A/N: A heartfelt thank-you to all. Here's the final chapter. There may be an epilogue in the future, but this went a lot further than I ever expected. You were inspiring, and I hope you enjoy it. Thanks again!

This is ridiculous. Emma tossed and turned in bed, and with a huff, finally sat up, giving up on trying to sleep. After poofing herself from Regina's bedroom to her own, she'd gotten ready for bed, hoping she'd be able to sleep away the worry and the excitement. She should have known better. The fluttering butterflies had subsided only a little since leaving Regina's. The minute she lay down and closed her eyes, all she saw was Regina. Regina, in her bedroom, in her silk pajamas, her slightly tousled hair, and makeup-free face. On the rare occasions when she had seen Regina dressed down or in the midst of getting ready, Emma had been a little dumbstruck and frankly, turned on. Put-together Regina was captivating, but casual-Regina, in bare feet, with little to no makeup, was sexy as hell. Last night was no exception. She had surprised Regina, and then she had shocked her with her confession. Looking back now, Emma was almost proud of herself. She had spoken from the heart and hadn't made a fool of herself. At least, not entirely right? Her confession had inevitably led to the highlight of the evening – that kiss. She sighed deeply. She had intended to kiss Regina softly, have it be just a small taste for both of them, but as with almost everything between them, once they began, it took on a life of its own. She remembered Regina kissing her back, exploring her own lips and tongue, as if claiming her. Emma shuddered, realizing that she really didn't mind, and wouldn't hesitate to offer herself to Regina entirely. What could they do to each other given the chance?

If she'd known that kiss was going to be so good and powerful, she would have done it years ago. She sunk a little lower in bed, remembering all the times that she could have kissed Regina. Could she have kissed her that first night, in Regina's study as they sipped cider, while measuring each other up? Probably. Or the following morning as Regina stood outside her room at Granny's, looking like she wanted to take a bite (or several bites) out of her instead of those damn apples? Most likely. Could she have kissed her as she pleaded with Emma to bring back Henry safely from the mines, or as she climbed out of the well, realizing that Regina had risked her own life to save her and her mother? Definitely. She was certain she should have kissed Regina as they tearfully said goodbye, just as Pan's curse was closing in on them. In that moment, Regina had given Emma her own good memories and the possibility of a new life with Henry, when all Emma really wanted was the possibility of a life with Henry and Regina. She shook her head, smiling at herself. They had danced around their feelings for so long. There were so many times, more than she could recall in one sleepless morning, when she should have embraced Regina, held her close, and gotten lost in her. Instead of turning her back and walking away, or worse, taken Neal or Hook's hand, she should have taken Regina's, woven their fingers together, and never let go.

Again, she thought of Regina at home. She wondered if she'd been able to sleep, or if she lay awake, trying to make sense of what had happened. Emma revisited their kiss, and the moments afterwards. Regina had smiled. She had smiled like she'd never smiled at Emma before. It was shy, vulnerable, and revealing, as if Emma was now allowed beyond the high, guarded walls of Regina Mills. Emma suddenly felt warm. Her hands and fingertips began to tingle. She clenched and unclenched her fists trying to release the sensations. She folded her arms around her chest, trying in vain to feel again Regina's body against hers. Her body suddenly felt too light, and only holding Regina would keep her from floating away. She reached for the phone on her nightstand. She hesitated for only a second and then typed a brief message. Emma paused again for a moment and let her thumb hover over the SEND button. Would Regina be upset if Emma woke her up with a text message? Would she even see it right away? Emma shook her head. If the message woke her up or annoyed her, Regina could add it to her list of sins that was quickly growing. What the hell!

Regina sat in her study, still staring out the window of her study, rehashing what Emma had said, and what they had done. The nearby phone chirped, and she jumped a little in her chair, annoyed at being startled, but her motherly instincts kicked in. Was it Henry? Was he ok? Then she remembered the time. It was too early for her teenage son to need anything on a Saturday morning. She swiped at her phone, unlocking it, and realizing the message wasn't from Henry, but from Henry's other mother. She read Emma's message. It was short.

Regina you awake?

