Choosing fates path

*Disclaimer* I have no rights to the characters or the show.

snow isn't happy about Emma liking Regina and now she wants to show Emma she may not be meant to be with her. She tests Emma and Regina with potion, the risks are high but snow, Emma, and Regina have their own reasons for accepting the risks.

Emma felt the light change of in the sofa as Regina sat next to her. They hadn't really talked much through yet and they knew it would be better sooner than later. There wasn't a lot to talk about but that didn't change the fact they need to. After all this time being cruel to one another it was a wonder why this was even real.

Looking at Regina Emma saw the woman she had always seen. Strong, independent, but now she wasn't closed off. She didn't hid behind her power and make people cower. She wore silk gown and her hand extended to give Emma a glass of her cider liquor knowing she loved it so much. She took Emma's feet and laid them over her lap and massaged her ankle just under the fabric of her jeans.

Emma could see regina had changed from this person everyone but her feared into someone who appeared to be trying to open up.

"I'm not sure what I could say or do to make up for how I acted before even if I inside I meant to do better. I was never so good with words and my actions didn't do so well either." Emma felt she had so much to make up for if she could. "Responding in your face was the way I could let myself get close to you."

"I wanna put that child's play behind us. I think I can do better now that you know, now that I've had a reminder of how good that spark makes me feel." Regina said softly. She was right it was child's play. Like when a boy picks on a girl even though he likes her. He doesn't wanna show he is soft so he bulks up instead. Just like them.

"I feel it too, that feeling makes me wanna stay to feel it more." Emma sips on her drink.

Regina takes in the scene, the blonde looks comfortable and even though Regina never enjoyed such lack of properness but Emma always made herself comfortable even around Regina. Her resistance was something Regina should have hated but always endeared. Her weakness was the way her chest raced and her eyes stared at the woman like she was hers. Regina never could allow her weakness to show and and so she used bitterness and words.

"You can stay i have no objection." Her tone husky and thoughtful. Emma chuckled knowing they may have thought the same things. "It's pretty late as it is I wouldn't want to be the towns primary suspect if something happens when you go." She didn't want her to go. At least not yet but that made her worry she wasn't use to putting her heart on the line anymore.

"I think after being a hero in Neverland it's very possible people can see you differently." Emma stood up with her now empty glass. Noticing Regina shifting her legs and standing as well. A deep red blush rushed Emma's face. Their faces almost touching and that moment as short as it really was sucked Emma into eternity till her voice found her again.

"I didn't want you to have to clean up-" she pauses as Regina slips he finger beneath Emma's around the glass. Just like the first time, as she takes the glass slowly she feels her body tingle with a spark again. This clouds her current objective and she places the glass on the table beside hers. Bringing her eyes back to Emma's she realizes her face is closer. The breath on her lips pulling her in closer.

Rational thinking aside she presses her lips into Emma's perfectly fitting lips. As if it was their first kiss her knees went weak and she swept her fingers over her loose shirt. When their lips parted she couldn't think anything possible of removing her smile. Instantly she knew she would protect this moment, Emma, and her love for her.

Yes she loved her she knew that now, before it was considered and just a unexperienced desire. She knew what she felt long ago but for so long refused to take action knowing the risk of losing everything or breaking the curse. Now there was no curse and Emma still cared for her even though she knew now who she was and what she had done in her past. That was the bit that made the burning in her stomach fuzzy and build into something more now that nothing was at risk anymore.

Together they cleaned up and the process was much faster. Emma began to collect her jacket and make a nice effort to leave without over staying her stay.

"Where do you think you're going miss- Emma?" She asked almost using her last name out of a old habit she was trying to break.

"I didn't want to over stay my welcome. I had one drink I'm sure I'm safe to walk home." She didn't want to go home but it wasn't like she wanted to rush things. Sure she had had her one nights and fuck buddies but she didn't want that with Regina. She didn't wanna fuck it up. Defiantly didn't want to make things awkward on how she felt. Feelings were risky and lead to pain.

