"You are welcome."

"I've been thinking, could I make a suggestion?" Emma toed the floor, nervous about her request. And the fairy knew that at times the woman was still a lost little girl. She reverted when she was unsure and The Queen should have taken control and never let her leave, should have held her tight until the fear and uncertainty and indecision passed. But The Queen was scared herself, scared that by behaving like that she would be seen as her Evil counterpart, dictating, demanding and controlling. So she had done nothing and learned the hard way that it was the wrong choice as the blonde walked out of her life.

Regina had drunkenly told the woman exactly that one night when they had crossed paths at the bar. "It's funny in an ironic kind of way that Emma Swan has just swanned out of my life." The brunette had been staring into her almost empty glass and her tone was defeated. The older woman had just listened and then made sure the woman, once feared across a whole realm, got home safely.

So Jade lifted Emma's chin and nodded encouragingly at her, reassuring her that she was safe to voice whatever she wanted to.

"I don't think I am revealing any confidences if I say Archie was seeing a lot of people." The blonde began slowly.

Emma knew it to be true, many people were still struggling with two personalities or with wanted a mix of old and new world ideas. He probably wasn't seeing people regularly, but they were dropping in and talking to him often about niggling things that he was wonderfully good at helping them see logically or clearly so they could sort it out for themselves. Since his accident there was a void in the town and people felt it.

She continued, "And you've been really good at listening to me and Charlie and helping us see things we were avoiding or had buried or just needed to open up about."

Marjorie nodded at her, so she kept going. "Could you maybe, now Archie can't, open up the convent as a drop in centre and offer guidance and support for the town?"

"Emma we are a convent, a religious order, and our doors are always open." The fairy gently told her, not to dismiss her idea but it was true. They never turned anyone away and were happy to listen.

"Yeah." Emma looked uncomfortable, "That wasn't quite what I meant. I meant a friendly space where people can chat and swap stories and ideas, without religious judgement."

"Oh, I see. Emma we aren't qualified to give advice or guidance. We can't replace Archie."

Emma carried on, "You've been really great and I know some of the other fairies are quite progressive. I'm not saying become counsellors, but become a central hub where people feel welcome, can grab a coffee and biscuit and relax. And talk if they need to. You aren't promising to fix it, but listening is a big help. And you enjoy helping people, that was what you did as Fairies and I know you still want to do that deep down. It is why you have reached out and involved yourself with the town. I think you'd be really good at it."

"Thank you Emma, I'll think about it." The older woman said, smiling at the Sheriff.


Emma felt guilt sitting in her stomach, she had been a shit wife and a poor friend, making individual decisions without thinking of her partner, lover, and friend. She had come to get answers to some difficult questions, about future plans and emotions she had tried to ignore and shut out for too long.

And Regina kept letting her in, letting her ask whatever she needed to. From an Evil Queen who clutched onto power and control, the brunette now gave all of it to Emma, without question. Emma saw it was love, it was all Regina could give her, it showed trust and the extent of her feelings and Emma wished she had seen it sooner or understood earlier. She knew she had broken this, and she hated herself. How Regina didn't hate her she didn't know, so she was asking.

"But I was so horrible to you, I turned my back on you and our love. How can you bare to sit in the same room as me?"

"You have seen me at my best and at my worst Emma." Regina told her. "You have seen me in my Evil Queen days, you have seen me try and bully you out of town. You watched me set up your mother for murder and you have stood by my side as I cried tears of pain and frustration, as I fought to be better and lost some days. You don't know how much your friendship and support meant to me, so don't ever think you don't deserve my help and my compassion. You can always come to my door and I will always make time for you, because you are worth that and so much more."

"You know I'm sorry for the way I treated you?" Emma looked at her with her eyes big and wide and pleading.

"You don't need to apologise Emma."

"I do. I should never have run like that. You deserved better."

"You know people sometimes make bad choices. I accepted that was one of yours. There is nothing to be gained from you feeling regret and remorse."

"Could you ever trust me again?" The blonde looked so small and uncertain as she whispered the words.

"I do trust you, I have shared so much with you in this room, truths I hadn't voiced to anyone else."

"I didn't mean like that." And Emma reached out her hand to grasp one of the brunette's.

Regina looked at their intertwined hands and squeezed gently. But she knew she couldn't indulge and said with a heaviness, "Emma don't ask that of me now, you are still married and meant to be working things out with Charles."

"You know there is no working things out. You knew before I even married him, like Henry did and my Mom. I just didn't listen."

