A/N: Well, I'm back from the dead! Sorry it's been so long, guys; it's been a seriously trying few months. But, I'm back, and hopefully I'll be able to crank out some new chapters! For those of you who have stuck with me this far, I greatly appreciate you, this one's for you. I don't own any of the characters or likenesses, only the story, and I do hope you enjoy it~ 3

XX

Emma closed the door with a soft snap, and searched around for the light switch. Her head hurt, as did her body, and for some reason she was exhausted, but the physical pain did nothing to quell the excitement coursing through her veins. She had made a move, one that could quite feasibly end in disaster, but it didn't matter, because she had made a move. Moving slowly to the kitchen, Emma grasped blindly in the cabinet before pulling out a glass and filling it with cold water. Nausea overcame her, and the excitement disappeared as quickly as it had come, for she realized that she was alone in the house. Normally, being alone would be seen as nothing short of a blessing, but the events of the past few days saw Emma quite rattled, and her heart started racing as she glanced at the clock.

Five o'clock, great. That means David and Mary Margaret won't be home for another two hours, at the least. Emma groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose, before finishing the rest of her glass of water and placing it into the sink. Emma made her way slowly into the bedroom, jumping once at the creak in the stairs, before deciding a hot soak would calm her nerves. She quickly stripped her offending clothing off, making a mental note to never do something that would land her in a coma again after looking at the disaster that masqueraded as her hair in the mirror. Sighing deeply, Emma gingerly slipped one foot into the hot water, moaning as it eased the aching in her bones. Throwing caution to the wind, Emma plopped into the bathtub, giggling softly when the water splashed over the sides. She'd clean it up later, but for now it was fun to be a child again, even for a moment. Grabbing her phone, Emma read quickly through the many text messages she'd received, mostly from Ruby.

Ruby: Hey Ems, I know you're still sleeping, but you need to wake up soon, ok?

Ruby: Girl, you don't even know what we're going through. D:

Ruby: Emma, I have something important to tell you!

Ruby: EMS. She's been there for two days. TWO DAYS EMS.

Ruby: Girl, wake the hell up, we need to talk about Reginaaaaa

Ruby: Belle sends her love.

Ruby: Btw, don't worry, I've been taking care of Regina. (:

Ruby: ASDFJKL; I JUST HEARD YOU'RE AWAKE CALL MEEEEE

Emma smiled before shaking her head. She had never doubted Ruby's love for her, but it still made her smile uncontrollably that she was such an important figure in the older girl's life. The texts from Killian, Neal, and Graham had been slightly less dramatic, but stoic, reminding Emma that she had better be awake for her birthday, or they'd halfheartedly put her back in the hospital. Emma snorted at that one, and shot a text to the trio letting them know she was fine, just tired, and that she'd see them tomorrow before switching back to the thread with Ruby.

Em: Hey Rubes, I'm good, but starving. Think you could bring me something to eat on your lunch? Key's in the same spot, am in the bathtub.

Emma closed her eyes and leaned her head against the cool marble of the bathtub, sinking further in the hot water and groaning. Almost instantly, her phone beeped, and as she read Ruby's hasty reply of 'be there in fifteen', her stomach grumbled in anticipation. She sent back a quick thanks before closing her eyes and sinking even further in the bathtub.

XX

Ruby smiled wickedly, Belle instantly perking up as her girlfriend grabbed a takeout back and waltzed over to the seat where Regina Mills nursed a small coffee. Shaking her head, Belle turned her entire body away from the bar and towards the seat, watching as Ruby talked animatedly and Ms. Mills nodded along.

"Hey, Ms. Mills, think you could do me a favor? Well, Emma, really, a favor?"

Ms. Mills merely smiled, clearly exhausted, as she noticed the takeout bag in Ruby's hand.

"It would be my pleasure, my dear."

"Thanks, Ms. Mills, I'll text Emma to let her know you're on the way. Oh, and the door is locked, but the key is under Grumpy."

Regina raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow in question as Ruby shrugged, a goofy grin plastered over her face. Regina delicately grabbed the takeout and placed a twenty dollar bill on the table before making her way outside and to her car, a shrill ding ringing out over the thrum of the diner's occupants as the door opened and closed.

Ruby rubbed her hands together, pocketing the twenty and waltzing back towards Belle, who watched her with a bemused expression.

"Ruby...what did you do?"

A short burst of maniacal laughter was her only reply before Granny snapped a dish towel at Ruby, barking orders once more.

XX

Regina quietly made her way up the stairs, laughing quietly to herself. How fitting that Mary Margaret, 'Snow White' herself, would have lawn gnomes depicting the seven dwarves. As she made her way to Emma's bedroom, she found herself thinking of all the suffering that she and Emma, especially Emma, had undergone over the past several days. She was happy to take care of the blonde, even if it was something as small as bringing her dinner, and she knocked quietly before determining that it would be okay to just walk in. After all, Emma was expecting her, right?

XX

Emma's phone dinged, and as she read the message her eyes grew wide in horror.

Ruby: Hey, Em, got busy. Had to send Regina. She'll be there any minute. Sorry, love you!

Emma immediately jumped out of the bathtub, foregoing caution. If she hurried, she'd be dressed before Regina ever got there. Emma dashed towards her dresser, only to be halted halfway there by a very warm, solid object. As both women crashed towards the ground, Regina instinctively wrapped her arms around the younger girl, wincing as she landed on the floor. Emma groaned, shaking her head, and lifted up slightly to get a better picture at what exactly she had collided with. It was in this moment that Regina noticed their position: Emma was soaked, naked, and straddling her on the floor. She bit her lip, attempting to suppress a moan that did not go unnoticed. Emma's eyes widened almost comically as she looked down at her very, very attractive teacher.

"Ms..Mills...?"

Regina's arms tightened reflexively around her, pushing her closer.

She's going to..kiss me.. Emma's heart danced wildly in her chest, and as they got closer, and closer together, eyes closing in unison, Emma heard a loud click as the front door closed.

"Emma? Honey, I'm home early." Mary Margaret's voice sang up the stairs, and both women instantly froze.

"Ms. Mills?" Regina froze in terror, hissing a quiet reply, and if the situation were any different Emma would have found herself laughing uncontrollably. "Holy shit, Ms. Swan!"

XX

A/N: More chapters sooner then later, I promise. Please let me know what you think about this, I feel as if I've lost my writing edge. Cheers!