AN: Hey guys! Wow, we've passed 100 favourites, thank you all so, so much! It's late here and I'm at work tomorrow so I had to rush to get this chapter finished for you. Therefore, please forgive any tiny mistakes :-) Let me know what you think!

It's early afternoon when I slump over the serving counter at Granny's, waiting for Widow Lucas to return with my black coffee.

Though it took me all morning to even muster the strength to drag myself out of bed, I feel as though I haven't slept for a week. My brain is foggy, my eyes are heavy, and my muscles ache in the same way they do after a particularly gruelling workout. If this is what it feels like to go one round with Thanatos, then I dread to think what I'll feel like after three or four.

I know I'm not looking my best either. My hair is pulled back into a short ponytail, my blouse is creased, and I'm wearing far less make-up than usual. Granny noticed the physical change immediately, I could tell by the slight flicker of her expression, and Even Grumpy refrained from his usual biting comment as he pushed past me in the doorway.

Tiredness momentarily consumes me and my eyes slide shut, but I'm quickly jolted awake when my chin drops off the hand that's propping it up. Widow Lucas places a steaming cup of hot coffee down in front of me.

"It's extra strong," She informs, watching carefully as I rub at my red-rimmed eyes, "You look like you could use it."

I offer her a grateful smile, "Thanks!"

The diner bell rings and I glance to the door, pleased to see that Zelena is on time for our scheduled meeting. She takes a hand off Robyn's stroller for long enough to give me a small wave, and gestures over to a nearby booth. Nodding in acknowledgement, I pick up my coffee and turn to go over to her, walking straight into Hook in the process.

"Careful, love!" He exclaims, raising his hands to steady me. But his movements are too slow and I drop the Styrofoam cup, tipping hot liquid across my hand and onto the floor.

"Ow, shit…" I gasp, shaking the quickly pinking skin of my hand. I glance an apologetic look towards the pirate, "Sorry…"

"It's fine," He replies with a courteous smile, "Most of it missed me. Are you okay?"

I nod, ascertaining that the damage to my hand is superficial at best, "Yes, thank you."

"I'll bring you a new one over," Granny calls out, studying me suspiciously as one of her waitresses rushes over with a mop and a wet floor sign.

I smile my appreciation and side-step to move around Hook, but the firm grip of his hand on my shoulder prevents me from moving away. He ducks his head to get a better look at me, an expression of confusion slipping across his handsome face.

"You look tired, Regina," He observes kindly. "I appreciate that things…have been hard for you just recently. And I haven't exactly been myself…." He clears his throat, "I just wanted to say thank you, for everything you did for me in the Underworld. And sorry about…well you know…"

I do know. He's talking about Robin. Finally, I have my apology but suddenly it doesn't seem important anymore. The only thing that matters is that the sparkle has returned to his eyes, his cheeks are full of colour, and he once again appears the epitome of the man that Emma originally fell for.

Thanatos has done as I asked and left him alone. I've successfully guaranteed Emma's happy ending.

"It's fine," I reply, discovering that even formulating words takes precious energy that I don't appear to have. "I don't blame you. I'm pleased to see you looking so well."

I leave him with a friendly smile, slowly making my way over to my sister, Robyn is fast asleep, and I press a soft kiss to her forehead before sitting down.

"What was that about?" She asks, nodding towards Hook as a waitress comes across to our table with two coffees.

"Nothing," I reply, sounding anything but subtle. "I spilled my drink…"

"Are you okay, sis?" She presses, her voice laced with concern as she studies me closely. "You don't look too good?"

I take a deep breath, relieved that I don't have to uphold the charade any longer, "No," I inform, stifling a yawn, "It's why I called you here. Thanatos took up my challenge but he's refusing to meet me in Storybrooke, he's started draining my life force in my sleep…"

"He's attacking you?" she gasps, lowering her voice so to avoid anyone overhearing our very private conversation. "Has he given up on, Hook?"

I glance over to where the pirate is leaning against the serving counter while playing on his phone, "Does he look better to you?" I ask.

