A/N: SO SORRY FOR THE WAIT! School has been burring me in work.. Sorry this is on the shorter side. There are mentions of drugs and drug abuse (nothing graphic). TW: underage drugs use and cursing

After leaving the club Regina, Kat, Henry, and Emma returned to the hotel. They all showered and got ready for bed. Emma had to be up early in the morning again to meet with Tony about her next fight. Henry went straight to bed complaining that he was tired,Kat went downstairs to the pool to get some exercise in, and Regina was scouring the hotel looking for an ice pack.

Emma showered and crept into the adjoining room to avoid waking a sleeping Henry.

Emma was sitting on the bed looking into a small compact mirror, examining the bruises on her face. Regina walked in, after finding an ice pack, and looked at Emma for a second. Regina never took the time to actually look at Emma. Emma seemed to cary the weight of the world on her shoulders. Regina watches as Emma gently pokes the bruised flesh on her cheek.

Regina sits on the corner of the bed and hands Emma the ice pack. Emma looks at Regina smiles and says, "Thank you."

Regina nods and says, "No problem. It's the least I could do."

Emma smiles and gently places the ice pack on her cheek.

Regina is still watching Emma as she places the ice pack on her cheek.

Emma looks over at Regina and tilts her head, "What? Do I have another one?"

Regina is broken from her thoughts when she hears Emma's voice, "Sorry. Another what?"

Emma looks at Regina and repeats the question, "Another bruise. You keep staring at me."

Regina blinks and shakes her head, "No, sorry, no. You don't have another."

Emma closes the compact mirror in her hands and looks at Regina, "Hey are you ok? You are really spacey"

Regina gives a small smile and says, "I'm fine."

Emma rolls her eyes and said, "Regina, I have a superpower, I can tell when people are lying. Now call it what you want, but I call bullshit on that 'I'm fine'. So I ask again, are you ok?"

Regina looks at Emma and sighs, "First off language. Second I am honestly fine, I just... I don't like the way you look like you carry the weight of the world. You are a teenager, you should be in school complaining about teachers, fawning over crushes, being young and dumb. Not, fighting in underground fight rings and fighting to survive. I just, I wish I could take some of that weight, some of the burden, off of your shoulders. I just don't know how."

Emma looked at the sincerity of Regina's face, she really does care. Emma took one of Regina's hands and waited for Regina to look at her, "Regina I don't carry the weight of the world, just the weight of my past. I don't want you to take some the burden. My past makes me, me. Yeah I was dealt some pretty shitty hands in the card game of life, when my parents abandoned me, but I have had some pretty good hands thrown in there as well. And just so you know, you have taken some of the burden off. You are hands down the best foster mother I have ever had. You feed me, talk to me like I'm an actual person, you taught Henry to treat all with respect, you care. And to someone like me, that makes everything I've been through seem worth it."

Regina was tearing up after Emma's little speech. Regina smiled at Emma and pulled her into a tight motherly hug, "Of course I care."

Emma held tightly onto Regina and reveled in her warm mother like arms.

Emma then chuckled as Regina pulled away. Regina looked at Emma and lifted an eyebrow, "And what pray tell is humorous?"

Emma smirked and said, "You basically just gave me permission to fuck up, in a totally cute, young and dumb teenage manor. I wonder if that extends to Henry?"

Regina gasped and swatted at Emma's shoulder, "I gave you no such permission!"

Emma just chuckled again and said, "You kinda did. But don't worry. And as for crushes let me tell you about the TOTALLY HOT waitress that works at Granny's"

Regina plugged her ears and said, "LA LA LA LA LA! I can't hear you. I do not wish to think or hear about Ruby, the girl I sometimes babysat mind you, as totally hot."

Emma was holding her stomach rolling around on the bed laughing at Regina's immature reaction.

When Emma's laughter died down she looked back at Regina and smiled. She then stood up and said, "It's getting late and we need to be up early, I'm going to head to bed. Good night."

Regina stood and said, "Good night Emma, sweet dreams."

Emma started walking towards the bed she was sleeping in, in the adjoining room, when she abruptly stopped walking and turned around. Emma quickly walked over to Regina and gave her a hug.

Regina was initially startled by the fierce hug but quickly reciprocated. Emma pulled away and quietly said, "Night Regina" before rushing to the other room and hopping into the twin bed next to Henry's.

The next morning Emma is woken by the ringing of her phone. Emma groans and grabs the phone. Beat calling

Emma answers the phone, voice still groggy and filled with sleep, and asks, "Beat do you have any idea what fucking time it is...? I am.."

