2. Let's Talk, Shall We?

A/N: The feedback I got for the previous chapter was shocking! I didn't expect it at all, so thank you all :) I couldn't upload on Friday, I had a major writer's block halfway through the chapter, my sincerest apologies. Once again thank you all for that, and your votes as of now are the following:

Boy: 4- Girl: 7- Twin Girls: 3- Twin Boys: 4- Boy and Girl: 5

The voting window will be open for many more chapters, as our ladies won't know the gender any time soon, Emma's barely a 1 ½ months in lol. The recurring point of many of your PMs is that Regina's an idiot and an ass. I love your guys' reactions, and yes she is, I agree. Will that change? Sure, just not all of the sudden, many idiocies to follow from her part. Alright enough of that, enjoy! :)

*sorry if there are any mistakes, running on like an hour of sleep*

UPDATE 6/1/15: So I've added more to this chapter, because it didn't turn out as I had intended, so please re-read this chapter. I've also updated the votes for the baby's gender. so yeah, sorry about the crappy chapter I initially posted. I'd also like to welcome the readers who recently added this story to their alerts or favorites, thank you for reading (: and thanks also for the reviews, I greatly appreciate them!

Regina placed an order to-go for herself and Emma while she waited for Ruby. Bacon and Egg Frittata and a Blueberry Almond smoothie seemed okay for Emma, or at least that's what her research on her phone told her was okay for a pregnant woman. Regina got a blueberry muffin and a discretely ordered spiked coffee. Okay, admittedly she might have a problem, but she'd worry about that later.

"Order up!" Granny yelled.

"Coming Grams!" Ruby rushed to the counter and opened the plastic bag in order to see who had placed the order. She closed the bag and walked towards Regina's table.

"Here you go Regina. Ordering for two?" Ruby asked as she placed the food on the table.

"Yes. So are you available for that conversation now or should I come back later?"

"Now's fine. Let me just tell my Grams I'll be on a quick break." Regina simply nodded and watched Ruby go into the kitchen to speak with Granny. Regina saw Granny nod and with that, Ruby motioned for her to walk out of the diner. Regina grabbed the food and walked out with Ruby. They sat at one of the outside tables, giving them the privacy Regina presumed Ruby wanted. Ruby began to fidget in her chair, and Regina was not a patient person this morning...or ever really.

"What is it that you wanted to speak with me about?" Regina snapped.

"I- um, I'm sort of…pregnant…?" Ruby said. Regina looked at her incredulously.

"Are you asking me or telling me?"

"N-no I-I'm telling you. I'm pregnant." Ruby said slightly more confident.

"And why are you telling me this?" Ruby flinched at her tone and took a deep breath.

"Well…"

Emma heard the doorbell ring and went to answer the door. When the door swung open, she saw Regina standing in front of her, duffle bag on her right shoulder, left hand holding a cup holder, and her right hand holding up the food as an offering. Regina shuffled her feet a little, feeling nervous.

"Good morning." Regina said with an awkward smile. Emma just looked at her from head to toe, not checking her out, simply taking in the changes in the woman she hadn't seen for nearly two months. She had let her hair grow longer, it went passed her usual shoulder length hair. Regina had less makeup too, which allowed her to see the baggy eyes Regina was sporting. She looked…tired? No, her entire posture told a different story. Emma kept staring, trying to pinpoint it. Regina just stood still as she let Emma study her. Emma's eyebrows were scrunched in a way they always did when she was trying to solve something. Regina attempted to figure out what Emma was trying to figure out. They both came to a realization at the same time. Busted.

"You're hungover?!" Emma yelled at her as she shoved Regina inside. Regina stumbled inside trying not to spill the drinks in hand.

"No! I mean, not really. I simply had a rough start this morning, that's all. I brought you the breakfast you asked for. It's apparently good for a woman who's…" Regina let the sentence trail off.

"Regina, I'm tired and hungry and cranky. We're not talking until I've eaten my breakfast." Emma said as she snatched the food bag from Regina and walked towards the kitchen. Regina trailed behind her, feeling like she was the guest, in her own house!