Zeleana's gaze follows my own, "His usual charming self," She replies somewhat sarcastically.

"Exactly!"

Her eyes flick back to mine, noting every dark ring on display, "But this isn't what we wanted this is…"

"A very clever trick!" I inform, quickly updating her on the underhanded tactics at play.

I detect her fear almost immediately, the sudden, irrational worry that not only might she have to contend with killing her True Love, but also her sister too. "Can you fight him?" She asks, her voice uncharacteristically optimistic.

"I believe so," I reply, feeling confident. "But I need more power. At the moment my attacks are weak at best. We need to find a way to boost the strength of my magic while I'm asleep."

Off the top my head I can only think of one way - teaming up with, Emma – but as I currently have no idea of Thanatos' abilities it's a risk I'm not willing to take. What if he saw Emma as the bigger target and changed his focus to her? Or worse still, what if our power combined still isn't enough and he drains us both? I could never do that to Henry.

"How long do we have?" Zelena asks, and from the look of deep concentration on her face I'd say that she's already begun mentally listing the names of people she thinks might help us.

I shake my head, uncertain, "Thanatos said that draining me will take time but I suggest we act fast. Every time he attacks I become weaker."

"I can speak to Rumple, see if he knows of anyway to boost your magic? But even if he did I'm sure we'd find him reluctant to help…" It's clear from her tone that she doubts the possibility of that solution as much as I.

Silence falls over our table as we both think. I've met many magical beings in my time and several with the ability to help but unfortunately, most of them only know me as the Evil Queen and still bear very understandable grudges.

Across from me Zelena bites subconsciously on her thumbnail, obviously faring no better than I. Getting nowhere, she eventually takes a deep breath, resigning herself to the one option that neither of us particularly want to consider.

"We need the others…"

I know instantly that she's referring to the Charming's and their little family of heroes but truth be told, even if I didn't fear Emma's impulsive response, I still have far too much pride to actually ask them for help.

"No," I reply, rejecting the suggestion before it's ever really materialised. "I'm doing this to save Hook, to ensure Emma's happiness. I don't want them to know."

As if on cue the diner bell sounds again, the door opening to allow the entrance of Emma and Henry. I watch as they walk over to Hook, feel my chest ache as the blonde leans in to press a chaste kiss against the pirate's lips, and slink down into my chair. Silently hoping that neither one of them sees me.

It's a hope born from exhaustion, having forgotten my earlier run in with the pirate, it suddenly comes rushing back me to me when I see him say something to the others and then nod in my direction. Henry's expression instantly brightens, and I hastily turn back to my sister, determined to finish my point before I'm forced to change topic.

"If Emma finds out what I've done she'll try and stop Thanatos herself, and look at what happened the last time she tried to protect me." The horrifying image of her absorbing the Darkness is one that's burnt vividly into my memory and I know without doubt, that I'll never let her make a sacrifice like that again. My sister however, needs further convincing.

"Zelena, you have to promise me that you won't say anything," I beg, "We can beat him if we work together. I'll read all the magic books I have back at the vault, and you can speak to the Imp. Please…"

As a rule, I never beg for anything. It's a wholly demeaning trait that forces you to concede power to someone who rarely deserves it. But for Emma I think I'd do just about anything, and considering what that may entail in the near future, begging seems the least of my problems.

Zelana sighs heavily, "Alright, I promise…for now."

"Regina!" I close my eyes at the sound of Emma's concerned voice, silently wishing the Saviour away. It's not that I'm not happy to see the blonde, far from it, it's more that smiling sweetly as she makes eyes at her pirate requires more strength then I currently possess right now. "You look terrible!"

I try to respond to the comment in the same way I would have had anyone else remarked in such a way, sassily. "Why thank you Miss Swan, elegant as always I see."

Her soft expression crumbles a little, though I'm uncertain if it's because of what she said or the tone with which I replied. "I'm sorry," She quickly apologises, indicating that it was probably the former, "I didn't mean…"

She stumbles over her words in exactly the same way Henry does when he's talking to Violet, and I find that I have to bite my lip to refrain from laughing. I'll never understand how someone so brave, fearless and fiercely independent, can so easily become so socially inadequate. It's adorable.

