AN: I am so sorry that it has been so long, but I had a major drama in work, and I didn't feel up to writing, this is a very long chapter, and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 27

Half an hour later Maleficent joined Regina at the bar who had a line of empty shot glasses in front of her.
"Well dear, you are certainly celebrating your birthday aren't you?" Regina smiled sarcastically and swigged off another shot
"Ok, what happened?" Maleficent sat down next to Regina taking two of the shots that the waiter had just placed in front of her.
"Hey they're mine!" Regina protested feebly attempting to take them back despite having two in front of her already.
"Yes, well you can have them back if you tell me what happened" Regina shrugged and went back to the shots she had in front of her.
"Regina, what happened?" Maleficent's voice was more stern now
"I messed up Mal" Regina whispered her voice cracking
"How so?"
"I didn't tell my mother that we were dating"
"And? I'd assume there are lots of things your mother doesn't know"
"Yes, but then she tried to set me up with James in front of Emma, so then Emma found out that I hadn't told mother that we were dating, I introduced her properly but" Regina shrugged again before taking another shot.
"Ok, I think you've had enough" Maleficent told her, taking the shot glasses away and handing them to a passing Cruella who happily took them
"Darling what's wrong?" Cruella asked leaning on Maleficent
"Maleficent just took my shots!" Regina replied before leaning towards the bar man and asking for more shots.
"I'm sorry Miss but I don't think that's such a good idea" the bar man told
"Yeah? Well I don't think my mother paid you to think, she paid you to serve drinks and keep everyone happy, and guess what? I don't have a drink and I'm not happy!"
"Actually Miss I'm employed by the hotel not by your mother"
"Listen you little-"
"Ok Regina, leave the man alone" Maleficent held Regina in her seat as she attempted to stand up to shout at the man "it's not his fault you're drunk and upset" Regina glared at Maleficent but stopped fighting her.
"Fancy pants!" Ruby's voice called from behind them "where's Emma?" Sadness filled Regina, not only had Emma left her but she had left Ruby there, all because of her.
"She left" Regina said deadpanned
"No she hasn't, don't be silly" Ruby slumped on the chair next to Regina
"Well she has."
"Why would she do that?"
"Because she doesn't love me and we argued"
"Well I know that's not true, I know how she feels about you" Ruby replied, but Regina wasn't listening, she was too busy thinking about what Emma had said "besides she wouldn't leave me, she'll be somewhere" Ruby shrugged and leaned forward to talk to the barman.
"Make sure she doesn't drink anymore" Maleficent told Cruella, before walking away from the group and out the hotel

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Emma was still walking around the grounds of the hotel whilst she could hear the party was still going on in the distance. Her mind was whirling with the events of the night, a mixture of emotions flooded her system why hadn't she just told her mother? Was she really that embarrassed about her? Emma had always known that she was punching above her weight with Regina and that Regina was far too good for Emma, but she had hoped that Regina hadn't thought that as well, but clearly she did other wise she'd have told her mother. Emma sat down on a bench and rested her elbows on her knees with her head in her hands, the same thoughts going around and around in her head. She was sat there for a few moments when she heard someone approaching her.
"Are you not cold out here?" Maleficent asked
"Not really, I'm alright"
"Well you know who isn't? Regina"
"That's not my fault"
"Well actually it is, you've just left her on her birthday at her birthday party"
"And do you blame me?" Emma retorted lifting her head up to look at her "we've been dating for a while now and she hadn't told her mother about me and still she invited me here"
Maleficent sighed "do you mind if I sit?"
Emma shrugged "be my guest" Maleficent sat down
"You don't know Cora"
"I don't need to know Cora, I thought I knew her daughter"
"You do, just because she never told her mother doesn't mean that you know her any less"
"Yeah well, I thought that she'd tell her mother, I thought that she wouldn't hide us"
"You really don't understand do you? Cora Mills is the most manipulative woman I have ever met in my life. She likes to control every aspect of Regina's life, that's why she organises this party every year, so she controls what Regina does on her birthday. She barely lets Regina invite who she wants, when Regina moved out she didn't speak to her for months"
"But she didn't tell her!"
"No she didn't, because Regina knew that if she did she would interfere, she would want to know everything about you, your family, your past, your career, your present. Every single detail of your life, and then when she did she would try and use it all to split the two of you up, and I know that Regina wouldn't want that to happen."
"Regina should know that her mother couldn't split us up"
"You may think that but it has happened before"
"I'm not like them obviously"
"Has Regina ever told you about Daniel?" Emma shook her head "Daniel was a bar tender that worked in one of the bars in their hotel, Regina had just finished school and Cora was trying to convince her to join the hotel or at the least go to law school, Regina wasn't sure though. Then Regina met Daniel and they fell madly in love, but they kept it hidden because of Cora"
"Well at least I'm not the only person she kept secret"
"Eventually Daniel convinced Regina to take some time out of school and go travelling like she really wanted, when Regina told Cora she hit the roof and threatened to disown her, Regina went straight to Daniel and Cora found them together, Daniel had just handed in his notice so Cora put two and two together and realised that Daniel was planning on going with her"
"So what happened to him?"
"Cora framed him and got him arrested for stealing money from the hotel, of course having just booked flights it wasn't hard to frame him. Not long after being in prison he had a heart attack" Emma froze and stared at Maleficent
"He didn't make it"
"She never told me" Emma whispered
"Of course she never told you, but Regina went straight to law school and never went travelling. Regina's kept her guard up ever since then, she never let anyone in after that. Until you" Emma stared all the ground, she didn't quite know how to feel, she still felt angry at Regina, but she also felt sad for what happened and guilty for how she was now reacting.
"So now Regina is in there alone on her birthday, drinking a lot may I add, after the one thing Regina was afraid of happening happened, her mother getting in between her and something she loves."
"That isn't why I walked out"
"But do you think Regina is going to see it like that? So now my question to you is what are you going to do about it?" and with that Maleficent stood and walked away leaving Emma alone.

