Author's Note: I was listening to Lily Allen's "Hard Out Here" when I wrote this… Also to Fleetwood Mac. And I might have written about two thirds at work. On scraps of paper. Secretly. Haha. If I lose my job then you guys know why. lol

She awoke to warm breath tickling the hair on her neck. It took her a moment to fully realize where she was. And who the hand belonged to that was draped so carelessly over her body. She resisted the urge to bolt out of bed. Albeit only because the warmth emanating from the person behind her was too pleasant to give up, she told herself. She let her thoughts wander and her eyes stare out the nearby window. It was still dark outside. Whether that was because it was night or because it was winter, Regina couldn't tell. There was no clock around to help her estimate the time, and to her surprise she found she did not care to do so.

A mumble behind her directed her attention towards the sleeping form pressed against her back. This was not how she had expected last night to end. She had half expected it to be some guy who she could brush off the instant she laid eyes on him; or after dinner, at least.

But no. Of course with Kathryn in the game no one could tell what would happen. Ages ago Regina had shared her past with the blonde, so she would have known that the mayor was not adverse to the idea of dating women. The only reason she hadn't done so already was because of Henry. In the first few years after adopting him, she had indeed allowed Kathryn to set up dates with her friends or acquaintances, but whenever she mentioned Henry, their interest had ebbed away. Yes, some of them she had taken home for quick release, but she had never heard from them after. Not that she had wanted to. And now here she was, with the only woman who quite possibly loved her son as much as she did, and…

And then she realized that it hadn't been Emma's breath that had woken her. The blonde's arm had shifted somewhat and was now pressing onto her stomach rather awkwardly, reminding her body that it needed release. 'Too much wine,' she thought, as she extricated her limbs from Emma's possessive grasp.

She tiptoed into the bathroom, feeling the unpleasant pressure leave her body when she finally sat down. She didn't usually drink this much, nor did she sleep in – if that was indeed the case, she would yet have to find out – and doing both in one night made her somewhat uncomfortable. Not to mention the persistent blonde waiting for her in the bedroom.

She let her head drop onto her knees, silently sitting there for a minute or two. Obviously, she had lost some amount of control last night; had she been sober, she would have never let Miss Swan stay in the same bed as her. But now that she had, she would have to live with the consequences. For a single moment she thought about leaving. Now. Right now. But then she thought of the way Emma had stretched when she had taken her parka off; of the skin that had been revealed. She remembered staring into green eyes, unable to look away, before… Before she had kissed Emma Swan. She had what?! She had kissed Emma Swan. Not the other way around. Regina cursed herself for her stupidity, for giving into her desire in a moment of weakness. Obviously, kissing the sheriff had been a mistake, as had most of last night.

However, there was no point in denying that she had liked it. Loved it, even. Emma's soft lips had brushed against hers gently, and she had tasted alcohol and something else that was entirely Emma. The memory now returned in full force, and Regina shook her head several times, trying to get the vivid images to disappear. In her mind she could see the creases in the blonde's lips, every single line just waiting to merge with her own. Forcing the images to vanish, she finally got up, washing her hands and rinsing her mouth the best she could. Again she noted how very much she despised being in this situation. It had been years since she hadn't been able to brush her teeth right after getting up, and so she felt even worse for not being able to do so. It took all her willpower to leave the sink and return to the bedroom. Before entering, however, she stopped right at the door and her head dropped against the doorframe all of its own accord.

"What am I doing…," startled by her own words, she clasped a hand over her mouth, muffling the sound.

Behind this door, in this unfamiliar room, there was the one person she had wanted to meet, ever since Henry had mentioned the blind date, but also the one person she had not wanted to be here. The feelings inside of her tore her apart, for she knew full well that if she went back into this room, she would open herself up to more pain. She would give yet another human being the power to hurt her, and so far that had never worked out well.

The decision was taken from her when the door suddenly opened, and a yelp alerted her to the presence of the woman she had just been thinking of. She did not dare lift her head. The green eyes she knew were staring at her would be her undoing. She could not allow them to take control of her. And yet she did.

