A/N: Okay, I think I have to start adding all kinds of warnings for future chapters, such as possible dubcon and mentions of rape. It's going to take a pretty dark road in the future, but there will be a happy ending I suppose ;)

xxxx

Regina was breathing heavily in her sleep. She was grabbing her sheets, hard. The images in her head were out of control.

She found herself back in the Enchanted Forest, wearing a black dress. There was fire everywhere and Regina knew she was about to enact the dark curse again. The flames were dancing in front of her face and her entire body was hot. She knew that the final thing she needed was the heart of the person she loved most. It scared her to no end.

Her vision was blurred by the thick black smoke surrounding her, almost suffocating her. She knew she was running out of time but it was hard to see, hard to move, hard to breathe.

Then she heard her voice. Heard her before she saw her.

Emma.

Chained to a tree.

Her face was hidden behind the hood of her dark brown coat but her blonde locks were clearly visible underneath. She didn't fight against the chains. She didn't move at all.

Regina came closer, in slow-motion, until she was standing right in front of her. Her skin felt as it if were burning and she couldn't understand Emma. Could only hear something that sounded like a soft plea, repeated over and over again like a mantra.

They were all alone and Regina didn't know what to do. All that she knew was that she needed it. Needed her heart. Needed her heart and throw it into these flames to make it all stop. To end this nightmare.

She took another step closer, slowly touching the brown hood before pulling it off the other woman's head.

Regina's heart stopped when she saw Emma's almost snake-like skin and the bloodshed eyes that were burning holes into her own.

„Kill me, Regina. Please. Please, kill me!"

Regina sat up straight in her bed, her forehead covered in sweat.

She turned on the lamp on her nightstand, trying to focus on her breathing. She had suffered from nightmares her entire life, but nothing had ever felt quite like this. So real and intense. So confusing and frightening.

Regina nearly jumped when she felt a hand touch her shoulder.

„Nightmares? Again?", Robin asked sleepily, his fingers brushing along her back. Regina instantly felt the urge to push his hand away but chose to take another deep breath instead.

„Yes", she replied huskily, looking at the alarm clock and realizing it was only 3 a.m.

„I'm gonna go get some water."

As soon as she arrived in the kitchen, she quickly poured herself some water from the tap and drowned the cold liquid with three big gulps. Why did she have to feel so dizzy?

Steadying herself against the counter, she wondered how long she was going to be able to pretend she had a plan. How long she was going to tell herself that she'd find a solution to their problem. How many books about dark magic she'd have to go through before the library finally had nothing left to offer. How many times she'd have to look Snow and Henry in the eyes, telling them she had everything under control, when, in fact, she was feeling completely lost.

It had been 5 days since her last encounter with the dark one – and Emma hadn't left her mind since. Five long days in which she had desperately wished for Emma to visit her again but had felt too nervous and helpless to summon her herself.

Emma was mad at her and she had every right to be. But she also needed someone she trusted in her life, someone she could turn to and talk to, before it was too late.

Regina felt like a complete failure.

„What is it, darling? Are you not feeling well?"

Regina nearly jumped when Robin's voice interrupted the quiet.

"I…", she started slowly, not sure she should be having this conversation in the middle of the night after such an intense dream.

"You…?", Robin tried to encourage her, coming closer.

"I'm sorry, Robin. But… I don't think I can do this. Us. I'm not ready."

Robin went completely still. He stared at Regina as if she had spoken another language, frowning as he crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"Regina, where is this coming from? You've been so distant towards me this whole week… ever since Emma – "

"Don't say it", Regina hissed, her eyes darkening. "I just don't think I can enjoy our time together when all I can think of is the fact that it should have been me, okay? It should have been my name on that dagger. Emma is suffering because of me, and I'm not going to go back to being happy until I've found a way to help her."

Robin nodded slowly.

