Underneath The Surface, Chapter 15

Underneath The Surface, Chapter 15

Let The Tide Carry It

**Author's Note: I apologize for the long wait between updates. I had to do some research for this one. Just because it's fan fiction doesn't mean it deserves less than original fiction. So I took my time with this one. I wanted to let it breathe a little before I released it to the world. This is the calm before their storm. Things are going to pick up next chapter. Action, intrigue and no triggers. I hope you enjoy it.**

After the emotional start to their afternoon, Emma wanted, needed, to get back on track. "So did you learn anything new from the book?"

Regina scooted around to sit beside Emma while still keeping one arm wrapped around her. "Actually, yes. Although it pains me to admit it, either there are things I do not know about magic or this world's magic is different."

Emma glanced at her out of the corner of one eye, surprised to hear a little Mayoral sass creep back.

"For the sake of my pride, I am going to assume that this world's magic is different. If that book is to believed, at its base, magic here is as ours is. Guided by intent. Here however, magic relies more on tools, ritual and symbolism than on intent and emotions. They rely more on candles, poppets and spells. Potions are equally important. The hard part will be getting magic, separately and collectively, to build to a level that we can not only open a portal, but open the portal to home."

"Then we take it one step at a time. Oh! I almost forgot to tell you...something happened while I was splitting wood...My emotions kind of ran away from me. I didn't realize it right away but the more frustrated I got, the harder the wind blew. Seeing black clouds come up out of nowhere made me realize I was doing it. So if we consider that along with your purple eyes this morning, we have to assume that our magic does work here, and it's tied into emotion. But, Regina, I don't want to have to make you mad to get back."

Regina chuckled. "No, you don't."

"But I have an idea." Emma began. "When I brought us here, mistakenly, there was a wind that got stronger when you touched me. I think you touching me increased my magic."

"Like when we were fighting the Wraith?"

"Yeah, and if that's the case, then, we might not have to resort to making you angry!"

"All we have to do is get you hot and bothered. Is that what you're saying?" Regina smirked. She chuckled then and gave Emma a one-armed hug to show she'd been teasing. "Come sit up here on the bed, across from me, I want to show you something."

With Regina leaning against the headboard, and Emma across from her, Regina reached out and took Emma's hands in her own. "I want you to close your eyes and think about nothing but the two of us. Not fighting, not being intimate, just our feelings for each other, and how far we've come."

Emma raised an eyebrow.

"Emma, trust me."

Emma took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She thought about how she wanted to keep Regina safe, how well they got along now, how much she wanted a relationship with the woman who used to drive her crazy. She felt a tingle in her hands and she opened her eyes to find Regina looking back at her.

"Do you feel that?"

Emma nodded.

"Hold on to what you're feeling and look down at our hands."

Emma glanced down and was struck speechless for a moment. Their joined hands were surrounded by a pale blue aura. Not as bright as they had in the mines, but it was there nonetheless.

Regina began to move her thumb lightly down the length of Emma's fingers. "Now, think of the times you have seen Gold and I produce fireballs, so that you know what it should look like."

Emma felt Regina's touch and felt the other woman's warmth and power.

"Now will a small flame here in the center of your left hand. Envision it, expect it to appear, push it just a little if you have to."

Emma stared at the palm of her hand, trying to envision a small flame there. She reached inside herself for the magic she knew she had, but she couldn't find it. She watched the faint blue aura begin to fade. "Damn it! It was never this hard before, Regina!" Emma pulled her hands away and bolted off the bed as if something had bit her.

"Storybrooke literally sat on magic, Emma. It was easier there because of the crystals. Here, we're going to have to start fresh, from a different standpoint." Regina tucked a lock of hair behind one ear and pushed up her sleeves. "Emma, you said it yourself, when you get agitated, extreme magic takes over, so you need to calm down."

Emma was pacing the length of the room while she grumbled.

Regina took a deep breath and stepped in front of her. "Emma...you need to calm down, Dear. We knew it wasn't going to be easy." Regina took Emma's face gently in both her hands and tenderly kissed the blonde. Instantly, all the frustration leaked away.

"Now, come and lay down, there's something easier I want you to try."

Emma allowed herself to be led to the bed.

"Now, lie on your back and get comfortable."

"Will you be joining me?" Emma said with a lascivious grin.

"Not yet. One step at a time." Regina smiled back and retrieved the chair, then set it beside the bed, then sat down. "Now, I want you to set your hands wherever they're comfortable. Just focus on your breathing and my voice. What do you think of when you think about air?"

"I think of gentle breezes in the summer, clouds and fans."

"All right, that's good." Regina answered in a quiet, even tone. "So picture yourself on the beach on a nice, sunny day. The wind is lifting your hair ever so slightly. There is a flag nearby and it's waving in the breeze. Feel yourself breathing...in...out...in...out."

Regina watched Emma's abdomen rise and fall with the motion of her breaths.

"Now feel the sunshine on your skin. It's warm and powerful. You can almost feel yourself tanning under it's rays. It's warm and yellow and it makes you feel so good. Just picture yourself opening your arms to it while you breathe in...and out...and in...and out."

The old house didn't creak or shift in the silence, as if it was listening.

"Now imagine yourself walking over to the water and walking in it a little ways. It's cool and soothing, as blue as the sky. It will support you, if you were to go deep enough, but stay where you are for now. Just be content and feel it take away all your stresses and worries for now. Breathe all the bad emotions out into the water. Let the tide carry it all away while you breathe."

Regina shifted in the chair and crossed her legs while she watched Emma breathe peacefully.

"Envision a little fire there on the beach, with the flames dancing and popping from the driftwood. The flames are yellow, like the sun, and they're orange and red, crackling and sparking. Feel the power there. Now wiggle your toes into the sand. Feel the warm grains slip between your toes. That sand retains heat and power from the earth, it is millions of years old. Absorb that power through your skin. Imagine yourself laying on the sand, soaking up all the ancient power, all that heat, all the energy while you simply lay there and breathe."

Regina noticed Emma was laying with her palms up and she smiled slightly as she got an idea.

"Now imagine yourself looking down at your right hand, palm up and willing a small blue flame there."

A flame appeared in the upturned palm of Emma's right hand.

"Now, when I tell you, you'll open your eyes, and in your mind, the flame will continue to be strong and steady, but small. Stay lying down, but look at the palm of your right hand. Open your eyes now."

Emma stayed in her reclined position but looked down and smiled. "Regina..." Emma smiled brightly. "I did it!"

"Indeed you did, Dear." Regina smiled proudly. "Now keep it there, don't lose focus. Sit up and maintain the flame. You can do this."

Emma carefully and slowly sat up with the tiny blue flame in her hand, marvelling at it until it flickered and finally sputtered out.

In a flash, she was up off the bed and launching herself at Regina, full of joy.

Regina laughed and returned Emma's embrace. "I see now where Henry gets it from."

They laughed and celebrated together.

"But how did I do it this time and not before?" Emma asked as she sat back down on the bed.

"What did you feel?"

"I felt...peaceful."

Regina smiled. "You were truly and properly relaxed. When you allow yourself to go into that space, you open the way for magic to come forward. Because yours is Elemental magic, I had you envision yourself in a situation where you could be open to all the elements. You made it easier for the magic to come to the surface."

"You had a lot to do with it too."

"I only guided you, Dear. You just had to get out of your own way." Regina smiled gently and stepped into Emma's space. "Congratulations." She snaked her fingers into Emma's hair and bent to kiss her.

A knock at their door stopped them both and Callie's voice called out from the hallway, "Regina? Emma? There's someone here to see you."

TBC