"Mary Margaret?" Emma called through the apartment. There was a rustling above Emma and the teacher appeared at the top of the stairs.

"Emma, just in time for lunch! Would you like anything?" she greeted, bouncing down the stairs.

"Actually, I'm here to talk to you," Emma revealed, following Mary Margaret as she stormed into the kitchen.

"Oh. Well, I'm happy to listen. What's this about, Emma?" Mary Margaret asked, already knowing the answer.

"I know I said I didn't want to talk about it, but I need to share it with someone," Emma said. The teacher nodded, and gestured to the stools. Once they were settled, a silence descended over them. Mary Margaret cleared her throat, and Emma snapped out of her staring contest with the countertop.

"So... Emma. What's going on?"

"Am I crazy?"

"Emma... why would you ask a question like that?"

"I mean, we were okay last night, I don't remember much, though. We kinda um... got drunk. But, ignoring that, think about it. I'm in some weird, messed up association with my boss. Not to mention, the woman who adopted my child. And she's not the friendliest person. Not even close. So why is it that every time we have a fight, I find myself going back to her?" Emma interrogated, an expression of intense confusion spread across her face. Mary Margaret thought the words through, then a realization hit her. It warmed her heart.

"Emma..." Mary Margaret smiled softly at the blonde.

"What?"

"You're in love," the teacher replied, a sort of amazement implicated in her voice.

"What? No, no, no. Well..." Emma started, but shook her head, "No. No way. What me and Regina have, that's not love."

"Why are you denying your obvious attraction to each other?" Mary Margaret asked, tilting her head in perplexity. Emma struggled to create a sentence.

"I'm not! I'll admit, I'm attracted to her!"

"Okay, let me rephrase the question; why are you denying your obvious feelings towards each other?" Mary Margaret said. Emma looked down at her hands, completely quiet for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, she sucked in a sharp breath.

"It's bad enough I decided that I'm staying here. For so long, I've been alone, and untrusting. Whenever I've had to face a challenge, it's either fight or flight, and as you know, I choose flight. I've kept up these... these walls, but, now I'm finding myself about to let someone in. That's scary. To let someone know everything about you, to share all your secrets with them. To have your heart belong to someone else."

"No one ever said love was easy, Emma. Trust me. It's not," Mary Margaret disclosed. Emma swallowed and looked up at the teacher's face. Mary Margaret frowned slightly at the blonde's watery eyes, and rested her hand on top of her friend's.

Emma looked away, and whispered the words so low they were barely audible, "I just don't want to be hurt again." Mary Margaret's heart clenched as she saw her friend in pain, and she rushed over to embrace her in a maternal-like embrace.

"Oh Emma, I'm here," she whimpered, rubbing circles on the blonde's back as she wept softly. Mary Margaret had never seen Emma so fragile and it brought a fierce protectiveness out of her.

"I-I'm s-sorry. I don't know... where all of this... is coming from," Emma coughed, sobs racking her body.

"It's hard for me to say, but if she hurts you, then you'll know that you really, truly love her. And it everything that you went through was all worth it. If she doesn't hurt you, then you'll know that it was never love, that she was never the one, and you'll move on with ease. It's kind of sadistic, but it's reality. Besides, I know that you can get through to her. You're the only one, besides Henry, who can. You're strong," Mary Margaret told her. She waited for the blonde to finish crying, before brushing the hair out of her face. Emma's eyes were red and puffy, and there was pain in her expression. Sniffling, Emma wiped her eyes with the back of her arm and composed herself.

"H-how are you agreeing to all of this?"

"Well, although Mayor Mills and I aren't on the best of terms, and trust me, I disagree strongly with the woman. But, doesn't she make you happy?"

"Well... yeah..."

"Then isn't that what's important?"

"Yeah. I guess. Y'know, I'm glad I came to talk to you. You've really helped me."

"That's what friends are for, Emma," Mary Margaret said, watching as Emma turned to leave.

"Oh, and Emma?" Mary Margaret added.

"Yeah?" Emma asked, twisting around to look at the teacher.

"Are you going to tell her?"

"Tell her what?" Emma questioned.

"Are you going to tell her that you love her?"

"I-I'm not sure I can." Emma squeaked, h`r voice shaking, "Sh-should I?"

"You're going to have to decide. Do what your heart tells you to do. I'm not going to make your choice for you, Emma. I'm not your mother," Mary Margaret retorted.

"Ha!" Emma laughed bitterly, "Sometimes, I wonder..."

I'm gonna tell her, Emma thought, Ohhhh god. I'm really gonna tell her. Gathering up her courage, she slipped into bed. Emma took a minute to sort her thoughts, wording her admission carefully.

"I'm scared," Emma finally whispered into the darkness, hiding under the covers. Regina yawned, trying to get comfortable.

"And why would that be, Ms. Swan?" Regina mumbled, closing her eyes. Just say it.

"Because, I think... I think I'm falling in love with you," Emma murmured, shocked that not only did she actually admit it, but she actually meant it. Emma felt it, deep down in her heart, that her attraction to Regina had grown into something more intense. It wasn't lust, no. It was something most people called love. Mary Margaret was right.

"I'm in love too, dear. Now go to sleep," Regina muttered, already half-asleep.

"Regina, I don't think you heard what I said," Emma said. Regina sighed and turned around to look at Emma.

"Alright, I'm listening," the brunette said. Emma breathed in shakily, her voice felt like it was caught in her throat.

"I...," Emma swallowed, "I love you...r bathtub. It's um... very... comfortable. We should use it more often." Regina's eyes flickered with irritation. She tossed around in a huff, lying on the edge of the bed, where she always laid when she was annoyed.

"Sheriff, did you deprive me of sleep just to tell me that?" Regina complained. Emma mentally kicked herself in exasperation, glad Regina was facing the other way so she couldn't see the tears on her face.

"Uh, yeah. Sorry. I just... really wanted to tell you that," Emma mumbled, "Just, forget it. G'night," she said weakly. Regina grunted in return. Emma felt sick. Clutching her stomach, she pulled the covers closer to her body, shielding herself from the shame.