Before I start this chapter, I have a question to answer from one of my reviewers. Bstix, you asked me in your review of Chapter 13, why neither of the women just poofed themselves out of the elevator. My thought behind it was 1. I really like hurt/comfort, so it worked. 2. Emma is clearly not in the mindset to use magic, and Regina is so concerned about Emma's well being that she completely forgets that she has magic to use. Hope that answered your question!

A young Regina skipped happily into the house. She had just had her first riding lesson, and it was the best experience of her entire life. Granted, her entire life was only 8 years, but it was the thought that counted.

"Mommy?" Regina called. She looked into her mother's study and saw Cora sitting at her desk, staring intently at a spell book.

"What do you want Regina?" Cora asked. She looked impatiently at her daughter, and Regina felt a chill run down her spine. Perhaps it had been a bad idea to come in here.

"I just wanted to tell you how my first riding lesson went," Regina said quietly.

"For heaven sakes Regina, speak up," Cora snapped. "A queen never mumbles."

Regina looked in confusion at her mother. "But mommy," Regina said. "I'm not a queen." Cora looked up sharply and Regina withered under her gaze.

"One day, you will be queen," Cora said forcefully. "No matter what it takes, you will be the ruler of this land."

"What if I don't want to be queen?" Regina asked. "I like my life now."

Cora's magic lashed out and grabbed Regina by the throat. Regina was lifted into the air, squirming and gasping for breath. "You will be queen, whether you like it or not," Cora said. "After all, I am your mother. And mother knows best."

Regina sat up with a gasp. She was panting harshly as her mother's voice repeated over and over in her mind. Mother knows best. Mother knows best. Mother knows best.

"Stop it," Regina pleaded, covering her ears. The voice kept chanting in her head; never ending.

"Regina?" Emma asked groggily. "What's going on? Are you hurt?"

The voice in Regina's head changed tunes. You're not worthy. You're not worthy. You're not worthy.

"Make it stop!" Regina shouted. She squeezed her head so tight that Emma worried that she was going to hurt herself. Putting the pieces together, Emma realized that Regina had just experienced another Cora nightmare. Those were the only ones that left Regina like this.

Most nightmares, Emma could wrap Regina in a hug, rub her back, and chase the nightmare away. The Cora nightmares, however, only had one cure. True Loves Kiss.

It sounded cheesy, but they had discovered it by accident. Regina had had a nightmare the night of their honeymoon, so naturally Emma had kissed her to try and calm her down. Not only did it calm her down, but also it brought her back to the present.

Emma hesitantly reached forward and wrapped her hand around Regina's arm. When Regina didn't try to pull away, Emma gently turned Regina's head so her eyes met Emma's. Regina's eyes had such a far off look; it looked like Emma was a ghost that she could see through.

Leaning forward, Emma gently pressed her lips against Regina's. Regina tensed, but after a couple seconds, she collapsed into Emma's arms.

"My mother," Regina panted. Her mind was back in the present, but the nightmare had still shaken her.

"I know," Emma said. "Just breathe with me." She took really elaborate breaths, encouraging Regina to follow her lead. Regina's breathing eventually evened out, but she quickly woke herself up again when she felt like she was drifting off.

"You can go to sleep," Emma soothed.

Regina shook her head. "No," she argued. "I really can't."

"Regina," Emma said sternly. "You need to sleep. I promise that I'll be here if you have another nightmare. But I don't want you staying up the whole night."

Regina started crying. "Why does she still control me?" she asked. "It's been so many years, and yet I still have nightmares from what she did to me when I was 8. I should be over it by now."

Emma softened. "What Cora did to you is something that anyone would find traumatizing. You can't expect it not to have a lasting impact on your life."

"It's weak," Regina said.

"It's human," Emma countered. "Having nightmares is entirely normal." Regina started shaking her head vigorously.

"Regina," Emma said. "Look at me." Regina slowly looked up and met Emma's eyes.

"I love you. No matter what nightmares you have. No matter what Cora may have done to you. I. Love. You." Emma said.

"I love you too," Regina said. Emma kissed Regina's forehead. She rubbed her hand in soothing circles on Regina's back. Within seconds, Regina was fast asleep.

Emma was woken up exactly an hour later by Regina having another panic attack. Sitting up, Emma reached out for Regina's arm.

"Don't!" Regina said. "I can do this." Emma nodded and waited patiently. It was killing her to watch Regina struggling, but she was also proud of Regina for wrestling with herself.

20 minutes passed before Regina let out the breath that she was holding. She locked eyes with Emma and hesitantly smiled. "I did it," she said. "I beat my mother."

Emma couldn't help but smile back. "I love you so much, and I'm so proud of you."

"I love you too," Regina said. "Mother no longer knows best."

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