Watery eyes stared into hers, and the pang of guilt in her chest made her feel sick. She let her hand drop down to grasp the one that was nearest, trying to convey all that she felt by touch alone. Emma whimpered. Regina wanted to take her in her arms, but suddenly became fully aware just of what she was wearing. In her hurry to get to the bathroom earlier, she had forgone putting on her dress. So now she was standing in the doorway, her body completely exposed to Emma's eyes, safe for the few parts that were covered by her underwear.

"I…," Regina stammered. For probably the first time in her life, she did not know what to say about her lack of attire. The sheriff's eyes taking her in with barely any shame did not help things, either. Her walls went back up and suddenly she was all mayor Mills again.
"Miss Swan, do you mind? I need to get dressed." She pushed the defenseless blonde aside, trying not to present her with the delicious look of her backside when she slipped into the dress from the evening before.
"Are you still staring?"
"I thought you had left."

"Yes, dear, I can see that." The moment these words left her mouth, she wanted to take them back. She had not meant to make fun of Emma's visibly emotional state, but here she was, twisting the knife like a professional. The dumbstruck look on the taller woman's face told her everything she needed to know. Her comment had hit home, if the twitch in rosy lips was anything to go by.
"I did not mean-"
"Clearly you did!"

"I did not." She helplessly watched Emma climb back into bed, her back to Regina, her body rigid.
"Miss Swan, I…"
"It's 3 AM, Regina. Some of us need their beauty sleep." And after that, the brunette could have sworn she heard 'not everyone can look as flawlessly beautiful as you,' but since the voice of the younger woman was muffled because of thick blankets, she dismissed it as wishful thinking.

However late or early it might be, Regina was fully aware that she would not be leaving anytime soon. The athletic body was shaking underneath the covers, she could tell. Whether that was thanks to the chilly air or because of her words, she had no way of knowing. Part of her chose to believe the latter. Minutes passed, in which she just stood helplessly at the foot of the bed, staring at the small body hiding under the covers.

She had told herself so many times that if she did this or that, there would be no turning back. Well, as it turned out, even after a kiss and a night – half a night anyway – in the same bed, things could still go back to the way they had been before their awkward date. Regina was acutely aware that she would have to make a decision, and she would have to make it soon. The need she felt, to be close to Emma Swan, that need did not lessen the more she thought about the blonde. No, it did not.

Finally she made a decision. Albeit a small one. Sitting down on the foot of the bed, she moved her hand towards the still shaking figure of Emma Swan's body. Her hand hit something firm, and she realized that what she was holding was an ankle. She held onto it through the covers, hoping that for now, this would be enough to calm the blonde down.
"Don't," Emma's voice rang from the top of the bed. But what it really sounded like was 'please do'. So Regina kept her hand where it was, holding onto a blanket full of flesh. She didn't know what to do, much less what to say, so she just sat there, frowning.

It seemed to take hours before she felt Emma relax, but at last she did. Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice it at first, but when her thumb absentmindedly started stroking the blonde's ankle, she heard a quiet hum coming from beneath the blanket.
"Henry likes that, too." She didn't know what else to say, and it seemed like her son was as good a topic as any other.
"He does?"
"He does." Silence. Then:

"It feels nice." It was hardly a whisper, filled with wonder and something else… a question? She was about to comment on the curious undertone, when Emma spoke up.
"Regina?"
"Mh?"
"Do you remember last night?" For a moment she contemplated whether she should lie, tell Emma that indeed, she couldn't recall anything, but again her tongue was quicker than her brain. Which, come to think of it, often seemed to be the case when the blonde sheriff was involved.
"I do, yes."
"Do you…," Emma stuttered. How very uncommon for the usually so confident woman. It took a while before she continued:
"…regret it?" Her thumb stopped moving, and as a result, she could feel the body of the other woman tense up, afraid of what may come.

