A/N: Thank you for your continued love of this little tale, readers! I greatly appreciate your feedback, each new fav/review/follow puts a smile on my face! This chapter is focused in flashbacks, so as to add a bit more back story. Poor Emma, she's totally in love with Regina and doesn't even realize it! (; I do not own Once Upon a Time or any character likenesses, but I do own this story, and I hope you enjoy!
XX
Three days earlier...
"Emma!" Regina felt her heart being torn from her chest as she watched Sidney kick the blonde repeatedly, all the while muttering curse after curse. Regina acted without thinking; the world seemed a blur, all she knew was an inherent desire to protect Emma, as the blonde had done for her so many times in the past. She lurched from the bed, hurling herself onto of Emma to stifle the blows that were aiding in Emma's rapidly declining state of consciousness. Regina felt a weak arm snake around her, and a gentle clutch accompanied a few whispered words.
Emma spit blood from her mouth before grimacing up at Regina. She repeated a quiet mantra, more to Regina then to herself, "It'll be okay, I've got you."
The words rang truer than anything Regina had heard before, and a sudden explosion of courage burst forth from he; as Emma's eyes closed and she grew weaker in Regina's arms, the woman whispered her own words back, expressing a sentiment she rarely encouraged. "I've got you too, love." One last kick from Sidney caused Regina's world to commence fading to black, but she could distinguish several new voices ringing in the halls as the thunder of footsteps charging the staircase overtook her. David was the last thing she saw, and with a weary, exhausted grimace, Regina finally gave in to the darkness.
XX
Regina awoke several hours later, disoriented, in more than a little bit of pain, and frantically searching for signs of Emma or her attacker. David noticed with a confused expression that the first thing Regina asked for was his daughter, but he either chose to ignore it or remained oblivious to the teacher's concern. With a sigh, he placed took out his clipboard, ready to write a report on the incident.
"Regina," David began, as gentle as he possibly could be, "I need to know exactly what happened today."
Regina nodded stiffly before donning the all too familiar, cold tone that she always took on whenever speaking of unpleasantries.
"Very well, Sheriff. Miss Swan and I were discussing lesson plans, as she has an interest in the field, as I'm sure you know, and I was giving her a few pointers. The door bell quickly caught our attention, and I asked her to remain in the study while I answered it. Mister Glass pushed his way through the door, quite obviously inebriated, before threatening my life. He apparently prepared ahead of time, as I'm sure you're aware by how large and sharp the knife he wielded was. I made my way upstairs, with his help, of course, and he threw me onto the bed." Regina's throat caught, but she refused to be made to look weak, and she knew she would receive no answer on Emma's whereabouts without a full report. This thought alone allowed her to continue. " He appeared...intent on...forcing himself upon me..."
Regina could not stop the small shudder that made it's way across her body at being reminded of the events of a few hours before, and she had to swallow multiple times to stop the urge to vomit. David merely nodded, a pained expression on his face as he apologetically insisted she continue.
"Emma apparently heard Mister Glass shouting at me, and took it upon herself to attack him while his back was turned. He.. he threw her down, kicked her a couple of times..." David made a note to look away out of respect as he nudged a box of tissues with his elbow. Regina regarded them thankfully, dabbing the tears that she had been unable to stifle before attempting to progress through her version of the events that had transpired. Regina had been fine throughout this entire process; why was it only now, upon mentioning Emma, and fully admitting to the pain that the blonde had suffered, that her body chose to betray her?
No matter, Regina thought to herself. I just need to get this over with and resume my life.
Regina let out a small sigh. "I almost immediately departed the bed he forced me into, covering Miss Swan in an attempt to assure her safety from that maniacal buffoon. I believe he kicked me, as well, but after that, Sheriff, I'm afraid my memory goes blank."
Regina allowed a small, apologetic shrug, before regarding David with narrowed eyes. "What happened after I passed out, Sheriff?"
At this David's expression clouded further, a brooding look settling on the features of a man who normally seemed so cheerful. Regina decided that she did not like what the implications, and she cocked an eyebrow, encouraging the man to tell her the rest of the story.
"Well, Regina... Sidney was very drunk, as I'm sure you were aware." Regina merely nodded, her eyes narrowing further. "When we arrived-thankfully, Emma had the foresight to text me immediately upon his arrival- when we arrived, he stood over you two holding a hunting knife. As soon as he saw me, he made as if to attack Emma, and,well.."
David's voice trailed off further, and Regina thought she heard the words property damage.
"Wait. Property damage? What exactly happened, David?"
"Er, well, you see, like I said, he was standing over you with a hunting knife, and he moved towards Emma, and I had no choice but to shoot him, and, well, he fell through the window, I guess?"
The rest of David's words shifted into more of a question then statement, but Regina couldn't find herself to care. She was finally rid of the terror that Sidney Glass- and, by association, her mother- had caused her, and she hadn't felt this free in quite a long time.
