That bright light that seemed to explode from with in them scared the hell out of Emma. She jumped up out of her seat, food forgotten and raced over to Regina who was now standing at the window looking panicked.
"Regina, what was that?" Emma asked
Regina took a quick glance at Emma. Things felt different now, the curse was broken and everyone would remember what she had done. They would come for her, and they would kill her. Snow White most likely will find her "Prince Charming" and they would come here prepared to get their daughter, Emma back. They would tell Emma how evil she was and all the evil things Regina had done to people and Emma, her sweet Emma wouldn't look at her the same, she wouldn't love her anymore. There was no magic here, how was she supposed to protect herself. How was she going to protect Emma. When the peasants came for Regina's head, they wouldn't care that Emma was in their way. She could get hurt.
It was that moment that Regina realized, she cared about Emma's safety more than her own. She cared how Emma saw her, Emma loved her, and that was because she didn't know the truth. Regina had no ideal when she first started this that she would fall in love with her enemies daughter, but she did. She never wanted their love to end...but it had to.
Regina's mind and thoughts were in fast forward mode and she was quickly thinking of a plan, she knew the town was probably reuniting and soon they would be out for blood, she had to get Emma away from her. Now.
Regina turned and was surprised to see Emma standing there with a look of confusion on her face. "Emma, you have to go" Regina states. Her voice cracked, she didn't want Emma to go, but she had to, it was for her own safety.
"What?" Emma asked confused.
"Emma, you need to get out of here now. Get out" Regina pointed to the front door.
Emma looked at the door and back at Regina, she didn't know what was going on. Was Regina asking her to leave? No, she was simply misunderstanding. Regina would never tell her to leave. Regina loved her. Regina fights for her.
Regina noticed that Emma wasn't leaving. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't. She had to send the only person shes loved since Daniel away. "Emma, I said leave, you can't stay here anymore" Regina said in a stern voice.
Emma frowned. "Why?" Emma asked, still confused.
"Because I don't want you here anymore" Regina states.
Emma gasped. It was true, Regina was telling the truth, she really didn't want Emma here. But why, none of it made any sense, Regina loved her right? Emma didn't want to go. "But I don't want to go...I want to stay with you" Emma whispered. That same phrase Emma had spoken time after time to different foster parents who didn't want her anymore. Emma felt the back of her eyes burning, and tears threatening to fall. She bit her bottom lip.
Regina looked out the window once more. She couldn't see into town from here, she imagined the town preparing their pitch forks and marching to her house. "Emma, I'm not going to tell you any more. Leave. Get out of MY house" Regina stated again. She couldn't even look at Emma when she said it. Her heart was breaking, but Emma needed to go, she wouldn't be safe here. Regina had no idea what was coming her way.
"No" Emma whined. Tears pouring down her face now. She threw her arms around Regina's waist. "I don't want to leave. I love you Regina, you said you loved me too. Don't make me go, please...I'll be good, I promise...I want to stay with you...forever" Emma cried.
Regina couldn't help it, she started crying to. Time was running out. Emma had to go now. Regina quickly dried the tears away. She pushed Emma away making her let go of her waist. "Emma. I said leave" Regina pushed Emma to the door and opened it. "Out" Regina said not making eye contact with the teen.
"Fine" Emma cried. She looked at Regina. "I should have never trusted you" Emma stated still crying. She turned around and ran down the sidewalk and away from Regina's manor, as she pulled her keys out her pocket and got into her bug, She felt like her heart was slowly breaking in half.
Regina stood in the window watching Emma pull away in the bug. When she was driving away Regina allowed herself to cry. She slid down on the floor pulling her knees up to her chest and her face in her hands and cried. She had to let Emma go. She wanted to keep her safe. One day Emma would understand, she did this for her.