Maine was such a strange area, so foreign. Lily kicked a rock as she walked along the beach, unsure what to do. She was angry, hurt. An emotional wreck once again, and all thanks to Emma. She hadn't even been pushing her away, but it felt like another wall had been erected between them. Hopefully it would be indestructible. Lily was tired of hurting because of Emma, and usually whenever she was hurting the cause was Emma.

Of course, that's what her brain wanted her to think. Maybe if she warped her thoughts of Emma to only see the bad it would make leaving easier. Either way, she couldn't last a week here. If she didn't have a meeting with her mother later in the evening, she would've left Storybrooke. Blowing off her mom didn't seem too bad, because although they were talking, the "connection" had began feeling superficial. It wasn't anything like what she felt with Emma.

This time her mother was picking her up, so she headed towards where she thought the Diner would be (still not too sure of the city's layout).

Work. Fucking work. Something always had to come up between her and Lily. Usually it was each other, but this time it was her dad, unknowingly.

They had a lead, and a strong one, in all of this robberies. The evidence that incriminated the culprit was solid. Since going into work, they had been casing Will Scarlet. He was shady, and often drunk. After a sighting of him downtown, they'd chased him into the town library and made the arrest. His shitty alibi didn't hold up, and they spent the next few hours booking him. All of which, Emma's mind was elsewhere. David absentmindedly suggested they go to Grannies for grilled cheese, being as hungry as she was, Emma agreed.

Maleficent was there with Lily, sitting at the table. Emma noticed Lily didn't seem interested at all. She was staring out the window, constantly asking "what?" because she wasn't listening. Not once did they make eye contact though, almost as if Lily was trying to avoid her. Emma had been doing the same thing, sort of. Her focus had been entirely on Lily, and she zoned out her father. Thankfully, Snow had called him, and he left.

Emma sat, watching them like she had all night. When they stood and started walking to the door, Emma stood and intervened.

"Hey."

"What's wrong, Emma?" As if she didn't know, she'd been avoiding her all day after earlier.

"I, uhh, earlier.. Is everything alright?"

"Why wouldn't it be?" Maleficent spoke, unaware that they'd been seeing each other.

"Mm.. Just go ahead without me for a minute."

"If you insist, dear."

All three had stepped outside, but Lily and Emma stayed a distance behind. The resent coated Lily's attitude.

"Like my mother said, why wouldn't it be?"

"You left like lightening. I just wanted to be sure because I care about you."

"We're good." She gave Emma a smile. It was a lie though, to keep herself from hurting anymore so than needed. Emma caught on though, because much like a sixth sense, she could easily spot a lie.

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Goodnight, Emma." Reaching up, she held Emma's cheeks and kissed her. Trying anything to convince Emma and herself that it was okay.

"Goodnight.." And like that, she watched Lily walk towards the backlot, to her mothers car.

"We need to talk." Emma yelled from the other side of the door. Staring up, Lily was startled.

Lily opened the door, pissed as ever, but it was just another front of hers to hide from what was troubling her. That's all Lily ever did, run and hide. Being in the darkness meant she couldn't get hurt any worse than she already was, and being around her light hurt more than ever.

"Emma. What are you doing here?"

"Please? Just talk with me."

"I'm too tired."

"Please."

Hand gripping the edge of the door, Lily couldn't close it. She couldn't shut Emma out, she was done pushing her away. The blonde grabbed her cheeks and began kissing her. Sinking into the kiss, Lily's hands found their way around her neck, giving in.

Being angry and hurt didn't stop them from being intimate. Without trying to close the door, Emma pushed her to the bed. Lily needed her. Emma needed her.

Being straddled, Lily sought out another kiss, her tongue desperate for Emma. Hands pushed away the jacket, and Emma sat up, lifting her shirt from the hem over her head.

Emma was aggressive, with the notion that if she stopped Lily would leave.

Moaning contently, she dug her head into the pillow. At least this was right. Emma had ripped their clothing off, only slowing when she knew Lily was enjoying the moment. This time no one would interrupt them.

"What did you want to talk about?" Lily sat with her back to against the headboard, knees near her chest, covered by the blankets. Confused, exhausted. She ran her hand through her hair, pushing it over her shoulder. Emma looked pale, like she'd seen a ghost, or that whatever she was about to say would kill her. Either option scared Lily.

"I-I... I have a son."

"Seriously?"

"Yes. His name is Henry." Emma looked petrified, and began biting her nails.

"How old is he?"

"Fourteen."

"Wow.. Congrats?" Somehow Lily knew as soon as she said that, she had chosen the wrong words and she sprung up to comfort her. "What's so wrong babe? I'm glad you have someone in your life like that.." Lily's arms guarded her, keeping her protected. She was crying, but out of shame.

"You remember the day when you found me at the bus stop, and how I left?"

