Sorry I haven't updated in so long – I was away on holiday up the North of Scotland where internet reception is a bit of a myth. I have been working on the next few updates though, so you shouldn't have to wait too long for more.

And a huge thank you to everyone who has followed and favourited this story – I really can't say how much it's meant. Anyway, enough of the mushy stuff, on with the story. A bit of a short, fluffy chapter, but I just had to include it.

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"Emma. Emma!" Regina added a poke to the blonde's shoulder for emphasis.

Barely awake, Emma raised her head. "What? You okay?" came the instantly concerned, if sleepy grumbles.

"I'm fine, I just…"

Blinking to clear her eyes, Emma looked over at Regina, taking in the expression on her face. "You're in pain." She watched as the brunette blushed, her brown eyes glancing down to where Emma's arm and leg was casually slung over her body. "God, it's me, I'm crushing you!" She hastily removed both her limbs which had clearly gone wandering in her sleep. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," Regina was quick to reply. "It would be…nice, if it wasn't for the fact that breathing currently hurts right now." She winced as she turned to face the blonde. She smiled when without hesitation Emma settled on her back, slipping her arm carefully under Regina's head and allowing the other woman to shuffle closer, until she could rest comfortably with her head on her shoulder.

"Better?" asked Emma as she felt the brunette still.

"Much," smiled Regina.

"I like this," said Emma after a few moments.

Regina let the words hand in the empty air for a while. "I do too."

"Emma?" It was the fifth time Regina had tried to rouse the blonde, albeit by whispering. Truth was, she wasn't quite sure she wanted Emma to wake. She was totally embarrassed by the situation she was in, and hated that she was going to have to share it. With a sigh, she once again called the blonde's name, louder this time, and shaking her shoulder.

Green eyes snapped open, blinking to quickly clear them of sleep. She had quickly adapted over the past few nights to waking up at speed when sharing her small bed with the former queen, wanting to be alert should Regina need her. "I'm up! I'm awake. What's wrong? What can I do?" came the quick-fire questions as Emma sat up, taking in the sight of Regina sitting on the edge of the bed in her borrowed sleep attire, which consisted of an oversized washed out shirt and shorts.

"I need to use the bathroom…" mumbled Regina. During the day, when she was downstairs (albeit after having been practically carried down them by the blonde) she could make it to the downstairs bathroom via strategic use of furniture. Upstairs in Emma's bedroom, however, the distance between the bed and the door was barren of all things on which she could lean, and her legs wouldn't carry her the distance.

Wiping her face with a clumsy hand, Emma nodded, clambering out of bed. Without hesitation, she picked the older woman up bridal style, earning her a surprised squeak, before carrying her to the bathroom and letting her down gently. Giving her a quick smile, she retreated to her room, pulling the door closed as she went.

Regina couldn't help but smile at how Emma hadn't even said a word. Going about her business as quickly as she could, she washed her hands, taking in her gaunt and sickly appearance in the mirror which hung above the sink. Looking her absolute worst, and still the blonde found her attractive. It was a miracle. Opening the bathroom door, she found Emma sitting on the floor just outside, her back against the wall. On seeing her, however, the blonde was immediately on her feet. "I didn't want to wake you," said Regina quietly.

Emma shook her head, wrapping an arm around the other woman's waist this time, as they made their way slowly back to bed. "I'd rather you woke me than exhausted yourself getting to the bathroom and ended up sleeping in the tub or something," she smiled. "Besides, you know I can fall back asleep in a heartbeat."

The brunette's smile only widened. She did know that. Sharing a bed with Emma Swan had been something she had dreamt about for quite some time. Her dreams hadn't been quite as innocent as reality, but when she was back to full strength, she intended to make those dreams come true. Every little detail. For now, however, she was content to share the blonde's warmth and relax in her comforting presence. Allowing Emma to help her back into bed, she rolled over, waiting for the other woman to settle into their now familiar position, the blonde laying on her front where Regina could comfortably lay her head on the back of her pale shoulder, and drape an arm and a leg over her slim frame.

"Night ,Regi."

Smiling in the darkness at the way the blonde shortened her name, Regina placed a kiss to Emma's exposed shoulder in reply, earning her a contented hum before they both drifted off.