Chapter 38

Regina chewed her bottom lip as she waited outside Archie Hopper's office. She told Emma to meet her here after work since Henry was going to Peter and Felix's for the weekend. Regina had waited until today to spring the couples meeting on her. Emma hadn't even asked why. She just agreed. However, her father suddenly seemed concerned.

No matter what anyone said, Regina would never be able to imagine Emma hurting her or Henry. She let out a shaky breath, remembering her life with Robin. The physical abuse didn't happen until right before the divorce. He had always been verbally and emotionally abusive though. She was glad now that Henry had gotten him to sign his rights away. At the rate Henry's rebellion against his father was going, Robin was bound to strike him.

The elevator doors opened and Emma appeared. She seemed tense, but not like she had the other night when she was chopping wood. Regina hated seeing her lover like this. It made her feel like she wasn't happy.

"Hey," Emma said walking up to her. She was clearly nervous but didn't voice it.

Emma leaned down to Regina's level and kissed her quickly on the lips before taking the seat next to her. Regina wanted to ask her about her day but was interrupted from her thoughts when Archie opened his door.

"Good afternoon ladies," the red-headed man said opening his door wider for them to enter.

Emma looked confused for a second but followed Regina inside. Archie closed the door behind the brunette and gestured for them to sit on the small sofa. Silently, both women took their seats.

"Alright, things are a little different here in couples counseling," He started, sitting in a straight back chair.

The blonde glanced over at her girlfriend and then to Archie, "Couples counseling?"

Regina held her breath as Archie went to explain, "Regina thought it would be a good idea for you two to start meeting with me together. There are a few concerns and she wants to try and work them out."

Emma's green eyes were on her. Anger wasn't the emotion she saw, instead, it was hurt. Regina's heart fell. She's pretty sure she would take anger over hurting Emma any day.

"Did I do something wrong? I mean, I know I'm new at this, but I thought everything was going great," the blonde asked, her eyes unblinking.

Regina sighed, "They are and no you haven't done anything wrong. I just thought that…" The brunette almost lied but closed her own eyes before saying, "My dad overheard us the other night. He's a little worried about your temper so I…"

Emma cut in, "He's afraid I'm going to hurt you." It wasn't a question. "Why didn't you tell me the other night?"

"I wanted to. I had planned to actually. But there was the shower," She glanced quickly at the Archie refusing to go any further with that subject. "I didn't want to ruin the night."

Emma nodded her head slowly, "So you think I would hurt you too?"

Regina grabbed the blonde's hand, "No, I don't." She let out a humorless chuckle, "I've hit you and you didn't hit me back. So that's got to say something."

"You've hit her," Archie asked, his eyebrow raised?

Regina stuttered, "W-well, yes. But in my defense, I woke up half naked in a motel with her and my friend had been raped." She was sure that sounded better in her head.

She sneaked a glance at the blonde. She seemed lost in her own thoughts and Regina's heart sank further. This relationship was new, but she was more than determined to see it through. There wasn't another person that made her feel the way Emma did. Not to mention the younger woman had shown more want and devotion to her and her son than Robin had in 10 years.

"How did you feel when she hit you, Emma," Archie asked pulling both women's attention.

Emma shrugged, "At first, I think I was in shock, but then I felt bad."

"Why did you feel bad," he tilted his head at her?

"Because it was my first night back and my dad offered me the deal for the club," she paused. "And I was only paying attention to Regina after meeting her in the restroom. Then I thought I was doing the best thing by hiding that she had been drugged and while I was trying to devise a plan to cover up what happened to her, her best friend was gang-raped."

Regina watched Emma's shoulders fall and she looked defeated. It was beyond heartbreaking. She wanted to reach out and stroke her cheek. She wanted to tell her it didn't matter anymore, but clearly, it had been eating at the blonde for a very long time.

"Did I mention that when I fought so hard to hide everything and take care of it myself, I still lost the club," Emma snorted. "I should have stood up to David Nolan in the very beginning."

Regina frowned at hearing Emma call the man she had known her entire life as her father by his name. "No."

Emma and Archie turned to look at the brunette who had randomly spoken. She turned to look into the emerald eyes that had stolen her heart, "No, you shouldn't have done anything differently. I was angry when I hit you. I didn't know what was going on or that my best friend had been hurt. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying what I did was right because it wasn't. But, I was just as lost as you at that moment and I am so very sorry. I had a conversation with Kathryn a while back and she made me realize a few things. First of all, even had you called the police, I wouldn't have been able to tell them about Kathryn. If you remember, I didn't even know who I was. Second, the police had nothing to go off of. They may have been able to get the guy who walked Kathryn out of the club, but the other two would have gotten away. There was no DNA."

