New chapter everyone. Thanks for your reviews guys. I loved each and every one of them, no matter how short.

Enjoy and show some love ;)

np

It was four days later that Regina finally awoke for the first time. Her eyes felt heavy when she opened them and her body hurt all over. She blinked and carefully lifted her head to take in the room. She was no longer in the dungeons but in a lustrous room full of bright colors. A guestroom for visiting royalty maybe? When she tried to sit up, she groaned. Just thinking about moving was painful but her lips and throat were so dry; she needed to reach the glass that stood on the bedside table.

So she tried again and after a while she was finally able to wrap her fingers around the glass of water. She smiled in triumph when a sudden outcry spooked her and the glass fell out of her hand and onto the tiled floor.

"Regina!"

She turned her head to look at the door. There she stood. Snow, mouth agape, green eyes wide and with dark circles underneath them on the pale skin.

Regina couldn't help herself. The smile on her face widened as it always did when her love stepped into the room.

She wasn't able to say anything in response though; because the next thing she knew, Snow had thrown herself on the bed next to her, her arms tightly wrapped around her neck and her small body heaving with sobs.

"Regina," the young woman whispered again and again as if she couldn't believe what she saw and needed to remind herself over and over that she was indeed awake and breathing.

"Snow," Regina eventually croaked out, although not without remorse. "Hon, I can't breath."

Snow instantly let go of her and moved a little bit back on the bed, her fair cheeks blushing.

"I am sorry," she mumbled, her tear streaked face one of the most beautiful things Regina had ever witnessed. "I just... I thought you'd die... I didn't expect to walk in and find you... awake..."

Regina reached out and clasped Snow's right hand between both of her own. "Don't ever apologize for caring," she weakly replied. "I am glad that I still mean something to you."

"I…" Snow didn't know what to say. She looked to her ground and noticed the broken glass.

"Oh," she exclaimed, looking at Regina. "You must be thirsty. I'll go and get you a new glass."

She made to get up but was stopped by a surprisingly strong hand around her wrist. Questioningly, she looked at Regina.

"Just... Stay with me a little while longer?"

Snow smiled and entangled her hand with Regina's, quickly nodding to the woman's request. That she could do.

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Another two days later Regina was well enough to get up and take a few steps through the room. She still felt wobbly on her feet but Snow was there with her, supporting her with a gentle hand on her elbow.

The newlywed had spent most of the last days by her side. They hadn't talked much but exchanged smiles and gentle caresses here and there.

Snow didn't know why she couldn't bear to be away from Regina for longer periods but she found that she didn't really care for the reason. This Regina she'd witnessed over the past week? She was the young woman she'd first met, the young rather carefree woman who'd saved her life. And it was addictive to be by her side.

She was just slowly leading Regina through the room, when the door abruptly opened and two guards stepped inside, followed by David.

"Seize her," her husband commanded and the guards walked up to them and roughly grabbed Regina's arms and pulled her away from her.

"Stop it this instant. Let her go!" Snow commanded her guards but they weren't listening. Instead they were dragging Regina out of the room, Snow's shocked eyes following them until they stepped around the corner.

"What is the meaning of this?" she yelled at David, glaring daggers at him. "I am still the Queen, I give the orders in this palace."

David strode up to her and reached out to touch her but she took a step back to avoid his hands.

Frustrated, he let his hands sink to his side again and looked at his wife with sad eyes.

"The court and I overruled you. We decided that it was best if we dealed with all things Regina from now on. You're too emotionally involved in the matter," he stated as if it was nothing.

"You did what? I order you to reverse this!" Snow was seething. How could he?

"Regina is where she belongs. In the dungeons, awaiting her execution. She'll be hanged in two days time," he said with cold eyes. Then he turned around and left the room without looking back, leaving behind a shell shocked Snow White.

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"Rumpelstiltskin," Snow spoke into the night. She was back in the guestroom where Regina had stayed during the last days, speaking the imp's name into the darkness.

She had tried to get the court to side with her, had tried to steal into the dungeons. Nothing had worked. It had been a day since she had last seen Regina and tomorrow morning she was scheduled to be hanged. Desperate situations called for desperate measures. So here she was, summoning the Dark One.

"Hello, dearie," Rumpelstiltskin suddenly stood beside her, cackling and rubbing his hands together. "Why so glum? Tomorrow you shall triumph over your greatest enemy. Shouldn't you be in a celebrating mood?"

"Cut the crap," Snow said to the man. There was no time to be lost. "I want you to free Regina. Name your price."

"Oh impatient, aren't we dearie?" The Dark One chucked with mad glee. "Free Regina? Huh. But I don't expect to understand your little hero mind."

He snipped his fingers and a long scroll appeared out of nothing. He handed her a quill. "Sign and I shall break her out in a minute."

"And what is it you want?" Snow asked, staring at the parchment.

"Nothing much, dearie. Just the name of the unborn child growing in your womb," one of his long scaly fingers pointed at her stomach.

"I…" Snow gaped, bringing a hand to her belly. How could he know? She wasn't really showing yet..

"Congratulations. It is a girl by the way.." he reached out to touch her stomach and she swatted his fingers away.

She was pregnant. A girl… she had actually hoped for one, for a little princess.

"What do you want with her name?" she asked but she already knew she'd tell him. Everything for Regina's life.

"I collect names dearie," he looked happy at the thought of making another deal. "They have a power mere mortals do not understand."

Snow nodded. She didn't care as long as he didn't want to hurt the child. What could he do with a simple name? He'd know it as soon as she was born anyway. Royal births are no quiet affair.

She quickly signed the contract and said, "Emma. Her name is Emma."

"Emma. What a beautiful name," the imp muttered thoughtfully before he added: "Meet me at the town's gate in ten."

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Ten minutes later Snow was waiting at the town's gate, reins of Rocinante and Dewdrop clutched in her hand. She only realized what she was doing when she was already leading the two horses out of the stables and she found that she was surprisingly fine with it. She wanted to go with Regina.

Suddenly she heard a faint pop and Regina stood by her side. Rumpelstiltskin was already gone, probably off to make another deal.

"Regina," Snow whispered and took the older woman into her arms. Touching Regina had become normal, second nature. After a few moments of simply staying in each others' embrace, she took a small step back, looking her over.

Regina was still pale and obviously weak on her feet but to her relief her condition hadn't worsened during the added day in the cold cell. She noticed the dark brown eyes glancing at the horses and count 1 and 1 together.

"You're coming with me?" Regina asked in wonder.

Snow just nodded. "If you'll have me."

Regina responded with wrapping her arms back around the younger woman and softly kissing her cheek. She wanted so much to kiss her lips but she felt she owed it to Snow to make their first kiss the best she could. She wanted to be healthy and not on the run when it happened. For now, the thought that she knew it eventually would was enough for her.

Little on the shorter side but I didn't want to leave you hanging with sick Regina any longer. Finally finished my term paper today so now I have more time to write what I WANT again.