She tugged at her leather jacket and then shoved her hands in her front pockets. Bitting her lip she hoped Regina wouldn't take it offensively. if she stayed any long she would be all over regina rushing everything she wanted to savor.

"You wouldn't be but if that's what you want. Can I um-" she tucked her hair behind her ear nervously. Not knowing why Emma felt she had to go. "Can I take you home? it will be faster."

"What about Henry?"

"I'll be just a moment I'd have my mind at ease."

"Yeah, what do I do?" Regina took her hand and pulled her closer. Rested her chin on Emma's head. Taking a deep breath she let a purple cloud of smoke take them to Emma's apartment. With snow inside she felt it best to just land one the sidewalk outside. Emma rested her head gently on Regina's chest and held her eyes closed. Thinking the movement would have made her stomach uneasy but no word or notion other wise came.

"Emma dear?" She spoke finally. "We are here." Emma lifted her head and noticed the scenery change.

"Oh." She held her stomach and then turned to her front door. "Huh that wasn't so bad, you are gonna have to teach me that."

"Good night Emma," Regina gave her a little kiss on her cheek. "Tonight was great, it was great to be home, to have Henry back safe, and to have you. That has been something I've wanted since I met you." Emma smiled and whispered.

"Then why didn't you say something other than the tough woman act?"

"Because what could I have said maybe you didn't feel the same, I cared once before and got hurt. I was selfish I wanted the curse to stay." Her words left puffs in the air and Emma just stood surprised. Did Regina really not know all this time she had a huge crush on her.

"I see, well thank you again. Good night Regina."

Stepping Inside Emma quickly peeked through the curtains just in time to see Regina wearing warm smile and vanish into a purple cloud. Thanking her in strength to not let her cave into her desires she let out a deep breath she held and leaned her head against the cold window.

"Emma your back late. Were you at Regina's the whole night?!" Emma jumped six feet in the air and spun around as her mother came out of no where.

"Yeah had a nice movie with Henry and Regina before heading here. Really make the kid feel safe at home you know?" Emma knew the face her mother gave was concern but she knew more than that it was hate that she chose to spend her first day back with Regina.

"He could have felt safe with us, we are a family." She pouted making Emma's insides screech.

"Don't go there, after everything me and Regina did to get him back, I know you helped but it was important to be just us. We are his parents." She walked through the room and headed into her room hearing her mother sigh and then retreat to her room.

Regina had reached home, the silence told her Henry was still asleep. But it also meant she was alone and though taking Emma into bed had come to mind she really just wanted to be able to rest her head on her and fall asleep. Her fingers tracing her bottom lip with the memory still on them. She had appeared in her room and the idea crawled more and more into her mind of having Emma to sleep next to and wake up to every morning. A smile spread across her face again. Being to strip her clothes of she forced her finger to move quickly with her underwear so temptation wasn't furthered.

Regina laid in bed thinking about what could have been. After flipping over endlessly to get comfortable she admitted it was impossible for her to sleep. She wondered if Emma was having the same problem. Sliding her fingers over her phone screen landing on Emma's name. Her stomach flipped as she hit the new message button.

Are you still up? She felt like a little teenager. Waiting for a crush to answer.

How can I sleep when I can't stop thinking. Regina smiled and swiftly responded.

Thinking of what dear?

Oh just the sweetest softest kiss and person with those lips I've ever known. An snow had to say something that involves you and make me mad.

Regina wanted to smile because of what Emma wrote but she also was hurt that even after saying something so nice about her snow would turn around when alone and say something different. She didn't have time to ponder a response before she received a text.

Why are you up still?

Thinking about you. I should have had you stay. She felt her own severe pout coming on which just wasn't her so she shook it off.