"We have all the time in the world, Regina. We don't have to rush things. I know it's been a lot to handle lately. Marian being Zelena, the baby, …"

Regina tried to hold back an unfavourable laugh, but it slipped out anyway.

"Right. That. You know, Robin, I never thought I'd say this, but you having a child with my evil sister is the least of my problems right now, and that's saying something."

The man looked hurt, his hand awkwardly scratching the back of his neck.

"Do you want me to leave?"

Regina bit her lower lip as she looked down to her feet.

"As a matter of fact, I do", she finally said, meeting his eyes again. "It doesn't feel right. And that's not your fault, but, … yeah. I can't handle this right now. I appreciate you trying to help, but I need to do this on my own. I can't pretend to be happy while she's out there somewhere, going through hell."

Regina couldn't help but feel relieved as soon as the words had come out of her mouth. Being near Robin had barely felt like a happy ending anymore. She had felt trapped. Trapped in a lie. He had chosen his wife over her and, perhaps, Regina would have been able to look past that at some point – but pretending they were fine just wasn't an option anymore. They could have worked on their relationship if the circumstances had been different, but right now they simply weren't.

Robin had started getting dressed and finally took his jacket from the coat rack, a tortured smile on his lips.

"Take your time, Regina. I'll wait for you. And if you need me, please, give me a call."

A minute later he was gone and Regina let her head rest against the fridge for a moment, trying to process what she had just done. And why she had done it.

Sure, there was guilt. But there was more.

The fact that he had kissed her earlier that night and all Regina had been able to think of were Emma's lips on her own, for instance.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Regina had tried to go back to sleep but her mind wouldn't let her. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw Emma's face in front of her. Saw the desperation in her nearly black eyes. Heard her pleading voice. It was driving her insane.

She had brought the dagger to a safe place a few days ago. Had secured it with a spell so that no one would be able to touch it but herself. Of course she could go and get it. Could summon Emma. Could tell her she was sorry and that she didn't want to upset her. But she didn't want to use it anymore. She didn't want to do anything against Emma's will. If Emma wanted to see her, she knew where to find her. And if Regina were to visit her, Emma should be able to decide if she wanted her around or not. She wasn't going to force her.

She stared at the red numbers of her radio alarm clock but time seemed to stand still.

Before Regina knew it, her body had made a decision for her and she was getting dressed. Yes, it might have been the middle of the night, but somehow Regina didn't expect Emma to be sleeping. Somehow she figured that it might be the blonde's new favorite time of the day.

She jumped into her car, not really sure how to reach Emma's mansion as she had been teleported there the last time, but she figured that a huge illuminated house in the middle of the woods couldn't be too hard to find.

She wasn't wrong.

Seeing the building appear in between the trees made her heart flutter. Regina wasn't sure what she was about to tell her, she mainly figured she had to check on her. To make sure she was okay. To make sure she hadn't killed anyone yet…

At first she tried knocking. Softly at first, then a little more firmly. Of course there was no answer.

Regina bit her lower lip, trying to deliberate her next move, when she realized there was music playing inside. She couldn't hear much, but in the absolute quiet of the night, a hollow bass was faintly audible. Emma had to be home.

With a little magic wave of her hand the door clicked and Regina slowly stepped inside. Her heart was pounding in her chest, not sure what to expect as she kept moving across the entirely dark hallway. She turned on a small lamp in order not to trip over anything and held her breath when she realized that Emma had clearly done some redecorating.

One wall of the big entrance hall was covered in pictures. Pictures of people she had never seen before, all stuck to a huge map of the United States. Regina swallowed. She could only guess that she was looking at people who had had an impact on Emma's past and, if Regina tried to put herself in the dark one's shoes, she was pretty sure that those were not exactly her best childhood friends.

Regina took a deep breath, realizing that whatever Emma was planning, she most likely needed to be stopped. She was absolutely sure, still, that she'd find a way to free Emma from the darkness and she knew all too well what it felt like to have to look back at the terrible deeds you had done when your mind was possessed by the need for revenge.

