Chapter 14

Belle's high pitched excited voice woke Emma, who groaned. She was grumpy but got up and stepped into the kitchen anyway. She raised a confused eyebrow at her sister and her girlfriend.

"Why are you screaming?" Emma questioned. Without thought Belle ran up to her and gave her a big hug, then she realised what she was doing. Emma bit her lip but smiled slightly. It fell from her face as Belle pulled back quickly. She still didn't like physical contact, but could feel Belle's excitement rolling off her in waves.

"Sorry Ems, I forgot.." Belle apologized.

"Don't worry." Emma shrugged. "So, why are you screaming?"

"Ruby has finally decided to move it with me!"

"Really?" Emma smiled and grinned at Ruby.

"Yeah." Ruby grinned back.

"Congratulations sis!" Emma said. "I'm happy for you"

"Thanks Swan." Ruby shrugged.

"We thought we would celebrate with some food. You wanna join us?" Belle asked knowing Emma always needed an invasion, because she was so used to being forgotten.

"Nah, I think I'm gonna go home. I'm tired. I mean it though, I'm happy for you guys!" Emma stated and left the room before anyone had the chance to say something further.

"I'm going into to town for some business." Daniel said vaguely and Regina met his eyes. "You want anything?" it sounded like a genuine question, and Regina was skeptical.

"No. I'm good." Regina shrugged. "When are you coming back?"

"Probably later today or tomorrow Miss Mills." Daniel smiled and Regina couldn't grip his behavior. She was lost. This was the Daniel she knew. Fun, helpful, and a bit annoying. The Daniel who had grabbed her violently just a couple of hours earlier on the other hand, was someone else. What is going on?

"Have a good trip then." Regina smiled politely as to not arouse suspicion. Now she had the chance to meet Emma, and she refused to blow it. As soon as she heard the car leave the driveway Regina headed down to the stables.

Emma was in a bad mood so she decided to go for a walk. This whole situation with Regina and Cora was driving her crazy. This was the reason Emma had never let anybody get close. All the feelings, all the thoughts, and scenarios spinning around in her head.. There is always the possibility of getting hurt. Emma always ended up hurt somehow.

She had never experienced this before though, because she had kept everyone away. She had been protected by her walls. Now though she felt like a deer in headlights. Terrified and almost naked in a way. She didn't have any control and she hated it.

"Emma!" a voice suddenly called and Emma froze. Regina? Emma turned around then saw Rocinante and Regina come toward her. Even though she was happy to see them, she was still angry and confused. Regina had been the person she had trusted the most in her whole life, and Emma had thought she wouldn't hurt her. That she would be different, but as it turned out, she was as bad as everybody else. She has hurt me too..

"Emma" Regina breathed and dismounted her horse. She was about to kiss Emma when she was pushed away and she didn't understand Emma's reaction.

"Don't!" the blonde growled. "Just don't!"

"Emma, what's wrong?" Regina frowned confused.

"What's wrong? Oh you tell me!" Emma snapped. "You can't just disappear and ignore me for almost 3 days, and just think everything's fine! I've been worried sick!"

"Emma I'm so sorry. Please let me explain!" Regina pleaded and bit her lip. She had never been this afraid. Was Emma gonna break up with her now? Or what the hell was happening right now?

"Sure, explain away." Emma growled again.

Regina let out a big sigh. She knew Emma was afraid too. This had to be confusing for her too. Probably more since Emma had such a big problem with letting anybody get close. In the blonde's head, Regina had just brushed her off. She hadn't though. She really hadn't. So how would Regina explain all this? Would Emma even believe her if she told her the actual truth?

"So, what is your excuse?! " Emma snapped when Regina didn't say anything. "Have you realized I'm not good enough for you anymore? That I'm just some street rat?!"

"Emma, how can you even say something like that?" Regina asked and met the blonde's eyes.

"Because that's what everybody else does. They act like they care for me and when they come close...when I let them in, they throw me away, like the piece of trash that I apparently am." Emma shrugged and looked away, hiding the tears stinging in her eyes. Regina could tell that Emma was teetering on the edge of running away.

"Emma please. Don't leave me. Don't leave me like daddy did." Regina stuttered and broke down. Emma felt her heart break, and she quickly turned around then dragged Regina into a tight hug.

She even reached out and grabbed Rocinante's reins then patted his back. She received a happy neigh from him in reply, which made the blonde smile a bit. Emma turned her attention back to Regina and gave her a gentle kiss. She felt her girlfriend relax in her arms. Because she was still her girlfriend, right? Right?

"Schh Reg, I'm here. I'm here. Sorry for snapping. I just got scared. Please tell me what's going on?" Regina dried her tears and met Emma's eyes then nodded.

"It's my mother.." Regina sighed. "I think she knows about us.." Emma froze.

"What? How?" Emma asked anxiously, suddenly remembering how the word girlfriend had almost slipped from her mouth that night, but she chose to not tell Regina about that. Was it for the best? She may have found out eventually.

"I don't know.." Regina replied. "but she seems to have this idea that I gotta have a man, so the stable boy has practically moved in."

"Is he who has done this?" Emma asked with a low growl and held Regina's bruised arm in her hand. She then touched the scar on her lip.

"Yes" Regina signed, even though it was her mother who had caused the scar on her lip.

"That son of bitch!" Emma snapped and started to pace back and forth. Regina watched her with worried eyes. Don't do something stupid Emma.