This will be a little intense.

Made of Flesh and Tears

Emma decided not to let the Dragon get to her, and grab the bull by the horns and make a bolder move towards Regina, since clearly Regina appreciated boldness more than anything. The time they'd butted heads more often had also been when they felt the more drawn towards each other in a twisted game of power- of domination over the other. Two could play the game, the sheriff was determined to not let Maleficent's little territorial display deter her. So far Regina had reacted positively to her small advances, she hadn't drawn a line or anything; that must mean something, right?

Time to woman up.

Emma put on some make up, threw on a olive-green blouse that highlighted her eyes, and wore her hair down in loose curls. She had noticed Regina would look at her for slightly longer periods when she dressed this way, she remembered well from even before the curse was broken, so she would be dumb not to make good use of this style Regina seemed to specially approve of on her.

When it was lunch break, Emma was looking at her phone, waiting for Regina's call to let her know what she wanted from either Granny's or the new wholesome eatery- Sprouty's -from a dwarf who was tired of working in the mines and loved cooking, and who opened his own local to break the mold. His specialty was salads and hearty soups, the healthy shit Regina preferred over Granny's greasy food. And when the call came in Emma had to resist picking up, letting it send Regina to voicemail. A second ring came, this time to the Station's line, and Emma took her time to answer, taking the phone just before Regina hang up.

"Hard at work, Sheriff?"

God! Why was Regina's voice always so sensual? Emma swallowed hard, but reminded herself she had a plan.

"Could be harder," Emma responded suggestively, "Instead I'm doing fucking papers on my desk when I could be doing something much more fun; like getting people in handcuffs, you know: getting the heart pumping."

That was an unexpected answer and it surprised the mayor for a moment, giving her some sinful ideas, but it was very unlike Emma to openly flirt she tried to usher the thought away, and suddenly found herself not remembering what she was even about to ask.

Nailed it.

The silence in the other end of the line indicated Emma she had delivered her message, or at least planted the seed of doubt.

"But you wouldn't know; all you do on your desk is papers, huh?" Emma further teased her.

Regina was sure now Emma was very much flirting, and it was amusing. Fine, I'll play. Regina decided to test Emma and see if she was good on the money and able to keep up with the game or burnout before even making it to first base.

Should be fun.

"Wouldn't you like to find out, Miss Swan?"

"Maybe I do."

"If you insist... I also like eating out on my desk. Lunch." Regina paused to make the desired effect. "Which is actually why I called. Shouldn't you be on my desk this moment?"

Things heating up in the magister's office, Emma fanned herself.

"Be there as soon as you name what you want from me— I mean, for me to get you."

Regina licked her lips. She was enjoying this unexpected, mischievous exchange.

"Today I feel like getting a sandwich, please. Oh and hurry up. I've a meeting in sixty-three minutes, better make the best with the time we got, hmm."

Fuuuuuuuck. Shit was getting real; Emma was hyperventilating. But she stood her ground and poofed to Sprouty's and said she would pay double if he made her order in record time. And he did. As soon as the take out bag was in Emma's hand, the woman poofed out and appeared in Regina's office with no other announcement of her arrival than her impertinence.

"Ready to be sandwiched, Madam May— fuck." Emma's bag fell from her hand. "Shit, shit, shit."

"Miss Swan…" Regina glared at her. And for a moment Emma really thought Regina would ignite her, literally.

The Mayor wasn't alone. Regina was talking with her father.

God could it be any worse?

David looked at both women with sheer confusion, but ignored the innuendo; he wasn't exactly quick enough to catch such details. He was more mortified about his daughter's colorful vocabulary.

"Let me help, Emma," her father helped pick up the bag from the floor. Luckily the containers weren't as flimsy as Granny's, and nothing spilled, just slightly messed up.

"What are you doing here?" Emma asked him, suddenly looking like she was the one being offended.

"Came to ask Regina to talk to Maleficent about her daughter and their flying lessons."

Emma's eyes went wide at that. She thought she heard him say 'their' daughter, but it couldn't be. Regina wouldn't be as neutral. And that would be super weird. She tilted her head lightly to a side and decided to think about something else.

"And you? Having lunch together again?" Her father asked her this time.

"Ugh, was going to…" Guilt crossed over Emma's features.

If only he knew she actually planned- or at least fantasized -eating out the mayor, right over her pristine desk.

"But she just ruined our eating out session," Regina deliberately teased. She knew it would fly David what she really meant, but not Emma.

Emma turned bright red in her face and cleared her throat, passing some saliva nervously.

"We can still sandwich. I mean," Emma shook her head, "We can still eat the sandwich, it's not totally spoiled..."