The music was much louder now and, to Regina's surprise, she found that she liked it. She had somehow expected Emma to listen to some cheap rock music with distorted guitars – instead it sounded like something you might hear in a rather classy night club. Deep bass, soft vocals. Tasteful.

The sounds came from the living room and Regina knew that there was no turning back now. She had to let Emma know that she was here.

Carefully pushing the living room door open, Regina quickly felt a huge lump in her throat. Before she knew it, the image in front of her had burned itself into her brain and she knew it would take a really long time to get rid of it.

Emma was sitting in an armchair, wearing a tight black dress. Her hair was long and curly, her make-up much heavier than she had ever seen it on the other woman's face. Her lips were red.

What stunned Regina most, however, wasn't Emma's extremely unusual (and extremely attractive) look, it was rather the person straddling her lap, gently sucking on Emma's earlobe. She'd recognize these red highlights anywhere, still she had never expected to see them tickling Emma Swan's face while their owner was grinding against her thigh.

Regina knew she could just leave, she knew she could turn around and walk out of the building and no one would even realize she had been here – yet her body had a mind of its own again, forcing her to interrupt the scene before it could go any further.

"Emma", was all Regina was able to say, still staring at the two women in front of her.

Ruby interrupted her assault on Emma's neck, looking at Regina, confused. Emma, however, didn't look the slightest bit surprised as the corners of her mouth were forming a knowing smile.

"What is she doing here?", Ruby asked, but Emma just pushed the woman off her lap, straightening her dress and pulling one of its black straps back over her bare shoulder.

"Miss Mills. What an honour."

Regina's eyes narrowed and within seconds she understood what was going on.

Emma had made Ruby her pet.

Shit. This was getting out of hand much faster than expected.

"What do you think you're doing, Emma?", Regina whispered, slowly shaking her head at the sight of Little Red Riding Hood standing next to the other woman with a frozen smile on her lips, Emma's lipstick smeared all over her face, her blouse unbuttoned. She looked like a whore.

"What does it look like?", Emma replied with raised eyebrows. "Care to join?"

"Most certainly not, Miss Swan", Regina hissed, looking around the room to see if she could make out where Emma might have hidden Ruby's heart.

"It's here", Emma interrupted her train of thought, completely unimpressed. "Ruby, you may go home now."

Emma spoke into the red and glowing heart in the palm of her hand, just like Regina had done it so many times before in the past. Still, the thought of Emma forcefully pushing her hand into another person's chest and ripping their heart out… it was almost too absurd to be true.

Ruby nodded, still smiling, as she stumbled out of the room, not even bothering to button up her shirt.

"You're a bit of a cock block, Madame Mayor, you know that?"

Regina closed her eyes for a second at the ridiculous choice of words, yet she decided to stay calm.

"Emma… what are you doing with Ruby's heart? I thought she was your friend. Now what, you're using her for sex?"

Emma rolled her eyes, pouring herself a drink.

"She'll get her pure little heart back, sooner or later. But I have needs, Regina. And I intend on fulfilling them."

Regina shook her head.

"Emma, you can't – "

"I can't what, Regina?", Emma interrupter her. "I can't do this? Because it's wrong? What are you gonna do about it? Use the dagger and tell me I'm not allowed to touch her anymore? That would be quite a great idea now, wouldn't it?", she spat out before drowning the clear liquid in her glass with one big gulp.

"All I'm saying is…", Regina tried again, "… that you can't just turn your former friends into your sex slaves, Emma. I'm sure there are people out there who'd be happy to do… stuff… with you - without you having to rip their hearts out."

Emma had to laugh, letting herself sink down into the armchair again. "That's so rich coming from you, Mayor Mills. Tell me one thing, do you remember Sheriff Graham?"

Regina felt her chest tighten. Of course Emma knew. Killing Graham had been one of her weakest moments – an act she was more than willing to forget.

