Author's Note: I am sorry it has taken me long to post a chapter. Truth to be told the whole story was ready to post when my computer crashed and I lost everything. So now I am trying to write it back up from memory.

Chapter 8.
Regina was pacing back and forth in the waiting room. She was uncertain if she should call Emma's parents or not, but she knew the news would be cast all over and so they would most likely be there soon.

Emma was going in and out of consciousness, she wasn't sure where she was or what was going on. She couldn't even feel her throat, it was burning, she couldn't speak, or move. She drifted in and out, for what felt like a nightmare. Bandages being put on so her burns could heal, her throat and lungs being cleared from the fire. It hurt and it went on forever, her only thought was Regina. She had to be there, close by somewhere, she just knew.

Four days had passed since Emma had been brought it, by now Regina was joined in the hospital by Emma's parents, her mother and Henry. In fact old Cora was sitting on a couch in the waiting room, finally managing to get Regina to sleep, by stroking her hair and whispering calming words. She was stressed and exhausted not knowing what were to happen to the other driver.

Snow and Charming had already told her she could leave, but Regina refused to do so. Her eyes closed, her head turned against the hallway as the doctor finally came out, saying, "Miss. Mills."

"Yes," she opened her eyes at once.

"She is sleeping, but you can see her now, I must warn you it is not pretty," he said, ignoring the rest.

"I don't mind, I would still like to see her," she said. The doctor nodded and lead her to the door where he left her. The brunette took a deep breath to calm herself before going in, closing the door behind her. There she was, her beautiful Emma, bandages almost everywhere, her face badly burned, tears stung in her eyes. She walked over and sat down on a chair next to the bed, whispering, "Emma, can you hear me?"

"mm," she couldn't yet speak, her mouth it didn't feel right, she slowly opened her eyes. Not being able to move much, Regina came closer, saying, "I am here."

Emma looked at her, seeing on her face it had to be really bad. She looked at her helplessly, of course she knew this day could and would come, she just never thought it would come so soon or that it would have impact on anyone else.

"Re…Gina, how…how bad is it?" she needed to know. She needed to know how much damage was done to her, if she could recover, if she could race again.

"It is bad, I can try healing you somewhat, but I doubt it will help much," said she with a very heavy sigh.

"A…mirror…please?" she struggled with her words, even talking hurt right now. The brunette nodded and went in her purse to find one. It was a small mirror. She held it close so Emma could see as much as possible of her damaged face. She pushed the mirror away as tears started to fall, it was bad, really bad.

"How can you…stand to see me…like this," she whispered, small sobs escaping her lips.

"Because burned or not I care a great deal about you, Emma Swan, perhaps even to a limit I will consider to spend the rest of my life with you. It doesn't scare me," she said in a firm tone.

A small smiled on her red lips as she whispered, "Henry…?"

"In the hallways with my mother and your parents," Regina said, letting her finger stroke over Emma's damaged face. Even thought it hurt Emma welcomed it very much.

She nodded saying, "Don't let him see me like this." She had to focus not to pause as she said it, but she managed.

The brunette nodded and kissed her lips gently. She walked over to the door and closed it, before she let her hands caress Emma's cheeks, carefully letting her magical powers go through them. When she stopped she sat back, whispering, "Do you feel any different?"

"A little, but not much body wise," she answered.

"Your face will heal faster not leave much scarring behind. I need to get back to my team and take Henry back, he needs food and proper rest. I will be back tomorrow," she said and kissed her lips gently. Slowly she got up and walked out the door.

Emma looked after her, tears in her eyes, knowing that it had to be hard for her. She tried to move, but she soon gave up, going back to fall into a restless sleep.

Regina went back to the racing tracks once she had made sure Henry was feed and sleeping in the bed at the hotel. Her mother had tried to talk to her, but she had shut her out. Too many thoughts, besides what could her mother get of this. She had never driven a car like this, she never would, she would never get what it was like to put your life on the line every time you drove, how bad it could get.

She found her team, she had asked them to not move her car, she needed to drive, fast. She nodded at them, the nodded back, not speaking against it. How could they, there was nothing to say really. Regina got in the car and fired up the engine, one round, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Then she stopped near her pit, leaning on to the wheel, letting her tears fall. She had been close to loosing her Emma, her Emma and she knew she might not be so lucky next time.

Next time, would there be a next time, would Emma even race again. She had to, Regina knew she would, she didn't know how she knew, still she knew. Maybe not this season thought, that would require a miracle. She got out of the car, telling her crew members to pack it up and move it. She needed to sleep and so she drove to the hotel where she crawled into bed with Henry, holding him close as she fell asleep.

Thank you so much for reading this chapter, feedback is always appreciated :o)