By the time Regina ascended the stairs and entered Emma's room, the teen was done showering. Regina could smell the scent of her body wash radiating from the room. She smiled, Emma was going to smell like her tomorrow. Regina noticed the usually flat surface of the bed was now lumpy from a body being under the covers. She heard sniffling coming from under the blanket, and sighed.

Regina wanted control over Emma. She would always want control over Emma. But she wanted to be loving, she wanted Emma to love her, not fear her. She wanted respect. She considered maybe she was going about this the wrong way. She was conflicted. She slowly walked over to the bed, and cleared her throat to let her presence be known.

"Emma turned over towards Regina and peaked from under the covers, Regina noticed her red eyes were blood shot red from crying. "What?" Emma questioned in a tone that Regina did not like.

Regina had to take a deep breath, okay two deep breaths. "I wanted to apolo-" Regina started. She surprised herself, and from the way Emma's eyes widened she surprised the teen her as well.

"What?" Emma questioned again, this time it was softer.

"I'm Sorry" Regina said, unable to meet Emma's eyes. If she did look, she would have seen the belief all over Emma's face. "During your spanking tonight, I punished you with the intent to cause you harm. I was taking my anger out on you, and I won't do that again"

"So...You're not going to spank me again?" Emma asked, hoping Regina did not hear the disappointment in her voice. She liked the spankings, just tonight it was different. She did not like it. It felt like abuse.

Regina chuckled. "Oh dear, I didn't say that. I will always punish you when you need it, I'm not going to take my anger out on you, it's not fair"

Emma scuffed. "Yeah right"

"Excuse me?"

"I've heard that before. I mean, that's why I wanted to be emancipated. I was sick of foster families, taking their anger out of me, they hit you, they apologize so that you won't tell on them, but they always do it again" Emma said sadly. She didn't know why she was telling Regina all of this.

Regina felt her heart filling with rage. No one was allowed to touch Emma, except her. She wished she still had her magic, she would have found those "foster parents" and ripped their hearts out of their chests. "I'm not like them Emma. Unlike them, I love you, I want you to be the best, for you, and for me" Regina explained. "I know you don't believe me, but you'll see, I'm not going anywhere, you're mine always, and forever"

Emma looked at Regina as she set up. "You know what, I do believe you. I know that you love me. And I know that you believe that I am yours. I've always known when people are lying to me, and I know you're not. I just don't understand why. Why me, Why are you doing this to me?"

Regina closed her eyes as she took a deep breathe. She shook her head. "I can't tell you that, you wouldn't understand"

Emma became angry but she did not want to be punished again so she keep what she wanted to say to herself.

"Emma" Regina spoke. "Listen, I know you may think that I'm trying to make your life miserable, but I'm not. That is not my mission. We can both get something out of this, if you do what I say, you can be happy. Just don't fight me"

"Is it going to be like this always, you bossing me around?"

"Yes, but you will like it. You'll see" Regina replied with a smile.

"Shouldn't it be my choice?" Emma argued, begged.

"It is Emma. You have a choice, you can listen, and I will make you happy, or you can defy me and get punished. We all have a choice".

Emma groaned. "That...I...You...Ugh" Emma didn't know what to say, she was frustrated, as well as emotionally and physically tired.

"That's okay dear. Why don't you sleep and think about everything that has happened today. I hope you learned your lesson about skipping school". Regina leaned over and kissed Emma on the forehead as she watched Emma settle back down into the bed. "Goodnight Emma"

"Goodnight Aunt Regina"

To be continued...