Chapter Three: Breathe Me

Regina's sight was a bit unfocused by all the tears she had shed, her headache was Giant size. She calmed herself down and then felt thumbs on her cheeks.

Emma started wiping the tears away and before Regina could put that wall up, Emma hugged her. Regina couldn't understand this, she had warned her of everything that could go wrong and yet here they were in an embrace that was so inviting; she couldn't help but let it happen. She felt safe.

Regina kept her arms by her sides, letting her head rest on Emma's shoulder, and then slowly, Emma started pulling away. Regina missed the comfort of the other woman's embrace; it was like a cup of warm apple cider on a cold day.

"Regina, I am going to be completely honest with you, because you have no idea how much what you just said means to me." Emma now had both of Regina's hands in her own, she was looking at their feet. Emma had almost expected to see her own and so she laughed inwardly at the strangeness of it all.

Regina couldn't take her eyes off Emma. How could telling her that I might hurt her be of any comfort to her?

"Regina, All my life, I've been alone. I've never let myself get attached to anything or anyone, with the exception of Henry and for a brief moment, even Neal. I won't lie to you. I was young, I thought I was in love, I was foolish. I still am… foolish, but now I can fully understand that the choices I make in my life, not only affect me, but everyone around me. They affect the people I love the most. It's why I was scared to stay in town those first weeks. It wasn't because you were threatening me, it was because I have always run from everything good in my life. A ran from the fear of rejection, from the fear of hurting someone, or getting hurt… I am very good at running, always have been…" Emma took a long breathe and let it out all at once "I'm tired."

"It's ok, you really don't have to say anything. We can go back, you should probably rest, it's been a long day-" Regina was staring at nothing in particular now, Emma's face went to meet her eyes and when she couldn't see the other woman's brown orbs, she cupped her cheek and made her look directly at her, stopping her from finishing.

"No, I'm tired of running." Regina gasped, taking a breath she didn't know she had denied herself.

"The way I reacted earlier at Gold's store. I'm not gonna, it did shock me, but it didn't upset me. I was cut off guard. Regina, I don't want to run anymore."

Regina let herself see the truth in Emma's words. She felt as Emma's fingers linked with her own. This should have felt strange for her, having this woman be so close to her, but it didn't. For the life of her, it felt right. Their hands were perfectly linked, she looked at her own hands, she liked the way they looked being held by Emma's. Fair skin with olive skin.

"So, I will give this a chance, but only if you want to give this a chance as well. I'm not saying we need to U-Haul it right this very second, but maybe we could talk some more, go grab some coffee or go out to eat. I want to get to know you better. You're a bit of a mystery to me, Regina. A mystery I would love to uncover. And about not hurting me, I think we can safely say that we have both hurt each other already, enough to last us a lifetime. We can start healing things. I don't think we'll be perfect at (she gestured between them) this, we will have stumbles, we will want to pull each other's hair out at some point, but I do believe, without a fraction of a doubt that you could never hurt me more than by not giving this its fair chance. So, will you? Give us a chance?" Emma's pleading eyes spoke volumes to Regina.

Regina never left the sight of those eyes for a second, they both had fresh tears on their faces. Regina's lips started to lift up by the corners.

"U-Haul, huh?" Regina said with a smirk

That made Emma laugh out loud.

"I love that."

"What?"

"Hearing you laugh."

Emma eyes got slightly darker; she cupped Regina's face again, closed the small space between them, and kissed her. It was soft, wet, sweet and a bit salty because of the tears. Regina's eyes got wide for a second and then they were closing; she started moving her own lips.

Suddenly both their eyes started to feel warmer, there was a flutter in their stomachs, a warm energy was enveloping them, it was a buzz of something that Regina had felt before. Magic. There was an electric shock at their lips, but instead of making them step away, it made everything seem more intense.

After a few seconds they parted, both joining foreheads, breathing each other's air.

It was then that their eyes shoot wide open, they were back!

Whatever had happened between them just now had made their souls switch back to their original bodies. They still felt a light buzz from the effects of the exchange.

"Wow!" Regina was just as surprised as Emma sounded

"I missed you." Emma said suddenly

"How could you, I was always here." she pointed to Emma's heart

Emma smiled at that, but then took on a slight blush and added…

"I… I meant my body." They were both laughing

"Yeah, me too! If does feel good to be back."

"But you're right, you know… You were always here." Emma pointed at her own heart

Now it was Regina's turn to blush.

They fell into another kiss, it didn't last as long as the last one, but it was just as wonderful.