"Yeah.."

"I had left to the only other person I knew in town, someone I had met at school. Neal. He-he.."

"Did you guys..?"

"Yeah." Lily pressed Emma's head against her shoulder, fingers woven through the blonde hair. "I was hurt from you, my adoptive family.. I wanted to feel safe. So I went to him. And.."

"It's okay."

"It was just the one time."

"That's when you got pregnant?"

Emma couldn't bring herself to say it, opting to nod her head. Lily kissed her forehead. Knowing that Henry existed only because she had broken her heart was heartbreaking, because she was probably taken advantage of.

True. Emma didn't go to Neal for sex, just comfort. One thing lead to another, and although it wasn't her idea, they slept together. She wasn't even straight, but it happened because she felt broken. Neal had a way with words, getting her to do what they had done was easy in her condition. Emma felt so ashamed to have kept that from Lily.

"No matter what, there won't be anything we can't come back from. It doesn't matter how or why, what matters is him. Henry. Your little boy." Puffy, red eyes looked up at her. "Can I meet him?"

"Are you are that's a good idea?"

"Who knows. I've never been full of good ideas.

"Yeah." Emma laughed quietly. "I don't have custody of him.."

"Oh. Neal..?"

"No. I was in prison when I gave birth.. I'm not a parent, and I knew he would be worse with me."

"He was fostered, like us?"

"Closed adoption."

"Your decision was for the best, Emma." She held her closer, knowing that it must have hurt to say this.

"It was. He found me though, a few years ago. That's why I ended up moving here."

"Does the other family know?"

"Mhm. You met his mother, Regina."

"No way?"

"She hated it at first, but we've come to terms."

"I'm glad for you, Emma." She leaned in and kissed Emma. Her lips, her cheeks, just to display the affection Emma needed.

"You are?"

"Yes. God we're so hormonal." Lily joked because they had been crying quite a lot.

"I don't think it's hormones."

"No. I know I'm finally opening myself, whether or not it's a good idea I am."

Lily dominantly wrapped an arm around Emma's waist, lips pressing to her neck.

"I want you to stay."

Lily raised her eyebrows. "What? How did you know I wanted to leave?"

"It just feels right. This feels right."

"You know I'm confused over everything."

"Stay, think things through here, with me."

"I can't do that. I want to, but I can't freaking bring myself to that. I don't think I'll last the rest of the week here."

"Then I'll go with you."

"You can't leave your son, Emma."

"And I can't leave you. Now that you're back, it's like.. I feel.. Something.."

"We're not dating, all that there is between us is this.."

"Bull shit..."

Lily sighed, grabbing her forehead. Head swarmed with a headache. Hearing "I want you to stay" made her heart start pounding. For the first time in her life someone wanted her, and not for money. She couldn't deny her love for Emma, but she felt like running.

"I love you."

"I love you." Emma replied, cupping her cheek.

"I never thought I'd get to tell you that."

"I couldn't wait."

"Oh really?" Leaning in closer, Lily aimed for her ear and whispered. "I think you're only trying to outdo me."

"Mm. Go for it."

Lily smiled half heartedly, taking Emma's hands and wrapping them around herself.

"I thought you didn't want me around tonight?"

"Changed my mind."

"Have I changed your mind on leaving, or is it still set?"

"We'll see, alright?"

"Mmk." Emma kissed her forehead, resting into the bed.

Their bodies lay intertwined, fingers and hands moving softly. Neither had fallen asleep yet, but hadn't moved recently or said a word to another. Lily was smiling, the intoxicating touch of Emma nearly burned her skin with excitement.

Emma on the other hand.. Her heart wouldn't stop thinking. She finally had the courage to tell Lily she loved her. Actions hadn't been enough; promises broken, but this- this was real. An undeniable love between them.

Too tired to move another muscle, Lily turned over her shoulder to kiss at Emma before fading to sleep.

Laying awake in the morning, one is more likely to have revelations. Wide awake, she knew why she couldn't sleep, and why tonight would possible be the longest night of her life. Potentially tomorrow, Lily was going to walk out of her life. Had time been too long between them for this to have ever worked out? Was Lily just getting off on her? She had been screwed over by Lily countless times, once more could easily happen. When light slowly began flooding the room, she realized her exhaustion. Time slipped away far too quickly.

Being softly awoken to the movement of someone else's hand wasn't too bad. Turning over, Lily faced Emma.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Did you sleep? I've never seen you awake before me."

"I'm not really sure."

Lily moved closer and kissed her forehead.

"Close your eyes."

"Closed. Why am I doing this?"

"Shh, shh." She kissed down her face before pulling the blankets higher. "Why didn't you sleep?"

"I thought you would leave."

"I need time to process everything. But you need to sleep. I promise I'll be here when you wake, okay?"

"Okay."