When they sat down, Regina and Emma both did not utter another word as they ate. Emma wolfed down her breakfast, while Regina simply sipped her coffee and poked at the muffin. Her earlier conversation with Ruby had made her lose her appetite. Emma didn't once look up to glance at Regina, but Regina kept staring at Emma. Regina tried to start a conversation, but Emma quickly shot her down with a look. Regina simply sighed and waited for Emma to finish, letting the alcohol in the coffee temporarily remove the edge her magic had put on her. When they were done, Regina took the dishes to the sink and threw away the wrappers and cups. When she finished, she sat back down next to Emma.

"Did you talk to Ruby?" Emma asked with a serious tone. Regina hesitated.

"Yes I did. What she told me was…unexpected." Emma's fists clenched on her lap.

"What did she tell you?" Emma asked through clenched teeth.

"That's a private conversation between her and I Emma." Emma slammed her hand on the table as she stood up, sending the chair flying back.

"If it affects my child in ANY way I think I should know about it don't you think?!" Emma yelled at her.

"Emma, calm down. What she and I talked about does not in any way affect our child."

"Oh so having a sibling doesn't affect my baby in any way? Are you serious right now?" Emma was sure she was about to murder Regina. Regina looked at Emma like she'd grown an extra head.

"A sibling? What the hell are you talking about Emma?!" Regina was frustrated because clearly she and Emma were on a different page.

"Ruby! She's having YOUR other child. That's what she told you! But here you are, practically denying it to my face!" Emma had tears falling down her cheeks as she said this. Regina instinctively reached forward to wipe the tears away and hold Emma, but with a glare from the other woman she stopped.

"Emma sit down, this is not good for your health." Regina tried to soothe Emma. She reached for Emma's hand and gently pulled her towards a chair. Emma took deep breaths and sat on the chair.

Emma snickered and mumbled, "Don't pretend to care about me, you don't."

Regina walked over to the chair that had been sent flying across the room and placed it in front of Emma. When she sat down, she hesitantly reached again for Emma's hand, but this time Emma pulled back. That tore something inside of Regina.

"Emma I don't know what you think, but you have to believe me when I say that the child Ruby is carrying isn't mine. I left you Emma, and I'm so so sorry for that, but I NEVER cheated on you. You have no reason to believe me, I know, but please don't think I betrayed your trust in that manner. I messed up, I really did. I gave up our chance at a happy ending because of my insecurities, I let my past control my future." Regina paused, swallowed to hold back a sob. Then she licked her lips and continued. "I thought my past would eventually catch up with me and hurt you. I thought I was protecting you." Emma was about to interrupt her but Regina shook her head.

"I know you don't need anyone to protect you, you are more than capable of doing that yourself. You broke Her Maje- I mean Cora's curse after all…" Regina paused again, this time sporting a faraway look on her face.

Emma didn't know where Regina was going with this, but she let her gather her thoughts. She still wanted to punch the hell out of Regina, still wanted to scream and yell at her and release all the feelings she had buried within herself, but she wouldn't. She had to be the bigger person for the tiny being that was growing inside her. And it was because of this Emma was willing to hear Regina out, not because she deserved it, but because her child deserved to have parents who were there unconditionally. Regina snapped away from her thoughts and cleared her throat.

"Emma I realize where I went wrong. The way I see it, the only thing from my past that I should have been protecting you from was me. I'm the one who kept- keeps, hurting you. I'm the one who left you alone that night, there isn't anyone or anything else. Gods I'm worse than Cora." Regina leaned forward and covered her eyes with her hands, but kept talking.

"What I'm trying to say Emma is that I shouldn't be around this child. Hell, I don't even know why you are allowing me to get two feet near you. In this town, I'm the closest damn thing to the embodiment of evil. I'm the worst influence the child can have. I'm a magic addict and an alcoholic in the making!" Regina gets up from the chair and starts pacing.

"I've killed people because they looked at me the wrong way. I burned down dozens of villages filled with innocent people. I've killed people because it didn't bother me, I regretted nothing. You know what makes this all worse? I still don't. I'm a monster Emma, surely you're not blind to this." Done with her speech, Regina slumped against the table, finally looking at Emma who was staring intently at her. Emma got up from her chair, slowly leaned towards Regina, and deceptively calmly said,

"You know, I don't see a monster." Regina looked at her confused.

