A/N: Not mine, un-betaed. Please excuse any errors. Reviews welcome!
It was nearly time. Pan had given his ultimatum to Emma. Rumple had been sent to retrieve the Charmings and the pirate. Tomorrow, Emma and Regina would enter the lion's den.
A small clearing would be their bed tonight, and the Sheriff and the Mayor broke out into the routine that they had been keeping up for the past few nights. Regina used magic to start a small fire, Emma picked all the edible berries she could find. Their mutual exhaustion was utterly apparent in their lethargic motions. By the time they both sat down in front of the flames, eating handfuls of bittersweet berries, and sharing the small drinking skin that Regina had conjured days ago, they were ready for bed. But, though it was necessary for the battle they'd face tomorrow, sleep was most likely the last thing on their agenda for the night. The mothers were far too worried, far too anxious, and knew that this might be the last time they had to be alone together.
At first it was just a touch, a pale hand grazing over an olive wrist. Unconsciously, they shifted closer together, until there was hardly any space between them. Hearts were racing, breaths intermingled, eyes met in an intense stare-down. The Savior raised a hand to the Queen's face, carefully caressing the soft skin at her cheek. Dark eyes fluttered closed, as a whispered "Emma" met her ears.
Slowly, carefully, lips met in a tentative kiss. Tongues explored, hands roamed, bodies shifted to more comfortable positions, and even a moan was let forth. But when the two broke apart for air, they did not move away from each other. Rather, they stayed connected, took a breath, and kissed again, this time much more urgently and heated. This could be the last time, and they had to make the most of it. Regina found herself on her back, gazing up at the hooded green eyes of her Savior. She allowed herself a smile, and gave into the feelings she so frequently denied herself. In this moment, on a dirty forest floor, lost, and potentially at death's door, she was happy. In her heart of hearts, she knew that this was what love felt like. And as Emma continued ravishing her neck and collarbone, Regina just wanted to admit it, just this once, just in case.
Pulling gently on blonde tresses so their eyes met, Regina whispered words that she thought she'd never say to another adult again. "I love you."
And Emma, the woman who swore off love when Neal came back into her life, only to leave it again, beamed at the words. Smiling, she kissed plump ruby lips passionately, cradling Regina's face in her hands as if it was the most precious of treasures. "I love you too, Regina. No matter what happens, you need to know. I think I loved you all along. I should have told you sooner, we wasted so much time."
"I know, my love. I know. But we have now." Regina's reply was heartfelt, sincere, and compassionate. Another kiss, another touch, another warm caress. Lips met again, and the queen waved a hand to extinguish the fire, as bodies continued moving, and clothes were hastily removed.
Sometime later, in the afterglow, two mothers lay entwined, as close to each other as humanly possible. Regina listened to the steady heartbeat of her new lover, reveling in the soft puffs of air that brushed her hair, indicating that Emma was asleep. In that moment, she knew that she would do everything in her power to keep this woman alive, even if that meant paying the price with her own life. She was oddly at peace with her decision, but was sure that if Emma knew, the Sheriff would put up quite the fight. She lifted her head from Emma's chest, and took in features softened by much needed sleep. Kissing her forehead, Regina murmured "I love you," before closing her eyes and letting sleep claim her. In the morning, their truce would come to an end.