"Mom!"
Regina shot up from her very uncomfortable sleeping position.
"Why were you sleeping on the couch?" her son slowly walked towards her, afraid of what he might witness.
Regina looked around in confusion "I ehh...I fell asleep."
"Are you ill? You don't look so good"
She wiped the hairs out of her face, and started to search for her phone.
"I'm fine. I'm going to shower. After that I'll make you breakfast"
"Mom, it's monday. I have to leave in 15 minutes."
Regina looked at the clock in disbelief.
She immediately tried to stand up, but a painful shot in her back forced her to sit down again. Damn couch!
Henry grabbed an apple from the kitchen, and picked up his rucksack.
"I'll eat some fruit. Gotta run." he said "I hope you feel better soon"
The sound of the front door closing, immediately took her back to the night before.
First I sent away Emma, now I'm neglecting my son. What a wonderful way the start the week.
On his way to school, Henry made a quick stop at the police station.
"Hey kid what are you doing here?" Emma looked up from her morning paper.
"My mom is ill...I think. She slept on the couch last night, and didn't look so good. Anyway, do you maybe have something to eat? I've only got an apple."
Emma had been awake almost all night, wondering whether or not to send Regina a text message to see if she was ok. It took her a lot of effort not to hit that send button.
But now, upon hearing that she probably cried herself to sleep on the couch, she felt awful for being to damn sensible.
"Where is your mom now?" she asked her son while handing him her lunch package.
He lifted his shoulders "Dunno, home I suppose"
"Come on" Emma got her car keys "I'll drop you off at school, after that I will check on your mother"
Emma parked her car at the usual spot and walked towards the house.
The curtains were closed, and the newspaper was still lying on the doormat.
Either she went back to sleep, or she really doesn't want any visitors.
She sat down on the porch for a few minutes, wondering what to do, until she heard a soft cough coming from inside the house. She decided to give a soft knock on the door and waited. It stayed quiet. She tried again.
In the distance she could hear the soft sound of footsteps approaching, but the door stayed shut.
"Regina, it's me Emma." She whispered while leaning her head against the door.
"Please open. I'm worried about you."
Nothing.
"I got you breakfast"
She shook the brown paper bag in her hand as proof.
The woman at the other side, didn't know if she should feel loved or ashamed by what was happening.
She looked like hell, and she couldn't face the woman she so suddenly sent away the night before. But on the other hand, she felt alone and miserable. Maybe some company would do her good.
She reached for the doorknob and opened it just enough to see the sincere look in Emma's eyes. That was all it took to grand her further access.
"Please come in" It was barely a whisper.
She closed the door quickly behind her, afraid that anyone would see her like this.
For a moment Emma was lost for words. She honestly didn't think she would get this far.
"I brought some sandwiches" she tried again.
"I'm not hungry"
"Then stare at them for all I care. But we are going to sit down and talk, and I'm not leaving until you do."
"Fine, in that case I hope you brought dinner as well."
Emma started to get really frustrated with this woman.
"I'm confused Regina. What exactly happened yesterday?"
"I told you, I was tired. Probably overly dramatic. Nothing to worry about."
"Bull shit, you were hurt. I saw it."
"Then why do you ask?" the queen snapped at her.
It took Emma by surprise. She stood frozen in the middle of the living room, still holding the bag of sandwiches in her hand.
For a brief moment she considered to just turn around and leave. She faced the woman in front of her, hoping to find some sign of cooperation. Instead she found someone who clearly had a hard time standing up straight.
The queen noticed the blonde staring at her "Oh for crying out loud, don't look at me like that. It's just my back because of that damn couch!"
Emma started to laugh, clearing the tension in the air a bit.
"I'm sorry. It's not funny...it's just...you really did sleep on the couch didn't you? That is so not like you. And don't give me that I was tired crap again."
Regina closed her mouth to stop herself from saying just that.
"Come here, sit on the couch and turn your back towards me. I know a thing or two about massages"
The queen didn't feel like fighting Emma's concern any longer. She did as she was told, and sat down on the couch.
She felt the other woman sitting down behind her, reaching out for her shoulders.
A sudden moan escaped her mouth. It seems that she really does know a thing or two about this.
Emma on the other hand felt her own muscles tense by the feeling of Regina's body.
Oh my god, what did I get myself into?
After several minutes she noticed Regina's body was getting limp.
She continued the massage until she was pretty sure the woman in front of her was fast asleep.
Well that was very useful, now she's sleeping on that damn couch again!
She didn't know what came over her in that instant, but she slowly pulled Regina towards her in a tight embrace.
The fear of her waking her up, was soon dismissed when she noticed the woman nuzzling closer to her.
Having had hardly any sleep herself, Emma could feel her eyelids growing heavier before she finally surrendered to a well deserved rest.
