Emma watched her employer sleep, yet again reminding herself the true position of the woman beside her. Her employer. And her Queen. Emma thought back to their earlier conversation, and the revelations about Snow White. The revelations about her mother. Emma had never been particularly proud of where she came from, but now she hated it with a passion. She hated it all the more because she knew the Queen would see it as a lie, a trick, a manipulation. She could never reveal her true identity. Whatever it was between them could never progress, it could never become real. Because reality required honesty, but honesty would destroy everything.

Emma cursed her mother, her foolish, naive mother, who continued to ruin lives without even trying. When that was done, to calm herself, she allowed her mind to wander elsewhere, to the little boy sleeping along the corridor, the little boy who had her jawline and Neal's nose, the boy whose birthday was just when it should be. The little boy who was her son. Emma was not particularly religious; she enjoyed the myths of the land, thinking of them as pretty stories, often with interesting messages. But something had brought her here. It was as if her whole life revolved around the Evil Queen. Well. Not so evil, really. Apart from that thing she liked… Emma gave herself a shake. She wondered if Henry had magic.

Regina awoke to sunset-like lights drifting around near the ceiling, and a dreamy Emma watching them, manipulating them with small movements of her fingers.

"I like the way you use magic," Regina said softly. Emma jumped, startled - she hadn't noticed the brunette wake up. Then Emma had an idea. It was just easier, easier to be like this, to pretend, to live in the moment. She pulled the light down, the magic floating towards the bed, around Regina.

Regina gasped as it settled on her skin, slowly bringing every cell in her body to life, stimulating her more than she thought possible.

"You have to… teach me… how to do this," Regina gasped. Emma chuckled; the laughter went into the magic, moving it as it wove its way around Regina, caressing her, creeping into her most sensitive places, creating delicious vibrations. Regina was stunned by how close she was to climax; it had been minutes at most. Emma continued to use her magic, almost lazily, her hand drifting across the bed to entwine with Regina's as she sent a final pulse over Regina's sex and Regina came, gripping Emma's hand tightly at the continuing magical sensations.

"Have you ever used light magic?" Emma asked when Regina's breathing had steadied. She pulled the Queen into her arms, stroking her hair. Regina did not seem sure.

"I do not think so. I no longer use magic in the way I used to, but my strength is in my anger, my frustration… I have no experience of light magic, but it is not like that, is it?"

Emma kissed Regina's temple. "Not exactly, no. But all magic is emotion. I suppose, just now, I was frustrated, but I had to channel my frustration positively, gain control of it, and then use it to calm myself, and then satisfy you. It's not so different from what you do."

"So… How do you make it positive?"

Emma smiled. "I think about something good."

"Like what?"

"Just… A good feeling. When I felt happy. I kind of fill myself up with that feeling, and then it blends with my magic."

"What did you use just now?"

Emma blushed a little. "You, kissing me. But that wouldn't work for everything. You kind of have to pick the right kind of feeling."

Regina nodded, then closed her eyes, leaning her head back on Emma's chest. There was a crackle at her fingertips. Her eyes snapped open in shock. Emma laughed.

"See? It's not that hard."

Regina smiled wickedly. "And now I have so many ideas… But alas, I must rise and tend to business."

She slid out of bed, pulling on her silk robe. Emma sighed, then rolled out of bed too.

"Do you mind if I take a bath?"

Regina shook her head. "Go on. I will find Henry."

The day passed peacefully; Regina delegated most of her duties so she was only away from Henry for an hour, then suggested a trip to the stables which turned into a carefree game of hide and seek.

Regina thought she sensed something off about Emma. She hardly knew the girl, but… Something in the way she looked at Henry, even at the Queen herself… As if she was carrying a great burden. But then the look would disappear and her face would be bright and happy, and Regina would be almost convinced she had imagined it. Her life had been so difficult for so long, whenever anything good happened, she was always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

When Henry was tucked up in bed, Regina decided to walk with Emma outside. They ended up sitting beneath her apple tree.

"Is something… It is probably my imagination, but is something bothering you? Are you unhappy here?"