"No." When she said it, Regina realized the truth of it. To say she was surprised was an understatement. Up until now she had pondered and pondered for hours, unable to come to a conclusion. To realize now that all her thinking had been pointless, that for all her resistance, she couldn't help but enjoy her time with the blonde… needless to say it was frustrating.

"There's nothing to regret, dear." With that, Regina finally let her exhausted body trop onto the bed, her hand firmly keeping hold of Emma Swan's ankle. The blankets underneath her moved, and then the sheriff's head appeared, not too far from her own. Green eyes met hers for the briefest of moments, only to then stare past her into the dimness of the room.
"No?"
"No. Nothing." She could see the moisture building in Emma's eyes, and because of that she instantly knew that this was a first for the blonde. It pained her to find out that up until now the blonde had never known what it was like to be welcome, to be appreciated and not left behind.

It was a strange thing to feel compassion for another human being that wasn't Henry. But she did. So she was not at all surprised to find her palm cupping tear-streaked cheeks. The simple movement was enough to open the flood gates and it wasn't long before Emma started sobbing uncontrollably. Reaching for the blonde in her moment of weakness seemed like the most natural thing Regina had ever done. Emma was shaking in her arms, her tears hot on the skin of her neck. Soothing words came easily, but the mayor paid no mind to what she was saying. Her focus was solely on the young woman:
"Shhh, it's alright. I've got you. I'm here, I've got you. I'm not going anywhere…"

Eventually Emma calmed down. Occasional sniffles shook her body, but the tears had stopped and the blonde's breath did no longer cool Regina's wet neck. Now the sheriff just clung to her as if her life depended on it. And Regina let her.

It felt surprisingly right to hold and comfort the sheriff in this manner. She wasn't quite sure whether she would be able to let go, so she didn't even try. Instead, she listened to Emma's mumbling, while her hand lost itself in golden tresses. It felt wonderful. The blonde had marvelous hair, all curly and soft. Single strands tickled her nose, so to get rid of the unpleasant sensation, the mayor pressed her head deeper into the pool of gold. It smelled like autumn leaves with a hint of cinnamon. She inhaled the intoxicating scent for several minutes, absentmindedly noting the fastening of the other woman's heartbeat. Shaky breaths escaped Emma's lips, grazing the skin on the brunette's neck in the most delicate way.

Regina was lost.

She had never expected to let another human being this close ever again, but here she was, taking care of the most irritating person she knew. In a way that she would have never expected. A smile tugged on her full lips, and although no one could see it, she quickly hid it by placing a kiss in unruly hair. She was surprised to get a whimper as response, and even more amazed by the fact that she did not stop kissing Henry's other mother. Her fingers grabbed hold of a blonde head as she placed kisses all over it, slowly descending towards a pale forehead. Only a fraction of a second did she hesitate before her lips met hot skin, the innocent contact sending something akin to an electric shock through both their bodies. Emma gasped.

Lost in the moment, Regina kept placing kisses all over Miss Swan's face, tasting the saltiness of past tears yet evading the searching mouth that was trying to connect their lips. She was not yet ready to let go, she needed to be in control, in control of this situation and in control of this other person that made her want to succumb to her deepest and darkest desires.

Finally their lips met with a moan.

It was the gentlest of kisses, and even although Regina had instigated it, she was hesitant to give in and relinquish control. Emma's lips felt like butterflies brushing her own lips, tentative touches sending shivers down her spine; Regina's hands trembled as she moved them to cradle the blonde's face in her hands. This kiss was entirely different from the one they had shared the day before. This one was shy and exploring, barely more than the simple touching of lips when cheek is pressed on cheek.

Yesterday had been a hungry and forceful open mouthed exploration, so very much different from the almost innocent kiss they shared now. Regina did not mind. Although she had by far preferred passionate and rough lovemaking with her past lovers, she was now realizing that the one thing she had been missing all these years had been the feeling that was now starting to spread in her chest. She did not dare call it by its name, but she knew all too well what she was beginning to feel for Emma Swan. Had been feeling for a long time now; even if she dared not admit that even to herself.