She read, and reread the words. She imagined Emma in her makeshift bedroom at her parent's loft. She was probably lying in bed, in just a tank-top and panties, like that morning when she had shown up unannounced at Granny's. She'd never forgotten that image of Emma as she opened the door. She was unabashedly sexy, almost unaware of how attractive she really was, or the effect she could have on others. It was either that, or she simply didn't care. Besides, Regina scoffed, who answered the door to a stranger in their underwear? The woman had no sense of modesty. Then again, she didn't have to with a body like that. She typed back.

I'm awake, Miss Swan.

She's awake, Emma thought. Two of us awake on opposite ends of the same, small town. And possibly awake for the same reasons. She responded.

I couldn't sleep. Too much to think about after…

After?

Ya know, after everything that happened with you and me last night.

You mean, earlier this morning, Miss Swan.

Right! You and me this morning.

Their banter came to a stop. Emma waited anxiously, willing her phone to come to life. It finally did.

Emma, I can't do this. Not like this.

This time, Emma didn't hesitate. She pushed the speed dial button that displayed Regina and Henry smiling back at her. She had taken the photo one night at Granny's while mother and son had been teasing her about who knows what. She pretended to be offended with their teasing, but secretly, she loved seeing Regina smiling and laughing easily. The phone rang three, four, five times, and Emma suspected Regina wasn't going to answer, when she heard a click, a deep sigh on the other end, and Regina's rich, sultry voice. Maybe it was the early hour and the quiet in her bedroom, but Emma swore Regina's voice was a little lower than usual. She felt it go right through her, and stop somewhere south of her hips.

"Emma…"

"Regina…good morning."

"Good morning Miss Swan."

"I like 'Emma' better."

"Good morning Emma."

Emma sighed and smiled. "Oh, I can get used to that. How are you?"

"Sleep deprived. You?"

"I couldn't sleep either."

"I gathered from your messages. And the call."

"Regina, about last night…"

Here it comes, Regina thought. The apology. Last night explained away by too much alcohol, and not enough to do in her sleepy town.

"It's fine, Emma." Regina get up from her chair, and began to slowly pace. She felt the need to move, to release some of her discomfort. "No need for apologies. We'll pretend as if it never happened." She stopped, looked out over her property, feeling as if her world was once again slipping away.

"What? No, Regina! That's not what I was going to say." Emma sat up a little straighter in bed. "I have no intention of apologizing, and I'm certainly not taking anything I said or did back."

"Emma, you can't be serious. You said a lot of things."

Emma was now sitting on the edge of her bed. She wasn't entirely surprised by Regina's reaction but she needed to make her understand, while not waking up everyone in her parent's home. This was not going to be easy. Her words came out as a stern whisper. "Regina, I am very serious. I have no regrets about last night. I only wish I'd done it sooner!"

Regina resumed her pacing. Of course, Emma was going to be stubborn about this. She was stubborn about everything. Emma's tenacity was one of the qualities that she secretly admired. "Emma, this is ridiculous. This, whatever this is, can't happen."

"Regina, is it really ridiculous? I sat here this morning for quite a while thinking back to everything that we've been through. We've battled all kinds of monsters and curses for so long, and yet this – this thing between us – is probably the biggest demon we've been ignoring. I'm choosing to face it."

"You may be right, but you're stronger than I am. You always have been." She was uncomfortable with her admission, and searched for what to say next. Emma quickly responded.

"Regina, that's not true. You're the strongest, most honest person I know, and it's not about being strong or right. I just couldn't ignore it anymore. I couldn't lose you without even trying."

Regina smiled. How was it possible that Emma, who was normally so awkward and clumsy – the woman literally tripped over just about everything – was so graceful when speaking from the heart. "Emma, that's very sweet." She paused, before pushing ahead. "You know, they won't believe you? No one will believe you're really interested in me. They will blame me – say something ridiculous like I cast a spell to seduce you."

With a chuckle, Emma asked. "Have you?"

Regina was slightly indignant. "Have I what?"

"Have you cast a spell to seduce me?"

"Miss Swan, there are many things I've done with magic, but I've never needed magic to seduce anyone."

"You may not have used magic, but you've definitely used something."