Emma shook her head. "I am the happiest I can remember being," she said, almost honestly. She was. It was just bittersweet, because it was all a lie, a fantasy, and she knew that in a few days it would be nothing but a memory, a memory of something she could never have again. She did not hide her emotions quickly enough.

"Tell me," Regina said. "Please… I do not want to be the cause of your misery. Do not feel bound to be here. If this job is no longer to your liking, you a free to take your earnings up until this point and leave."

Emma sighed. That was all she was to Regina. A prostitute. Regina cared about her employees, she was a kind woman, but she did not really see Emma as her equal. Emma knew she had gone too far with the kissing, with the talking. She looked resolutely at the ground, examining a particularly fascinating piece of dirt, until she felt a hand on her knee.

"I think perhaps… Perhaps you should go," Regina said softly. Emma waited, looking at the hand now, wondering what she had done wrong. She must have done something wrong. She always did.

"If that is your wish," Emma said eventually, her voice cold and empty. She consoled herself that at least she knew her son was happy, happy and healthy and with a better life than she ever could have given him. He had a mother who loved him, who taught him well… He was being raised into a fine young man, and she would always be proud of him. She had done the right thing. She was glad she had seen him.

"Emma," Regina breathed. She hadn't moved her hand. Emma looked at her.

"What?" she said icily. To her shock, when she looked into Regina's eyes she saw them glistening with tears that would never be allowed to fall. Regina swallowed, trying to remove the lump in her throat so she could produce her strongest, most powerful tone.

"I do not wish to pay you for any further services," she said firmly. Emma moved to get up from their seat but Regina caught her hand and pulled her back. "But," Regina continued, colour rising in her cheeks as she began the request she was sure would be denied, "I would be honoured if you would accompany me to the ball tomorrow night."

Emma gaped at her. "You mean, like, as your date?"

Regina chuckled at the common term. "Yes, I suppose so," she said cautiously. Emma's eyes widened.

"Are you serious?"

This doesn't change anything, Emma insisted to herself. But…

"I would love to," she said. It was Regina's turn to gasp, though she schooled her features almost immediately.

Emma took Regina's other hand and pulled her up, into a gentle embrace. As the Princess held the Queen, she forced herself to forget her worries, to forget all the reasons why she should go, now. She could die for this. Emma felt Regina's warm breath on her neck, followed by a soft kiss. She could die for this, and it would be totally worth it.

Later, lying in the Queen's vast bed and gazing up at her favourite ceiling, Emma imagined Pluto dancing with the Sun. A weak, grey planet, totally powerless, yet irrevocably drawn to the Sun, to white hot fire, to scorching, burning passion. She wondered if it hurt. She wondered if love had to hurt. She wondered if love was always agony.

"You're awake," Regina murmured.

"I have never been a deep sleeper," Emma replied. Regina curled her arm possessively around Emma's waist.

"Me neither," the Queen admitted.

Emma looked down at the smaller woman, thinking over all the suffering she had endured at the hands of Emma's family. Her mother, and her grandfather, too. She made a face at the thought that Regina was technically her step-grandmother. In other circumstances it would be amusing, but she knew Regina would not see her true identity as remotely funny.

"May I ask you something?" Emma asked.

Regina sat up, not really close to sleep any more. She caught Emma's nervous tone and met her eyes, searching them for revelations.

"You may," she said softly.

SEVEN YEARS EARLIER

Emma tugged at the dress. Pink. Eugh. She looked herself up and down in the mirror, then rolled her eyes and ran out of her chambers, hurrying down the servants' staircase so she wouldn't be seen. Her magic rippled through her. She had to get outside.

Finally in the palace training yards, she reached out a hand and summoned her sword, then focused her magic to animate a training dummy into a worthy opponent. It was kind of like playing a board game against yourself, but only one of you could read your mind, giving the dummy a huge advantage. Emma had practised the magic to do this for weeks, wanting an opponent that would force her to be ever stronger, more instinctive, and entirely unpredictable. She fought like a wild thing, tears and mud splatters completely unnoticed. The dummy wouldn't kill her, it wouldn't even mark her. Its sword was magical, clashing with her own like metal, but only shocking her skin. It was painful, but harmless.