They stopped after a while, heads pressed together, lips touching and their breaths mingling, cooling each other's skin. It was almost too much. Almost.
"Emma." That one word seemed to break the ice, as both women closed the minute gap to kiss each other gently. Regina hummed into the kiss, her whole body on full alert for what might come next. And there it was, then. Emma's hands abandoned their place on her back, making their way up into her dark hair. Strong fingers massaged her scalp, when an incessant tongue begged entry into her mouth. It was granted instantly. In that moment, the mayor abandoned all sense of right and wrong, and simply listened to the ever growing need in the pit of her stomach. She did not want this to stop, to hell with the consequences. Her kisses became more insistent, and her hands developed a mind of their own. Suddenly, the ever so distracting tank top became a piece of clothing that she admired for its simplicity. Her hands had easily found access to Emma's hot skin, and she reveled in the magnificent feeling of moving abs underneath her fingertips.

Her thumb dipped into a navel on its journey over tight skin, eliciting a breathy sigh from its owner. Gasps and moans now filled the otherwise quiet room as shaky fingers explored unfamiliar terrain. Emma's body felt as wonderfully soft as it looked, the tiny hairs on her forearms and belly seemed to stand at attention so Regina could brush over them and enjoy a curious tickling sensation while doing so.

It amazed her how responsive the blonde was. Every single one of Regina's touches elicited some kind of reaction. Custody battles and heated arguments were completely forgotten because the brunette's mind was consumed by the addictive taste of Emma's lips. When her name fell from Emma's lips in a throaty moan, all intention of holding back was lost. She pushed her tongue deep into the eager mouth of her lover, to convey what she wanted. Kisses and shy touching weren't enough anymore, as the heat in her center was becoming too much to bear.

"I want you," she breathed into a delicate ear, fully aware of the resulting shiver running down a perfect spine.
"Please...," was all the response she needed. Her mouth found the perfect spot between ear and neck, licking its way down towards a rapidly beating pulse point. She had never felt so alive. She gasped when she realized that nimble hands were fumbling on the zipper of her dress, exposing her skin to the slightly chilly air of the unheated room. As a result, goosebumps were forming on her body, but she was not about to abandon this hot body next to hers, not even to turn up the heat.

She didn't have to wait long to feel Emma's lush lips on her neck; wet kisses trailing all the way from her mouth to her collarbone, with Emma's rapid breathing highlighting the trail her mouth had taken. With every minute that passed, the blonde seemed to be becoming more confident. Her hands took a more direct route to where they wanted to go, ignoring the lacy fabric of Regina's bra and simply slipping underneath to cup her breasts, her nipples stiff and aching to be touched more insistently.

Her breasts filled Emma's hands perfectly, and her hard nipples pressed against soft palms. She could feel herself becoming more agitated, and the wetness between her legs was increasing. Her body acted on its own then, and suddenly she was straddling a surprised Emma, exposing most of her body to the blonde, as her dress accumulated on her hips; the lower part being pushed up when she spread her legs.

Emma's rapid breathing pressed hard abs against her already wet center, and it was all she could do to resist from rocking against the regular motion.
"Look at me." And Regina did. Green eyes bore into hers, full of wonder and excitement; and lust, Regina was hesitant to admit.

The look in emerald eyes was so intense, Regina felt something inside of her ignite and burn with a passion. Her hands fumbled to rid Emma of her clothing, almost ripping the tender fabric of her top in doing so. A few birthmarks could be seen on the otherwise porcelain skin, and Regina couldn't help but trace a line from one to the next, her finger still slightly shaky from the excitement.
"Regina…," Emma all but begged. Her hands were frantically exploring Regina's bronze skin, pinching her nipples and stroking her thighs, while her lower body flexed and moved, pressing upwards every now and again, closing the tiny gap between her jeans and Regina's center.