"…you look good…" She corrects, finally finding her voice amongst a sentence of nervous stuttering's, "I mean you always look good, but you look tired, ill even…"

"Ma's right, Mom," Henry readily agrees, the worry in his expression instantly sucking the humour from the moment. "You look like you did when you got the flu."

I feel my heart tug at his caring comment. As one who isn't often ill, Henry was only eight the last time I got the flu. I can still remember the way he lovingly brought me a glass of water and my medication, and the way he insisted on sleeping in my bed every night in case I should wake up scared.

I smile warmly at the now proud, young man who stands before me, "I appreciate your concern, but there really is no need for it. I'm fine."

"Mom…" I'd know that tone anywhere, though he's always seen me as a fairly strict parent, there are a few rare times where our roles are reversed.

"I'm fine, Henry, I promise," I reply, feeling guilty for the ease with which the lie comes. "Admittedly I'm a little tired but I didn't sleep too well last night, that's all."

"I don't suppose you know of any way to boost one's magic do you?" Zelena interrupts, directing her somewhat cold glance towards Emma as a way to distract attention from my obvious exhaustion, "You know, being the Saviour and all."

"No," The blonde replies, and I feel a rush of warmth flood my body at the total lack of suspicion in her tone. "I'm kind of new to the whole magic thing. Everything I know, Regina taught me." She raises a curious eyebrow, "Why?"

I share a private glance with my sister, silently instructing her to evade the question. If Emma Swan catches so much as a whiff of a lie, she won't stop pestering us until she knows everything.

Zelena offers a dismissive shrug, "Just curious," She informs. "My magic feels weaker in this realm."

"And that's a bad thing?" Hook taunts, not as quick to forgive as his caring girlfriend. Which is ironic considering that out of all of the Charming clan, he has the most to seek forgiveness for!

My sister narrows her eyes threateningly, "Not if you're an annoying, one-handed, Pirate, no!" She deadpans.

"Ignore her," I quickly intervene, grateful that she's willing to take the brunt of their questions but wanting to protect her from suspicion all the same. "She's just grumpy that we're all more powerful than her now. I've told her that her magic will improve once it's adapted to this realm but…"

"Is there a specific reason that you need it?" Emma asks.

Zelena suddenly looks uncomfortable, "…No…"

"Oh, it's just that whenever Regina and I have needed more power we've joined our magic together."

Once again I'm reminded of how much stronger Emma and I are when fighting together, and though it's tempting to reach out and ask for her help, it really would defeat the whole point in challenging Thanatos in the first place.

"Sounds kinky!" My sister smirks.

I give her a hard, discreet kick under the table, "Zelena!" I scold, more than aware that she's hinting at the current situation between Emma and I.

"What!?" She replies, feigning innocence, "I'm not going to try that with you it sounds far too intimate!"

A witty, queen-like response is on the top of my tongue when from nowhere, blinding pain shoots out from my heart. I gasp in shock, doubling over in agony as I struggle to draw breath against such an all-consuming feeling.

Henry is by my side in a second, "Mom!"

"Regina!" Emma cries, sounding equally as concerned as my son, "What's wrong?"

I want to speak but can't seem to form the words. I can't seem to think of anything beyond the crushing tightness in my chest. This is by far the worst one yet.

"The ground is shaking again!"

I hear Zelena's voice somewhere in background and a distant part of me is aware that she's right. The diner is shaking once more, and several customers have already scrambled for the nearest exit in fear.

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I finally manage to grind an instruction out, "My…vault…"

"I'll take her…" Zelena quickly responds, but Emma is even quicker to interject.

"No, you have Robyn," She replies, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder, "I'll take her back."

Like a well-timed dose of morphine, Emma's touch eases the pain somewhat. Enough to at least allow me to speak again.

"Mom?" Henry asks, tentatively stepping closer to me.

I smile, though it's forced and weak. I feel about ready to pass out. "I'll be fine, Henry," I reply reassuringly, "Don't worry."