Emma continued her battle, incredibly proud of her magic as the dummy wrestled her to the ground-

"EMMA EVA WHITE!"

Emma waved her hand, crumpling the dummy into a lifeless heap, then looked up guiltily from her seat on the hard packed earth to her furious mother.

"What is the meaning of this?" Snow demanded.

"I was just practising-"

"You were using magic," Snow said, as if it was a dirty word.

Emma stood, facing her mother defiantly.

"Not only were you fighting like a barbarian, ruining your new dress, you used magic, again, after all we have told you!"

"Magic is not a bad thing!" Emma cried. "I have so much power, I want to use it! I want to use it for good."

"Emma, magic is unpredictable, and should only be used by those with the utmost training."

"So let me train!"

"No. You are too young, too emotional, to wild. When you are much older, perhaps you will learn, but in the end, you are a Princess. You have no need of magic. On the rare occasions when it is required, you can call on the fairies for magical assistance."

"Why do you hate it so much? It's part of who I am," Emma said, equally miserable and angry.

"Because it is dangerous," Snow said kindly. "Emma, your father and I love you more than anything, but in light of today's events, we have come to a decision. Blue!"

The Blue fairy appeared, along with Emma's father, whose mouth was set in a firm line.

"Emma," Charming said gently, "you are a beautiful young woman, and we could not be more proud of you. We want you to know this is for your own good, and for the safety and security of the entire kingdom. You did not see the way magic tormented the lands before you were born, but your mother and I witnessed it first hand. Magic is volatile, dangerous, and corrupting."

"Yes," Snow continued. "We want you to be happy. You are our beautiful girl, and you are going to grow to marry a strong, intelligent and handsome prince, and rule the White Kingdom at his side. You are going to have a wonderful life."

Emma listened, frozen to the spot, as her fate was repeated to her once again. She did not want to be queen, she did not want to be beautiful, and she did not want her life to be about a man. She looked at her tattered dress.

"I had that dress made for you for tonight," Snow said. "A prince from the Southern Isles is passing through the kingdom and has expressed an interest in your hand in marriage. Of course, you should not feel forced, and you do not have to make a choice for years if you wish, but I think it is time for you to see that suitors are very interested."

"I do not want suitors," Emma said. She shuddered at the very thought.

"Do not be petulant, sweetie," Charming said.

"May I go?" Emma asked, tired of the lecture and the ominous atmosphere. They seemed to be delaying over something. She wished they would get it over with. She wondered why Blue was there.

"We are all going to go to your chambers. Blue has enchanted them so you cannot perform magic there. Won't that be relaxing? You won't have to worry about controlling it at all."

Emma wanted to hiss. She didn't have to worry about controlling her magic anyway.

"No," Emma said. Snow sighed. She had seen this coming. She had been a strong willed teenager, too. She nodded to Blue, who grew to human size and produced a leather cuff.

"Hold out your arm, Emma," Snow commanded. Emma clutched her arms to her chest.

"Why?"

"Do as your mother says," Charming said firmly. Emma looked between her parents.

"What is it?" she asked.

"A gift," Snow said firmly. "To show we love you. We are on your side, we want you to be happy."

"But magic makes me happy."

Snow sighed. "Blue, lift the enchantment. Emma, I… This discussion is not over, but I see we cannot force you into not using magic. Perhaps, Blue, you would teach her more about it."

Blue smiled at Emma. "It would be my pleasure," she said. Emma looked between the adults, not trusting them, but wanting to more than anything.

"It is our gift to you, my love," David said, gesturing to the cuff. Snow took it, stepping towards her daughter.

"Let us give this to you, to show we are sorry," she implored. Emma bit her lip, then allowed her mother to embrace her. She held out her wrist, and Snow slid on the cuff.