"I don't honestly know where we go from here." The older woman would have loved to rekindle something, but she was wary of being hurt, being rejected. They worked well as friends and she didn't want to jeopardise that. She was also aware that Emma was going through a messy divorce. Jumping straight back into anything, physically or emotionally was probably foolish

"Oh." She heard the deflated tone the younger woman used and wished she could make things better.

"Take some time Emma, enjoy being single. There is no rush and we can see where things go once the divorce is finalised."

"Between us?" Emma asked, hope dripping from the words.

And Regina hoped she wasn't making a massive mistake, hoped she wasn't leaving herself wide open for more pain and heartbreak. She responded after a moment's hesitance, "Yes. In time."

She watched the younger woman smile dopily at her and again felt that pull between them. The one that had never really died, just been masked by anger and fear and distorted. Things had been rough and Emma had caused that, but just maybe things might finally be less turbulent and the brunette was sure Emma was being made to face some of her demons and had begun to deal with a lot of the previously unresolved issues.

There was even the chance that by having a second crack at a relationship they might even be stronger than they were before. There were no secrets now, nothing they didn't know about the other. And Regina now understood why Emma had closed her out and pulled away, thinking under some misguided delusion she had to be strong and the Saviour even in their relationship.

So they had learned the hard way that that didn't work, and yes, finding that out had been messy, it had blown them apart and hurt immensely. But now, if Regina could move past that and trust again – and she was aware she might struggle and not be able to – then they could have an opportunity to have something beautiful together.

Could she open herself up to the other woman like that? She didn't know, but she thought she would like to try.

"Does Charles know where you are?" She changed the subject, unable to look at Emma's dopey grin and hope filled eyes.

"Yeah." A non-committed shrug of shoulders at the reminder of her husband.

"And he doesn't mind?"

"I think he finally gets it, and has also noticed the eyes following him from below the hooded lashes. She has slowly started wearing more make-up and more flattering clothing and even touched his arm last week."

Regina had to stop her chuckle, how one woman found Charles attractive was a mystery to her, how he had managed to bag two in this small town was completely beyond her. But she was glad, he hadn't been a bad man, and she hoped this time it was the right woman to give him a shot at a happy ending.


Regina signed the paperwork, the pen felt heavy, her signature looked off. But it was done, once stamped with the official town hall seal the marriage would be over. She had called Charles to her office earlier to tell him. And he had looked resigned, and just nodded at her. She explained Marjorie believed this was the best course of action, and that in time, she hoped he would be able to see that too. He had left the office head held high, having taken it better than she ever imagined.

Maybe Emma was right, he had begun to move on, had seen real emotion and desire for him and it hadn't been in his wife's eyes.

She told Emma by text, which was cowardly, but she needed space from the blonde.

Next she made a phone call.

"You seem to have found a career you could be good at." She said into the phone. "I think I may need to book an appointment."

Marjorie laughed at her, "You aren't married. But I accept the compliment."

Regina asked again, "I'm serious. I think I would like some couples therapy then, if not marriage counselling."

"Regina are you sure?" The fairy had a soft spot for the brunette, who was strong but not unbreakable. To make a rash decision now could shatter her and Marjorie didn't want that.

"Not immediately. I think we need some space so I plan to go and visit Henry for a week, I will tell Snow she needs a girls' only weekend with her daughter when I come back, so we both can be relaxed and see how we really feel with some distance between us."

"That sounds like a better idea than rushing into things." Marjorie agreed. "Once you return and if you are both in agreement, then yes, I will sit with you and talk through things. Just don't expect this to be easy, I won't go easy or avoid the difficult questions." The older woman warned.

"I expected nothing less." The Mayor told her, biting her lip in nervous excitement. This could actually work, if Emma would agree, Regina felt the flutter of hope in her stomach.

"Oh and Regina?"

"Yes Marjorie?"

"No sex while in therapy."

"You know I could go off you." Regina quipped. But she was happier than she had felt in a very long time, she would soon be seeing Henry and she had a real chance at helping Emma deal with her past horrors. And why their previous relationship had failed so spectacularly.

"Do you agree? In my opinion going to bed with Emma will just mask the issues, you need to abstain and talk first. Will you accept my terms?"

"Yes." Regina found herself nodding, they weren't going to be together again right now anyway, it was too soon. But they could talk and go to the therapy as friends, Regina would be there for Emma, be her strength and support when the questions or the answers got tough.

And she wanted to fix things with Emma, properly so if things progressed as she hoped they might they would be strong. And she had made lots of bad decisions where Emma or their relationship was concerned, or not reacted when she should have, so she was prepared to try someone else's ideas this time. And she'd been without the blonde's touch for a long time, what was a few more months if she eventually worked out how they could be together.


