Hey! I'm sorry for the delay, had a really busy weekend. Thanks for reviews. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Chapter 5

Regina realized what she's doing and trailed off. This is not right. That's what resonated in her head but she knew fooling herself is not gonna work for long. She waited for Emma to stop laughing as well. She headed straight to the corridor glowing with silver light. Emma quietly slid her hand in Regina's free hand, 'cause in the other, Regina was still holding a sword.

The brunette stopped and turned to look at Emma. "Now, Miss Swan, we're going through portal. Since I know you never traveled like that, you need little advice. Do not think about a person! Do not try to get free! And most important, because you never been in this world: do not let go of my hand!" She lifted their joined hands in front of her to make her point. "Is that clear?" Emma smiled and nodded. "Fine. Let's go." The two faced the portal again. Light dancing on their faces. The portal itself looked just like smoke or light mist, it would be hard to believe it can take them somewhere if it wasn't for miraculous light. They took a deep breath and stepped to the smoke.

Emma never experienced anything like that. As if everything she ever felt moved back inside her heart and tripled in its intensity. All the love but mostly pain. It was unbearable. She didn't want to get out of the maze, she desperately wanted to disappear. To stop exist. And then it was gone. She opened her eyes. There she was, in another forest, with Regina holding her hand. But that didn't last long as well. Regina extracted her hand from Emma's as if it burned her.

"So…we're here?" Emma asked.

"Maybe." Regina didn't believe it could take them as far as to Enchanted Forest but it seemed so. Maybe she underestimated power of cave portals. One way or another, they are at least closer to home. Closer to Henry. She noticed the sword dripping with blood in her hand. She took fistful of leaves from the forest floor and wiped it at least cleaner. She could see her breath changing to small clouds. Fall. Freezing land. Nice prospects for travel. She stepped close to Emma and put the sword back to scabbard on her belt. "Next time you get in situation like that, use it. Or at least your head." She offered Emma sour glance.

Emma breathed shakily. Why the hell does she have to be so cold?! Every time I think the mask is finally gone, she puts it back on, it's just not normal, is it?

"Seems we have a same problem." Regina's voice interrupted her musing. The blonde stared at her. Are we thinking about the same thing?

"Yeah?"

"No signs of warm bed. We have to walk through freezing forest."

"Oh, yeah. You're right." She felt awkward. She's unbelievable. Emma was never for heart talking. But this was the first time she ever loved. And this woman made her crazy. Crazy with nerves sometimes.

"We need to find water. River would be the best." Regina didn't look back at Emma and started walking through the clumps of trees.

Emma speeded after her, matching her step with the brunette. They walked in silence for a few hours. They didn't stop for even a minute. Rustle of wind in the top of the trees imitated water but soon they learned to ignore it, when they finally heard real water. Wild water wading her way down the riverbed.

"I thought we'd never find it." Emma's legs were like made of jelly. She hated hiking.

Regina didn't say anything, just squatted down, scooped the water to her hand and drank hungrily. After breathing out, Emma did the same. Then they filled the flasks they brought from the hags cottage. Regina didn't want to take the water from there; there was something not good about it. As about almost everything there. But it's gone. They left it behind and the witch can't hurt them anymore.

"We have to get rid of that golden skin of yours," Regina stated flatly as if it was everyday matter.

Emma didn't realize her skin is still covered with glistening precious element. In the cave it glowed and here she was concerned about more important stuff than gold.

They were on there way again, along the river, but still hidden in the trees. Snow started to fall softly on the tree branches, after a while it reached the forest floor. The soil was soaked; in some areas there was mud and puddles of water, which were turning to ice slowly. The boots they had were well made so it didn't allow water to get to them easily but they were all dirty. They wrapped their cloaks tightly around themselves. The sword on Emma's belt was really annoying her, banging to her thigh with every step. She was sure there's gonna be a bruise there at the end of the day. Finally, they came to the view of little village.

Regina lifted her hand to stop the blonde. "Put your hood on."

