Hello my friends,

I am sorry it took me so long to update again. This chapter is a little bit longer. I hope you will like it. Enjoy and please, send me a review, I would like to know what you think.


Regina felt desperate. What just happened must have left Emma confused. She left so abruptly without saying anything. She needed only few seconds to talk to her, to explain why she was acting like that when her mother appeared in the doorway. Realizing how much Cora had her under control pretending it was love made her shiver. She was so blind. She couldn't see the world around her, she couldn't feel anything because of the protective walls Cora has built around her many years ago. In order to protect her own daughter Cora did her best in putting Regina outside the normal life. Regina was pushed into things her mother wanted her to do. She even criticized who her daughter was meeting with, who she was spending time around and in which activities she participated. Lying in her bed, Regina took her phone and found Emma's number in her contact list. Her pointing finger hoovered over the „dial" button.

What would she say to her? Would Emma even pick up her phone when she saw who's calling?

There were many questions in her head and she desperately wanted to know the answers. Putting the phone back on the night stand she closed her eyes and tried to imagine the moment when she meets the blond woman again. She wasn't strong enough to call Emma now. Her best chance was to go to Emma and explain everything.

The worst thing about all this was that her mother was responsible for Emma's accident. Every action had consequence and Regina was the one who would pay the most painful price. Realizing that only with being honest and truthful to the blond woman she would be able to fix things. If there was anything left to be fixed after all. It could cost her losing Emma, but she was finally able to see that it was the right thing to do. If it's meant to be then she would accept whatever the outcome.

Emma was prepared to surrender to her completely to pay the debt. Realizing that Regina finally accepted the fact that in order to give herself up Emma must have acted not upon her ego, but on love. Through her love for her son she was ready to sacrifice herself no matter the price. Thinking about Emma and how her life has changed since this woman entered her life she realized something. Seeing Emma and the way she was ready to loose her own self, Regina was able to find her true self. Emma opened her eyes and made her heart beat stronger than it did before.

It hurt thinking about Emma and Henry leaving her because of what happened. It made her heart ache. It was the price she was supposed to pay. And it wasn't completely her fault. Her mother made this situation even more complicated. Regina checked her phone again. It was already 3am.

„I am going to look like a zombie in the morning," Regina whispered and waved her hand as if nothing mattered to her any more. The way she would look like in the morning wasn't important. If only she could push the time forward and go to the hospital. The sooner she will get this off her chest the better. This uncertainty wasn't the way she was used to feel. Being always very precise and perfect made it even harder to deal with such a state of mind. She closed her eyes squeezing her eye lids together as she tried to force herself into sleep. After few minutes she finally fell asleep either from being tired or being emotionally drained.

In the meantime Emma arrived to the hospital. She paid the taxi driver and ran towards the ward where Henry was calmly sleeping. Her fast steps led her to Henry's room. Taking a deep breath she steadied herself and calmed her heart down so the quick beating wouldn't wake her son. She slowly opened the door of the room looking around to be sure that Henry was asleep. Everything seemed to be just fine. Emma entered the room, closed the door behind herself and went to Henry's bed. Her eyes landed on his adorable face and ruffled hair. She missed him. It was only a few hours but she felt like she hasn't seen him for years. Emma's fingers stroked Henry's cheek. She bent over the bed and kissed her son on his forehead. At least something that returned her to the reality she was familiar with. This kiss was everything to her. It made her feel like everything was alright, that her son was still there with her. She loved these little things that reassured her about the authenticity of this reality. Few moments ago she felt like her world was falling apart. She felt her heart breaking into little pieces and she tried to hold on every single breath she was still able to take. In the silence of the room she felt like everything was getting louder. She could hear her heart in her ears, she felt pins and needles under her skin, every single emotion was becoming stronger.

„Why, Regina?" she asked as if she was talking to the brunette.

„Why did it have to go to this?" she whispered, tears running down her cheeks. Emma Swan was in love with Regina but what if loving her meant living in pain? Her heart has been broken many times before and she wasn't sure if this was something she wanted to do, to risk her heart to be broken again.

How could Regina ever appreciate her after what they've been through? Would she be enough for her after surrendering herself to pay for her son's therapy? How did she look in her eyes? Was she just a trophy on the shelf of women Regina seduced or made love to thanks to lending them money? And why she was so cold hearted and closed at the beginning and when they were alone in her apartment she opened up and showed her the romantic side? What the hell happened to her?

Emma's mind was spinning not giving her rest and a chance at sleep. Her hand slipped into her jacket taking out her phone. She couldn't wait till the morning when Regina shows up at the hospital, she needed answers now. Her thumb moved above Regina's number on the screen. Something prevented her from making the call in the end. Maybe it was better this way. Her anger would take over and the call would end up badly. She still couldn't risk making Regina angry, her son's life depended on her. What a terrible situation. Was there a chance to get out of this without losing? Was this the way Regina worked? Was she always the victorious one in the fight?

Emma didn't understand. She couldn't figure out her mother and she also couldn't figure out Regina's behaviour. Her actions were nothing she has expected. On the other hand what if there were feelings? What if Regina felt something for her and was not able to show it? It would explain the change in Regina's behaviour. She will confront Regina in the morning, now it was time to get some sleep. Emma checked her phone again. It was almost 5 in the morning. Her mind occupied her with many scenarios that she didn't even notice how fast time flew by. Emma pushed her son to the other side of the spacious bed and climbed up to spend the rest of the night lying next to him, holding him in a tight embrace. She needed to feel that he was alive because it was the only thing that has kept her alive for so long.