Regina was slightly offended. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Emma sat back in bed, leaning on the headboard, grinning at herself. She was about to have a little fun. "Oh I don't know, Madame Mayor. Maybe it's those damn outfits of yours. All those power suits that fit you like a second skin."

"Miss Swan, I happen to like my suits, and I happen to think I look good in them."

"Oh, I know you like them. I like them too! And you certainly look good in them. I wonder if the spell isn't in the suits at all, but those damn shirts where every single…top...button strains just a little bit. How do you even do that?"

"Ah, so you noticed that?" Regina was grinning devilishly.

"Regina, everyone notices. So yes, I noticed, and stop smiling. I can hear that evil grin all the way here. One of these days – or nights, I'm going to rescue one of the buttons with my teeth."

"Promises, promises."

"And you know I keep my promises."

"That I do, Miss Swan, and that's what scares me." Regina sighed and let out a breath. She sounded resigned when she spoke again. "Emma, we're not doing this."

"On the phone?" Emma knew she was being difficult, but she wouldn't let Regina have her way. She had to keep fighting off every one of Regina's excuses for her sake, and even for Regina.

"No, Emma, not on the phone, and not ever."

"You're too late. We've already started."

"Emma, that was one kiss and it will never happen again."

"It's not just about the kiss. It's more than that, but really, was it that bad?"

"No Emma, it wasn't bad at all. In fact, it was rather..." Regina searched her mind and her heart for words to describe that kiss. It had been sweet and intoxicating, familiar and exciting. It had tasted of whiskey and Emma, and she knew she'd never forget it. It was like no other kiss before, and she knew she'd never experience that with anyone else. It had felt like…home.

"Well Madam Mayor, I think I've left you speechless. This may be a first."

"It's not the first time you've left me speechless. It's just the first time that you're aware. Big difference."

"So it's happened before. Maybe you do care?"

"I do care. But I also care about Henry, and as much as I hate to admit it, I care about your parents, and the rest of Storybrooke. They just won't understand."

Emma quickly interrupted. "What's there to understand? There's something between us, and it's been going on for a while now. I bet you Henry already suspects, and I think he'll love the idea of his moms together."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I know our son, Regina. Our son. He's smart and sensitive, and he wants the best for both of us. And my parents? I imagine Snow might have an inkling, just like her grandson. You know how nosey she can be!"

Regina couldn't help but snort at that last comment. Snow was definitely a meddler.

"And Dad? He's a hopeless romantic. He'll probably love the idea of you and me together – that's a fairytale for you! He'll be ecstatic once he gets over the part about his daughter loving the ladies."

Regina wasn't surprised at Emma's confession. She had suspected as much but was still curious. "Have you…loved the ladies much?"

"After Neal and once I left Phoenix, yeah, I had a few girlfriends. I was beside myself. I thought about my son all the time, and told myself I had done the right thing over and over again. I'm not sure why but I found myself drawn to women. I can't say I was ever in love, but I did come close a few times." Emma paused, considering whether she should ask Regina about her own sexual history. She took the chance. "How about you? Lots of concubines for the Queen in the Enchanted Forest?"

It was a fair question. Regina allowed herself to think back to her time as the Queen, after Leopold's death. She was completely alone, trusted almost no one, and would find a little peace and comfort in the arms of one of her handmaidens. Of course, they knew their place and may have allowed it to happen out of duty to the Queen or self-preservation. It didn't matter much back then. Queen Regina treated them well and rewarded them for their services.

"Some, not many. I did have my favorites. They were gracious, weren't entirely terrified to be with the Queen, and were – how should I put this – confident in their abilities?"

Emma chuckled at Regina's choice of words. "Wow – confident in their abilities. Nice. I'll admit it's been a while, your Majesty, but I'm confident in my abilities. Bet I could become the Queen's favorite!"

"I must warn you, Miss Swan. It's not that easy. I do have my standards." Oh, who was Regina kidding? Emma had been the Queen's favorite for some time.

Emma laughed, and she heard Regina laugh in return. There were so many things she liked about Regina, but her laughter was at the very top of her list. She didn't hear it enough, and when she did, it warmed her heart, as well as the rest of her.

"Regina…"

"Hmm…"

"You have to give me a chance. You have to give us a chance."