Emma looked at her with raised eyebrow. Regina sensed the questioning look. "They can't see you like that."

Oh right. Don't need to scary off the waiting bed.

They headed to the center where the tavern was situated. It was warm inside and few people were sitting at tables, drinking and talking. They noticed the strangers but didn't pay much attention to them. Regina stepped to the counter where the innkeeper was standing.

"Hello. We'd like a room, if you have one."

The keeper looked at them with drunken eyes. "Yes, yes, yes. One room for pretty lady and her guard," he said, but it sounded like scream 'cause of his strong voice, trained by everyday work in noisy tavern.

He stepped from behind the counter and led them upstairs. "It's a long time since anyone came here." He put her hand around Regina's shoulders, putting her to his bear like figure. "You're very beautiful."

Emma growled from behind.

He let go of the brunette and smiled, lifting his hands in innocent gesture. "Ouu…I'm sorry. Your guard probably agrees."

The keeper opened the door and showed them small room with, aren't they lucky, with only one bed again. Regina sighed.

"Don't you have room with two beds, good man?" She asked. Regina's nerves were at the edge of the fury.

He shook his head. "This is the only one ready for guests."

"Thank you, then." Brunette offered him another fake smile. Is this my punishment? To see what I missed when I didn't find happiness as my father suggested? Now I'm attached Snow White's daughter, who appears to be my true love. But she's not. I don't feel with her what I felt with Daniel. –Because it wasn't true love, but this is.-No it's not. –Oh yes, it is.-Go away! She kicked that voice inside her head.

Emma took of her coat in the warmth of the room. Finally free to show her skin. She was about to lie on the bed when the older woman ordered, "No! As soon as we deal with that we can think of rest."

Regina walked out and closed the door behind her. She felt magic's coming back to her; she's gaining her power again. The process speeded up as if the magic wanted to catch up. Her self confidence increased with it. Now I can protect her. She almost bumped to the girl in the hallway.

"Oh I'm sorry." The girl ducked her head apologetically.

"It's ok, my dear." Regina put her hand on girl's shoulder. "Can I have a bath ready please?"

"Uhuh." Girl nodded and ran back downstairs. Regina satisfied, came back to the room.

After a while, there was knock on the door. "Your bath is ready, Madame," soft voice informed her. Regina opened the door slightly, so Emma couldn't be seen. "It's right here." The girl pointed to the door behind her back.

"Excellent. Thank you…" Regina smiled.

"Amari."

"Thank you, Amari."

When the girl was gone, Regina signaled Emma they should go, before the water is cold. They entered the room. Emma was suddenly nervous. "Ehm, so can I have a little privacy here?"

"Sure, let me know when you sink to the bath." Regina turned her back to Emma.

"What? Wait. I'm a big girl I can bath alone."

"And who do you think is gonna peel that gold of off your back?" Regina chuckled.

Emma frowned. Yeah, right. "I thought it's gonna peel itself of. Just with the water."

"You thought wrong."

Slowly, Emma put off her clothes with shaky hands. When she sank to hot water, Regina turned to her.

"Ok. Are you ready, Miss Swan?" Regina leaned to her, she could feel hear breath on her neck.

Stupid question, I don't have any other option, do I? "Yeah, just do it." She put her hands to her chest and waited. Regina took the dagger she was still carrying at her hip and started to peel the golden film off the blonde's back. Right in the moment it broke the contact with Emma's skin it turned to metal strip, but still golden. Regina tried to focus on gold but her eyes were darting to Emma's own skin, so pale, so shining, so soft even without magic. She traced it with her finger, just on a small space and sensed Emma's muscles contracted with the contact. Emma stopped breathing, her heart skipped a beat. Regina shook off her dreaminess and started to work on Emma's back again. When she was done she handed her the dagger from behind, trying not to look at blonde's body, and left the room. No one of them noticed the girl peeking through little gap in slightly opened door, who ran off quietly when she heard steps coming her way. Once in the hallway the queen leaned against the door and breathed out. What was that, Regina? Getting emotional again?