The last thing I hear before I lose consciousness, is Hooks infuriating voice as he attempts to comfort my son.

"It's fine lad, your mother's a lot stronger than she looks…"

xxx

I wake, an indiscernible amount of time later, on my bed in my vault, to the sound of an incoming text from Zelena.

Are you okay?

Though tired and a little sore, I can't prevent the warm smile that appears at just knowing that someone cares. I type out a simple reply.

Yes

Several seconds later, my phone vibrates again.

What was that?

In truth, I have no idea. Up until now my attacks have always been in relation to Emma, but as we weren't arguing and she didn't do anything to hurt me, I can only assume that it's a side-effect of my fight with Thanatos. I can't imagine an already weakened heart would cope well with being drained entirely of energy.

Uncertain, I refrain from saying too much.

I don't know, but I intend to find out.

When I don't get a reply, I lay my phone down on the makeshift bedside table and lie back down, throwing a heavy, tired arm across my eyes.

I try to think of the events leading up to the moment I lost consciousness but the memory is stunted and hazy. I remember how Emma's hand seemed to ease the almost unbearable pain, I remember Henry's worry… Henry, I should probably ring him to let him know that I'm okay…

"Hey."

Lowering my arm, my gaze flicks to the wide archway and the entrance to my sleeping area. I'm surprised and a little comforted to find Emma studying me with one of her cute lopsided grins.

So it was Emma who brought me back to vault, I'd suspected as much, but never in a million years would I ever assume that she'd stay.

"Hey!" I reply, trying and failing to hide my shock at seeing the blonde.

She walks gingerly over to my double bed and carefully sits down on the end, "How are you feeling?"

Though my chest is still sore I'm confident that it's only a residual effect of the trauma, my tiredness however has risen to new levels, and if Emma left now I'm not certain that I'd wake anytime soon. "Okay," I finally reply, my words slurring slightly as I struggle to keep awake, "A little tired."

She shifts slightly closer to me, "Regina, what caused that?" She asked, each word laced with the protective confidence of a saviour. "Was it because of what happened in the bathroom the other day?"

"No," I shake my head, certain that too much time has passed between our heated moment and now for it to have played any part. "At least, I don't think so. When things have affected me in the past the reaction has been instantaneous."

My hand subconsciously rises to my chest where I can feel the steady beat of my heart beneath my breastbone, "Is there any further damage to the town?" I ask.

Emma nods, "Hook said the crack in the forest has widened. Which means…" Her voice trails off and I instinctively know it's because she doesn't even want to consider the implications.

Feeling bold, I finish it for her, "That the damage to my heart is worse, yes."

Closing the remaining distance between us, her hand slowly slides across the mattress until she can link it with my own. Her fingers interlock with mine and she grips on tightly, as though she fears what will happen if she lets go.

"Gina, you can't keep on like this!" She finally says, her voice choked.

"I know," I reply, sitting up once more so that I'm face to face with her. "But what caused this latest attack is something completely different to the previous times. Something, that with time, I should be able to control."

Despite not wanting her to know the truth, I also can't allow her to believe that my pain is in anyway her fault. This was my decision, my sacrifice, and regardless of how it ends I never want her to shoulder the blame.

Unfortunately, as with her mother, a vague explanation isn't enough. Ever the hero, Emma instantly demands to know more.

"Regina, if something's going on with you then you owe it to me to tell me," With her free hand she reaches out to pull at a loose thread on the patterned duvet cover, her voice dropping to a guilty whisper, "At the very least you owe it to, Henry."

A spark of anger flickers deep inside, a disappointment that she would try to use my love for Henry to coax me to confession. "Don't play the Henry card with me, Miss Swan," I snap, a completely defensive response to a situation I don't want to discuss. "I know exactly what I owe my son…"

Green eyes flick up to meet mine, "When you call Henry my son and refer to me as Miss Swan, then I know something is wrong!" She replies, bravely standing her ground.