"Your face tells me you do remember him", Emma said almost cheerfully, her long legs hanging down from one of the armrests. "So, Regina, what is it that you two did together? Before you crushed his heart I mean?"

"We –", Regina started, but was interrupted again.

"Fucked?" Emma asked, still smiling.

Regina sighed.

"Emma, I have learned from my mistakes. I don't want you to repeat them. It's going to make you miserable."

"Is it?", Emma questioned incredulously. "I was actually having a really good time until you showed up."

"Charming. Then who are these people on your wall?", Regina asked bluntly, a challenging look on her face.

Emma's eyes darkened immediately, yet she tried to keep her features under control.

"Old friends", she pressed out, her voice cold. "No one you need to worry about."

Regina sat down across from Emma, her gaze still not leaving hers.

"I do worry though", Regina explained carefully. "No one has seen you in days. I came here to check if you were okay and what I find is a map for your what, killing spree?"

A shadow of guilt seemed to flash over Emma's face and Regina wasn't sure what to make of it. She could see Emma's chest heaving, could see her bite the inside of her cheek as if she were trying to keep calm.

"Emma…", Regina said softly. "You can talk to me."

The music was still echoing through the room and Regina couldn't help but feel mesmerized by Emma's look. Terrifying and fragile at the same time. What a strange mix.

"Who are they? Foster families? Ex-lovers?"

"Stop." Emma pressed out, one eye twitching nervously. "I'm not going to hurt them, if that's what you're concerned about."

She was massaging her temples now, as if she were suffering from a really bad headache. Regina felt the sudden need to hug the other woman.

"I am fighting it, Regina", Emma suddenly admitted. "I am fighting it, but it feels like I'm an ant running away from the kid with the magnifier. I know it's gonna get me, it's just playing with me. So running is not only tiring, it's senseless."

Regina nodded, understanding all too well what Emma must be feeling. She could only imagine what might be going on inside of the other woman's head. There were two hearts beating in her chest. The heart of the Saviour and the heart of the darkest creature of all realms. It was only natural to want to give up and let the more powerful part win at some point.

"I have all of these… urges… that I can't control. It's like I constantly hear all of these voices in my head, I see all of these terrifying images in front of my inner eye… I need a filter, do you understand that? I need to feel something that is strong enough to cut out these thoughts and sounds. My instincts tell me that hurting others might help. It might make me feel better. Sex seems to help, too. It makes me forget for a little while…" She paused.

"I have no idea if it makes any sense to you, but I'm losing it, Regina."

The desperation in Emma's voice hit Regina hard. Even if the beautiful woman in front of her had barely anything in common with the creature from her dream, she seemed to suffer just as much. And it was Regina's fault.

Regina cleared her throat as she got up from the chair and walked over to the bar, preparing two drinks. One for Emma and one for herself.

"I hope you don't mind", she said as she handed Emma a whiskey, giving her a warm smile.

Emma shook her head as she accepted the glass. Her fingertips were instinctively trying to brush along Regina's when her hand snapped back as if she had no control over it, spilling some of the drink over her dress.

"For fuck's sake", Emma muttered, cleaning herself up.

"Are you okay?", Regina asked worried, eyeing the other woman closely.

"Yeah. Not allowed to touch you, remember?"

"Oh", was all Regina managed to whisper, feeling guilty.

She cleared her throat, trying to change the topic and somehow lighten the mood. She took a sip from her drink, enjoying the way the strong alcohol immediately warmed her body.

"So…", she started. "I never knew you were into women…"

She didn't dare look Emma in the eyes, yet a small smile was tugging on her lips for actually having pronounced that sentence.

"You didn't?", Emma replied, amused. "That's strange, 'cause I always knew you were."

Regina felt a blush creep up her face as she met Emma's eyes again.

"And what made you think that?", she asked, not sure she even wanted to hear the answer.

"The yearning looks?", Emma told her with a chuckle.