Both took a moment to look at themselves. Yeap, they were still in their own bodies and so they sighed in relief.

"We did it." Emma stated

"Yes we did." Regina smiled at her

After a few moments they separated a bit, but kept one of their hands linked. Finding comfort in that.

"So, when did you get it? The ring?" Regina was curious to know the hows and whys of that.

"I'll tell you if you can explain what that tattoo on your right hip means."

Regina gave her an incredulous look.

"What? I had to pee after you were in that bathroom for so long. I wasn't looking for anything I swear, it just caught my eye, besides, I like it."

"Regina?"

Regina was red and looked very serious

"Honestly Regina, I'm sorry I didn't mean to look, it just happened."

That's when Regina couldn't hold it any longer, she laughed so hard she actually started to feel pain on her lower side; it was a good kind of pain.

"Oh… God, that feels good."

"What? Making me think you were about turn me into a toad right here and now?"

"No, dear, laughing. It feels good."

Emma took Regina's hand again, understanding what the other woman had meant made her feel sad for her. She never wanted Regina to ever stop laughing. She looked so beautiful when she laughed and if she got her way, Regina would always laugh; it was a beautiful sound.

"Then let's not make it the last time, ok?"

They both smiled at each other

"Plus, you really should have seen your face." Regina imitated Emma's former expression

Emma slapped Regina's right shoulder lightly "Hey, I do not make that face."

"Oh yes you do! I should know. I was using it for the past few hours." Regina made another face, which if Emma wanted to tell Regina, it looked nothing like the one before, but she looked so damn cute, she didn't want to let her know.

"Ha ha, very funny."

"Come on, Henry is probably asleep by now, but I'm not quite sure if your parents have had enough of waiting. They're probably about to send a search party for you."

The two made their way back to the apartment, holding hands, it was already dark out and it seemed everyone had closed shop for the evening. The town was so quiet, like the calm after a storm.

"Listen, young lady. I don't care how old you are… You do not just storm out of here and not send me a text to tell me if you're ok. I was worried sick!" Snow, didn't wait a second before confronting her daughter

"Mom, over here." Snow looked confused for a second, but then Emma came closer to her

"I'm back and I'm-"

Emma was about to explain when she felt arms wrap her in a crushing hug

"Don't ever do that again! Ok?" Emma returned the hug and started making soothing circles with her fingers; it was something she knew would calm her.

"Ok. I'm sorry, mom." They both knew she meant the whole body swap ordeal.

After everything they've been through, she was starting to think that it felt good to say it. It felt good to be able to call someone mom.

"It's ok, I'm just glad you're ok. The both of you." Snow looked at Regina, and she meant it.

"Listen, Emma… I talked to your father… Could we talk with you for a second?"

Snow and Charming made a gesture that they wanted to have this talk in private. Emma looked at Regina and they both came to a silent agreement.

"Ok…" Emma complied

They went to the bedroom and had Emma sitting between them on the small bed. They both grabbed one of Emma's hands and asked her the one thing they needed to know most of all.

"Are you happy?" Charming asked without hesitation

"What?"

"Emma, are you happy?" Snow asked this time

Emma let that question seep in, she hadn't asked herself that question in so long. At some point in her life it just stopped being important. Her happiness stopped being an issue. Her emotions could be too overwhelming at times, so she would just hold them all in and try to think of something else. She took a breath and thought about it, she let herself know, know what she felt at this very moment. She was shocked to realize that she was, she was the happiest she had ever been in the longest time, if ever for that matter.

She smiled at both her parents and squeezed their hands

"Yes. I am very happy."

"Good." Charming was the first to respond

They both saw she meant it.

Snow looked at her daughter and asked one more question.

"Does she make you happy?"

Emma didn't wait this time, she already knew the answer, before she even heard the question.

"Yes, very happy." Emma's smile grew wider.

Snow started to cry, Emma grabbed her mother and gave her a warm hug, Snow returned it making the embrace just a little tighter. Charming joined after a moment.

"Good." Snow whispered in her daughter's ear

They all pulled away after a while.

"I'm not sure how much time it's going to take for me to get used to the idea of you and Regina, but I can tell that you really are happy. I… I will try, ok?"

"That's all I need." Emma smiled at her mother.

"After everything that's happened, I think it's about time we all got some happiness." Snow squeezed Emma's hand lightly.