Oh I wanted to I'm just not willing to rush even though what I feel has been pretty intense for a while. Regina took those words and rolled them over in her head. What did Emma feel? How fast was she wanting things to go? Instinctually she feared she may have ruined things going to fast, maybe that's why Emma was sitting up.

I understand hope I didn't make you feel I was rushing.

No no it was perfect. I'll see you soon now get some rest. She added a smiley face and Regina hummed joyfully at the warm smile she remembers on the woman.

Good night to you too dear.

She clicked her phone closed and flipped over finally comfortable. Her eyes flittered and pulled closed.

Waking up emma smelt a nice breakfast being cooked. Throwing some clothes on and heading out for food. She realized as snow gave a small screech that she probably looked like death like always. She groaned an picked up a piece of bacon.

"Mmm! The heaven on earth." She said.

"So what are you doing today?" Snow asked with a optimistic tone.

"Well I'm sure there's a lot that happened while we were gone. Need to go to work and check out the damage." She knew her mom wanted to collect on the time she promised in Neverland that they would have when they got back but she just wasn't ready yet.

"Ok an after can we-" she was cut off by a hug and then Emma was dashing away.

"Um I don't know when I'll be done."

"Emma wait. Please." Emma took a moment to look back "you promised." She sighs and walks back.

"Yeah.. Yeah I did. Ok I'll be home for dinner ok." Instantly snow beams and Emma shakes her head stealing another piece of bacon and runs to her room to get ready for work.

Regina sat in her office all day so far finding that nothing absolutely nothing could keep her focused. She caught herself to often letting her mind wander remembering the cave in Neverland the idea that she was that close to Emma that time as if she had nothing to fear. She knew she did like if she made Emma feel to rushed that would leave Emma running as far away as possible.

She did her work but the moments emma came to mind she knew she had to take a break. Her heart raced and her Body craved her lips again and to hold her closer. The crossed her legs only to realized how effective the idea was her core was moist and very distracting as the day went on.

She tried to focus and recall everything she had done. Things appeared to have stayed in order as of today. She wondered if Emma had a ton of paperwork on thing that happened while in Neverland. She stood up firmly and collected her things. She couldn't work anymore not like this.

"My work is done I have nothing in my books. I'm going home early. Stay and extra hour send anything important to my cell." She walked out the door of city hall without waiting for a response. Once in the car Regina hit the gas.

Emma sat at the sherif desk pulled in a ton of papers half filled out by ruby she was a good deputy but nothing was complete because she wasn't sherif and everything had to be review and filled out by herself. So she sat clutching her hair trying to decipher incident after incident. Letting out a loud groan she signed her name at the bottom of the form and ripped her jacket off the back of the chair. She spun around running into someone to her surprise at who when she met their eyes. Two golden brown shimmering eyes captured hers.

"Trying to escape work I see." She gave a smirk and Emma went weak in the knees.

"Regina! Um.. no just grabbing lunch." She had still yet to back up from Regina's form "wanna join me?" She said finally finding her legs again and maneuvered herself around Regina.

In granny's diner she ordered her usual and get Regina a salad like she always gets with a grilled chicken on top. Ruby gave her a small Gesture of question towards Regina in a booth waiting for Emma to return. Emma have her a stare saying 'leave it I know what I'm doing.' Yet still ruby leans over the counter and says.

"Enjoy the food, hope you two had a fun first day back." Her smile said more but Emma didn't need to guess she knew how ruby thought.

"We did." Her face showed just how happy it made her. Before ruby could get to much from it she continued. "watched a movies with Henry and then I headed home it was really nice. Thanks for the food."

"Here you are, that's right right?"

"Yes."

"Ok I know I said I didn't wanna rush that doesn't mean I don't wanna talk and get to know you or hang." She looked at Regina silently pouring her dressing over her salad. Every few seconds she sneaked her eyes up just enough to see if Emma was watching. She blushed a bright pink and continued in silence. "What's wrong?" Emma asked like she was the one at fault.