It had been six month's that Regina and Emma saw Marjorie twice a week. They talked about themselves, their childhoods, their abusers, the abuse they had inflicted on others and each other and then on themselves. They spoke about sex, with each other, with earlier partners and in Emma's case, with Charles. They were honest about their previous relationship, the problems and the good times. They discussed how they both felt the weight of responsibility they shouldered being mothers, lovers, a wife, Mayor, Saviour, daughter to Snow and Charming and how the town placed unfair and limitless expectations on them both. In part they felt married to the town, who saw them as public property to be shared, and because of guilt and that they were good people, they never refused and gave too much of themselves to other people.

It meant that Marjorie could see stress points and advice on coping mechanisms, she empathised and gave them reassurance, and she worked on their confidence and trust issues. She told both women it was okay to say no when the demands of the town were too much and that they needed to spend time building their own relationship. She coaxed Emma to talk about things she didn't want to and helped her voice her repressed blame that Regina's curse had caused some of her abandonment issues. She gave Regina advice on how to help rejuvenate Emma's heart and Emma advice on how to open up and connect with her heart again. Conversations weren't so strained, and apologies were heartfelt and accepted as such.

Slowly, things began to heal, Emma felt lighter and Regina noticed and her smile became more genuine too. Regina often wanted to reach out and grasp the blonde's hand and to offer comfort, but she refrained. But they did begin to go for coffee after the sessions and chat and laugh. And with each cup things began to drop into place, they worked out how to function as co-parents and friends again.

Charles had announced officially that he was going to be dating Lilac two months ago, and that was also discussed. Emma was happy with that and Regina had never wanted the man to be unhappy, she just didn't want him to be with Emma. They wasted very little time on Charles, except to make it clear they wished them both all the best.

And now the two women were going on a date, starting slow as they held hands and walked leisurely down the street.

Emma stopped and spun the brunette into her space, stealing a kiss. As Regina captured her lips a second time and swiped her tongue over the blonde's pale lip they deepened the kiss. Someone moaned, Emma tightened her grip in the fabric of Regina's dress and moved even closer.

"We should stop." Regina moved her head back and looked at Emma's eyes, desire making them look dark and inviting.

Emma hummed what could have been an agreement, but her actions were more telling as she leaned back and took the brunette's lips again. And Regina didn't fight her, instead she melted into the sensation as Emma's tongue stroked and played with her own.

When the brunette pulled away again she was short of breath and her heartrate was elevating quite nicely. But they had booked a restaurant, the problem was food was the last thing on her mind. She remembered how Emma's touch electrified her, but the real thing was so much better than a memory, and she was craving it now.

"Take me home." Regina whispered in her lover's ear.

"Do you think Marjorie will mind?" Emma gasped.

"I think Marjorie has been amazed at our self-restraint." Regina moaned as Emma nipped at her earlobe. "But" The brunette rushed on her exhale, "my self-restraint has finally snapped, so please, before we end up making out on the sidewalk, take me home."

"As Her Majesty wishes." Emma nuzzled her neck, then took a mouthful of skin and sucked hard. She felt alive and her heartbeat slammed in her chest. Then her magic was wrapping round them and they were back at the Mifflin mansion, staggering up the stairs.

They made love for hours, peaking separately and together, reaffirming their commitment and dedication to each other. And with each kiss, each touch, the passion flowed freely and the love wrapped around and pulled them closer.

"Fuck Regina." Emma gasped, as the brunette used her tongue to drive her over the edge once more. "It was never this good before."

Regina grinned up from between her thighs, licking her lips before placing kisses up Emma's toned stomach. The blonde was still struggling to breath and the skin rippled, while tan fingers traced patterns.

"I think we still had buried resentment and problems accepting ourselves and our relationship." Regina answered her, snuggling into Emma's neck and placing her arm comfortably over the blonde's stomach. "We are both in a better place now." She added, kissing the woman's neck, her jaw, and then her lips.

"Thank God." Emma muttered between kisses, and then pulled her brunette lover up and into a straddling position, so she could slide her fingers into her and still watch her face as she climaxed. It didn't take long and Emma never let her eyes waver, whispering into the woman's hair as she collapsed into the waiting embrace in satisfaction, "You are beautiful."

And Regina felt the words and the honesty. And was so glad she had found the strength to help Emma because ultimately it had helped herself. She recognised they had also had help to get to this point, and that she owed Marjorie a new mail order present. Hell a whole catalogue if the woman wanted it.