"You do that. I have to get back to the shelter. The animals are very scared every time those dragons are out on the sky; it's like they feel their presence and feel they are out hunting or something."

David kissed her forehead and made his way out, leaving both women alone.

Emma was completely lost now. All her bravado had diluted with this uncomfortable little incident. She should've knocked.

Regina studied her features, reading her perfectly. She rose from behind her desk and approached Emma. Slowly, she took the bag from her hand, retrieved the container with her lunch and placed it on the desk. But as Emma was unable to react, thinking so many things at once, Regina decided to stop teasing her and give her a break. Emma was not cut to be Domme material or take the lead. Though it had been fun and even cute to see her try.

Who knew teasing Emma Swan could be so entertaining?

Regina turned around after placing the food container on the desk so they would share, like they did almost daily now. She was about to go back behind her desk, when Emma did react, pressing her body against hers before Regina turned her back to her, pushing her gently back until Regina's butt met with her desk, sandwiched in between it and Emma.

"Time for our sandwich, huh," Emma leaned forward, coming very close to Regina's face, but slid her right hand past Regina's hip to take one of the triangles of sandwiches in the container behind Regina's backside and brought the modest portion to her mouth to bite at it, never averting her eyes from Regina's incredulous stare.

Take it back. Emma could very well surprise her.

"Miss Swan, this is not very appropriate," her voice was husky and wanton. "What if your father came back and found us in this compromising position? He may not be the lewdest, but even all his innocence wouldn't be enough to stop him from thinking we're doing something… sexual."

Emma chuckled at that. "I'm only standing here, hardly doing anything sexual. Just enjoying my meal," she feigned innocence.

Emma moved her left hand to lightly touch Regina's waist, making her shiver, but only to move her slightly to a side so she could reach the glass of water Regina had on her desk. Emma brought it to her lips and drank from it, from the same spot Regina's lipstick had left its print, looking at Regina as Regina observed her, knowing exactly what Emma was suggesting.

Regina licked her own lips, feeling the heat rise in her body. She thought about Maleficent for a moment, but her Dragon lover had insisted they keep an open mind, so why not try the Savior? It was innocent fun and Emma seemed very much into testing her as well. They always knew, deep down, the day would come; all that bicker and teasing had always carried sexual tension.

"You don't wanna bite?" Emma asked, bringing the little piece of bread and ham close to Regina's mouth.

Regina looked with lust into green eyes, and opened her mouth and allowed Emma to feed her. After swallowing, she took Emma's left hand still holding the glass of water in it, and brought it to her mouth, too, to drink from.

Emma felt she would combust, Regina was too fucking sexy and she couldn't resist it anymore, and went forward to kiss her lips. Regina oomphed as she was surprised by the kiss, but gave into it, opening her mouth to show Emma she could use some tongue if she wanted and of course she did.

Regina made the glass vanish from Emma's hand, as did all the stuff over her desk and Emma took the cue to lift her from the floor and perch her over the sturdy counter. Regina's legs parted to allow Emma to better adjust herself in between them, riding up Regina's skirt with her hands to make it easier and to squeeze her thighs firmly, making her moan not too shyly.

Their kiss was quickly evolving into something else and now Emma was kissing Regina's neck, but she got so carried away she unconsciously sucked too hard and actually gave the mayor a hickey. Regina finally reacted at that.

"Emma! What the hell?" She pushed her away.

"Oh my God! I got carried away. Sorry." Emma shrugged sheepishly.

"You don't say."

Regina got up from her desk and moved over to the mirror on the wall, to inspect the damage. She had a meeting and now she had to cover her neck or else everyone would be more interested in that redish-purplish spot on the side of her neck and the story behind it than in whatever she had to say.

Emma was embarrassed, but more than embarrassed she was angry at her dumb slip because she ruined the momento. She had Regina right where she had been fantasizing to have her for quite some time now, only to ruin it again.

Fuck.

Regina was burdened by the loss of contact, and then remembered she had magic and didn't need to make such a scandal, and hovered her hand over the love bruise to make it disappear so they could resume their naughty little lunch break. But it didn't.

What the loving hell?

Regina closed her eyes momentarily and opened them again. Maleficent.

She remembered she had cast a naughty spell so the prints she left in Regina's skin would not vanish until she wanted them to wash away. So now some how that magic had mixed with Emma's own branding impulse and Regina grumbled as she was caught between two possessive lovers who loved to leave their mark on her body as testament of their frisky games.

"I should know better than to trust blondes by now," Regina reminded herself. Again.

"Huh?" Emma approached cautiously.

"I've lost the mood."

"I'm sorry. I was very… horny."

"We're not teenagers, Emma. Just…" Regina sighed, "Let's forget all this and just go on with our day."