The slow movements of the sheriff were driving her insane with need, so Regina tried to distract herself by almost ripping off the blonde's bra, and throwing it aside unceremoniously. Pale breasts and small pink nipples captured her attention, and she instantly bent down to take one into her mouth. It tasted so very much like Emma and slightly salty from the sweat that had formed between their bodies earlier. It came as no surprise that when her lips closed around the stiff bud, Emma's chest arched towards her, lifting them both off the bed for the better part of a second. Her index finger found the other nipple, gently pinching it with the help of her thumb.

"Regina… please…" Emma stuttered these words, her voice barely able to transmit sound; the tension in her body seemed to be too much for her to stand. Her breath was coming in ragged gasps and she hid her green eyes by pressing them together hard; picture perfect of desperation and need.
"Please, Regina…"
"Shhh… I got you. I'll take care of you, dear," Regina whispered after letting go of the sweet patch of skin she had just sucked on. Her hands found Emma's face, holding her steady as she placed kiss upon kiss there before she slipped off of her.
"No… Reg–," Emma cried out, trying desperately to cling to the retreating form of Regina.
"I'm here." She couldn't help but find the blonde's need for closeness rather endearing, so she tried her best to calm the strong hands that were reaching for her.

"I'm not going anywhere," Regina comforted her, "let me just take this off." Shimmying, she let her dress drop to the floor and let bra and panties follow. When she was completely naked, she noted Emma's open eyes and heavy breathing with a hint of amusement. She bent down over the young sheriff's legs, knowing full well how this position was highlighting her breasts.
"Let me help you with that," she laughed. Her quick hands found Emma's jeans, pulling them all the way down with the help of wiggling hips.

Still standing at the foot of the bed, Regina looked at her lover. Really looked. Emma's toned body in nothing more but panties was a sight in and of itself, but the way her body quivered and moved into every single one of Regina's touches, that was something she had never encountered before. A smile was tugging on her lips, and she did nothing to hide it. She was aware that slender arms were still reaching for her, begging her to close the distance. She, however, waited. Waited for Emma to meet her eyes.

She didn't have to wait long. Emma's eyes were slightly swollen still, and Regina could detect a hint of fear, too. To her own surprise, she knew what the blonde was afraid of, and she promised herself she wouldn't confirm her fear by leaving all of a sudden. So she crawled back up onto the bed, covering half of Emma's body with her own, gently slipping her right leg between the muscled paler ones. She stared at Emma for a moment, letting her get used to the sensation of a naked Regina pressing into her side. After a while, she let the fingers of her right hand trail down the blonde's side, from shoulder to thigh, stroking ribs and hip along the way. When moving back up, she used the flat of her hand, pushing Emma's tender skin into tiny rolls.

By now Emma was breathing more regularly again, although her face was still hidden in Regina's neck, where it had retreated to the moment the brunette's center hat touched her side. Regina came to the conclusion that she would have to force the blonde out to make her overcome the sudden fear of loss. So when the mayor brushed over a soft waist a third time, she pulled the red panties down towards shuddering knees. The scent so suddenly penetrating her senses was as intoxicating as anything she had ever experienced. It was all Emma, musky, strong and sweet at the same time. Looking down to where her hand was struggling with the fabric, she tried hard not to stare at the treasure she had just uncovered. Tried hard, and failed. Her cheeks reddened in response to her thoughts, although this was hardly the first time she was devouring Emma with her eyes alone.

She watched her hand move from one thigh to the other, stroking the shivering limbs ever so slightly. Licking her lips, she pushed Emma's legs apart even further, and was surprised to find the blonde complying willingly. She could feel that she was being watched, Emma's gaze like fire upon her skin. It was the most intense look, and she was sure the blonde was waiting for a reaction. For a reaction that might be out of the ordinary. Regina didn't give her time to worry; in one move she cupped Emma's center with her hand and silenced the ensuing moan with her eager lips.

Emma was hot. Hot and wet; oh so wet. The mayor moved her fingers, easily slipping between the folds, starting to teasingly stroke the hot flesh. Arms flew up and around her, pulling her close.
"Regina…" It was a mantra Emma kept repeating over and over as long as the brunette had her hand between her legs, massaging the wetness she had found there.