Though I'm annoyed, Emma's tenacity is one of the things that attracts me to her. There are very few people who ever dared to challenge me, even fewer who still refuse to back down after a fight. Yet from the day Emma stepped foot in this town, she has never simply let me win. If she thinks she's right she'll fight me until the bitter end, and that's why I feel safe with her, because I know that she'd never fully allow me to become the Evil Queen again.

That tenacity isn't welcome now however, "Emma can you just drop it?" I ask, but the question is more tired than demanding. I give her hand a gentle squeeze, "I know that you're worried, but I assure you I'll be fine."

She seems to consider my words but apparently doesn't put much faith in their value. Whatever is causing her to question my behaviour, it isn't anything that she's seen today.

"Why didn't we meet last night?" She asks almost flippantly.

Caught off guard, I blink, "I'm sorry?"

"Last night," She explains, taking a deep breath, "We didn't share a dream. Why?"

I suddenly fear that she saw or heard something while sleeping, something that alerted her to Thanatos' presence, and I quickly scramble for yet another vague answer.

"I don't know," I reply, offering her a one shouldered shrug, "I told you I didn't sleep well, maybe we weren't asleep at the same times."

"You're lying."

Those two words used to excite me, back in the day when we were in a constant battle of one-upmanship I used to long to hear her call me out in such a way. But now, they fill me with dread, an irrational fear that she'll somehow learn the truth and demand to rush in and save the day.

When I offer he nothing further, she continues, relentless pursuing me in her quest for the truth. "I had a lucid dream," She informs, "and I know that I was waiting for you, but you didn't come. And the crazy thing is, something deep inside of me knew that it was because you couldn't, not because you didn't want to."

I swallow sharply and force myself to look away, afraid that if I don't I'll confess everything to her.

"I searched for you all night," She says softly, "but I couldn't find you. And I had this feeling, like the energy was being sucked right out of me."

I take a deep breath, having been unaware that our connection reached to such a deep level. She notices the hitch immediately.

"Today you turned up looking less than your usual perfect self with your heart splitting in two…"

I can't listen to anymore of her speech, too afraid that if I let her continue she'll guess the entire thing. I quickly cut her off with a fake smile and an unconvincing response, "I'm fine…"

"You're scaring me!"

The words are spoken from the heart and I feel them reverberate all the way through to my soul. I am scaring her, I can see it now, the way she's gripping onto my hand, the fact that she stayed with me, the speed with which she volunteered to bring me home…

I don't want to scare her!

"Emma, please…" I plead, uncertain of exactly what I want to say, "don't ask me to tell you what's going on. I can't. I won't!"

"Is it to do with your heart?"

Refusing to let the matter drop she takes to blindly guessing, and I find that I don't have the energy to fabricate a new story. "Yes," I reply, determined to reveal nothing more.

The hand that was pulling the duvet cover moves up to gently tilt my chin, forcing my head back so that I meet her piercing green stare, "I can't lose you, Regina. Not now."

The words are the truest I've ever heard, and I feel my heart break for an entirely different reason. I have to fight to hold back tears, "You won't!" I promise.

She shakes her head, choking on the emotion that catches in her throat, "So why do I feel like I will?"

I can almost hear Thanatos taunting me from his dream world and in that moment, I want nothing more than to grab onto Emma and promise to never let go. But I'm tired, so tired, and if this is one of the last memories she ever has of me, then I don't want it to be of a promise that I couldn't keep.

"You should go," I instruct, clearing my throat to rid it of the constricting lump that has formed. "I'm feeling a lot better now but I'm still tired. I'm probably just going to sleep anyway."

Her grip on my hand tightens, "I'm staying."

I begin to protest but I can barely keep my eyes open. Exhaustion has taken over and blessed sleep is calling out to me through the wilderness… "I really don't need you too…"

"But what if I need to?" Emma argues, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and gently laying me down. "I'm staying," She states, and I'm just about aware enough to realise that she lays down next to me. "Get some sleep, I'll be here when you wake up."

My eyes slide shut and I know that I'm being called to round two with Thanatos, but for the first time in my life I go to a fight peacefully, because it's wrapped up protectively in the arms of the woman I love.