Chapter 7 Sleep

She was awakened by the sound of her cell ringing loudly, sharply cutting through the silence of the dark room. Regina groaned and grabbed the cell from the nightstand.

"This better be good," she growled, her eyes glancing at the clock that read 2:15 in the morning.

It was silent.

"Hello?"

She could hear a deep breathing and then it was cut off by the dial tone. Someone had hung up. She sat up, turning on the lamp. She wasn't easily spooked, but she could feel the shiver creeping up her spine. Whoever this person was, he was really starting to unnerve her. Even if she wouldn't admit it.

The phone went off again and she nearly jumped from the bed. When she caught her breath, she snapped out of anger.

"I swear, if you don't start talking I will hunt you down and make you regret you were ever born."

"Regina, it's me. I saw your light go on," Emma's voice sounded from the receiver and she let out a breath of relief that she didn't even know she was holding. She had forgotten Emma was keeping watch outside from her bug. Her voice was stern, angry even, but not at Regina. She was angry at the creep that appeared to have become Regina's stalker.

"It was him. I know it was. He didn't say a word. I just heard him breathing."

"I'm coming in."

Regina let Emma in moments later. It was cold and she was grateful for the hot tea Regina had offered.

"Has he called before?" Emma asked, standing at the counter in the center of the kitchen.

"No," Regina replied, pouring two cups and setting one infront of Emma. It was then that Emma noticed how tired Regina looked. Dark circles were visible under her eyes and her hands trembled even as she tried to hide it.

"You need to sleep."

"Don't coddle me, Emma," her voice hoarse with exhaustion. She didn't even try to sound condescending.

"I'm not. I'm just concerned. I can stay awake and still keep watch," Emma suggested, trying to reason with her. She's never seen Regina so defeated. She had never even seen Regina in this state, dressed in silk pajamas and a robe. Her hair was messed up and she had that sleepy look in her eyes. She couldn't help but think the usual strict mayor was in fact adorable. Even without the heels, she was a few inches shorter.

"You need to sleep too. You've been up nearly the whole night," Regina said softly.

"It's my job. I'm the sheriff, remember? And the whole point of this is to keep you safe."

"I want to stay up with you."

"Will you even consider changing your mind for once?"

"Henry's room?" Regina asked with that smirk Emma knew too well.

"Lead the way," Emma grinned, expecting exactly that. She took her tea and followed Regina upstairs.

They were in their son's room once again, watching the only TV in the house. Reruns of "Friends" were playing and even though Regina's eyes were on the TV, her thoughts were a million miles away. She was still so shaken up. She kept trying to think of who it could be, but it was impossible to narrow down the suspects.

Emma must have noticed.

"What are you thinking?" she asked softly, her green eyes full of genuine concern.

"What if we don't find him?"

"Of course we will," Emma assured her. "Nothing gets by the sheriff and her Queen, right?" She was trying to get her to smile; even if it happened to be small.

It didn't work.

"I can't even remember him. I must have done something terrible to him and I can't even remember it. For all I know, I probably do deserve this."

At those words, Emma hit mute on the control and shifted to face the woman beside her. She could see the self-loathing swirling in those dark eyes.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Emma told her because there is nothing Regina could've done to deserve this sick kind of harassment. Regina shook her head in protest.

"This is his revenge, Emma. He is after me because of something I did."

"Yes, but it still doesn't excuse those sexually disturbing letters. He trashed your house and now he's calling you in the middle of the night. This isn't only about revenge. He's playing with you and according to those letters he might even be obsessed with you."

"Maybe what I did was so much worse," she whispered, unable to meet Emma's eyes at that admittance. She stared straight ahead at the TV.

"Regina, look at me. Please, look at me," Emma's voice and expression so full of disbelief. Regina turned to Emma, but she still wouldn't meet her eyes. Emma reached out, tilting her chin so Regina would finally look at her.

"From what he has written, it sounds like he wants to…" she trailed, off not wanting to actually say the disturbing words. "It sounds like his "revenge" includes what the King had done to you," she finally said and winced at the devastating and fearful emotions flashing across Regina's face. She became tensed and she hid her shaking hands under the blanket.

Emma took her hands and Regina could feel herself relaxing under her touch.

"I don't care what you did to him. You don't deserve this, especially after everything you've done to redeem yourself."

"I'm scared," she suddenly whispered before she could even stop herself and Emma was shocked that she was being so open.

"I know, but he won't hurt you. I'm not going to let him," Emma reassured her, her voice dark at those last words because if he as so much as touched a strand of hair on Regina's head, she would make sure he would regret it. "Why don't you try getting some sleep?" she asked much more softly, because despite what Regina says, she hasn't been sleeping. Not since Robin had left her.

Regina didn't even argue. In fact she didn't even say a word. She just got comfortable and snuggled into her son's pillows.

"You have to sleep too," Regina murmured sleepily, her eyes closed and her breathing starting to even out as sleep started to claim her.

"I know," Emma replied, but made no move to settle down. She stayed there, even after Regina had fallen asleep. She watched over her, keeping her promise by making sure Regina was safe.

Meanwhile, at the docks, an old man in his mid-fifties walked along the docks. He worked late in his fishing shop and was finally heading home. The night was cold and silent. It was still and it made him nervous. All he could hear was the sound of the ocean, which was why he turned around in fear when he heard a loose board creak under the weight of something that had been watching him since he locked his doors.

He turned, preparing to face whoever it was.

"Hello? Who's there!"

There was no answer and after convincing himself it was all in his head, he turned to continue on his way. Before he could even take a step though, something hit his head from behind. He fell to the floor in pain and with stars clouding his vision.

The last thing he felt before the darkness swallowed him, was the steel of the knife cutting out his heart.