"What?" Emma looked at her like she was nuts. "I'm not just going to forget I had the most amazing make out session in my life with you."

"Emma. Listen to me," Regina was serious. "We got carried away—I got carried away. What just happened, we shouldn't have done that. It was a mistake."

"Woah…" Emma ran her hand through her hair. She turned on her heel, offended, and began walking to the door.

"No, wait! Emma, I'm sorry." Regina caught up with her. "Will you please look at me?"

Emma glared at her. But behind her angry look, Regina could see tears gathering behind her eyes. Emma was hurting. This really had been a mistake, but Regina didn't want to break her heart further. She really cared about Emma.

"This was… amazing. I accept that," she said warmly, and saw how the light came back to Emma's eyes. "But—"

"Come on," Emma rolled her eyes.

"Emma. We can't be playing games; we have a son together who could get hurt. I don't want to give him any false hope."

Fuck. That hurt like a bitch, but Emma got it.

"I understand. So you've… chosen."

Regina was lost for a small moment, but then it clicked; Emma meant Maleficent. Even if Regina had said things between her and Emma were complicated, she had still welcomed her advances and let her feel there was a chance. She looked at Emma with soft eyes and took a step closer. She was about to touch her face when Emma took a step back.

"Don't touch me! I can't deal with your pity right now," Emma let out a sob. "That's what this was, right? You were giving me crumbs out of pity. Wow."

"Emma, no! That's not—How can you even think I would get this far with you if I didn't like you at all? Don't insult yourself and don't insult me."

"But? But- What the fuck is this then? I'm so confused."

"Me too, Emma. Me, too."

Emma looked into Regina's eyes and saw she was telling her the truth, and calmed down. But it didn't hurt any less.

"I feel things for you, but I also have feelings for Mal. I… Emma, we're different. Maleficent and I, we don't believe in exclusivity."

"That's a fucking lie right there, Regina. But you know what; I don't want to get caught between your mess. *I* could never share, so we better not even try."

"Are you breaking up with me?"

"We're not even dating!" Emma didn't know if she should laugh or cry at that.

Regina felt something break inside, but she kept herself from showing it.

"You're right. We should end whatever it is we have. Now."

"Yeah." Emma stomped her feet on her way out.

Some lunch break it was.

Maleficent had left her own hickeys all over Regina's body, but had been sensitive enough not to mark her where they would draw attention from the public. She knew this from the time she had done the same when Regina was Queen. But Emma – sigh – she was so impulsive and didn't think with her head when she was horny, it was like making out with an adolescent, hiding behind the bushes before riding class was over and Cora came looking for them. Their relationship felt like what two horny teenagers would do together, and while that added some edge to it and it actually reminded her of her first love Daniel; maybe it wasn't really what Regina needed at this stage in her life. She had grown up, and finally moved on. What she wanted was stability and a mature relationship— an adult relationship with roots.

This kiss had revealed to Regina a lot about her own development and the growth Emma still needed in her own path. It was for the best for them to go their separate ways. It had taken them too long to try and their momento was long gone.

Maybe if they had kissed before they parted ways the first time.

But Regina hadn't dared, and Emma didn't notice; she had been more receptive of Hook's advances back in Neverland than the meaning behind Regina's gift when she gave up the thing- people she loved most.

Like she thought just a moment ago; Emma still had room to grow. But would have to do on her own, or with someone more her age. No matter what, she would always occupy a special place in her heart, and not just because of their son.

Regina summoned a black sateen scarf to complement her purple dress, and fixed it around her neck in an elegant French style. It wasn't completely weird looking but it was a little off due the warm day and she just hoped nobody would pay too much attention to it. It wasn't like she was having a meeting with the Fashion Police, just some angry denizens and Deputy Nolan.

After the meeting was over, Regina decided to be good on her word and visiting Maleficent to talk about their flying lessons. They were starting to disrupt the harmony in the small town and she didn't want people signing petitions to ban them completely from flying. And it wasn't just flying; Lily had spat fire near a camping site accidentally, and though nothing happened, as Maleficent quickly reacted, turning to her human shape and putting off the fire with her magic before anyone was hurt, it still had been dangerous and violated their environmental laws.

"Mom's out," Lily answered the door.

"Do you know if she will be back soon? Perhaps I can wait for her? I need to talk to her, and also with you, if that's not a problem."

Lily sized her, then moved aside and opened the door fully so she could come in.

"It's your town. I guess I have no choice, do I?"

Regina tensed at that. Lily was usually nicer, but that must be because Maleficent had been around.

"You always have a choice."

Lily chortled sarcastically at that. "You didn't give me one when you fucking cut my hand, bitch. Which, by the way, fuck you very much."

"Lily!" Maleficent's voice came from behind Regina.

