Oppsy, so I realised I didn't put the right Roman Numerals in last chapter, ahem anyway, have you guys picked up on the fact that I have a teensy obsession with pencil dresses and Lana pulls them off so well. So she'll always be wearing them in this fic haha Anyway, thank for all the reviews and support! Because of you guys I updated. This chapter was fun to right, and I hope you liked it as much as I do :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time

VII: Trapped By Her Aching Heart

The angelic, classical music and the sounds of laughter and chatter pervaded the air, and the room couldn't be more spectacular. The tables and chairs were scattered around the sides of the room, decorated with the scarlet and emerald ribbons and tablecloths in celebration of the festive season. The windows were entwined with the glittering tinsel, holy, Christmas lights, golden bells and bubbles, and a Christmas tree sat at every corner of the room. The golden, crystal chandelier hung from the roof, decorated with the brilliant candles that casted its light across the cream walls and polished marble flooring. Women in brilliant colored dresses twirled around the dance floors with their partners as waiters strolled around the room, offering platters of exquisite seafood, succulent meat rolls, appetizing deserts, French cuisines and a colorful range of cocktails.

Regina sank into the chair as she took a sip of wine from her crystal glass. She may not be able to use magic in this world, but she sure could throw a stunning, magical party. Her eyes swept the room before they landed on her son, playfully dancing with Emma. A piercing stab ran through her heart at the sight, it seemed like he had been holding a grudge with her for 'interfering Snow and Prince Charming's relationship,' and would not let it go. But unfortunately the Christmas ball was an open invitation. A small sigh escaped her lips, normally she would go over there and stop it, but she knew Emma would snap at her and she didn't want to draw attention.

Her eyes drifted towards the merry people. She loathed this yearly event, seeing all the people she wanted to suffer reveling in the wine and music made her sick. But she knew it was necessary to help gain the people's trust and maintain her power. Regina took a generous gulp from her glass as she began to believe that this event wasn't worth it. Is this seriously what she did every year, sit at the back of the room and drain a few glasses until she delivered her speech? No, she would try and spend time with Henry, chat and dine with him; but that was no longer an option.

" Hey, is this seat taken?"

Regina looked up, her eyes rounded with surprise at David's sudden presence

" No, of course not," she replied, gesturing towards the empty seat.

Regina crossed one leg over the other as she took another gulp from her glass.=

" Easy on the alcohol," David said jokingly as he took sat down.

Regina placed the glass down as she gave him a small smile. "I noticed that you weren't dancing with Ms. Blanchard, I admit I was rather surprised."

" Well actually she's ill in bed. Do you remember the apple turnover you gave her? It had peanuts in it. Turns out that she was allergic…"

Regina gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. " Oh no, I'm so sorry. I didn't-"

David waved his hand in there air, sweeping away her words. " You don't need to apologize, you didn't know. The doctor said she would make a full recovery so it will all work out."

Regina let out a relieved sigh. " I'm glad to hear that, though it is unfortunate that she couldn't make it tonight. Please, give her my best wishes."

David smiled. " Of course."

The two sat in silence as they watched the people dance. David followed Regina's eyes, his chest tightening at the woman's sadness. She watched her son laugh with Emma, and he may not be a mind reader, but he knew what she was thinking.

" You really did a great job with the decorations," he offered, hoping to distract her.

Regina startled. " Thank you dear," she replied, but her eyes were still on the happy couple.

David sighed as Regina continued to stare longingly at her son. He honestly couldn't understand why the woman continued to torture herself with her misery, nor did he understand why Henry wouldn't be with her mother for one night. His eyes saddened, it was like he could feel the loneliness emit from her, and he hated it. It seemed like Regina had forgotten David's last promise, that Henry was just going through a stage and still loved her. But he didn't blame her, he knew that the sight was breaking her heart. And he couldn't bear to see it anymore. So before he could stop himself he blurted:

" Would you like to dance?"

Regina's head snapped up, her eyes round with astonishment. " What?"

" Well," he said slowly, his eyes twinkling as they gestured towards the dance floor. " We could continue to sit and chat, or we could take advantage of the extravagant dance floor."

Regina opened her mouth but had no time to voice her objections before he stood up and took her hand in his, raising an eyebrow." You can't honestly tell me that you're enjoying this night, because I know better. You organized this amazing night and you deserve to enjoy yourself."

Regina couldn't help but repress an eye roll.

" You're very sweet David, but I'm not much of a-"

Her voice cut off into a small shriek as she was yanked onto the dance floor. She stumbled after David, searching for her balance, her hand clutched in his. David wrapped his arm around her waist as her free hand found his shoulder before he took the lead.