„Mom?" Henry whispered when he felt his mother moving him.

„It's ok, Henry, go back to sleep," Emma whispered placing his cover higher to cover his shoulders.

„I am not feeling well," Henry said, turning around to face his mother. Emma climbed down from his bed to call for help. Henry caught her hand making her stop. Their eyes met and Emma felt like there was something wrong in the way he was looking at her.

„Hold on, kid, I will be right back," Emma tried to convince him that she would be back as soon as possible together with someone who could help him.

„Is Regina here?" he asked, his eyes filled with tears.

„I am afraid she is at home, sleeping," Henry's eyes saddened and tears started running down his cheeks. Emma pressed the red button even though she hated doing that. She knew that these buttons were only for the emergency calls but this was her son's life and she couldn't leave him now. In few seconds the door opened and doctor Whale entered the room already taking his examination tools to check Henry's condition.

„What's going on?" he asked walking towards Henry's bed. Henry started screaming. He was in pain and he fought against doctor Whale and his hands that were trying to touch him.

„I want Regina!" he screamed. Doctor Whale checked the monitors and everything seemed to be ok so he looked at Emma with pleading eyes.

„You should call doctor Mills. You son has a special bond with her as it seems," doctor Whale resigned on examining Henry. He will just stay in the room with them while they wait for Regina to arrive. Emma left the room and pulled her phone out of her jacket pocket. Nothing could stop her from making the call now. She didn't want to talk about their weird relationship. She needed to save her son's life and everything else had to be pushed aside. Dialling the number Emma felt tense.

„Yes?" Regina's sleepy voice filled the phone speaker. Emma shivered. It was good hearing the brunette's voice. It somehow made her feel calm.

„It's me, Emma. Can you please come to the hospital? Henry's condition changed and he is in pain. He wants you," Emma finished, desperation present in her voice.

„I am on my way," Regina answered and Emma could hear the brunette getting up from the bed. She ended the call and went back to her son. Henry wouldn't let doctor Whale touch him, he only demanded Regina to examine him. He was pale and drops of sweat appeared on his forehead. He had fever and felt sick. When Emma entered the room doctor Whale was holding a bowl for Henry to throw up into. Having no idea of what was going on with Henry doctor Whale was just looking from Henry to Emma silently praying for Regina's presence.

„Mom!" Henry shouted and fell back onto the pillow. He was sweating and his breath was shallow.

„I am here, kid," Emma stood right next to the bed, holding Henry's hand in hers. She wished she could do more than just stand there. As much as she wasn't happy about having to deal with Regina so soon she was grateful for her help. Thank god Henry bonded with her so well. She was able to reach him and make him cooperate. Not long after she finished talking with Regina on the phone she heard steps behind her. Regina entered the room wearing her PJ's trousers and a sweater. She didn't bother with changing her clothes. Henry's life was at stake and her appearance didn't matter at all.

„I am here, sweetie," Regina said calmly approaching Henry's bed taking his other hand in hers. Looking at Emma she made sure that it was ok if she tried to help even after what had happened between them.

„Please, help him," Emma said, tears filling her eyes. Henry calmed down the moment when Regina took his hand. Emma kissed Henry's hand and stepped aside to give Regina enough space to find out what was wrong with Henry. Doctor Whale closed the distance between him and Emma taking the blond woman by her hand and leading her outside the room.

„It's better if we let her work. Henry is in the best hands," he said and Emma willingly let him walk her to the hallway.

„She will call for help if she needs some," he added to calm Emma.

Emma was sitting on a chair in the hallway waiting for Regina to come out of the room. She was not patient when it came to finding out what was wrong with her son. She stood up few times to go to the room to check on them but was stopped by doctor Whale's hand.

„Give them some time," he said pulling Emma back to her seat. She felt helpless. If something happens to her son she will ….

„Try to stay positive, ok?" doctor Whale knew exactly what was going on in Emma's mind. He dealt with a lot of parents in such situations like Emma's. He didn't have any kids but he felt what the parents went through when their children were suffering.

Regina finally laid her high heels on the hallway floor and Emma was immediately standing up, waiting for some information.

„What is it? Is he going to be ok?" she asked ignoring that Regina was about to speak about his condition.

„It looks like the treatment we chose weakens his immune system. It happens and it's quite normal that the immune system is weakened first before the treatment finally kicks in," Regina explained relaxing a bit when she saw Emma's reaction. She calmed down a little bit.

„It looks like an infection. I will do some tests to find where it is and we will adjust the treatment," Regina added to inform Emma fully about Henry's condition.

„I gave him some prednisone and something to calm him down. After the tests come back I will put him on antibiotics to fight the infection."

„Thank you. Can I see him now?" Emma asked not wasting any time. She just wanted to be with her son. After such a shock she needed to see her son breathing, she needed to feel his warmth and hear his beating heart.

„Wait, Emma," Regina said, stopping Emma right in front of the door to Henry's room. Doctor Whale knew this would probably be a private conversation so he dismissed himself.

„Thank you for calling," Regina said, smile appearing on her lips.

„I wouldn't call you if Henry didn't ask for you," Emma answered drily. This wasn't the right time to go back to what happened few hours ago. She was tired and scared and angry and … a lot of other emotions were running through her and she didn't feel like talking to Regina now.

„Well, thank you anyway. I am glad I could help," Regina said, sadness visible in her face. Emma was surprised at her reaction but decided to push it aside for now. Her son's life was the only thing that mattered now. The brunette doctor left Emma in the hallway.


TBC