Emma's calm face began to slowly show her anger, "You wanna know what I see? I see a coward who is using every excuse possible to run away from all this. You used the exact same bullshit when we were together, saying we couldn't be together because of who you were in the past. That's the thing Regina, it's just that, the past. And you know what? I let you use that once as a shield to hide behind when we had that poor excuse of a relationship. But I've had enough. The reason I told you about this child is because I know what it's like to have no one there for you, I know what it's like to have an unstable foundation with parents whose love feels insincere. I experienced it all when I was in the system. I don't want that for my child! I want my kid to grow up in a place surrounded by love, by support, things I never had. That Regina, is the reason why I called you, because our kid deserved to know its other parent. It's what an honest person would do, something you probably wouldn't know about." Regina flinched. Emma knew what she was saying was probably harsh, but damn it she deserved to let this all out.

"I'm meeting my parents at Granny's for lunch to tell them about the baby, because regardless of what you choose, I'm keeping the kid. And you are coming with me to tell them. After the lunch is over, talk to me when you don't have excuses as to why things won't work, and grow a pair and decide whether you want to be a part of our child's life or not." With that, Emma brushed past Regina and headed upstairs to the bedroom.

Regina stood there verbally slapped and dumbfounded. She didn't let the tears in her eyes fall, Emma was right, she was a coward. All the more reason why she would ruin her child, right? She shook her head and took a deep breath. Regina grabbed Emma's leftover Blueberry Almond smoothie, if she didn't want it she'd drink it. Regina could use a bit of nutrition in her system. Then she walked towards the living room and grabbed her duffle bag. It seemed Emma had temporarily claimed the house, and right now them staying in the same place was not ideal. Walking towards the front door, Regina hesitantly grabbed the doorknob. She stood there in place thinking about whether she should go upstairs and tell Emma she was an idiot and that of course she wanted to be a part of her child's life. Regina instead found herself opening the door and walking out towards her car.

Emma was standing in front of the window of the bedroom, and watched as Regina walked down the walkway with her bag on the shoulder. She felt an uneasy feeling settling at the bottom of her stomach. Was it wrong that a small part of her wanted Regina to leave? A small part of her that kept insisting she didn't need Regina for this, that she should do this on her own and avoid a heartache?

Since she had opened the door to see Regina standing at the doorstep, Emma knew that their conversation wouldn't end well. She knew Regina had been staring at her while they ate, and she also noticed the disturbed look in Regina's eyes. What did Regina and Ruby talk about that affected Regina that much? Had Regina lied when she said that the baby Ruby was carrying wasn't hers? Emma had been lied to by Regina, so the possibility of her doing it again was very likely to Emma. She let these thoughts stay in her mind for about twenty minutes. Once those minutes were over, Emma grabbed her phone and dialed a number. There was only one way to find out the answers to all of her questions. It rang a couple of times until the other person answered.

"Ruby here, how can I help you?"

"Ruby, its Emma."

"Oh, hey Ems, what can I do for ya?"

"What did you and Regina talk about?" Emma heard the sharp intake of breath Ruby took.

"Why do you want to know Ems? Did she say something?"

"No, that's why I'm calling. She came by a few minutes ago, I tried to ask her about it, but she didn't budge. And before you say anything, I just want you to know that I'm only asking because if it affects my kid in any way I think I should kn-"

"Wait, what do you mean "your kid"? Oh my Gods you're pregnant?!" Emma rubbed her temples.

"Yeah, Regina and I are having a baby."

"Oh…wow…that's…how did that even happen?..."

"Doesn't matter. So can you see why I want to know what this conversation was about?"

"Look Emma, I understand, but if Regina didn't say anything, then I don't think I should either. At least, not yet." Ruby answered hesitantly.

"Ruby come on! I expect this from Regina not from you!"

"Have you even told your parents?"

"No, and don't change the subject."

"It's not that I don't want to tell you Emma, but- Regina?" Emma heard Ruby move around at the other end of the line.

"Ruby what's up?" Emma asked, getting slightly nervous at the mention of Regina's name.

"Jesus Emma, what did you do to her?" Ruby said in complete shock. What? Why was Ruby asking Emma what she had done to Regina?

"What are you talking about Ruby? You are not making any sense here…"

"Seriously Emma? She looks like she just went at it ten rounds with a kangaroo!"

"Ruby, what's wrong with Regina?"