The minutes passed and Regina couldn't help but let out an incredulous laugh as he twirled her around, her high heels dancing across the floor. The room was a dizzy blur of colors as Regina spun, her hair flew and her dress fluttered around her knees as her mind raced. Perhaps it was the alcohol that was making the strange sensation wash over her, (after all she was beginning to feel a little lightheaded), but Regina felt odd.

She tried to ignore the static that ran up her arm at his touch, or the pounding of her heart, or the warmth that was rushing under her skin and sneaking its way to her cheeks. What was wrong with her? She hated these feelings, she felt vulnerable and weak, but she couldn't extinguish the fire that was igniting.

Regina focused straight ahead as she tried not to stumble over her feet, she use to waltz every week at the grand balls the King would hold. But that had been years. A small smile graced her lips as her feet moved found the rhythm, her hips swaying to the music.

" You're not too bad," David commented after a few minutes.

Regina met his eyes, a twinkle in her eye. " Well, you're not half bad yourself."

" Tell me," he said as he spun her around again before she twirled back. " Why do you always where those dresses?"

Regina's eyes flickered towards her off the shoulder, ebony pencil dress and frowned, her hand finding his shoulder again.

" These?" She assumed he was referring to her everyday pencil dresses. " Well, they're classy and sophisticated and elegant, an attire that is expected of Storybrook's Mayor."

David raised an eyebrow. " But it's not necessarily expected at a ball," he responded slowly, his eyes gesturing to the many formal gowns that the women wore.

Regina suppressed an eye roll. " And I'm to assume the flannel is?" She asked playfully, her eyes flickering to his crisp shirt.

An amused chuckle escaped his lips as he gave her another twirl.

Gradually music grew softer as the orchestra began to play a slow, gentle composition. She felt David's hand slide down her hip as he pulled her in closer. Regina's heart quickened. She rested her head on his shoulder as she let her body press against his, breathing in his scent. Her eyes fluttered shut as they began to sway to the music.

" By the way I forgot to ask, how's your ankle? I'm guessing it's healed?"

" Yes," she murmured in his neck. " Surprisingly, it's healed rather well."

Regina couldn't help but smile, she felt a sense of security and comfort in his arms, the feeling was foreign, but it felt right. Regina didn't even notice the music stop until David stopped dancing.

Regina felt a little tipsy as she was released from his embrace: she shook her head slightly, trying to make out the blurry atmosphere. The alcohol was really getting to her. David quickly caught her arm as she regained her balance. She let out a small laugh.

" Thanks, I guess I did drink a lot tonight."

David gave her a 'you think' expression, which caused a small smile to dance on her lips. Hesitantly he took her hand in his and brushed his lips against her knuckles as a gesture of chivalry, casting her a charming smile. Regina's cheeks blushed scarlet as she playfully curtsied, thanking him for the dance; and David didn't know whether his actions or the alcohol caused her to blush.

Then they were frozen as they stood in the middle of the dance floor, their eyes lost in each other's. Regina's heart was thumping against her chest, like vicious tigers yearning to escape. She felt the atmosphere spinning into a hazy blur and she was still dizzy. Hesitantly, David brushed a strand of hair from her eye and tucked it behind her ear, his finger lingering near her cheek. His eyes travelled down as they drank in her dark beauty; her striking, mysterious eyes, her soft ivory skin, her dress that seemed to cling to her curves, her allure…

Regina blinked, she felt like she was waking from a trance. She noticed David's dazed look and cocked her head to the side as she tried to catch his eyes.

" Something the matter dear?"

David shook his head as he tried to tear his eyes away from her, but he couldn't understand the feelings himself.

" You look…stunning," he finally whispered.

Desire stirred inside Regina and she wanted nothing more than to be back in his arms. It must be the alcohol, it must be, after all there was no other excuse for the ridiculous thoughts and feelings.

David's eyes suddenly flickered above, causing Regina to frown as she followed his eyes. A gasp escaped her lips as they both stared at the delicate, lush mistletoe, dangling from the ceiling. David swallowed, finally breaking the trance. His mouth dried as he tried to distract her.

" Regina, I just wanted to thank you for your friendship over the past few days."

He paused as Regina took a step closer, her eyes fluttering shut.

" You were always there for me…"

His voice trailed off as Regina closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his. Slowly and reluctantly David returned the kiss, his hand curling around her neck as he pulled her in. This kiss wasn't like the others, it wasn't passionate or feverish or lustful, but it was soft and sweet, like a lover's kiss.