Emma screamed in agony, falling to the ground, writhing in pain and loss as she felt her senses dull, her flowing, warm power harden like cold, heavy stones in her chest. She screamed and cried and wailed with the pain of betrayal, it was as if her heart was being ripped out and her body torn apart, as if everything she was was being torn away from her.

Snow stared at Blue. "You said it might be difficult, but this?" she demanded. Blue frowned.

"It seems she entwined her soul with magic more deeply than we predicted. But the suffering will pass."

"No, no," David said. "I did no sign up for this. You said it would control her magic, you said nothing of this. Take it off, fairy, take it off her now!"

Blue looked to Snow. Snow stared at her screaming, breaking daughter.

"Yes, remove it," Snow said. "We will have to find another way."

Emma was barely conscious as Blue took her arm and removed the cuff, and then immediately paralysed with fairy magic as her captors surveyed her. She stared into their eyes, fearful but calculating. They really thought she was a monster. She fought against the magic, relishing in her returning power until she sent it out in a golden explosion, her parents and the fairy flying several feet through the air before landing on the ground.

And then Emma ran for her life.

PRESENT DAY

"What did you want to ask?" Regina said, looking at Emma curiously. The younger woman seemed miles away.

Emma took a shaky breath. "I just want to be sure you know that things are not always as they seem."

Regina frowned, then cautiously took Emma's hand. "I… I know that. Do you mean things regarding yourself?"

Emma paused, then nodded. "You know very little of me, of who I was before. If you ever find out and it is not what you expect, I just… I don't want you to hate me."

Regina ran her fingers through Emma's luscious hair, tucking it behind her ear to expose her worried face.

"Oh, Emma," she said softly. "I could never hate you."

Emma bit her lip. "Do you promise?" She knew it was a pointless question. Of course Regina would promise now. It didn't mean anything.

"I promise," Regina said softly.

And somehow, it meant everything. Emma leaned forward and captured Regina's lips in the sweetest of kisses, slow and gentle, deferent to her queen. The more she explored with Regina in bed, the more she felt Regina's more dominant side come out, ready to battle with her own. Emma had never met a woman (or man) who was such a match to her strength and power.

Yet, she was gentle, too. She was loving, soft, kind. She wanted to please, she was selfless, and endlessly curious and interested. Emma gasped with pleasure as Regina touched her with fingertips crackling with sensual magic. It flickered; Regina pouted adorably.

"Just relax, it'll come naturally," Emma encouraged. So Regina let go, allowing her magic to flow through her and over Emma. Emma cried out as she FELT Regina, felt Regina all over her, holding her, touching her, everywhere at once, pleasuring her body, pushing her down onto the bed and kissing her but kissing her everywhere else with magic, too. Regina pulled back at the shout.

"Did I hurt you?" she asked, terrified. Emma's eyes rolled back in her head; she desperately tried to collect herself.

"No," she gasped. "Please do that… more..."

She trailed off as the grinning Queen resumed her onslaught. Regina straddled Emma, her own rippling magic whispering between her thighs as she leaned down and kissed parted, panting lips. Regina kissed hard, loving what she did to Emma. Emma moaned as the magic intensified, accompanied by a rolling rhythm of Regina's hips. She tipped over the edge, exploding beautifully, sending a surge of magic over the Queen's centre again which had Regina falling apart with her.

Regina collapsed on top of Emma, tingling all over, feeling incredibly powerful. She wondered what could possibly be so bad that Emma would think she'd hate her, but she reached no conclusions. The only possibilities were so ridiculous they had to be impossible. Emma stroked her hand up and down Regina's back in a soothing motion which soon lulled the Queen to sleep. Emma focused on Regina's steady breathing, and finally her body relaxed into slumber as well.

A/N: Sorry about the wait! So much life stuff... The next chapter is (finally) the ball of Pluto and the Sun. I've already started writing it, I originally meant it to be in this chapter but then I wanted to do Emma's back story now rather than later so that section became much longer. Do you approve? I love knowing what you think, and I can't wait for your feedback. Also on the magic sex. Do we like magic sex? Love to you all!