"I know that. I do, but at the time all I could see is how I let you down. How I let Henry down. I haven't cared about anything or anyone else in a very long time, hell I didn't even care about myself. For the first time, I can actually visualize what next week will look like, or next year and I am super stoked about it," Emma explained. "I keep worrying that I'm going do something to screw it up."

Archie smiled, "Well, that's why we're here. It sounds like you both could use a little anger management." He looked at Regina who blushed slightly. "Before we start working on some techniques that will help when you feel yourself losing control, I want to talk about honesty. I know you two haven't known each other for a long period of time, but you are planning a future together." He glanced at Emma, "Can you think of something you've kept to yourself or perhaps have kept secret up until this point."

Emma stared at him blankly and shook her head, "I don't think so. I'm an open book."

Archie smiled, "What about the night you got the call about your brother?"

The blonde flashed her eyes to Regina then back to the red-headed man, "I'm sure she doesn't want to hear about the old me."

Regina gently laid her hand on Emma's knee, "I want to hear whatever you will tell me."

"Being honest and open is the key to a healthy relationship," the man said.

Emma rubbed her hands up and down her thighs and then sighed, "I had brought a girl back to the hotel with me."

Regina didn't want to hear about the younger woman being with anyone else, but if this helped her to open up, she was willing to suffer details.

"Go on," Archie encouraged.

"I had a bit to drink. While the girl was sleeping, I climbed up onto the balcony rail," Emma hesitated when she heard Regina gasp and the hand tightened its grip on her knee. "Obviously I didn't jump. I got the phone call from August right after, telling me Will was dead."

Regina felt a renewed sadness for her lover. Emma had actually considered suicide. When they had their conversation at the hospital the night Kathryn attempted to kill herself, she didn't mention it. But, then again, why would she. Regina had been so bipolar when it came to Emma that she was shocked the woman hung around long enough for them to have a relationship.

"Honestly, I'm not sure if I would have jumped or not. I mean I remember thinking how easy it would be to do it and then a gust of wind blew and almost knocked me off. When I jumped down I felt a rush of excitement, but I also felt relieved," Emma said staring off into space. She glanced up to meet Regina's eyes, "I'm glad I didn't do it."

Regina tried to smile. She wanted to, but just the thought of Emma not being here made her stomach hurt and her heartache. Sure, Emma still had a lot of growing up to do, but she was trying.

Without thinking about Archie, Regina reached up and touched Emma's cheek, "Promise me that if you ever feel that down, you'll talk to me." Tears welled up in the brunette's eyes. She didn't intend to sound so desperate or pleading, but she needed Emma for her life to be complete.

Emma smiled softly and moved closer to peck her lips, "I'm not the same person I was. I was barely even alive then, literally all I was doing was taking up oxygen. Now I'm actually living."

Regina couldn't contain her own smile, but whispered, "Just promise me."

"I promise," the blonde answered.

"Okay. Now it's your turn, Regina," Archie said.

Regina let her hand fall from Emma's face and frowned, "Alright." She swallowed, "My father and I are planning to have a chat with Mr. Gold."

Emma narrowed her eyes, "Why?"

Regina licked her lips, "Because he needs to do something about Mrs. Hatter."

"No. He doesn't need to get involved," Emma's tone was stern and Regina couldn't help but swallow again.

"Emma, this woman has been harassing you for weeks. She's not just going to go away. Something needs to be done and I think Gold is the person to talk to," Regina said.

The blonde crossed her arms over her chest, "So you were just going to go over there and tell him to tell her to leave me alone? What am I, five? I don't need anyone to bail me out and certainly not Robert Gold."

Regina put her hand on the blonde's knee, "If we don't do something, it will only get worse."

Emma clenched her jaw, "It's not your decision. I'm trying to do things on my own for once and I don't want anyone to get hurt."

Regina furrowed her brows, "First of all, I thought we were a couple. I'm well aware that not everything we do needs to involve each other, but as long as we are together if something upsets you, it upset me and all the members of our house. Second, if we don't do something, there is a very good chance that a certain nine-year-old and his two older friends will."