Suddenly Regina pulled away, her chest heaving with her heavy breaths, her eyes wide with horror.

" I-I'm terribly sorry for that. I just-", Regina tried to pull herself together but she struggled to utter a word.

She turned on her heels and briskly left the room, leaving a stunned, opened mouth Prince Charming. Quickly David whirled around, and was relieved to find that everyone else was too busy with the party to notice their kiss. David shook his head as he left the dance floor to sit down on one of the ivory seats.

What was wrong with him? No, he didn't kiss her first, but he returned it. He knew he should be consumed by guilt, but he wasn't. Instead a fire was burning inside of him, lust and longing and he couldn't help but want to go after Regina. David shut his eyes as he repressed a sigh. Memories of yesterday's events flashed in his mind. He remembered the desperation and sorrow he felt when Regina didn't emerge from the lake. The relief he felt when she was alive. The way his heart swelled when she smiled back up at him and hugged him. And how he wanted their kiss to last. Whether he liked it or not, there was no denying it, he had developed feelings for her.

…

Regina found the only area she knew would be deserted and bring her comfort, her apple tree. Her eyes flickered up towards the nourished, blood red apples before she fell against the tree. She should be happy, her plan was working and Charming was in the palm of her hand. One more move and he would leave Mary Margaret forever, the curse would thrive and she would have her revenge. Yet she had left the room.

There was no denying the mixed feelings that filled her; she had felt them yesterday and again tonight. And at the bottom of her heart she knew what it meant. She left the room because she couldn't lose herself in him, because she was developing feelings for him and she couldn't do that.

The snapping of a twig broke her thoughts as her head snapped up. Her eyes widened when she saw David in front of her, breathless. She shut her eyes.

" David, I apologize again, I-"

David pressed his lips against her, silencing her as he pushed her against the tree. His hands cupped the sides of her face, causing the static to surge inside of her. Regina pushed him back, her hand lingering against his chest as she tried to catch her breath. Regina tried to pull herself together but she knew her legs couldn't support her weight for long and the tree was the only thing supporting her weight. She took a shaky breath as she tried to find the words.

" David, I don't understand-"

" I just had to do that again," he whispered, taking a step back to give her some room. " I left Kathryn."

Regina eyes widened, she must have heard wrong. She took a step away from the tree as she tried to make sense of what she was hearing.

" David, what are you saying?"

David shook his head as his eyes travelled to the distance. " I don't know, all I know is that I have these feelings and I can't stop thinking about you …and when I rescued you from the lake and you were alive…" he paused and met her eyes. " I don't know, but that's when I felt it…and all I could think of was that I couldn't lose you. I just couldn't."

Regina took a shaky breath before she exhaled. She folded her arms as she shook her head.

" David, I don't-"

" Just tell me if you feel the same," he took her hand in his. " I know you do, and tonight proved it."

Regina gave him a sad look. " You're very sweet David, but I had consumed a lot of alcohol, and you're very confused. I don't think you quite understand what you're-"

" Regina, I know what I'm feeling." He stepped forward and placed her hand against his chest. He saw her eyes widened as she felt the thundering beats of his heart. " That's what I feel when I kissed you tonight, when I embraced you yesterday…and whenever I see you. Just…tell me you feel the same."

Regina shut her eyes as she drew back her hand, not knowing what to say. This was what she wanted; she should be pursuing this relationship. And right now she wanted more than anything to press her lips against his and lose herself in his embrace. Yet the realization was dawning on her, this wasn't just an act of revenge anymore.

" David, we can't do this. I-" She paused, lost for words. She lowered her eyes and bit her lip. " I think it's best for you to leave now. Please, just go."

She didn't need to say anymore, her colds words had the effect she wanted. David slowly nodded, sadness passing his eyes as he realized the meaning of her words. Reluctantly he took a step forward and grazed his lips against her cheek.

" Regina, I understand. But just know I'll be here for you…waiting."

And then he left. Regina watched him disappear inside before she fell back against the tree, surrendering to her tears. She never intended on getting caught up in the web of emotions and feelings when she began the plan, she never knew the risk she was making. And now the plan was cracking, and she couldn't fix it, trapped by her aching heart. She couldn't fall for David, not when her revenge was the most important thing. But now it was too late. Yes, there was no denying it: Regina Mills had fallen in love.

Thanks for reading guys! What did you think? I have my idea for the next chapter so hopefully it should be up soon, and or I'll say is i think this may be the one you've been waiting for. Won't say more than that. Anyway, thanks for what you reading and please tell me what you think, reviews are my fuel for writing!

Lydia :)