"Did he-," a curt nod from David quickly silenced her, and she allowed a soft sigh. It was over, the whole ordeal, and now she could finally, finally be happy. Regina moved from the hospital bed, almost alarming David.
"Wait, Miss Mills, the doctor said you are supposed to stay here until you've been cleared."
Regina merely offered a cold glance to the Sheriff before responding in kind. "Well, David, as I'm sure you're aware, I appear to have all of my faculties about me, so if you'd be so kind as to find this doctor, I believe he will find no foul in clearing me immediately."
David merely gaped at the woman before shrugging and exiting the room, almost missing the whispered 'thank you' that Regina stubbornly uttered.
XX
Twenty minutes later saw Regina Mills, medically cleared, making her way forcefully through the halls, a very harassed Doctor Whale, as well as several nurses sporting the same sense of harassment, trailing behind her. She hastily made her way towards the intensive care unit where she knew Emma was being kept; she had been able to threaten at least that much information out of one of the newer, younger nurses, and she stopped just short of the entrance to the room, noticing for the first time a very worn-out looking Mary Margaret on the other side. The pixie-haired brunette, usually so irritatingly full of life, now looked completely heart-broken. Regina's breath hitched as she stared down at the blonde who had likely saved her life a few hours prior, her once shining hair lying limp about her head, bruises and cuts marring her perfect frame. Regina rounded on Doctor Whale, and the man cowered before her infamous wrath, for even as a high school English teacher Regina Mills was well regarded, and more often feared then not, in Storybrooke, Maine. Summoning her voice was quite difficult, but somehow the woman managed.
"Fix her." It was not a demand, nor was it a question; Doctor Whale could hardly believe it, but the two words that Regina Mills now spoke quietly into the tension filled air seemed more like a plea. He immediately backtracked, letting go of the fear for her he had only just held, his features softening noticeably. He shooed away the remaining nurses before quietly moving beside her and motioning towards the blonde, whose frail body sported numerous tubes and wires.
"We're trying."
Regina did not answer him; how could she? There were no words, and he seemed to notice this, because after a few more moments, he left the teacher there, staring through the window at the blonde before her. Regina waited for quite a while, almost in a trance, before a soft hand clasped around her arm. She gasped quite audibly, for she hadn't realized that Mary Margaret had left the room and now stood beside her, fresh tears in her eyes. Regina turned to her, allowing Emma's mother her full attention, preparing to apologize, but what happened next shocked the words out of her mouth. Mary Margaret pulled Regina into a tight hug, holding her tightly to her.
"M-Miss Mills," Mary Margaret stuttered, and Regina could tell the woman was barely keeping herself together, "th-thank you, for s...for saving Emma.."
Regina merely allowed herself to be hugged, but she had no clue why the woman was thanking her. "Had it not been for me, she would have been safely at home. I should be thanking her, for she likely saved my life." Mary Margaret simply nodded at Regina, blushing slightly before detaching herself from her. She sniffled, clearing her throat.
"Nonsense, Miss Mills, you saved her as much as she saved you."
Regina found no argument and nodded once more to the woman, before the pair made their way into the room together, followed shortly by David.
Later that day, Regina managed to talk both Mary Margaret and David into going home, as both parents were exhausted and had to work the next day. Thankfully, Regina had nothing to do, so she assured them repeatedly that she would stay by the blonde's side until she woke up, and they went on their not so merry way. The three days that Emma slept became a certain personal hell for Regina. She was rarely alone with the sleeping Emma; the following day after Emma's admittance into the hospital, her trio of guy pals arrived, toting giant stuffed teddy bears and flowers. They sat with her for a while, talking about the already monotonous tone of their respective summer breaks. Graham, Killian, and Neal all squeezed Emma's hand gently before nodding respectfully towards Regina and exiting the room. About an hour or so later, Ruby and Belle arrived, hand-in-hand. Belle looked completely heart-broken, but Ruby sported an air of being the stronger one, the shoulder to lean on. She silently motioned towards her former English teacher, and the two made their ways into the edge of the room, so as to carry on a conversation without disturbing Belle.
"When was the last time you ate, Miss Mills?" Ruby always had a knack for not beating around the bush, and this time was no different; straight and to the point, Regina's stomach grumbled, and she blushed lightly. Ruby gave her a crooked half-smile, withdrawing a takeout bag from her purse, as well as a thermos of coffee. Regina immediately made a move towards her wallet, but Ruby stopped her, a full smile on her face now. "Nonsense, Miss Mills. Granny said it's on the house." Regina allowed a thankful, albeit tired, smile, and gingerly sipped at the coffee, made to her specifications, of course. She groaned in delight when the takeout bag yielded a club sandwich. The first bite of food consumed in over twenty four hours brought thankful tears to Regina's eyes, and she consumed it as quickly and with as much grace as she could. Ruby, meanwhile, made a mental note to return on her breaks with something for Regina, at least until Emma was awake and the woman felt comfortable leaving her side. Although Emma was unconscious, Ruby sensed that something had shifted in the dynamic between the two, and she was extraordinarily excited to see whatever it was come to fruition. She observed Regina from across the room, as the woman stared, unblinking, at Emma. The emotion in her eyes could be seen by anyone, but Ruby made no comment, simply kissing Emma on the cheek when it was time to make their exit. Ruby gave Regina a one armed hug of sorts, and Regina relented; she wasn't used to being so physical, but she realized the comfort that both parties who cared for Emma sustained, thus allowing it.