"Look Emma I have to call an ambulance, just get over here now!" With that, Ruby hung up on Emma.

Emma was paralyzed for a minute. 'Regina was hurt? She was here just minutes ago, she was fine, she was...'

Emma snapped herself out of her dazed state. She threw her phone on the bed, and quickly grabbed some of her clothes in order to head to Granny's.

*Several Minutes Before*

As Regina walked down the walkway she felt Emma's eyes on her back, but she kept walking towards her car, still wrapped in her own thoughts. When she reached her destination, she unlocked the car and got into the driver's seat. She placed her bag on the back seats and the smoothie on the cup holder. Regina then sat in the car and began to gather her thoughts now that she was finally beginning to get a hold of herself.

She and Emma had been sleeping together for months, but Emma got pregnant the one time she used her magic to give herself a dick. It was then that a thought occurred to her: 'How did Emma and I even create this child?'

The magic she had used on herself that night did not give her the ability to reproduce with another woman! The only possibility was that she and Emma were...but no, that was preposterous. There had to be another explanation for this. There was no way Regina had a True Love, she was evil, a villain. And everybody knows that people like her don't have a chance at happiness.

'That isn't true and you know it.' Regina placed her arms on the steering wheel and placed her forehead on them. What if Emma was her True Love? What if fate really had given her a chance at happiness and she blew it? What if Emma was carrying the symbol of the love neither one of them had confessed to each other, and Regina had turned her back on the child? All these "What Ifs" came to her like a flowing river.

Regina knew that there was only one person in Storybrooke who could help her find answers. Regina gathered her resolve, turned on the car and sped towards Gold's shop.

Rumple was rearranging some of his store's inventory when Regina came barging in. Initially having his back to her, Rumple turned around to greet the Dame.

"Hello Dearie, welcome back to Storybrooke." Rumple said with one of his creepy smile.

"I need information imp." Regina was not in the mood for his games. Within the last 24 hours she's discovered that she was not only going to have a child, but she was having one with someone whom just might be her True Love. And she'd be damned if she did not get some semblance of control back into her life.

"Charming as ever dear." Rumple quipped

"Wrong bloodline. Now will you help me or will I have to pry the information I'm looking for out of you?" Regina hissed.

Rumple's supposed playful mood diminished instantly, replaced by an angry one.

"I do not take lightly to threats Regina, so don't barged in here like you own the place and demand I help you. That's not how I work. I make deals, and I don't stray from that." He walked around the counter, supporting himself with his cane. He came face to face with Regina, and began to speak again.

"I'm much more powerful than you," Rumple used his magic to push Regina back to prove his point, "and it is because of this that you will play by my rules. You want information, let's make a deal." Rumple finished.

Regina felt her magic surface for the second time that day. She was more powerful than he was, and they both knew it, but the only way she'd top him was if she let go of the control she had on her temper. But Regina wouldn't let the imp taunt her to the point of her losing her control, he wasn't worth it. And so, she had to play his little game.

"What do you want?" Regina asked through clenched teeth. Rumple giggled.

"Well, I'm glad to see you have common sense in you. First tell me what it is that you want to know, then I'll tell you what is owed." Regina then hesitated, not really liking the idea of telling the Dark One about the child the Black Knight and the Savior had conceived, who knows what he'd do with that information. So instead she opted for being as vague as she could, while still managing to achieve her goal. Regina also wasn't about to make a deal with this repulsive man without knowing the price.

"No, you tell me what you want, and if I find its terms acceptable then this deal will proceed." Regina said and placed her hands behind her back, just like she did back in the Enchanted Forest while at her post. Rumple contemplated this for a second, and then nodded.

"Alright then. In exchange for whatever information it is you seek, you'll owe me a favor. You have no use for me at the moment, so we'll see how you can settle this deal later." He finished and leaned on the counter.

"I agree to your terms, but I will set exceptions to it. I will not do you any favors that result in any harm to the people I care about. Yes, even the moronic super-couple Charmings. Nor does this favor involve allowing you to gain an apprentice from any of my children."

Rumple seemed to be intrigued by her last statement. "Your children? Is there something I should know, Dame Regina?" Rumple asked tauntingly. He had this smile on his face like he knew something Regina didn't, and Regina didn't like that at all.