"I'm sorry. You're right," Emma sighed. "What makes you think Henry or the other two boys would get involved?"

Regina stared at the woman for a moment. She hadn't meant to get snappy, but if they were going to be a couple, it was all or nothing.

"My dad said that when he had taken the boys out the other day, they brought up Mrs. Hatter. Apparently, they had decided it was a good idea to learn how to cut the brake lines on a car."

"What!? Why would they do that," Emma shrieked?

"Why do you think? You already know Henry admires and adores you and so do those other boys. They look up to you because you fought to protect them. They want to do the same for you. This is why it is important to get a grip on our impulse issues. Everything we do, they see," she explained.

Emma slowly nodded her head. It was as if she understood this for the very first time. Even though most would think it was common sense, Emma had never been around kids.

"I'm sorry I didn't talk to you about this last night, but like I said, I was a little preoccupied," Regina blushed again. "My dad trusts you and loves you, that doesn't mean he doesn't worry."

The blonde seemed to consider this, "I would never, ever put my hands on you or Henry. And I will do everything I can to prove that to Dr. Mills."

Archie smiled, "Now, that's out of the way, we can move on to a few anger management techniques."

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Henry stood on the steps looking up at the massive house. Peter and Felix stood beside him waiting for the owner to open the door. This may not be the best idea he's had, but it was much better than their first plan.

The door opened and a massive sized African American man appeared wearing a black suit, "Can I help you," his baritone voice boomed.

Henry held back a snort. There was nothing particularly funny about the man. The boy was sure that most, if not all, people found him intimidating. It was just that his voice reminded him of Barry White, and he could picture the man singing, I can't get enough of your love baby. His mother liked to listen to Barry while she cleaned house.

Felix elbowed Henry when he failed to answer, "Umm, is Mr. Gold in?"

"Do you have an appointment," the man asked?

Henry looked at his friends and then back to Barry JR, "No, but he'll want to see me."

The man raised an eyebrow, "And who should I tell him is calling?"

The boy chewed his lip for a second before Felix elbowed him again, "Tell him his grandson's here."

The man watched him skeptically and then held out a finger, "Wait here." He disappeared behind the door.

"You sure that's a good idea," Peter asked?

Henry turned to his friend, "What do you mean?"

"Saying you're his grandson," Peter answered.

Before he could answer, Mr. Gold opened the door, "Henry?" His face was flooded with concerned.

"Hello Mr. Gold, we need to talk," Henry said, attempting to sound more confident in front of his friends.

Mr. Gold nodded, "Of course, come in." He opened the door wider to allow the boys to enter.

The Scottish man led them through the giant entryway into what Henry assumed was his study. He gestured for the boys to take a seat on the leather sofa, while he sat on the edge of his large oak desk. Henry noticed Gold wasn't wearing a tie. Instead, three buttons were unfastened at the top of his shirt. It made the man look almost normal and not as uptight as he usually did.

"So, Henry, what can I do for you," Mr. Gold asked, slipping his hands into the pockets of his slacks?

"Well, it's about Emma," the boy started.

The man stood upright again, his hand falling from his pockets, "Is she okay? Did something happen?"

Henry shook his head, "No, she's fine. It's just that there's this other teacher who has been harassing her and…,"

Before the boy could get the name out, Gold snapped, "What teacher?"

"Mrs. Hatter, she…," Henry started again.

"Lily Hatter," Gold flexed his jaw muscle and moved to the window to look out. "And what is it you want me to do about this?" His question was loaded as if this was some sort of test.

Henry didn't want to be treated like a little kid on this subject. Emma meant the world to him and especially to his mom. This Lily lady was messing with the wrong family. They had been through enough and he refused to lose Emma before they even got a real chance to be a family.

"I don't want you to kill her if that's what you think," Henry answered.

Gold whipped his head towards Henry, and chuckled, "Well, that's good. I'm not really in that business anyway."

Henry smiled at that. He didn't know how many people the Scottish man may or may not have killed in his life, but he was certain he wasn't a killer anymore.

"I just want you to tell her to leave Emma alone, or you could have her transferred to another district or something," Henry sighed. "We were going to take care of it ourselves, but my Grandpa didn't like our ideas."

Mr. Gold tilted his head, "And what was your idea?"

"I don't know," Henry shrugged. "We thought about cutting her brake lines or something like that."

The man widened his eye slightly, "Well, there is that." He chuckled again, "But I really don't think we need to go to that extreme."