You like her.-No, I don't-Yes, you do. "Oh shut up," she groaned and went to their bedroom.

Emma sat there, dagger in her hand, processing what just happened. God woman! You had to go through hell lot of pain in your life! She was thinking about the older woman. But I'm not letting go of the chance with you. I never felt love before, not even to Henry's father but I know I love you.

She finished the work on the golden film with water cold as ice. She didn't enjoy the bath. Thinking about how to get Regina to open more to her. But when she stepped out of the tub she had no solution for the problem. She put on her night clothes and gathered all the golden strips that were on the floor and in a tub as well as her clothes from before. No evidence of what happened here, Swan.-Evidence of what? What really happened here?-Oh, go to bed! She ordered herself and left the room. Quietly entering the dark bedroom she noticed Regina lying under the covers on the side of the bed, back to her. Ok, go Swan. No panic. She approached the bed and slid under the covers too. She was staring at ceiling for minutes, then hours. Regina's action not willing to leave her head. Fuck it! She got up and put on her clothes and boots. She ran out of the tavern, without the cloak and weapon. The walk took her few hours through darkness and coldness of the village, thinking about the mess her life was and how it changed, well to another mess, when she met Regina but because of frustration from not getting what she needed and wanted from the woman. The rising sun surprised her. Is it really dawn already? She headed back to the tavern. In the inn she saw Regina sitting at the table, drinking some warm liquid. She kneaded her hands to warm them up faster and sat down opposite the woman.

The brunette raised her eyes to look at Emma. "Miss Swan, you look like a vampire," she commented on dark circles under Emma's eyes.

"You look good too," Emma fired back. Regina had bloodshot eyes as well. She had to be up almost all the night. "What is it?" she pointed to Regina's cup.

"Tea." She had no idea for conversation.

"What's for breakfast?"

"Whatever you order, Miss Swan." Regina rolled her eyes. "Do it fast. We have to be on our way soon." She stood up, finished her cup of tea and headed up the stairs, leaving Emma to eat her breakfast alone.

After an hour they stood in the inn again with cloaks, weapons and their backpacks back on. The keeper gave them surprised look. "Is this your guard?" he asked Regina. She just nodded.

"Well, if I knew she was this beautiful…" Emma growled just like yesterday and unconsciously touched the hilt of her sword.

"Wish you nice journey, ladies." He bowed.

Emma turned on her heels and stormed out of the tavern, followed by Regina with matching somber expression. They breathed fresh morning forest air and that calmed them down a little but they didn't stop in their hurried pace. Hours of walking through the forest without any word. Not that they were in a mood to talk. They haven't met a soul. It was close to evening when they glimpsed a movement somewhere in front of them. They slowed down and tried to recognize what it is. Emma narrowed her eyes. Soldier in dark blue uniform. Two of them. She put her hand on the sword again. Regina had other ideas. She stepped out from behind the trees and headed directly to them.

"No more steps, woman!" one of them yelled at her. Regina put on that regal posture again, holding her head high.

"Woman? Who are you to call me a woman?!" Fury of emperor reflecting in their eyes. They hesitated and looked at each other, but didn't lower their already drawn swords. "I am the Queen of Enchanted Forest and big magician. Who is your master?" She looked at them as if they were just some annoying bugs.

"Our mistress…" the guy at her left hand found his voice. "…is the Duchess of Salty Mountains."

"Tell me, is her mansion far from here?" she demanded, circling them, her upper lip curled as in disgust.

"Just around the hill," the other one stammered.

Emma stepped out of her covert and approached the group skeptically. Regina didn't even flicker.

"Take us there!" The queen snapped at them.

Soldiers immediately started walking back in the direction they came from. Emma stepped to Regina, right after the men.

"What the fuck Regina?" she asked through her teeth.

"Whoever this duchess is, she can help us to get home fast and safe." Regina whispered back.

After experience with that hag Emma was skeptical about this helping system in fairytale lands.

"I got my magic back," Regina added with a smile.

Waiting for reviews. Love you guys!