"I couldn't focus at work today I left early." Regina admitted.

"Oh," Emma picked up a fry a nibbled. "And would it be the same reason as last night."

"If I said yes?" She would wait on crushed toes before intentionally nothing Emma.

"I'd say you came to the station just in time, after lunch If I couldn't focus I was gonna come see you." She chuckled at how romantic she had been sounding since having kissed Regina the first time but more so now being back home and then that second kiss. It sent shivers down her back.

"Emma! Regina?" The harsh sound of her appalled mother raked her thoughts away. Charming was standing beside her hands on her shoulder attempting to soothe her rash breathing. "You're having lunch with her?"

"What's wrong with her? With lunch with her? You said yourself yesterday she was a better person for Neverland." She was not shouting but her tone was close, as seemed her temper.

"Yes for her help but she isn't welcomed back into my family." Emma's hand snapped leaving a sting on her fingers and red mark across snows cheek.

"How dare you, she's Henry's mother, that makes her family. I like her that makes her my family." She huffed sat back down unable to look at snow in the eye. Charming took snow and sat her down far end of the diner. The eyes around the diner closed in on Emma and Regina. Charming walked back over opens his mouth to say something but before he can Emma says "I'm sorry I hit her..just that-"

Was uncalled for I know." He finishes for her. "She's just trying to protect you."

"Well she can relax I can protect myself, just as I can make my own choices." His eyes closed and he nodded leaving them alone.

Emma looked to Regina too see what she was thinking. Her eyes were soft and yet they look at Emma with such determination. They finished their food and left together. Regina brought Emma back to the sherif station. Taking her hand on the drive she felt a swell of pride because of Emma's defense but she now had sense of need to comfort her before being comforted herself.

"Emma I like that you want me in Henry's life at all after everything I've done but I don't want you to lose your family." Her voice cracked give away her facade of being strong. She didn't want to lose her only family either.

"I want you in more than just Henry's life Regina. You're not that person anymore, once you and everyone else in this town can see that maybe I wouldn't care if Henry and you were my only family." She step out of the car and gave her a genuine smile. "Thank you for coming by. I hate I have dinner with them tonight but I really should do it."

"Let me know if you need a get away." She joked giving her a quick wink.

"Snow, snow! Wait she's our daughter. Why can't we just trust her?" Charming knew his wife hated Regina aside from helping get Henry back all she saw was a woman who she use to be. He couldn't persuade her nor would she listen to Emma.

"No! I won't let her be take by Regina if this is the only way I can show here Regina's true nature then so be it!" She stomp into the pawn shop in town and banged the desk bell in her frustration. Without hesitation rumplestiltskin steps up to the front desk.

"What can I do for you dearie?" He chuckles like her already knows. They don't know what he could possible want in trade for this things snow wants.

"I need, I want you to get me a fate walk potion." She knows what it is and heard the risks but she must convince her daughter she doesn't love the true Regina. She can still feel the sting of her daughters slap.
'It must be done.'

"You know what it is you are asking for? The risks? Whom are you putting on a quest? Surely not your dear savior?" He doesn't ask because he needs to know but to ensure the choice is certainly made.

"Yes I know the risks they are ones I'm willing to take. You need not ask who I do believe you know." She looks at him fiercely.

"Then you know that the potion takes two the first, your daughter which the full effect take and the second person Regina."

"What why her?! Why not me?" She blurts out.

"Because dearie you want Emma to see her past transgression, you want to know if they are meant to be, and to know that she must be the second person." He informs. "The only way Emma can wake is if she takes fates path or makes another. The latter of the two may leave her in a state of rest for a long time if she is to be with Regina, well a simple kiss should do." His old devious giggle appears just for a second snow looks at charming and with pleading eyes begs forgiveness.

"Ok what do I do for it right now?"