Regina paused her thoughts at that moment. Care for Emma? Me? Do I?
Regina's inner monologue was, thankfully, ended by the arrival of the Charmings, who sat with Emma for awhile. Both parents looked a little less grim then the day before, as the doctor had recently informed them that Emma had stabilized and was fairing much better. Doctor Whale had also suggested they send Regina home, but both parents understood that Regina likely blamed herself for what had happened, and things were safer for her here, at the hospital. They were kindly, living up to their surname, and made preparations for a cot to be brought into the room nightly, saving Regina from the pain of another sleepless night in the uncomfortable visitor's chair. They had also arranged for Regina's best friend, Kathryn Nolan, to arrive with clothing to change into. Neither Charming realized the importance of their actions, nor did they realize the role it would play in Emma's future. Regardless, their actions rivaled that of what Emma would have done, and they knew she had become quite close friends with her former English teacher, who, after all, was only a few years older than her. They believed Regina to be a good example for Emma, never once considering that their relationship could, or would, be something more.
XX
That night, Regina reached a new level of hell. She had never been frightened much of anything, but this entire ordeal scared her out of her wits. She was not afraid of Sidney, nor his actions; she was most afraid of Emma. Miss Swan, five years her junior, someone whom she had started to truly care about. Someone she might even be able to l-
"No." Regina said it aloud, more to herself than anyone else. Surely if someone heard me say that I..that Miss Swan...
"No," Regina repeated, more quietly this time, and for the first time in a long time, she felt the full weight of loneliness, curling into her cot, her hand pressed into Emma's, and crying herself to sleep.
XX
Friday came and went in much the same fashion, Regina arguing with Whale about having full rights to be beside Emma the entire day. Finally, legitimately fearing for his life, the man gave up, informing nurses, staff, and doctors alike on no uncertain terms were they to bother Regina Mills. Her mother was rich, and although Regina's chosen path was that of an English teacher, she still had powerful friends in powerful places. Regina spent much of their time alone whispering to Emma, and a small upturn of the blonde's lips gave Regina the firm belief that she could hear her, causing the brunette's heart to flutter wildly in her chest. The moment passed, however, and Regina was left worse for wear as things continued normally. Ruby arrived on three separate occasions, toting food and coffee each time, and Regina made a mental note to buy something nice for the brunette and her grandmother when the entire ordeal was over with. Regina heard Ruby talking about a party she had been planning for Emma's graduation, and the mutual decision for everyone involved about postponing it. Ruby gave the still-sleeping blonde an evil smirk before leaning down in her ear, whispering something that Regina couldn't quite catch. The words caused a spike in Emma's heart monitor, and both brunette women stared wide eyed at one another, then back to the blonde as she calmed down.
"Ruby," Regina asked quietly, regarding the waitress with a curious expression, "what exactly did you say to her?"
Blushing lightly, Ruby stammered her reply. "N-nothing, Miss Mills, but I have to go, Granny's expecting me back soon."
Regina nodded her acceptance, and the duo half embraced awkwardly before Ruby's departure. Regina sighed, continuing another day of watching, and whispering to, her blonde savior.
XX
That evening had been even worse then the previous two for the battered brunette. She felt truly ashamed for having put Emma into such a dangerous situation, and even more so for enjoying the fact that the blonde had held her ground for her. Few in Regina's life had even attempted to match her level of boldness, and the fact that this seventeen year old girl had been increasingly willing to do so did not remain unnoticed. Regina once more pulled her cot as close to Emma's bed as she could manage, curling up beneath the scratchy blanket that the hospital provided. She dared not complain, however; the rule-breaking allowance that she stay by Emma's side, out of 'guilt', she told herself, was not something she would take for granted. Regina tossed and turned relentlessly, fighting unending nightmares of Emma falling away from her, and after several hours she gave up and finally decided to spend her time simply watching Emma. Emma, too, seemed to have a restless night, for she whimpered on more than one occasion. Each sound broke Regina's heart once more, and she would often smooth Emma's hair back or kiss her forehead. The duo danced this back and forth game all night long, never speaking, until one solid, breathless, terrified word left Emma's lips.
"Regina?!"
The brunette's hair stood on the back of her neck, and she immediately shot up, wide awake.
"Emma? Emma!" Regina gently grasped the blonde's hand, squeezing lightly to let her know she was not alone, but it was no use, for Emma promptly stopped responding, leaving Regina to fight tears once more.