Regina once again paused by her window. It was bright outside with only a few, wispy clouds in the sky. It would be another beautiful day in Storybrooke, yet this Saturday morning could be so very different if she give herself a chance. If she took a leap – no, not even a leap, just a step – towards Emma, and a future full of promise. It would be a future unlike anything she had experienced. In this future, her days and nights would not be predetermined by a curse or fate. It would be entirely up to her – and Emma. She let out a deep breath, willing herself to take that first step.

"Emma, I don't know if I can."

Emma's voice was soft and soothing. "We can take it slow, as slow as you like. But we are going to do this, Regina. We'll talk to Henry, and we'll speak to my parents. We'll go on dates around town so that people see us. After a few weeks, we'll take a day trip outside of Storybrooke, and after that, we'll take a weekend trip to Boston or New York, or anywhere else you'd like to go."

"That does sound nice. I'd like that."

"So we'll do it."

Regina was so close. She closed her eyes, and tried to remember that young girl before the curse, before magic, even before Daniel. That young girl whose dreams consisted of living out in the country, riding her horses, living simply and happily. Her dreams of getting older, falling in love, and raising a family, were just that – dreams never realized. Could she start over and reimagine that girl's dreams?

"Emma, why are you doing this?"

"Ask me again tonight in person, and I'll answer you."

"In person? Why? What are we doing?"

"I'm taking you and Henry out to dinner."

"Dinner?

"Yes, anywhere but Granny's. I love Granny but there are other places to eat in Storybrooke."

There was another pause. Emma didn't fill the silence with more pleading. If this was to work – if they were to work – Regina would have to meet her halfway, and on her own terms. Emma knew that. She could push only so much. She simply waited.

"Emma, I'm scared."

Emma let out a breath she had been holding. Regina's admission was a step forward, a step towards her. For a moment, she wished they were having this conversation in person. If they were together, she would have reached out for Regina, held her close but then again, the distance might be a comfort to Regina. She was still safe. Emma spoke softly.

"Why would you be scared? You know how I feel about you. And I plan on spending the rest of my days and nights reminding you, and showing you."

"Emma, things like this don't happen to me. I gave up on my happy ending."

Regina's voice for barely a whisper, and it wavered as she finished her thought. She sounded so resigned. Emma had enough of this phone conversation. Her heart was breaking, and she needed to do more.

She blurted out, "Regina, where are you?"

"What do you mean where am I? I'm home."

"I know you're home but where?"

"I'm in my study."

"I'm coming over. You're decent, right? I mean you're dressed?

"You don't need to rush over, and no, Emma, I'm not decent. I'm sitting, naked on my club chair with my feet up on the coffee table." Regina easily slipped into sarcasm and her sassiness. It was safer than her being vulnerable.

"God Regina, shut up! I so did not need that visual!"

"Emma, you were being ridiculous." There was silence at the other end of Regina's phone.

"Emma? Emma?" Regina ended the call, and sat in her office chair. After a few seconds, Regina was only slightly surprised to see her study fill with the whirl of Emma's magic. It dissipated to reveal Emma standing in a tank top and loose pajamas pants that hung low on her hips. Emma was facing a very empty club chair. She looked over her shoulder at Regina, in her silk pajamas, sitting comfortably by her desk. She slowly turned to face Regina, but pointed to the empty chair behind her.

"So you're supposed to be sitting over there, wearing nothing but a smile."

"In your dreams, Miss Swan."

"You're right about that, Madame Mayor. I'll just add that fantasy to my long list."

Regina couldn't help but laugh. "Emma, what are you doing here?"

Emma closed the distance between them. She sat on the corner of Regina's desk, and folded her hands in her lap. She leaned forward as she spoke.

"I don't want you to be scared."

Regina looked into Emma's eyes for a brief moment, then looked away. "Emma, this isn't about you. I'm afraid no one is safe around me. I'm not meant for this sort of thing."

"For falling in love? For being happy?" Emma responded and reached out, taking a hold of Regina's hand. She pulled her a little closer.

"Yes, all of that." She still didn't meet Emma's gaze, but instead, looked at her hand and fingers, held in both of Emma's hands. Emma had lovely hands – strong and elegant. She remembered admiring them whenever Emma wasn't watching – during meetings, at Granny's, when she held Henry, even when she waved them around, animatedly sharing one of her stories. She had imagined countless times doing this – just holding Emma's hands, weaving their fingers together. She wasn't sure she ever wanted to let go.