/-/

Regina wasn't feeling good at all, the room was now spinning, she had an aching feeling in her heart and a rather queasy feeling in her stomach.
"Regina!" Regina groaned and turned to face her mother, just about keeping herself up "Regina you need to conduct yourself accordingly, I know it is your birthday dear but you need to act more civilised, these people you fraternize with are becoming a bad influence on you"
"Whatever mother" Regina slurred turning away from Cora
"Excuse me?" Cora snapped
"Lecture me tomorrow mother" Regina slurred staggering away from the stunned woman.
"I'm impressed Regina, I didn't think you had it in you to talk to your mother like that" Maleficent told her as she approached Regina who was now leaning on the door frame resting her head against the wood.
"Yes I have to say darling I didn't think you had it in you" Cruella added joining them, "though you don't look so good darling"
"You are looking a little peaky dear maybe we should get you some water"
"'m fine" Regina slurred, her stomach now churning
"Why don't I take you to the bathroom and Cruella can go and get you some water, come on" Maleficent linked Regina and slowly led her towards the bathroom, this proved quite difficult as Regina was finding it harder and harder to stay standing and impossible to walk in a straight line. Maleficent had just managed to reach the bathroom and into the stall when the alcohol Regina had consumed decided to make a reappearance. Maleficent wrinkled her nose and stepped back outside the stall, Cruella arrived and leaned over Regina placing the glass of water next to her, quickly stepping back again.
"Well this is delightful" Cruella commented her face covered in disgust "I always thought Regina could hold her alcohol"
"She's consumed rather a lot more than any of us normally do, and in a short space of time, we can't leave her" Maleficent told her
"We can't?"
"No, we can't. You know she'd look after us if this was either of us". Cruella scowled as Regina hurled into the toilet again.
"Oh ok you're right, but I hope you know darling I am never letting her live this down"
"Oh don't worry she'll be suffering tomorrow". Maleficent said as Regina launched forward into the toilet again. They both turned as the bathroom door opened and Emma walked in.

/-/

"Where is she?" Cruella and Maleficent both pointed towards the floor of the stall where Regina was sat hugging the toilet bowl. "and what are you two doing?"
"We're here for moral support" Cruella told her
"Moral support? I'm sure in her state moral support is exactly what she needs right now!"
"You see this fur coat darling? Have you any idea how much it's worth? I can't afford to get puke on it" Emma pushed past Cruella and climbed into the stall next to Regina
"Hey Regina?" Emma sat down next to Regina pushing the hair from her face
"Emma?" Regina asked groggily
"Yeah it's me"
"I thought you'd left me"
"Nope, you can't get rid of me that easily" Emma joked "I just went for some fresh air"
"Emma I'm sorry" Regina told her before her head disappeared into the bowl.
"Shh, it doesn't matter now" Emma told her, holding her hair back and gently rubbing her back.
"Should we move her outside? Get her some fresh air?" Maleficent asked
"No, she needs to stay in the warmth, but could you get a cold compress?" Maleficent nodded and left the bathroom
"Emma" Regina quietly moaned
"Yeah?"
"I don't feel so good"
"I know, it'll be ok, does anyone know if she's going home tonight or if she's staying at the hotel?"
"Her mother has booked the whole hotel out, she'll be staying here" Cruella told her
"Well then can you find out what room she's staying in then?" Cruella rolled her eyes as she left
"Emma, I'm so sorry" Regina turned to face Emma
"I know, it's ok, we'll talk about it tomorrow"
"I just didn't want my mother to get in between us" Regina slurred at her, her head wobbling slightly
"That's not going to happen Regina, but it doesn't matter right now"
"Really?" Regina looked at Emma eyes a tear falling from her cheek
"Really"
"I'm cold" Regina mumbled, shivering against Emma
"I know baby" Emma shrugged her jacket off before placing it around Regina
"Here" Maleficent stood in the stall handing her the cold compress "is she ok?"
"She'll be fine, why did you let her carry on drinking so much?"
"Well in case you haven't noticed I'm not her keeper and also for the last part I was outside talking to you" Emma nodded and placed the compress on the back of Regina's neck
"Mmm, that's cold" Regina complained
"I know, but it'll make you feel better" Emma told her before Regina threw up yet again
"I've got her room key" They all turned to Cruella who was holding the room key.
"Ok, are you two ok with her just for a few minutes whilst I go and check on Ruby?" the two girls looked at her uncomfortably, "she wouldn't leave you, come on Maleficent, all you have to do is make sure she doesn't bang her head and keep the compress on the back of her neck" Reluctantly Maleficent agreed and the two swapped places and Emma left the bathroom to go and find Ruby.