Beat cuts her off and sobs, "I found her. I found Laura."

Emma sits up and quietly gets out of bed and heads towards the front door. "Good. Beat how is she?"

Emma can hear the sniffling, "Beat?"

"She uhh, she's not doing too hot V. She won't even let me near her. I can't all the cops. They won't help her."

Emma sighs, grabs the key card that is next to the door and steps into the hallway. "Beat.. why are you calling me? What can I do? She needs help..I- I'm not... I can't help her."

Beat gets angry, "Oh, so you can mess around with her when she is clean and doesn't need help, but when she needs you you can't help?! This is partially your fault, she was fine up until you just left, just disappeared!"

Emma growls, "You know that's not fucking true. You know why I left! It had nothing to do with her!"

Beat, "Yeah well, if you ever cared about her then I NEED your help.. Please Emma."

Emma knew he must really need her cause he never, ever, calls her Emma.

Emma sighs and says, "Fine. But I can't help after this.. I'll get her out of the hell hole she is living in now, but the rest is up to you. I can't make her do anything."

Beat nods and says, "Thank you. Can I meet you somewhere? I'll take you to her."

Emma groans and says, "Meet me in the hotel lobby. Be here in 20 minutes." Emma doesn't wait for a 'bye' before she hangs up.

Emma uses the key and re-enters the room. Henry is still asleep but Kat and Regina are both dressed and awake.

Emma groans and looks at the clock on her phone '6:05'. Damn I need to call Tony.

Taking out her phone again Emma calls Tony, "Hey, yeah it's me... I know.. Yeah I know. Listen I need to cancel today... None of your business.. Look we leave NYC tomorrow, I'll train from there and come back a few days before the next fight. I'll work with Henry and the next time we are here you teach him something.. Yeah, fine. Bye."

While Emma is on the phone Regina and Kat are both looking at Emma with confused looks on their faces.

When Emma hangs up Kat asks, "What do you mean you need to cancel? I could have slept in.."

Regina nudges Kat with her elbow and says "Kathryn!"

Emma rolls her eyes and says, "If you want you can go back to sleep, be my guest. I need to head out."

Emma goes back to her side of the room and grabs a pair of sweatpants and a ripped tank top. Emma quickly changes and throws her hair up into a messy bun.

Regina has gotten dressed as well and is waiting for Emma by the front door, while Kathryn has changed back into pajamas and is lounging on her bed.

Emma looks at Regina with a questioning eyebrow.

Regina scoffs and asks, "You didn't think that I would let you just walk out of here without letting me know what's going on, or me at least coming with you, now did you?"

Emma runs a hand over her face and tiredly groans, "Regina.."

Regina hears none of it and just sternly says, "I care."

Emma looks at Regina and looks into her eyes. Regina says is again with a little less edge but still sincerely, "I care."

Emma sighs and says, "Fine, but you need to take that watch, those earrings, and that necklace off.. Leave your purse you won't need it."

Emma then walks towards the door.

Regina does as instructed. She tells Kat that there is money in her bag is she and Henry want to go out for breakfast.

Kat nods and waves, yelling out, "Be careful!" before the doors closes.

Emma and Regina are in the lobby when Beat arrives. Emma spots him instantly and stands up telling Regina to follow.

Emma is driving, Beat is in the passenger seat, while Regina is in the back looking back and forth between them.

They have been driving for about 30 minutes when Beat says, "Up there."

Regina is looking around and sees nothing but dilapidated, run down, abandoned warehouses. Everything looks grey and miserable.

Emma pulls to a spot outside of what looks like a old textile factory. Emma turns and looks at Regina, "You want to stay here? I don't know what it's going to be like in there."

Regina gives Emma a glare and says, "I'm coming with you."

Emma sighs and nods her head. Beat opens the door and takes a deep breath.

Emma and Beat are in front and walking up the stairs. Beat opens the door and heads inside; with Emma and Regina close behind.

Beat calls out, "Laura? Laura, please I just want to help."

The warehouse floor is covered in paper, broken bottles, cans, used needles, and a few other things Emma nor Regina want to think about.

There is a soft whisper coming from the back of the warehouse near a set of stairs. "Go away, Adam."

Beat swallows and softly says, "Laura please, I even brought someone to help. Please."

Beat is looking at Emma and his eyes are begging.

Emma gulps and takes a cautious step forward so Laura can realize she is there.

Laura hears the footsteps, lifts her head and gasps, "E-Emma?"

Emma crouches down in front of her and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, "Hey."