"You know, Henry has not stopped talking about how much he thinks you two would be good for each other. Something about the savior saving the former Evil Queen. I wouldn't be surprised if you went to his room and found him planning a party for you both." Charming chuckled

"Oh, really?" Emma shouldn't have been surprised; her son was very smart for his age and very observant.

"Yeap, he says he could tell you both liked each other for a long time now." Snow informed her daughter

How in the world could he have even begun to come up with that one, when only recently had she even been able to admit it to herself?

"He's asleep now, I checked a moment ago, but I'm sure he'll want to hear about everything tomorrow."

"I'm sure he will." Emma gave them a knowing smile

So much had happened, it seemed like time had stretched just for this one day. They all went to the kitchen area and after some more talk about what had happened, they all looked at the time. It was past midnight.

Snow and Charming offered Regina a stay at their couch, an offer Regina really wanted to grant, she was too tired to go back home. It was already too dark outside and didn't want to make Emma drive her back, especially not in that deathtrap she called a car. When she saw Emma's face, she couldn't say no, plus it would be best if they were both there for when Henry got up. So she nodded and was given a blanket and a pillow.

"Goodnight" the Charmings said in unison

After her parents made their way to the bedroom, Emma stepped closer to Regina.

"You really don't have to stay down here, you know." Emma whispered to Regina

"I…" Regina saw that look in Emma's eyes, the look that told her exactly where she would much rather have her.

"I.. don't know if that's a good idea."

"Regina, If your body hurts as much as mine does right now, and I KNOW that it does… We could both use some much needed sleep on a comfortable bed."

"But-"

"I promise to keep my hands to myself." Emma gave her half a smile and lifted both her hands to the sides of her head, wiggling her fingers.

Regina gave it some thought; she really didn't want to sleep in the sofa. Her back was killing her and she still hadn't even removed her shoes, her feet were killing her.

"Ok, but can I ask for one thing?" She gave Emma a smile to match the blonde's

"Anything."

"I need to take a shower and I believe you do too." After a moment she must have realized what that sounded like. "Alone! Take a shower alone." Regina's cheeks were red

"Well, I was going to suggest a bubble bath, but sadly… we just ran out of Mr. Bubbles." Emma gave her a knowing smile to let her know she was joking, well at least only half joking.

"Ha ha, very funny."

"I thought it was." Regina just rolled her eyes She's adorable

"Smart ass."

"And don't you forget it."

Emma led Regina to her room and gave her a towel and some freshly cleaned pajamas. They were some blue shorts and a black tank top.

When Regina came back from the bathroom she let Emma take her shower. Emma hip check her on the way in.

"Hope you left enough hot water there, your Majesty"

"I did, although I don't think your body needs to get any hotter, dear." Regina winked at her. Emma just stared at her, mouth wide open.

"Not fair, Reginaaa."

"Fair? But I am the Fairest!" Regina had placed her hands on her hips and gave the blonde a huge smile

Emma just looked at her from top to bottom and then back at her with hungry eyes.

"That. You. Are." And before Regina could say anything, Emma had made her way back to the bathroom.

Regina let her blush go down and when Emma had come out of the bathroom, she was already waiting for her, sitting at the end of the bed.

"I didn't know what side to take, so…" Regina was looking a bit nervous, playing with the ends of the shorts.

"I always sleep in the middle, so whichever you choose is ok."

Regina made her way to the left side and Emma then took notice and went to the right. They pulled the bedspread and blankets down and got in. They pulled the blankets up their bodies, Emma clicked the lamp light off and they stared at the ceiling.

"Goodnight Regina."

"Goodnight Emma"

They both stayed there, still not being able to sleep, but when Regina's right hand-made her way to Emma's left, they both gave a sigh. Their hands were cold, but they both felt warmth immediately after the contact.

"Are you cold?" Emma asked, already knowing the answer

"Maybe a little." Regina answered quickly

"I could… Do you want me to…?"

"Ok."

"Sure?"

"Yes." Regina was facing Emma's body now

Emma turned to face Regina and indeed could tell that the woman looked like she was freezing

She made her way towards Regina, and she put her arms around the brunette's freezing body. Regina placed one arm around the blonde's waist and her face under the woman's chin.

Emma smelled of coconut, almonds, and something else… something very much Emma.

Emma placed her nose on Regina's hair and lightly breathed in the woman's scent. She smells like apples, cinnamon, and… like home.

Emma kissed Regina's hair

"Night"

"Mm, night"

They fell asleep almost instantly with the warmth they found in each other's arms. For the first time in a long time, both women had a dreamless sleep, it was absolute bliss.

FIN