Emma walked out into the main room to see that the guests were slowly leaving, Emma glanced towards the clock to see it was just after midnight. Scanning the room she quickly found Ruby who was swaying in time with the music with an amused Lacey, smiling slightly Emma walked up to them.
"Hey Rubes"
"Emma!" Ruby exclaimed throwing her arms around Emma "I missed you where have you been? Have you and Regina been getting all up close and personal in the cloakroom?" Ruby wiggled her eyebrows at her.
"Not quiet, Rubes I got to look after Regina right now, I don't know how long I'm going to be, so just wait for me ok? Then I'll make sure you get home alright"
"I'll be fine Emma, don't worry about me" Ruby told her turning away from her, almost losing her balance until Lacey grabbed hold of her
"Is Regina alright?" Lacey asked
"She'll be fine, she's just had one too many" Emma replied trying to smile
"Go look after her, I'll make sure Ruby gets a room"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, don't worry I got it" Lacey smiled at Emma who nodded thanking her before turning back and making her way back to the bathroom. When Emma entered the bathroom Cruella was too busy looking in the mirror chatting to Maleficent.
"I thought you were going to look after her?" Emma asked rushing over to Regina
"I did, but then she fell asleep"
"And you just let her?" Emma knelt down next to Regina, "Hey Regina" Emma gently shook Regina
"Calm down darling, at least if she's asleep she's not throwing up" Cruella pointed out
"Did you even check that she hadn't passed out?" Emma gently lifted Regina up so she was no longer lying on her back "or you know that she was still breathing?"
"Emma?" Regina slurred, her eyes flickering
"Hey, lets get you up to your room, are either of you going to help me?" Maleficent rushed over to Emma and helped her lift Regina into a standing position. Between the two of them they managed to get Regina out the bathroom, with Cruella trailing behind with the keys and a glass of water.
"What on earth have you done to my daughter?" anger bubbled inside of Emma , but instead she ignored Cora and concentrated on getting Regina towards the stairs. "I asked you a question dear"
"I am looking after your daughter. Something which no one else here seems to be capable of"
"Excuse me, just who do you think you are?" Cora's stared at Emma, she was clearly a woman who did not like to be crossed.
"Excuse me Miss Mills?" a bar tender interrupted
"What is it?" Cora snapped
"There is an altercation with someone in your party". Cora glared at Emma for a long moment before turning away and striding back into the main room.
Please, please don't let that be Ruby Emma thought as she walked towards the stairs with Regina
"Ok Regina, can you walk up the stairs for me?" Emma asked her, Regina wobbly placed one foot on the step and began to walk up the stairs, occasionally wobbling a little they slowly started making it up the stairs, luckily Maleficent and Emma both had a tight grip on her.
"Why oh why does this hotel not have a lift?" Emma complained
"It does" Cruella replied
"What?"
"It does, it's on the other side of the room we were in"
"Why did you not tell me this before?"
"Oh come on darling, this was much more entertaining" Cruella smirked at Emma, who went to reply
"Can we just concentrate on getting up the rest of these stairs please?" Maleficent interrupted
"Besides, lets not pretend you don't like having me this close" Regina added, turning towards Emma and nuzzling in her neck. Emma smiled to herself shaking her head, before starting to walk them up the next set of stairs, although they were more carrying Regina by now. They had just reached the top when Regina's coordination gave up on her and she fell towards the floor dragging Maleficent and Emma with her leaving the three of them in a heap on the floor
"Oh darlings why is there never a camera when you need one" Cruella laughed stepping over them to make her way towards the room. Emma was getting very fed up with Cruella as she slowly helped Regina back up on her feet. They eventually got Regina into the room where all her stuff was waiting for her, Emma led her into the bedroom and placed her gently on the bed where her pyjamas where waiting for her.
"Come on, I'll help you" Emma said picking up her pyjamas
"No, it's fine I'll do it. I got this!" Regina protested taking them off Emma
"I'm not sure you'll be able to do it on your own, promise I wont look" Emma joked
"'m fine"
"Come on Regina, you're just being silly now let me help" Emma went to help her take her jacket off when Regina moved back and tried to push her away. Emma stopped and stared at her for a moment totally thrown by what had just happened.
"Maleficent will help me" Regina told her not looking at her.
"Right ok then" Emma replied quietly, shocked by Regina's reaction, Emma exited the room.
