"That's not possible."
"It is," Emma retorted. "Why can't you see it? I thought it was so obvious."
"Well it's not. Not to me."
"It should be."
"But it's not."
"Stop. Regina, think about it. When I pulled you out of that burning building? When I invited you to dinner? When I trusted you to use magic in Neverland? All the times I stood up for you? Does that mean nothing?"
"No. I mean... I suppose..."
"Regina."
Emma's face grew serious as she took a step forward.
"Let me see my son," Emma said.
"I can't do that. I can't let you take him from me."
"What if I didn't take him?"
Regina looked confused, and she noticed the seriousness in Emma's face.
"What are you talking about?"
"What if I stayed here with you? With you and Henry?"
The queen stared. "But, I... I'm..."
"You're what, Regina? Scared? Lonely?"
"Of course not," Regina spat.
"You are. You're afraid, and you're lonely. But you don't have to be. I don't have to take him from you. And I could keep you company here. I know you have no one else, and I know that Henry is probably very angry at you for taking him away from me. But it doesn't have to be that way."
"You won't take him?"
"No," Emma promised. "I won't take him from you, if you let me stay."
"Would you swear to that?"
"I swear."
"I don't believe you," Regina told her. "I can't believe you."
"Trust me," Emma said. "Let me prove it to you."
"I can't."
"You have to."
"I don't."
"Please, Regina!"
The queen hung her head and stared at the floor in the space between them. Emma was watching her every move, watching her reaction, watching the pain in her face. Confronted with the choice to act, Regina could not speak.
"He's upstairs."
Regina turned and walked down the hallway. Emma followed. They ascended the stairs together, Emma close behind. When they reached Henry's door, Emma called out to him, and he threw the door open and wrapped his arms around her.
"Emma!"
They embraced, and both began to cry.
That night, after Henry went to bed, the two women stayed up talking.
"You should have seen him," Regina said, recalling an event from Henry's past. "His face lit up, and the poor boy practically cried when he opened it."
"I didn't know Henry liked trains."
"He used to," the queen said. "He grew out of them, though. But back then, he was very fond of them. He said it was the best Christmas present he'd ever gotten. 'Is this really for me?' he said. It was so sweet to see him that happy."
Emma laughed and shook her head with a smile.
"He's always been a very gracious boy. He said thank you over and over again the entire week."
A smile spread across Emma's lips, and Regina couldn't help but be captivated by it. It seemed to brighten the room. Just as Regina opened her mouth to tell another story about young Henry, they heard a crashing noise outside. Three guards rushed into the hall, struggling for breath.
"Your majesty," they panted. "The castle. It's under attack!"
"Charming," they said in unison. Emma rushed to the queen's throne - her sword was beside it - and grabbed her weapon, looking to Regina.
"I'm not going to let them hurt you," she promised, standing beside the brunette and gripping the sword until her knuckles turned white. "He'll try to take the front gate but send his men to the back to enter from behind. Spread your guards around the castle. Make sure they hold the rear entrance."
Regina looked dumbfounded. Emma was willing to fight her own family to protect her?
"Don't let them get hurt, either, Regina," Emma warned. "Just fight them off."
Reluctantly, Regina nodded. In exchange for Emma's protection, it was the least she could do. Her parents failed to take the front door, but as expected, they focused their efforts at the rear. Because Regina was prepared, they were unable to take that entrance either. Emma waited behind the door, preparing for it to be broken down. She stood in front of Regina, who was too shocked to move or say anything. She simply watched Emma's curls bounce lightly around her shoulders as she shifted her weight from one leg to the other. Emma waited, but the doors didn't break. Eventually, the Charmings' forces fell back and they retreated as the guards outside fought them off.
"Oh, my God," Regina breathed. "It worked."
"I know," Emma said, smiling. "I told you."
"I didn't believe you," the queen admitted. "I thought they'd break it."
"And did you believe I would protect you?"
"No."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Emma said. "I would have."
"I know that now," Regina told her. "Thank you."
"Thank me again."
"Thank you?" Regina said as a question, feeling puzzled.
"No. Regina... Thank me..."
The queen blushed and nervously took a step forward. After some hesitation, she leaned in and pressed her lips to the woman's cheek. Emma blushed too at the warmth of the brunette's breath.
"I saved your life," Emma said seriously. "Don't I deserve more thanks than that?"
"Yes," Regina breathed, gently touching their lips together, making Emma smile against the kiss.
That's all, folks. (Unless someone gives me a brilliant idea I can't resist.)
