Emma is really sick. Regina comforts her.

For beautifullife0:I changed it slightly- Emma is ill but not throwing up! Thank you for the prompt(s) I may get around to another one tomorrow. If anyone else has a prompt then you can send me them via PM on here, DM over on twitter ( all_i_ever_knew) or shoot me an ask on tumblr ( its-a-story-of-love).

This takes place after S1, the curse has broken but the wraith doesn't come to Storybrooke etc., Regina and Emma are co-parenting with feelings on both sides, haven't labelled whatever it is they are…yet…

Unbeta'd and I do not own characters mentioned.

SQSQ

Emma wakes with a pounding headache, the persistent and nagging pain already causing her to wish that sleep would return, knowing it wouldn't. The next thing she notices is that she's sweating like a pig, her pyjamas practically glued to her. The covers on her bed had long been discarded, she was often a restless sleeper- a product of years in the foster care system when you were never quite sure if you were safe, but last night had apparently been a particularly bad night. Even Emma, the Queen of Denial (Regina could challenge her but she's already got a monarchical title- two is just greedy), can't pretend she isn't ill. Or that she is in desperate need of a shower.

She peeled herself out of her clothes and let the water run to the perfect temperature; she hated stepping into a cold shower, especially when she was feeling like shit. The shower offered some comfort; it offered almost familiar warmth and made her feel a little cleaner. Her head was still heavy and her muscles ached. Today was going to be a mope on the sofa, flick through the channels, trying and failing to find anything to watch, kinda day.

She grabs a glass of water and throws back a couple of paracetamol, it won't make her fever go away but she hopes it will dull her aching head.

Most people have a teddy they used to cuddle when they were ill or upset, a toy that had perhaps seen better days but was still special, still managed to cheer you up. For Emma it was her blanket, it was the one thing she had left from her parents. It was made with such care, such craftsmanship, that had Emma not been left on the side of a road she might have felt special. Over the years it had become an almost protection blanket. At the toughest moments in her life- when the foster parent had shouted and screamed, at how she was a waste of space or an ungrateful brat, when the bullying had got too much- the words and jabs cutting just that little deeper, Emma hugged on the blanket and just let herself feel.

Things were different now, she had found her parents and although she still struggled with the idea of them sending her to an entirely different realm on her own, she understood that deep down they believed they were doing the right thing. She had found her son, or rather he had found her, and despite various disagreements and tensions between herself and Regina, their bond was stronger than ever and she thanked whatever deity or fairy godmother out there that was responsible for giving her a second chance at being a mother. Regina, their relationship had certainly been complicated, and while Emma would dare to say that they never hated each other (observers may disagree), there were differences of opinion for sure. Emma had, wrongly, questioned Regina's love for Henry, and to this day that remained one of her biggest regrets- the concern was evident on the mayor's face, but she needed to know Henry was alright. The kid had run away to Boston and was talking about curses and fairy-tale characters, it wasn't exactly normal. Emma always chuckled thinking back to that- there's irony everywhere. So yes, their relationship consisted of petty fights and a fierce determination to be the better period, it was only when their son was hurt, when he nearly died and their whole worlds stopped that they realised the feud was pointless and the only person they were endangering was their son. Things changed after that, not least because the curse was broken. Emma expected Regina to become more defensive, and to an extent she did, there was still a wall, a mask she hid behind, but there was also mellowness, resignation almost, to whatever fate the town decided. Emma knew then that whatever happened in the past, whoever she was, it was just that in the past, because the person that stood in front of her was someone who was willing to give up everything to make things better. She saw not a Queen, or a mayor, or even Regina, but a mother who just wanted to be able to continue her life with her son. After various council meetings where the town had made it abundantly clear what they thought of the Queen, Regina had announced she was resigning as Mayor, apologising sincerely for her past and a desire to move on, to one day make things better, and that Snow would take up the position. The change in Mayor had still left people talking and Emma couldn't help but be frustrated, Regina couldn't win. It didn't last more than a week, Snow for all her qualities, could not run a town she was far too impulsive and lacked the necessary drive to make the difficult decisions. It was during this time when Emma had expressed such a thought one day after dropping off Henry. It was awkward and came out as a jumbled mess, but the genuine smile and "Thank you Miss Swan…Emma" had made up for any embarrassment. Conversations from then on became less stilted, less formal, a friendship even. Emma convinced herself a friendship was enough, though she desperately wanted more. She wasn't going to mess up everything by pushing Regina too far.

Later she would blame the sentimentality on the fever, or possibly the medication. For now she smiled, despite looking and feeling like a zombie, and let herself sleep.

SQSQ

Regina hadn't heard from Emma all day and tried not to think of anything from it. Not that there was anything from her. It was just strange, even when they had been at each other's throats they had always seen each other. Even if it was just to offer a sarcastic comment, or the next challenge. As much as Regina could (and would) try to deny it, she had got used to Miss Swan, Emma's presence in her life. She would even dare to say that she liked it. Emma, despite their history, was one of the few people that believed the best of her, saw what she was trying to achieve, rather than judge her on her past. There had been moments when she thought that maybe whatever it was between them was more than a friendship. Those were quickly dismissed. Someone like Emma Swan would never love someone like her.

So yes she was a bit surprised and anxious that she hadn't heard anything from Emma, not even so much as a text that was barely English. She would reprimand her telling Emma something along the lines of I don't pay you to text, Sherriff.

Emma would reply with something along the lines of No u pay me to do these god awful reports, madam mayor ;) What u doin?

They were due last week. I am trying to work out how to tell your mother that an animal choir is a terrible idea. Any ideas?