Emma bent down and met Regina's eyes. "Regina, I don't believe that, and I don't think you really believe it either."

"Emma, I was in love once and it didn't work out. I ran away from a second chance at love. What makes you think this will be any different?"

"Third times a charm?" Emma teased, and was only met with a sad smile. She slid down from the desk, and onto to her knees in front of Regina. She loosely wrapped her arms around Regina's hips. "Regina, I have no idea if the third time is any luckier but I know you, and I know me, and this is real."

Regina leaned forward, letting herself slip into their new found closeness. She rested her forehead on the blonde's. "Emma, we disagree and argue all the time. We practically kill each other every week."

"I know. Can you imagine the make-up sex?"

She looked up and smacked Emma's arm. "You're an idiot!"

Emma laughed. "That's not going to change."

Regina let her head fall back on Emma's shoulder. "What if you grow tired of me? What if this just temporary – an itch that needs to be scratched?"

Emma shifted and lifted the brunette's chin to meet her eyes. "Regina, first of all, have you seen yourself? You're stunning. I don't think I'll ever grow tired of you. And if this is an itch, then I'm more than willing to scratch it until you're thoroughly satisfied. I thought we already went over this? Remember, the 'confident in my abilities' talk?"

"Emma, I'm being serious!" She couldn't help but sound exasperated. Emma was frustrating the hell out of her.

Emma shouted back. "No, you're not. You're not being serious. You're coming up with excuses to end this before it even starts, and I'm not letting you do that. Not to me, not to yourself, not to us." Emma took a calming breath. "Regina, can I ask something?"

"What?"

Emma softened her tone. She sat back on heels, looking up at Regina. "How do you feel about me?"

"Emma…"

"No, now it's my turn to be serious. I need to know. I know I mean something to you. That kiss told me as much but I need to hear it from you."

Regina sat back in her chair. Emma was going to make her go there. She hadn't admitted her feelings to anyone, and certainly hadn't spoken the words out loud. She looked away, and sighed, before returning and meeting Emma's beautiful green eyes.

"I'm terrified." She cleared her throat, stalling. "You terrify me because you know me, all of me, and you're still here. You know all my sins. You've helped me struggle against my own darkness. You made me a better mother, a better friend, a better woman. I'd like to think that my first love, Daniel, would have been that supportive, that good for me, but I'll never know. And then you show up. You challenge me, stand up to me, and literally turn my world upside down. That's a lot of power, Emma, and I'm not sure I'm ready to give you that kind of power. If I did, and something happened to you, I don't think I'd survive."

Emma reached out, and squeezed Regina's hands. "Nothing's going to happen to me."

"You can't know that for sure."

"So take care of me. Watch over me, and I'll take care of you, and watch over you." She leaned forward again, kneeling between Regina's legs. They held each other close.

"I'd gladly do it Emma, until my last breath."

"I know that. I really do. So don't be scared." She looked away for a moment, then quickly added, "Actually, you know what? Be scared. Let's be scared together."

Regina had to laugh at the blonde's logic. She was smart, funny, and downright adorable. How could she not say "yes" to her?

"Okay."

"Okay?" Emma looked up expectedly at Regina.

"Yes Emma."

"Really?"

Regina just smiled, and nodded.

Emma immediately got up, fist-pumped the air, exclaiming "Yes!" Regina sat back, crossed her legs, and laughed, admiring Emma's exuberance. Would it always be this easy to make Emma happy? She wondered, probably not for the first time, what she was exactly getting herself into.

Emma quickly rushed over, and leaned over Regina, still sitting properly. "We need to do something to commemorate this." She straightened up and held out her right hand.

"Really Miss Swan, you want us to shake on it?"

"Well, we gotta do something, and we don't want to go too fast, right?"

"Fine, I suppose you're right." She stood and slid her own hand in Emma's. Emma held it and squeezed while losing herself in Regina's eyes. After a while – neither woman aware of time passing - Emma pulled Regina close into a tight embrace. She wrapped both arms around Regina, letting her head fall on the brunette's shoulder. She breathed Regina in.

