This is the second chapter of the story. I am hoping to get some feedback...publically this time.

I know I don't have a beta...wish I knew someone who did.

Caution: Established female-female relationship (SwanQueen) and one swear word.

Once Upon a Time is owned by ABC Studios and the Walt Disney Company.

This is the morning after and just before everyone gets together at Regina's. The mayor wants to confess something.

There is more to come. And I DID give the Hot Sheriff a first name. THAT's Mine.

Day 1 | 7:23 am

It was a sunny day in Storybrooke. Birds are singing...probably working as Snow White's alarm clock. All looked perfect.

But then it would be perfect if neither you nor your lover had that dream. Or, indeed, half the town.

A devastated Boston. Death everywhere. Those dragons. Rumpelstiltskin.

And Graham. Rex Graham, alive. And about to kill you before you and Emma woke up.

So there you sit at the counter, the mayor of a town you created. Having lived through your own your own Jerry Bruckheimer disaster movie, with Graham on your mind. That and what you did.

And wondering if the woman you loved knew. And if she did, would she keep loving you?

In about two hours, a good deal of the town would be there to figure out what happened last night. You have to get this off your chest. And you know you have to do this now.

Two things make it a bit bearable. One, Emma Snow makes the best damn cup of coffee on the planet.

And as a cascade of blond curls mingles with your black hair, as you feel hot breath on your face, two arms draped around your neck, and two lips wetly pressing against it, you know the other...Emma Snow also gives the best kisses on the planet.

"Mmmmmm..." You hum to yourself as you return Emma's kiss with your own. There was a bit of sadness...because this could be the last one.

"Queeny...?" Emma's concern is totally evident. You don't look like the usual Regina Mills, all sure of yourself in total Joan Crawford mode. "What's wrong, babe..?"

You just decide to do it. You let out breath, guide Emma to a sit-down, and look into those blue-green eyes...eyes you became lost in so very long ago...

"Emma...before everyone shows up, there's something I have to talk to you about.." Emma is puzzled and wonders what is going on. You continue: "Before everyone shows up (pause) there's (pause) something I need to tell you. You just have to promise me that you won't hate me afterwards."

Emma is puzzled..and curious "Shoot."

"It's about Graham. I killed him."

Emma looks at you with no emotion. Just looks at you. And you are doing all you can not to break."

"When we had that fight, I left and went to a secret vault where I stored...his heart."

Still silence from Emma...

"I was angry...and I was sad...(now starting to cry uncontrollably)...and I squeezed that heart like a sponge...I k-k-killed him Emma...I killed him...I..."

You become lost in your own tears, afraid that one of the only two people you love would walk out on you. But she firmly holds your arms and tell you to stop crying. You look in her eyes and tears stream down yours and she speaks.

"Now, let ME tell you something," Emma begins. "I knew what you did. I've always known.."

Now you're the one that's puzzled. Emma explains..."It was in the book."

You almost laughed at this. "and you're still with me."

"Now and always." You recognize the words and you start to cry again...

"Listen..." Emma tries to lift you out of the hole you dug for yourself. "I know you ripped his heart out before the curse...and he came with you."

You just shake your head tearfully, quietly as Emma continues.

"But I found his heart. And so did Whale when he did the autopsy. And since I can't create one, somehow he arrived here with one."

You are confused, but you are paying attention to what Emma's saying..

"I mean...How can a person...live without a heart?"

"Obviously, you don't watch the GOP debates.." Your attempt at humor lightened things a bit. But then Emma got serious.

"Look. Somehow, Graham got a heart from someplace...because Whale said that he died of a heart attack. So somehow something...or someone gave him a new heart. And whoever gave him that heart killed him."

Now you wonder "But when he was with me..."

"Regina...when he was with you, he was because he wanted to. And when he kissed me, he did because he wanted to. And when he remembered..."

"He...what?"

"He remembered everything. You didn't know?" You just shook your head.

"Then someone killed him just as he remembered. Now who would have that power..."

"Rumpel Fucking Stiltskin..."

"Exactly, baby. That's why he attacked us in the dream. Because Rumple...or somebody... had control over Graham."

Your sadness, Regina, is now giving way to anger. "So you're thinking Rumple...err..Gold silenced him before people got their memories back?"

"Yeah...he might even still have him in his power."

"But Emma...he's dead."

"Babe, the one thing I realized being here is that nothing ever is what they seemed. How fast can you get a court order to dig up the body.."

"You know who the judge is. Five seconds."

You and Emma are now looking into each others eyes. God you love her...

"Regina..."

"...yeah Em.."

"I'm stayin' right with you..."

"Now and forever...?"

"Now and forever."

You kiss. Deeply The sheriff tells you to get ready...Henry will be up shortly and everyone will be here at ten. You both kiss again. Then you make it up the stairs. And you think. A year ago you'd do anything to make that blond disappear. Now you'd do anything to keep her yours.

You can get used to this happy ending stuff...

TO BE CONTINUED.