"What, it's true!" Lily bristled. "She did!"

"Still, that's no way to speak to our visitors. And she's more than just a passerby, you know that."

"Just because you fuck her that doesn't make her my mother!" Lily passed them, bumping their shoulders with hers. She transformed into a dragon once she was out on the street, and took flight.

"About that," Regina pointed at the flying dragon, "I actually came here to talk about Lily."

Maleficent stressed at that, at what her daughter had just said, and at the possibility Regina suspected or knew about her relationship to Lily. The time had come but she wasn't ready. She had thought a lot about what she would say, but now that the moment was here, she had no words.

"May I come inside?" Regina pointed to the house.

"Yes, of course. Come on in."

They sat at the island in the ample kitchen and Maleficent poured some chamomile and lavender tea for them. She knew she would need it.

"Has my daughter caused you any trouble? I mean, beside the obvious. You know I can make up for any sum there is to pay."

"There's no need. Why I come here today is to ask you to reduce your flying sessions. There are complaints…" Regina gave her an apologetic smile.

"Of course there are," Maleficent sipped from her tea. "People always judge what is different from them; what is special."

Regina nodded. "It's not forever. Just… can you keep it under twice a week, preferably nighttime?" Regina knew she was asking too much, but she had no choice; it was that or nothing.

Maleficent sighed. "I can only decide for myself; I make no promises for Lily. She's… not easy. But I will respond for any damages."

"Mal…" Regina reached for her hand across the granite counter. "We need to put limits," she said with sympathy.

Maleficent stiffened at that. "You don't; I do," and retrieved her hand.

Regina was slightly hurt at the wall she felt Maleficent put between them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean- I know my place, Maleficent. I apologize. She's your daughter; I'm nobody to opinionate on how you raise her. Again, I'm sorry if I've offended you. It was not my intention." Regina was sad, feeling guilty, and got up from her seat to make her leave.

"Don't. It's me who's sorry. I just don't take things too well when it comes to Lily. Now that I have her I don't want to lose her again."

"I know, and understand better than what you give me credit for. But there are limits. And I mean it for all of us. If she doesn't abide to the rules, I will be forced to ban her from flying altogether."

"Regina you can't do that!" Maleficent rose from her seat and took Regina's hands in hers. "Please, that's the same torture as being caged. It will drive her mad."

Regina looked at Maleficent's hands and then at her pleading eyes, glittering with unshed tears. She had done this to this woman: imprison her with no real room to move and that was the worst punishment possible for any winged creature. It went against their nature and broke them not only physically but also mentally. Regina felt like scum for having done this to Maleficent, whose only crime had been to love her too much to fight for her, in fear of committing the same mistakes she did with Briar Rose.

"Please, I beg you. She's getting better, slowly, but she is." Maleficent kissed the back of Regina's hand. "Please don't cut her wings. She's… She's," but Maleficent couldn't bring herself to say it, just weep.

Regina waited, cupping her face in her hands to look at her. Her heart was breaking, too, from seeing her in this state, so hopeless.

"Mal, you're scaring me. She's… what?"

Maleficent rested her forehead on Regina's, crying.

"She's... yours. Ours."

"What. Are. You. Talking. About?" Regina took a step back.

"I'm so sorry." Maleficent broke down, falling on her knees crying with abandon.

"No..." Regina was in denial. It couldn't be possible. She couldn't have children, and it simply didn't work like that… Or it did.

"Maleficent, look at me and tell me the truth!"

"She's half my spark…"

"And I'm the other half…" Regina paced across the kitchen. "Of course, it makes sense now."

"How could you do this to me?! You took that spark of life- my possibility to conceive -without my permission!" Regina was crying, furious. "And here I thought you were the only one who hadn't taken something from me," she growled it.

"It wasn't without consent," Maleficent interjected weakly.

"Don't you dare say that to me; I had no clue."

"I didn't know!" Maleficent spat. "You were the one reading about Dragons in your free time to seduce me."

Regina ran her hand through her hair, connecting everything inside her head.

"It was that- what you call the dragon dance. Fuck," Regina rarely cursed, but this moment fit the occasion.

"Yes," Maleficent wiped her tears away.

"I need to breathe." Regina took her purse and headed to the door.

"Please don't leave me like this," Maleficent yelled behind her.

"I can't stand being near you right now. It's better I leave before I do something I'll regret."

"Regina!" Maleficent called again, but the door slammed shut behind her.

Maleficent didn't move from her location, crying in the kitchen floor until she could no more and fell asleep.

Note: Sorry for sinking SQ. It hurt like bitch to do that. I just don't know how to make it work with DSQ and Henry and Lily- specially since Lily still feels for Emma.