"It's more than just a shirt," Regina hissed bitterly. The room faded from sight and Regina was back in the Enchanted Forest.
With her heart pounding against her chest, the young brunette ran into the stables. She fell into the embrace of her lover.
"I love you," she whispered in his ear.
"I love you too," Daniel replied with a grin, wrapping his arms around her.
"Marry me," Regina proposed, looking up into his eyes.
"Regina, what's wrong?"
"Mother wants me to marry the King," Regina sobbed against his white cotton shirt. Taking in a deep breath of his scent helped calm Regina.
"Yes," Daniel answered quietly. The young couple embraced tightly then the stable door burst open.
"Regina!" a voice called, snapping her back to reality with a weight against her leg. Her bedroom came into focus again and she noted the Sheriff staring at her worriedly.
"I'm fine," Regina squeaked, pushing Emma away.
"No you are not!" Emma growled, standing so she can sit next to Regina. The brunette held her breath as a cold hand lay gently on her bare thigh. "Please talk to me," Emma pleaded softly.
"I can't," Regina sobbed. Emma sighed deeply as she rose to her feet.
"I hope you feel like talking to me tomorrow," Emma paused as she bent down to kiss Regina softly on her cheek. "Goodnight," she muttered before disappearing from the room.
Regina looked over her shoulder just in time to see Emma pause at the doorframe before continuing down the hall. The Mayor flopped against her bed and covered her face with her hands. Too many thoughts and feelings running through Regina's mind to not make sense. The past should stay in the past but old feelings of happiness and love came flooding back. 'I can't abandon my true love for Daniel' Regina sighed. 'Then there is a gorgeous tall blonde you also love,' a quiet voice also added. The brunette slammed her fists down on her bed in frustration. 'Why is love so confusing!' she growled. Regina didn't want to forget Daniel and how he made her feel safe and loved, but at the same time Regina wanted to explore where her feelings for Emma might led. 'A problem for tomorrow,' Regina yawned and crawled under the sheets.
/-x-x-x-/
Regina woke early the next morning. During the night, she swore she felt someone cuddle her from behind. Regina dismissed the idea as she had been thinking a lot about Daniel and thought her mind had been playing tricks on her. It was not until arms tightened their grasps around her, that her body stiffened in bed. Regina managed to turn her head slightly to see a mess of blonde hair.
"Miss Swan!" she growled. With no response, "Emma," Regina barked with a light kick at her legs. Emma snuggled closer as she groaned good-morning. Suddenly realising where she was, Emma jumped out of bed.
"I… I never left my bed," Emma stammered, looking confused.
"Of course you didn't, Miss Swan," Regina retorted, pulling the covers close around her chest. Her heartbeat increased as she stared at Emma wearing nothing but black lingerie. Without saying a word, Emma raced around the bed and headed for the door. She stopped in her tracks, staring out the window. "Let me guess, it stopped raining,' Regina joked.
"Yes," Emma muttered quietly.
"What?" Regina said perplexed as Emma walked out onto the balcony. "Emma?" Regina called, clambering out of her bed.
"It's beautiful," Emma whispered, glancing over at Regina as she joined her. "And cold," she shuddered. Curiosity crept into Emma body as Regina held up her hands. "What did you do?" she asked.
"Put up a little spell," Regina replied with a giggle.
"What spell?" Emma asked with a frown.
"You'll see," the brunette answered with a grin. The air around Emma warmed up and she stopped shivering. The blonde looked over at Regina with amazement and thanks. "That's right. I put a barrier around the balcony," Regina stated, inching closer towards Emma. "About last night…" she began but Emma held up her hand.
"It's ok, Regina. I shouldn't have gone throw your things in the first place," Emma apologised.
"It's not that," Regina paused to take a deep breath. "That shirt belonged to someone very special to me," She added softly.
"What happened to that person?" Emma asked.
"He's no longer with us," Regina muttered, choking back tears.
"I'm so sorry, Regina," Emma whispered, giving Regina's arm a light squeeze. "From your gaze before, if I knew how much you liked me not wearing any pyjamas, well I'll keep that in mind for next time," Emma said with a wink as she moved back into the house.
"Next time..." Regina said, her mouth gawping open staring at Emma.