Lol was Emma's helpful reply

Today though nothing. It was when she got a phone call from Henry saying that Emma hadn't picked him up that she began to really worry. Despite doubting Emma before, she now knew that Emma loved Henry fiercely and would be right alongside her threatening anyone that wanted to hurt him. Most of the time they would spend time as a trio, with Emma trying to help Henry with his homework before playing video games while Regina cooked dinner, there were occasions like this when Regina would be at work a little longer and Emma would pick Henry up, she wouldn't forget. Which begged the question what had happened? Regina could feel her heart rate quicken and willed herself to breathe. In and Out. It was Henry's "I'll meet you at Ma's then? "That drew her from a panic, with confirmation of the plan she grabbed her keys.

SQSQ

Henry was just walking down the road to Emma's apartment, she had moved out of the loft, she had needed time and space to process everything, as Regina pulled up. She had a brave face on but Henry knew she was scared, he was too, and Ma was never one to not turn up to something…be fashionably late, but not forget.

The apartment was quiet apart from the humming and muffled chatter of what they both assumed to be the TV. Upon entering the living room, mother and son, saw Emma snuggled up on the sofa. The position hardly looked comfortable but then that woman could sleep anywhere. Regina asked Henry to get Emma another glass of water and made her way towards her; if she knew the blonde at all she would doubt that Emma had done much more than the basics to reduce the fever. Her fingers brushed the slightly matted curls out of her face. Emma was burning up. Regina wished Emma had contacted someone to help her. She gently lifted Emma's head, moving a cushion to prop her up. Leaving her to rest, it wouldn't do any harm. Well apart from screwing up her sleeping pattern, but it was already too late for that. She was just about to leave the blonde, to scour the shelves from so nutritious food when she heard a mumbling.

Emma's eyes were half opened and she heard a croaky "Hey" the ghosts of a smile on her face.

"Hello dear"

SQSQ

Emma didn't know how long she had been asleep, just that she needed it. She still felt terrible but she didn't feel quite as tired. Someone was here; perhaps if she was less delirious or more awake she might be more concerned, but as it was she just opened her eyes seeing Regina. Crap she was supposed to pick up Henry. Regina didn't look annoyed though, just concerned. It was strange seeing someone care. No one had done that when she was sick before. "Hey" she whispered. It wasn't supposed to be a whisper, but apparently her voice was another of the parts of her body that didn't want to work properly.

"Hello dear" Regina replied. Good god that woman made even the most mundane phrases sound sensual. Head out of gutter Emma.

"I'm sorry about not picking Henry up and if I worried you. I thought I could sleep off the fever a bit, and well it lasted a bit longer than I intended."

Regina tried not to frown, her lingering anxiety kicking in, did Emma seriously think that she would be annoyed she forgot to pick Henry up because she was ill. Did Emma think that she was that fragile, for want of a better word, Schooling her face she said "No need to apologise dear, he's old enough to get the bus, did it for years. We were worried, because we both knew it was unlike you to not pick up Henry, but again you have nothing to apologise for, we're just happy that it wasn't worth than a fever. Speaking of the fever, I was just about to see if you had any soup. "

Emma still felt guilty, always had; when she was younger being ill had always been an inconvenience. It meant medicine had to be bought, doctors had to be attended. She couldn't be shipped off to school. For that reason she said "Regina you really don't have to do that, I will make myself some later. If you could just take Henry back that would help me a lot. I don't want him to get this. "

At that Regina couldn't hide her sadness. She knew she was being ridiculous, that she was probably overthinking it but so many people had brushed her off, refused to let her help that she began to think she was incapable and Emma saying it was just too much. "If you don't want me around Emma, just say. I was trying to be helpful, make you feel better." She let the tears fall, why did she just cry when she was angry.

Oh well done Emma, she thought to herself, you fucked it up again. Now Regina thought she was useless. She had to fix this.

"Regina"

No answer. Regina stood stock still.

"Regina please listens to me. I didn't mean I wanted you to go, not like that anyway. I meant you didn't have to feel obligated to stay if you have other stuff to do. I am sweaty; probably stink, look like shit and am ill. I don't want you or Henry to get ill, which is reduced if you aren't in the same house as me. I appreciate you coming around to see if I am alright, it's the first time anyone has ever done that for me" Emma's voice turned softer, almost shy at that before regaining her confidence "It means a lot but I am a big girl I can look after myself, however if you want to stay, if you are sure, I think there is some soup in the cupboard above the sink, and there should be some bread bin and I am never one to turn down waitress service"

Now Regina felt slightly stupid, she was the one who supposed to be comforting Emma, not the other way around.

"Stop that, never feel sorry for being concerned or being scared. I've been there, more times than I care to imagine. Your thoughts race away and you can't keep up. It's awful but takes a deep breath. Okay"

Regina smiled, Emma knew her so well, and what from some people may sound condescending from Emma sounded comforting. She hugged Emma, before pulling away turning up her nose, she did smell a bit, and making her way to the kitchen.

Locating the soup she put it in a pan to boil, she refused to use the microwave. It definitely didn't taste the same. Snob Emma laughed. Regina had the last laugh when she opened the bread bin to discover the bread, if it could even be called that, was less bread and more a ball of grey blue fluff. Good god how Emma survived this long was a miracle.

She returned to the living room with three bowls of soup, and some just edible crackers and let Emma rest her head on her chest as Henry put The Lion King DVD on.

She stroked small circles on Emma's back, to comfort her, and not as Henry and Emma had suggested to try and stop herself from crying at Mufasa's death (in her defence Disney movies were supposed to be happy).

Her and Emma would both deny singing along to Can You Feel the Love tonight. Unknown to them Henry had recorded it; he thought it would come in useful in his next Operation.

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A/N this went in a different way to I was expecting and I am still not sure about it. I think it seems a bit OOC but I hope you enjoyed it all nonetheless. Comments are always welcome. Cx