At dinner things quickly became heated. Emma felt a sting with every comment of Regina that her mother had, her father couldn't possible pick a side. Emma felt like she was being pulled into directions one with Henry and Regina and one with her mother and her on the fence father.

"Look sweet we just want to know for sure your meant to be." Snow held a bottle out having explained briefly what it was. Emma was tempted but not enough she wanted to know for sure but the way snow worded it it was dangerous. Snow wanted her to risk her own life to prove her path was fates plan.

Seemed like everywhere in life fate had a shitty hand to give her and the only good thing that came from it was Henry and eventually her feelings for Regina. Then again it would kill her if she felt she loved Regina and then turned out she gave her heart to the wrong person again. She wanted to yell and throw a fit but she was right she had to to know not for snow but for herself.

"Ok, but not for you. This is for me." Emma sighed and went to take the bottle but snow tucked it away.

"Regina has to do it with you for it to work."

"What.. I hardly think you can convince her to join in." Emma stood up and crossed her arms.
'Ugh she'll never do it with me. Why? What is she not telling me?' Emma could tell there was more to this than what was being said but it was just a feeling so she let it go. " "She'll be ok?"
"Yes." Emma stared at her, snow wasn't sure if she would be but that wouldn't have to be all up to Regina anyways.

Emma gave Regina a call and asked her to come over that she had something important to ask. When she arrived Emma felt a warm feeling rush to her heart. Her eyes laced with questions while Emma's expressed her uncertainty.

"I presume this isn't just you asking for me?"

"No, I don't really know why I'm asking this." Emma lowered her eyes.

"You don't want me over?"

"I do! Just my mother has this I don't know what it's called but she wants me to take a potion and you too though I don't get why you have to." Regina could tell that Emma's rambling meant she wasn't lying not that she would ever lie being she hated lying. So she questioned snow instead.

The fates path potion it was tricky and risky if Regina wasn't sure of how she felt and that Emma felt it too she would refuse. Snow was willing to risk her daughter falling in slumber to find her true path and Regina was more than willing to not let that happen by showing snow they were meant to be. Normally she would have just taken what she wanted but Emma would have run by now and for the first time since Daniel it felt like she had a chance at happiness again.

"Fine." The surprise in the room took a few minutes to dissipate. "I'll do it but know that when she wakes she'll know her fate and I know it's with me." She took the bottle from snow and walked to Emma on the couch. They sat quiet at first until Emma spoke.

"You shouldn't have to do this. What happens to you?"

"At first you will be seeing my past, my point of view, and i will be almost like a guide. Then I don't know when or how but the potion with take us deeper putting us through a test. You won't remember its a test but your choices and actions will show you your fate when you wake if you choose me- or something else." Regina paused while her heart clenched at the idea of not waking up with Emma loving her.

"I'll choose you I know it." Emma comforted her seeing her fear.

Regina let Emma take the first gulp her slumber would start soon. She wrapped her in her arms, kissed the top of her head, and leaned her to rest on her lap. The shorter and slower her breaths became she knew it was her turn. An with the last gulp her transition was quicker. She felt yanked from her body an thrown into a blackness waiting for sign she was able to enter into Emma's subconscious.

As if by opening her eyes an image before her waited. It was Emma beaming at her. She returned it just as she would have long ago with Daniel. Her own subconscious had peeled away the person she became over time and let her feel without a doubt what was truly her and how she felt. This wasn't about her though and so she let her hand take Emma's and began the fates path journey.

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Hope you like this chapter

The potion if you are lost is just like a sleeping curse but it's a quest once Emma and Regina make it to the test Emma will forget the fact it's a test, she will forget her feelings as they are but will remember the parts of Regina's life she see's she must make her decisions to be friends, enemy's, or lovers. True love aside if she chooses to hate Regina she loses her fates path and must spend her journey alone finding out her new fate. If she chooses to love Regina then a simple true loves kiss will undo the curse.

I hope to make this blow your mind.