Emma must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew her feet were being kicked. Opening her eyes she was shocked to see Cora glaring at her. Gulping she sprang up like she was on fire. She only thanked God that past Cora had no idea who she was.
"Daniel what are you doing taking a nap while Regina's riding lesson is about to start?"
Emma was beyond confused at that question. Why was Cora calling her Daniel? Looking into Cora's eyes Emma tried to see if she was lying and saw that she wasn't. That made Emma ever more confused.
"Daniel I don't have the time for this. Go to the stables right now." Knowing what Cora was capable of and knowing that the real Daniel was supposed to die she didn't want to be on the receiving end of Cora's wrath. Thus, following the sound and smell of horses Emma was able to make it into the stables.
Inside Emma saw Regina and ran up to her.
"I have to talk to you." Emma whispered, but in a panicking tone.
Smiling Regina flung her arms around Emma's neck and kissed her right smack on the lips.
Emma was too stunned to contemplate what just happened that she just stands there.
"What is it darling?"
Knowing that this Regina clearly isn't her Regina Emma thanks Hollywood for Back to the Future; otherwise she wouldn't know anything about time paradoxes'. She knows that if this Regina doesn't think she really is Daniel then it can mess up her future. Yes, she might be able to stop the curse from happening; but she isn't stupid enough to not know that without the curse Henry would not have been born. With that in mind Emma clears her throat.
"Just wanted to say I love you." Emma said with a smile. When Regina smiled back and hugged her Emma knew that she said the right thing.
Pulling back Emma couldn't help but notice the sparkle in Regina's deep brown eyes.
Walking hand in hand Emma and Regina left the stables.
"What did you notice first about me?" Taken off guard Emma wasn't really sure how to phrase her answer.
"Your eyes, when I looked into them the first time I couldn't help but go breathless. It was as if you could see my soul." Emma really did love Regina's eyes and it wasn't until this moment that she realized how true her statement was. "What about you?"
"Hmmm...your smile." Regina turned and looked at Emma with sure passion and love that she thought her heart was going to break knowing what was going to happen to the love of her life. It was then that Emma decided that if everyone perceived she was Daniel then Emma was going to make this a day one of the happiest days of Regina's life. She figured it was the least she could do.
"My smile, that's all the detail you're going to give me." Emma tugged on Regina's hand to have her sit on the ground with her. Looking at each other Emma was lost in Regina's eyes and couldn't help but kiss her. It truly was like Regina could see her soul and Emma wondered if, for some reason, what she was actually feeling was love instead of compassion.
"When I walked into the stables one day you turned around and sent me the most dazzling smile. I remember thinking that that smile portrayed all of your feelings and from then on I could always tell what you were thinking. Now that I look back on it, it was that smile that made me think that we could be happy together."
Emma had to choke back a tear from that sentiment. For Regina to be this sweet and romantic and "turn" into the Evil Queen; it wasn't until this moment that Emma realized how much Regina must have loved Daniel.
In the house Regina was snooping trying to find a way back to Storybrook when she heard her mom talking to herself so she hid.
"I swear if that stable boy wasn't so good at his job I would have fired him years ago."
That means that Daniel is alive.
Once Cora was down the hall Regina went outside. When that the coast was clear she ran her way to the stables.
Regina didn't want to look a mess so outside the door she took a breath to slow down her heart rate and tried her best to fix her hair.
Walking into the stables Regina was hoping to see the love of her life. Instead the build was empty. Disappointed Regina looked in the stalls, but didn't see anything. Even her horse was still there. Utterly confused Regina remembered that she and Daniel used to take walks so she figured that if she can just see his face then it'll be fine.
Making her way to their spot Regina couldn't help but remember the first day they met and Daniels smile. Just thinking about that day made a smile appear. When Regina heard herself talk about Daniel's smile she knew she was close. Hiding behind a tree she saw Emma first and was curious and then made why she was there. She had specifically told her to stay on the hill and not go anywhere. Now she was invading even more into her life.