"You too Cruella" Emma heard Maleficent tell her, Cruella exited the room after Emma and the two stood in awkward silence in the living room
"Would you like a drink darling? I'll open the mini bar" Cruella said walking over to the fridge
"Are you being serious?"
"What? Oh right AA and all that" Cruella nodded before closing the fridge again. They both stood in awkward silence, Cruella staring at the menu and Emma staring intently at the door. Why the hell had Regina reacted to badly? Maleficent opened the door a few minutes later.
"Are you ok to stay with her for a bit dear?" Maleficent asked Emma, Emma nodded in response "ok, I will go and cover for her with her mother"
"Well darlings as fun as this was I must go and join Ursula again" Cruella strutted out the room with her hand with the air
"I'll look after her, don't worry, I'll stay with her tonight" Emma walked past Maleficent into the room where Regina was lay curled up in a ball. Maleficent closed the door behind Emma and left the apartment. Emma stood at the bottom of the bed for a moment not sure how best to approach Regina, then she heard a small sniff from Regina. Emma moved around to sit in front of her on the bed, unsure on what to say Emma glanced down at Regina, she was in a silver silk pair of long sleeved pyjamas
"Why am I not surprised you're a silk pyjama person? You can't just wear a pair or shorts and a tank top can you?" Emma joked. Regina quietly snorted and a small smile escaped her lips.
"There's that smile I've become so fond of" Emma whispered. Regina sat up slightly, she looked pale and tired
"You feeling any better?" Regina just shrugged and sat up a little more her head rolling slightly
"I'm sorry" Regina told her looking down at the bed
"You've already said you're sorry Regina, you don't need to keep apologising. I'll get you a glass of water" Emma stood up from the bed and went to the fridge to get some water, by the time Emma was walking back in the room with a glass and the bottle Regina was no where to be seen.
"Regina?" Emma then heard the sound of Regina throwing up again coming from the bathroom. "Are you ok?" a few seconds later Emma heard the toilet flush and Regina walked out the bathroom, she was still staggering but she was definitely more stable on her feet now.
"I feel horrible" Regina complained flopping back down onto the bed
"I can't say I'm surprised after the amount you drank"
"You didn't help you know" Regina replied her voice muffled by the bed sheets
"I didn't make you take all of those shots, especially not the ones that were for Lacey"
"No you're right it was your best friend" Regina complained crawling further on the bed
"Oh so your current tender state is my fault then?"
"Yes, completely" Regina and Emma smiled at each other for a moment before Regina's eyes filled with sadness again, "Emma, I'm really sorry. I should've told my mother about you" tears were now falling from her eyes, of course Regina would be an emotional drunk.
"I thought we were going to talk about this tomorrow?" Emma moved the bin over to Regina's side of the bed then moved further on the bed next to Regina
"I know, but I just want you to know I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to make you feel so bad and stuff"
"And stuff?" Emma smirked slightly
"Don't laugh at me!"
"I'm not laughing it's just difficult to take you seriously when you're slurring every other word"
"Fine, leave then. I'll be alright" right on cue Regina leaned over the bed to throw up in the bin, Emma turned the light off and flicked the bedside lamp on.
"I'm not leaving you" Emma told her, she kicked off her heels
"Promise?" Regina sniffed her big brown eyes still teary.
"I promise"
"There may be a spare pair of pyjamas in the bag" Regina told her before throwing up again. Emma looked through Regina's bag and sure enough there was a pair of black silk pyjamas, Emma quickly got changed in the bathroom and came back into the bedroom to see Regina lying on her back groaning.
"You need to lie on your side" Emma told her folding her own dress up and placing it on a chair, Regina turned on her side. Emma climbed into bed next to her, Regina was shivering slightly so Emma moved closer to her. In the next hour that followed Regina threw up a few more times with Emma getting her to take small sips of water, before she nestled herself against Emma and slowly drifted off to sleep. Emma placed her arms around Regina holding her on her own body. Emma didn't sleep properly during the night, she was far too worried about Regina, who once she'd fell asleep didn't stir again all night. But Emma kept her body tight to her own, partly to keep her on her side and partly to feel her close to her, because in all of the craziness of the night and even after their argument Regina was the only thing that made even a small amount of sense to Emma.