"That was sneaky, Miss Swan," Regina whispered into Emma's ear.

"I prefer to think of it as clever." Emma lightly kissed Regina's neck, slowly moving up her cheek, and finally letting her lips meet the corners of Regina's mouth. Like before, she traced the slight scar on Regina's upper lip with her lips and tongue. Regina slid her fingers through long blonde curls and met Emma's lips with her own. This kiss was not tentative or a surprise. Instead, as they explored and became more familiar with each other, their kisses felt like promises – promises to not hold back, to give each other all they had, no matter how frightening that may be.

Their lips and tongues played, hands and fingers pulled and tugged at clothing seeking smooth, warm flesh, and the room filled with heavy breathing and soft moans. Emma was the first to break free and come up for air. She spoke, her voice raspy with desire.

"So much better than a handshake." She smiled, her heart filling again with the warmth of Regina's own smile. She met Regina's warm brown eyes. "Regina, I really need to warn you that I will always want more of you – more of your body, your heart, your soul. I may never be satisfied. I hope you understand that."

Regina raised an eyebrow and smiled back. "Well Miss Swan, thank you for the warning. I'll do my best to satisfy your every desire and need."

Emma hugged her again, and brought them even closer. "Oh, I don't think you'll have a problem satisfying me." They swayed, their bodies already reacting to their newly, discovered intimacy. During their embrace, Regina's silk top had loosened, giving Emma a seductive view of her chest, and her pajama-clad thigh had already found its home between Regina's thighs. Only their thin sleepwear kept them apart. Before she was tempted to do more, Emma pulled away, giving each woman a little space.

She sighed as she spoke. "I should really go, or I won't leave at all." She may have said that more to Regina's cleavage, then to Regina herself.

"Eyes up here, Miss Swan." Regina grinned mischievously. She could have been offended but instead, she was flattered. She liked knowing the effect she had on Emma.

Emma raised her eyes sheepishly. "You can't blame me, Regina. You're stunning, remember? You're gonna get a lot of staring and ogling from me."

"Again, thank you for the warning." She took a step back, and adjusted her top, much to Emma's chagrin. "I do think you're right though. We should stop. Besides, you promised me dinner, and not at Granny's."

Emma now leaned on Regina's desk. They had given each more room, but Emma still cradled Regina's hands in her own. "I did. We'll have dinner and we'll talk to our son – about us."

"Us?"

"Yes, us."

"I like the sound of that."

Emma began to walk away, only letting go of Regina at the last possible moment.

"Good. So, Henry and I will pick you at 7." She paused, shaking her head. "No, make it 6. I'm not sure I can wait till 7."

Regina smiled and nodded. "Safe travels, Miss Swan."

Just as Emma was getting ready to transport herself out of Regina's study, she glanced at the leather club chair on the far side of the room.

"Ya know, I'm not going to be able to look at that chair the same way."

Regina walked seductively forward, leaning into Emma, and whispering into her ear. "Well, behave yourself Miss Swan, and one of these nights, you may not have to use your imagination."

"Regina!" Emma reached out, trying to grab Regina, but she quickly stepped back and purred, "Goodbye Emma. See you at 6."

Emma shook her head and spoke, just as her magic began to spin around her. "You're going to be the death of me, your Majesty!"

As the room filled with Emma's magic, Regina admitted to herself, "No, not anymore, Miss Swan."

Regina leaned on the edge of her desk. She looked around the room. She placed her hands on her chest, and felt her heart beat. It was beating strong, steady, and faster than usual, still reacting to Emma's presence. She smiled. Her heart had always beat like that whenever Emma was around. At first, she had hated it, but now it was comforting. Emma made her heart beat strong, and her pulse quicken. She made her feel alive.

Regina picked up her coffee cup, and walked out of the room, mentally noting what she needed to do before six tonight. How much time did she need to get ready? What would she wear? Where would Emma take her and Henry to dinner? She no longer needed to hide her thoughts about Emma, but instead, could freely imagine a life with her. A life full of Emma. She climbed the steps to her bedroom, one at a time, shaking her head and laughing out loud.

"Oh Emma, what have we done!"