After everyone ate dinner and everything was taken care of I found Regina at the front of the ship again. She was watching the sunset. "I always loved watching the sunset over the ocean. It's so peaceful." I stood about a foot away from Regina and looked with her.
"I like both the sunrise and sunset. Though, I see the sunset more often since I enjoy sleeping in." I started to enjoy the silent times Regina and I shared.
"Did you mean what you said to your mother earlier?" Her voice was small and she never looked at me. I could hear her voice shake a little in fear that I was lying.
"So you were eavesdropping." I paused. "Yes I meant what I said. All of it. Like I said last night, you've changed. You had a few setbacks but everyone has. The road to change isn't a straight and clean one. It's very…rocky and can take awhile to get to the end of. But I believe that if you get to see Henry that will help you with that road. You're not alone Regina." She didn't say a word for awhile.
"Why do you believe in me so much? You know my past and everything I've done yet you are giving me another chance."
"A chance to redeem yourself." Regina looked at me then. "Henry told me you wanted to redeem yourself for what you've done in your past. The road to redemption isn't always a straight one and you just lost sight of the road for awhile but you found your way back and you're trying even harder to stay on that path now. Or at least that's what I believe."
"When did you become so deep?" I laughed at Regina's shock.
"I have my moments. But please don't look so shocked." Regina rolled her eyes at the childishness of my voice.
"And there's the childish Emma back. I knew it wouldn't last long." Regina's voice was light and she had a small grin as she spoke. The sun was almost gone from sight when Hook broke through the peaceful silence.
"Everyone can I get your attention?" He stood in the middle of the ship as he spoke. "We'll be sailing a few more days, I'm calculating about five, before we get to the spot we can throw the bean to get to Neverland. I'll need someone to help man the boat tonight so I can get some sleep. Any volunteers?" Luckily David spoke up. I didn't want to be alone with Hook again. He can read me too well and that freaks me out. I looked back at Regina and she had a mix of worry and relief on her face.
"We're going to find and save Henry, Regina." I placed a reassuring hand on her arm to get my point across. "Trust me." She looked from my hand to my face and gave me a small smile.
"Thanks." That night I couldn't sleep. All I could think of was how gorgeous Regina looked in the glow of the sunset. Ever since I helped Regina contain the magic from the trigger I've felt a deeper connection with her. There's always been one since we kind of share a son but one on a deeper level. I looked over to find her sound asleep. Her back was facing me but I knew she looked peaceful. I wonder if she felt that connection as well. It was warmer that night so she gave me my jacket back and it smelt like her. That relaxed me as I breathed it in. Was I falling for this woman? And how exactly did we contain the magic from the trigger? I didn't know that split moment idea would work or not but it did.
A few hours passed and I think I had fallen asleep but was woken by low cries and whimpers. After I looked around it soon dawned on me that the cries where coming from Regina. I crawled over and saw tears roll down her cheeks. "Regina." I leaned over her a little more. "Regina. Wake up." She didn't wake. God please don't let her kill me for this. "Regina." I placed a hand on her arm and started to shake her slightly. "It's a dream. Wake up." She still didn't wake up. I didn't know what to do. My hand moved before I knew and I had cupped her cheek.
When her eyes shot open I jumped but before I could pull my hand back she grabbed it. "What the Hell were you doing?"
"I…you were…uh." My heart was pounding. "You were crying and I've been trying to wake you up for the past five minutes but nothing was working. I thought…" Regina must have realized she was still grasping my hand and let it go quickly. I missed her touch instantly. Her hands were so soft. "Here." I handed her a handkerchief I had in my jacket.
"Thanks." She took it and dried her face. "Not a word of this. Do you hear me?"
"Of course not." I moved back to my side of the cabin and laid down. I felt like a puppy that just got in trouble for doing something bad. "I'm sorry." I curled up with my back facing her. She huffed out some air.
"Emma." I didn't answer. "Emma." I still didn't answer. "Damn it woman I'm trying to apologize." She threw the handkerchief at my head and I chuckled. I could only imagine the slightly irritated look on her face. "I'm sorry for snapping at you. I shouldn't have done that. You've been nothing but nice to me. Do you accept my apology?"
"Yes." I rolled over and stretched out. "What were you dreaming about?" Regina was quiet as she watched me skeptically. Her not answering told me she was dreaming about Henry. "Regina, I don't care how many times I have to tell you that we're going to find him. And I'll hold the bastard and the bitch so you can have the first swing at them." Regina chuckled through the sniffles. "You can beat them up a bit. Show them whose boss and…"
"I get it Emma." She laughed a little more. I was happy I could cheer her up and make her smile. I loved seeing and hearing her laugh and smile. It brightened up a room. "How is it you've been able to cheer me up so much the past few days?"
"Because I'm childish and funny and I bug you but still have some decency. And on occasion I have my grown-up moments." She stared at me and bowed her head.
"Yup. I believe that's about spot on." We chatted awhile longer and soon fell asleep. Next thing I knew Hook was knocking on the door to the cabin waking us up.
"Ladies wake up. I just know you're both bright eyed and bushy tailed by now." I looked over to Regina and she gave me a nod.
"I'm sure he'll forgive you for using it this one time." Regina gave me a groggy grin.
"I'm holding you to that." With a wave of her hand Hook was silenced. "That will keep him for awhile." She stretched trying to get life back into her muscles. "Sleeping on this straw is killing my back."
"I can give you a massage if you'd like to work the knots out." Once again I spoke before I knew what I said. Regina was amused by the look of sheer horror on my face. "I meant that in the most innocent way possible. I swear."
"I know you did." When I opened the door there was a toad sitting at my feet. It was making a racket and jumping up and down. I snorted and looked back at Regina. "Suits him doesn't it?"
"I'm not kissing him." I stepped over the toad and picked him up. He sat still in my hand as I faced him towards Regina.
"Now you listen to me," She pointed her finger at him and damn she looked sexy. "Next time you pound on our door like that again it will be a permanent change. Got it?" Hook made a noise and Regina waved her hand again. A cloud of purple smoke appeared a few feet away. Hook walked away grumbling something under his breath. "Ready for the foul thing that he calls breakfast?" I laughed and smiled. I liked this playful side of Regina. I had never seen it before.