Laura's eyes start to tear as she leans into Emma's touch. Emma holds back her tears and says, "Laura, you know you can't stay like this. Please, please let Beat help you."

Laura is looking at Emma sobbing, "I-I, I'm not strong like you."

Emma shook her head, "No, you listen to me Laura. You are strong enough, ok. You hear me? You are strong enough."

Laura was looked at Emma then her eyes glanced down to the floor. Emma quickly followed and noticed the small clear baggie of white powder. Emma and Laura both reached for the baggie. Emma got to it first and clutched it tightly in her hand. Laura lunged at Emma trying to take it back.

"NO! EMMA NO! IT'S MINE! GIVE IT BACK!"

Emma just grabbed a hold of Laura and let her get her anger out. When Laura had no fight left in her she just wrapped her in her arms and held her tightly whispering into her ear, "You are better than this. You're strong enough. I love you, Beat loves you, AJ loves you."

Regina and Beat stood back and watched. Beat had tears streaming down his face.

Regina looked at Emma and Laura and thought Wow, Emma is really good at that.

Regina placed a comforting hand on Beat's shoulder and squeezed. Beat looked at her but said nothing, his eyes spoke volumes though; his eyes said Thank you.

Regina continued to watch Emma and Laura. Regina quietly asked Beat, "What exactly is the problem? I don't understand.."

Beat sighed and said, "It's not my story to tell but Emma knows this life and this world better than anyone, sadly. Plus Emma and Laura were an item back when Emma was living in the city this past summer."

Regina nodded and confusedly asked, "Why didn't she stay in touch?"

Beat groaned and said, "Look Ms. Mills. You seem really nice and all but you need to understand that not everything around here is bright lights and magical. Bad shit happens, and good people get caught up in it. Emma and Laura were two of those people. Emma got up and brushed the shit off, but Laura got stuck and is now wallowing in it. If you want to know Emma through and through you need to ask her, and not be surprised by every answer."

Regina was shocked by Beat's answer but before she could ask another question Beat was walking towards Emma and Laura.

They all talked for a minute, then Beat helped Laura stand and lead her towards the exit. Regina turned and started to follow when she turned around and noticed Emma was still standing there.

Regina walked over to Emma and stood next to her. Emma was standing with the baggie in her hand just staring at it.

Regina swallowed and slowly said, "Emma?"

Emma jumped and looked at Regina with scared eyes. Regina looked at Emma and then back at the baggie, before whispering, "Emma..."

Emma looked from Regina back to the baggie and said, "Did you know that this was the lowest low point of my life?"

Regina shook her head but didn't say anything. Emma sighed and walked towards the exit. Emma was walking back towards the car still holding the baggie. Regina was about to say something when Emma just stopped, opened the baggie, and poured the contents into the gravel. She took her sneaker and stomped and smeared it into the ground. Emma threw the now empty baggie into a makeshift trash can and took a deep shuddering breath.

Emma looked back at Regina and said, "Come on, lets get out of here. This place is depressing me."

Regina nodded and headed to the truck. Beat and Laura were in the backseat so Regina took the passenger seat while Emma drove.

Emma drove them to the hospital and waited for Laura to be settled before she gave Laura a chaste kiss and hugged Beat good-bye.

Regina was sitting and waiting in the waiting room for Emma to return. When Emma was finished they both quietly walked back to the truck and drove back to the hotel.

Once they were back at the hotel Emma turned to Regina and said, "Thank you.. for not judging me. For not judging Laura. Thank you."

Regina nodded and they both headed up to the room.

Emma had her head tilted back against the walls of the elevator waiting for it to get to the proper floor.

Emma opened her eyes and tried to hide the tears.

Regina gently placed her arm around Emma's shoulder and pulled her into a motherly hug.

Regina let Emma cry into her shoulder. While Emma cried Regina stroked her hair and said, "I care. I still care, no matter what. ok. No matter what. I will always care."

Regina and Emma stayed liked this for a while, not noticing that the elevator had stopped on their floor minutes ago, nor did either of them care.

A/N: I know there was a lot of stuff in this chapter, and some more of Emma's past was revealed. I hope this isn't too much for readers. If you think i need to add any other TW's please let me know! I promise things aren't always going to be this dark, but Emma has had a dark past and I wanted to give Regina a little first hand experience on what it was like.. Ramble over now..

Next chapter they are back in Storybrooke! We will probably see some of Ruby also.. Please review it really helps to get feedback (positive and constructive feedback)

I haven't started writing ch.11 yet so again I have no idea how long it is going to take me to update, but stick with me I promise to update ASAP!