"I don't yearn!", Regina protested, still she couldn't hold back a small laugh.

"So you're saying it's not true?" Emma challenged her. "You're straight?"

Regina took a deep breath, deciding another drink was in order.

"You want another round?", she asked Emma, absolutely aware that her attempt to change the subject was more than ridiculous.

"Absolutely."

Regina handed her another drink, careful not to touch her this time, before sitting down again.

"So what have you been up to these past days? Despite making photo collages?"

Emma looked straight into Regina's eyes before she spoke.

"I've been… practicing."

Regina frowned.

"Practicing magic?"

Emma smiled.

"Indeed. And let me tell you, it's quite impressive. The things I can do with only my mind… I've never felt so much power inside of me. It's like all my senses are heightened. Creating this home was just the beginning, Regina. It goes much further than that."

Regina swallowed. She couldn't deny that the thought was intriguing. She knew that she herself could accomplish a lot with her magic, but being the dark one came with so much more power. Much more power than she had ever been able use.

"Do you… erm", she stuttered. "Do you want to show me?"

She could see Emma's eyes sparkle at the idea, could see her smug grin.

It looked good on her.

"Are you sure?", Emma asked, though she didn't sound insecure. It seemed she rather needed a final confirmation to justify whatever it was she was about to do.

Regina slowly nodded. "I'm sure."

Emma's grin grew wider.

"I want you to relax", she told her, her voice lower than before. "Make yourself comfortable."

Before Regina had a chance to reply, she was suddenly hit by a feeling she had never experienced before and it made her gasp in shock.

All of a sudden she felt even more aware of the other woman's presence, felt her eyes lingering on her body and… she felt her own nipples harden underneath her shirt.

"Wha -… what was that?", she asked carefully, tightening the grip around her glass.

Emma bit her lower lip.

"I don't know, Regina, what do you think it was?"

Regina shook her head in confusion. "I have no idea, it felt as if… as if I – ooh."

Another boost of pleasure ran through Regina's body, this time causing her to drop her glass.

Something seemed to be vibrating between her legs. Softly but effectively. It wasn't like being touched, it came more from the inside. It felt warm. Exciting. Unlike anything she had ever experienced.

Regina tried to hold Emma's gaze, hating how aroused she had gotten in what must have been maybe two minutes.

"Does it feel good?" Emma whispered, slowly sending wave after wave of the tiniest vibrations right through Regina's body.

Regina's eyes were closed as she grabbed her chair harder, not able to hold back a soft moan.

"Yeah…", she breathed out, not able to function anymore. Within seconds Emma had brought her body to a state it hadn't been in in a very long time, her brain seemed to shut down completely. She was going to come in front of Emma, fully dressed, without having been touched once – and she didn't even care.

"Do you want me to stop?", Emma asked barely audible as Regina's breathing grew faster.

"I…", Regina stammered. "No."

"That's what I thought", Emma replied, smiling, before suddenly getting up to clean up the mess Regina had made when dropping her drink.

Regina's eyes snapped open, the previous sensation gone as fast as it had come, leaving her breathless.

"What the…" she stuttered, trying to grasp what in the world had just happened. Emma had aroused her with only her mind and fucking stopped right in the middle of it?

"I'm sorry, Regina, but did you really think I'd let you come?", she asked her, almost sounding offended. "Believe me, I know more effective ways."

Regina shook her head, still not believing what she had gotten herself into – again!

"You're unbelievable, Emma Swan. Fucking unbelievable."

Emma grinned.

"You look like you want to go home, Regina, am I right?"

Emma was right, so Regina grabbed her coat, heading straight towards the door, not saying a word. This was too much. Too fucking confusing.

"Regina?", Emma called after her so the other woman would turn around once more.

"I'm glad you ended things with Robin Hood."

Regina stared at her, startled.

"… How do you know?"

Emma just laughed.

"Oh Regina,… the dark one knows everything."