"That's kind of what my Grandpa said, plus a lecture," the boy said.

Gold laughed, "Well, your Grandfather is a wise man. I hope you listen to him."

Henry nodded his head. He wasn't sure if he and his friend would have actually gone through with it. He didn't want to be a killer, but he wants Emma to be as happy as he and his mom were. With Lily constantly bugging her, he was afraid she would start hating going to work.

"I'll see what I can do," Gold said.

"Don't hurt her or get her fired. Emma will be very upset with us," Henry and his friends stood.

Mr. Gold nodded his understanding, "We wouldn't want that." He started for the door, "If that will be all, I'll show you out."

"There is one more thing I could use your help with," Henry said with a slight curl to his mouth.

Mr. Gold glanced at him, "I'm all ears."

Henry walked over to the man and motioned for him to lean down. When the man complied, he whispered something into his ear.

When Gold pulled back he seemed to be in deep thought, "I can't make any promises, but I'll see what I can find out."

Henry smiled and grabbed a pen a paper from the man's desk, "This is my number. Just text me if you find something."

He jotted down his number and passed it to the man. He and his friends exited the same way they entered. Henry hoped he was doing the right thing, but at this point in time, there were no other options.

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Emma stood in the library waiting for the rest of the teachers to pile in. This was her first meeting as the official music teacher and it was nerve-wracking. Not that much of the meeting had to do with her class in particular, but she had to be here same as everyone else.

"Alright, everyone. I know these meetings aren't what everyone wants to be doing at the end of the day on a Friday, but at least they only happen once a month," The principle announced. "Now as you all know, the STAR pretesting begins this next week and we have to have these kids ready for it."

Emma was sure she heard many groans wave through the crowd of teachers. She almost chuckled out loud but managed to keep it to herself. In her class, there was no STAR testing. She taught music and that was it. She saw a handful of coaches standing off to the side looking glum. Emma was suddenly thankful she wasn't a coach. The coaches not only had to worry about their sports and afterschool programs, but they also taught. Two of the football coaches were also math teachers. The girl's drill team coach was also a history teacher. Emma was grateful she didn't have to teach another subject.

"I guess you're glad you'll be getting rid of me," Lily appeared next to her whispering.

Emma narrowed her eyebrow, "What are you talking about?"

Lily shook her head, "Really? You go cry to Gold and then play stupid."

Emma turned to look at the other woman perplexed, "I haven't seen Robert Gold, so I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

The woman studied her face, "Well that's funny because he said he was going to be nice and offer me a transfer since I couldn't stay away from you. He all but threatened me."

The blonde shifted in her stance. She hadn't spoken to Gold. Regina and Dr. Mills agreed that they would all go together and talk to him, but that hadn't happened yet.

Lilly sneered, "Maybe your girlfriend ran to daddy dearest behind your back. My suggestion would be to keep your bitch on a leash."

Emma flashed her eyes at the dark-haired woman but kept her hands at her sides. Her blood was instantly boiling at the comment against Regina, but she had to control her rage. Breaking Lily's nose or snapping her neck would only get Emma thrown in jail and fired.

The principal continued, "Let's not forget teachers, keep an out for dress code violations. Those rules are in effect for a reason. It's starting to warm up and the girls are going to test you to see what they can get away with."

"Well, anyways, whoever told, you got your wish. I'll be transferring Monday," Lily said turning to walk away. She paused, "People don't change. It may take a while, but the real Emma will be back."

Emma clenched her jaw together as she watched the other woman walk away. Who went to Gold without her? Lily was a real piece of work. If she hadn't been worried about her relationship, she was now. Lily was right. What if the old her came out again?

"Alright people, I won't keep you any longer. Y'all have a good weekend and I'll see y'all Monday," The principal said.

The other teachers moved past her towards the exit and Emma stood lost in thought. The blonde tilted her head as she concentrated on what Lily had said. No. Lily was wrong. Emma is who she used to be. She is the little girl who loved her mom. She is the heartbroken high schooler who fought to do things right. She is the college girl who passed up parties to study. She is the person who is madly in love with Regina Mills and absolutely adores her son. The girl in New York was the fake her. Emma knows who she is.

She followed the herd of teacher out of the library. She did want to find out who talked to Gold without her. Not because she planned to be mad at them, but it was a trust issue. They made a pact, if you will, to go together. She didn't want the people she loved getting hurt by Robert Gold.