She felt her own need much more strongly now, and her heated flesh felt tender against the hard hip bone of the sheriff's hips.
"Oh my God, Regina…" Emma whimpered into their kiss, her mouth preoccupied with uttering words that didn't make much sense, while the mayor was trying to capture her lips in a way that would make her stop talking. To no avail. The blonde was too far gone to even realize what Regina was doing; her hips were gyrating, trying to deepen the contact between her center and teasing hands.

At that point, Regina decided that enough was enough. Her wet fingers stopped teasing and instead plunged into Emma with enough force to make her cry out.
"Regina, Regina, –gina, Gina, Gina, Gina, Gina, Gina…" A self-satisfied smirk graced her lips as she listened to Emma moaning her name while she moved her fingers back and forth, stroking the rough patch of skin inside of her.

Her own hips moved rhythmically against Emma's hip bone, spreading her wetness over the blonde's skin and causing quite a tangle of limbs. Neither woman seemed to mind or notice, however; their bodies were grinding in unison, neither one of them was thinking, they simply moved. The world died away until there was only skin on skin and lips on lips. Moaning and gasping became their second nature, and Regina couldn't remember a time when she had been this far gone. Her heart was bursting with something she did not dare name, but it was all too clear what it was. Her fingers inside of Emma, that was what being at peace felt like.

For the first time she understood where their fights had originated and why they had never been able to stop arguing. So much of that energy was now being spent in a way that proved much more enjoyable than fighting.

When Regina felt like her wrist was about to snap, she pressed the heel of her hand firmly onto the swollen bud just above Emma's opening, forcing the blonde to bite her lips in an attempt to hold back a scream.
"Gina, Gina, please, Gina…" She could feel Emma was getting close, so she doubled her efforts, biting into the offered neck, determined to leave her mark there.

Muscles were clenching around her fingers, and she had trouble keeping her hand inside of the struggling woman. She was adamant however, and she forced her numb fingers to wriggle inside of the young sheriff, hitting that rough spot in just the right way.

Emma came with a scream.

Tears were trailing down her cheeks, but the way she said Regina's name over and over again was enough for the mayor to know that she was indeed happy.
"Oh Regina…" She placed kisses all over the blonde's body, bringing her down from her high gently. She was not yet ready to let go of her beautiful lover, so the fingers of her free hand traced lacy circles on pale skin, while her other hand was still safely buried between hot folds.

"I got you." Emma's hair tickled her nose as she felt the blonde nod. A sleepy yawn reached her ears and she shifted a little to look at the young woman who was obviously struggling to stay awake.
"I got you. Go to sleep, dear." Her lips found a red forehead and she admired the afterglow on Emma's face for a while, before she herself closed her eyes, her breathing quickly becoming one with the soft inhalation of the woman beneath her. She was just drifting off, when she heard Emma mumble words she had not heard in forever. A smile tugged on her lips, and her fingers flexed slightly inside the blonde, making Emma gasp and earning Regina an even tighter hug.
"Sleep, my dear. I…," she stuttered, not yet ready to say what she knew in her heart to be true.
"Sleep. I will hold you until you wake up."

She hadn't counted on Emma to respond, so it was with surprise that she listened to the quiet words:
"And after?"
"After?"
"After waking up," the blonde mumbled into her neck, her warm lips brushing over Regina's sweaty skin.
"After waking up, I will be here still." And, as an afterthought:
"I will be here until you do not want me to be here."
"Mmmmh." Regina chuckled. The sleepy blonde was an endearing sight and her voice made her sound like she was already asleep. She waited for a reply, but there came none. Sighing contentedly, she let her body relax and snuggled closer into the warm embrace that she was trapped in.

She was already asleep when a quiet voice said:
"Then you can stay forever."

THE END.

This concludes our little adventure with the ladies… I hope you guys liked it. Please be so kind and let me know :) Although they're not necessary, reviews do really help when I'm stuck. They inspire and make me happy. So yeah… All the best to you guys, you're awesome! :)