"Nothing that concerns you. Those are my conditions, do we have a deal?" Regina brushed him off with a cold stare. It was inevitable, he'd soon find out about her child, but she would do everything in her power to prevent him from getting his hands anywhere near the baby or Emma.

"That we do, Dearie. Now, what is it that you want to know?"

"I need to know if Miss Swan- Emma, is my True Love." Rumple stared at her with a curious glint in his eyes.

'The mention of children, and now True Love? Regina, you are not as subtle as you think you are. And it looks like it's time to collect on a debt.'

"You do realize I'd need some of your DNA and as well as hers to tell you that correct?"

Regina had completely forgotten about that if she were honest.

"Take a blood sample from me and...would a saliva sample work for Emma?" If it worked, she'd just use the straw in the smoothie Emma had been drinking earlier today.

"That'll do." Rumple says as he walks around the shop gathering the necessities for the spell. Regina merely nodded, flicking her wrist to bring the straw to her hand and placed it on the counter. Then, she rolled her sleeve up and extended her forearm to Rumple, enabling him to take the some of her DNA. He poked her forearm with a needle, then placed the drop of blood in a beaker that already contained some of the potion. Rumple then placed the tip of the straw into it, making the mixture release red smoke. When it stopped glowing, Rumple placed the beaker down on the counter. Regina stared at him expectantly.

"Well Dearie, it looks like you've found your True Love." Rumple said with a smirk. Regina's mouth went agape. She still couldn't believe someone like her was able to have a True Love.

"But there is something we need to discuss..." Rumple continued with an evil smile making its way across his face. Regina narrowed her eyes.

"What is it?"

"Cora made a deal with me long ago, and you were very much involved in that deal..."

Regina felt the stings of pain all over her body, but she kept going towards Granny, maybe she would be able to give the warning to Emma. She needed to. The safety of both Emma and the baby depended on her. She'd barely managed to escape Rumple, and she knew that if she gave up now, it would have all been in vain. She saw Granny's straight ahead, even through her rapidly blurring vision. It was only a couple of more steps further, she could make it. It was what she kept telling herself until she reached the door.

She stumbled into Granny's, and from there it all went black.

*Now*

Despite the thoughts she had been having about Regina a few minutes ago, Emma got dressed as fast as humanly possible, and made her way to her bug. She drove to the diner breaking a few laws. When she got to the diner, Emma saw the ambulance driving away. She rushed inside and went straight to Ruby, whose clothes were covered in red. Then she briefly looked around and saw the small puddle of blood on the floor. Emma's blood ran cold. What the hell had happened to Regina in the past 20 minutes?

"Ruby! What happened?!" Emma asked frantically.

"I was on the phone with you when she walked, well, stumbled in looking all beaten and pale. She had cuts all over her body, the paramedics said her condition was critical." Emma was in shock. How could Regina go from the woman Emma was furious with, to a woman in the brink of death in a matter of minutes? Emma felt all of her emotions start to get the best of her, nearly fainting if it wasn't for Ruby.

"Whoa Emma, you need to sit down." Ruby said as she guided Emma to a chair. Emma thanked her and asked,

"What did they say Ruby? How bad is it?" Ruby walked into the kitchen, and came back out, handing Emma a glass of water, and averted her eyes.

"They, um, they said it would be a miracle if she pulled through." Ruby choked out, tears filling her eyes. Emma's eyes went wide and teary as she looked from Ruby to Regina's blood on the floor.

'What the hell happened to you Regina?'

A/N: Penny for your thoughts? (: Again, there is a sudden twist in the chapter, but believe me when I say that it has a complete purpose. The story is moving along, and thus in comes MORE Rumple in the next chapter. Give you a clue as to what happened to Regina? Why did Rumple hurt her?

I'm sorry I referred to the baby as an 'it' on some occasions, I just couldn't think of another pronoun. Ummm…so yeah. Please let me know what you thought! I'll update my other story next, since it's been over a month since I updated and that doesn't make me too happy. Not to worry, my school quarter is coming to an end soon, so I'll have time to work on both stories.

-E.V.

UPDATE 6/1/15: I'm more satisfied with the changes I did to the chapter, I hope you guys liked it better as well. As always, let me know (: Thanks guys, have a lovely week.