"Thank god that's over with."

She didn't catch the furrowing of the blonde's brow as if in disagreement, she only caught the nodding of her head from the corner of her eye, her own stomach dropping at Emma's concurrence.
"Yeah…thank god."

All were studying the pair carefully, Henry's eyes flicking between both of his mother's. His mind, as always, was working over-time, desperately trying to understand what had happened. They would've wanted the spell broken right? They needed to get back to themselves, to their own lives…it would've been cruel to leave them under such an enchantment…right?

Mary Margaret felt strange, she was happy…wasn't she? Emma was free from whatever enchantment had taken hold of both her and Regina, so why did her daughter look so sad? It had been true that, during the past week, the pair had been practically glowing. The sound of the brunette's laughter being something Snow hadn't heard since she was a young girl…it was beautiful but it wasn't real…was it? And Emma, well she had never seemed so happy, so light and carefree…

Regina seemed to be the first to snap out of her thoughts with a clearing of her throat and a look to all standing within the confines of Gold's shop, the imp himself looking a little more than confused at the two women standing before him, the hesitance and almost despair within his former student's eyes was completely misplaced…this was her sworn enemies daughter they were talking about, surely she couldn't truly have feelings for her.

"Well," the brunette stated with a voice steadier than what she actually felt, "if that's everything then I will be getting back to my life" without Emma…why was that an almost painful afterthought? "Thank you for helping Gold," she turned to Emma then as if to speak to her yet seemed to think better as she looked to her son standing with his back pressed against his Grandmother who's arms were wrapped snuggly around his shoulders. "It was lovely to have you home this past week Henry…"

His chest constricted slightly as he watched the pain cross his another's features, it had been nice to be back in the place he'd grown up in, Regina had been like she had when he was a small child, so happy and content with their lives "maybe…maybe I could sleepover tomorrow?"

She smiled then, her eyes still tear filled but her warm smile absolutely breathtaking. Emma couldn't help but notice this herself, not two hours ago that smile had been aimed at her…

"You're staring dear"

Emma jumped slightly, she hadn't even noticed Regina's lips moving. "I am not."

Dark brown eyes fluttered open slowly, a soft smile already playing at full lips as she took in the identical expression coming from the pillow opposite her. "Not that I can blame you dear."

Emma couldn't help but laugh at the brunette's smirk, "oh? And why's that?"

Regina laughed softly, her hand moving to brush strands of wayward gold from alabaster skin, "who wouldn't want to wake next to me?"

"Ah," Emma whispered as she inched closer on her pillow to Regina, "I believe we are, for once, agreed Miss Mills" their noses were touching now, Emma's hand tracing Regina's features as she so often did, "for that is all I desire for the rest of my life."

"I would love that Henry," Emma was able to brush away the tear that had been about to fall as she looked away from the group. She was free of the love spell that had been placed upon both her and Regina, had been pulled back to reality by her parents…so why were the feelings still embedded so deep within her?

—

Regina's feet were silent as she padded barefoot through her home. The place had always felt empty but now…now it was almost unbearable, suffocating even.

She could still smell her, she groaned inwardly at the realisation but it was far from in annoyance…more like grief, a hope that the scent never fully left the place. She could still feel her there as though sitting within a room of the mansion just waiting for some alone time with Regina because all she desired was her company…

"Get your ass in here right this second!"

Regina rolled her eyes as she took a hold of the two steaming mugs of cocoa and moved into the living room once more. "I've been gone for two minutes Emma!"

"That's two minutes too long!" The blonde practically whined not even realising the effect her words of wanting had on the older woman's heart. She smiled as she was handed her drink but frowned upon taking a sip, "I think you forgot my sugar"

Regina turned to the woman beside her as she settled into the sofa, her lean legs folded beneath her as she blew on her own cup, "you don't take sugar" she replied, confusion in her voice.

"I think you'll find I do," she smirked then as she tapped her lips expectantly, Regina laughed before leaning over to place a soft kiss to cocoa flavoured lips.

"You're an idiot," the brunette whispered as she allowed Emma to pull her into her side, her head resting on the blonde's shoulder. "I'm glad you're mine."

—

"So that was weird huh?" Henry commented lightly as they entered the apartment, his mother had been strangely silent all the way home, her shoulders drooped, her brow constantly furrowed.

She merely gave a non-committal grunt of agreement.

"It was nice though…"

This had her attention instantly, she didn't turn but Henry saw the way her posture grew rigid, her body stiffening slightly.

"I mean, I know what she's done…I know I'm supposed to hate her-"

"Henry," Emma whipped around at this, her eyes hard, from his angle they looked a little glossy but surely not…"you are not supposed to hate her and anyone who tells you otherwise…" her jaw had clenched, her hands curled into fists digging into her thighs as she dropped herself onto the couch.

The evening light cast a warm glow to her skin though she looked anything but…"you miss her don't you"

It was practically a whisper yet it carried across to her all the same, her hands came up to catch her heavy head, it shook as did her shoulders with her silent cries.

"You're not supposed to hate her either you know" Henry commented as he moved to allow his mother her time to cry, knowing how similar they were in that respect. He caught her soft response of "I know" before he closed his door however and it only confirmed his belief that they should have left the pair well alone, fantasy or not…they were happy.

—

She was crying…she didn't cry! She wasn't weak and she certainly wasn't vulnerable especially not where that damned saviour was concerned!

The salty drops mingled with the shower water as she leaned her forehead against the cool glass pane in front of her. It hadn't even stopped at wayward tears, she had actually sobbed, her ribs aching painfully from the heaving breaths she had taken in order to allow her cries to ring out through the empty mansion…so alone in a place that had been filled with laughter not even 12 hours ago.

"I need to get up!" she laughed, her stomach clenching with her attempts to pull away from Emma's strong hold on her body.

Blonde hair tickled olive toned skin as Emma nuzzled her head in deeper to Regina's neck, breathing if her soft scent as she held on tight. "Nuh uh, I need my girl in the mornings, you know that!"

Regina laughed in agreement as she relaxed slightly, she always fought yet always succumbed to Emma's need for morning cuddles, it had been that way since…

The blonde leaned back with a frown as she felt a shift in her lover, releasing her with one arm she brushed back dark locks before placing a tender kiss to her neck. "You okay?"

"How long have we been together?"

"Regina wha-"

"How long have we been together?"

Lean arms relaxed enough to allow Regina to turn and face her, concern and confusion etched all over her face. "Well uh…"

"When was our first kiss?"

"I-"

"Who said I love you first?"

"Regina, please you're-"

"When did you actually move in here?"

Emma was becoming overwhelmed now, Regina's fear rubbing off on her as she fought to remember anything about their relationship.

"All I know of us exists within these four walls…why is that?"

The blonde's head was shaking as she moved to sit up, the covers gathering around her waist as Regina mirrored her position, both staring at the wall in front of them.

"I don't understand…why can't I remember anything?" Emma questioned, fear evident in her voice, "is…is any of this real?"

Regina turned to her then, eyes wide, "of course it's real," she implored though managing to sound as though trying to reassure herself just as much as the woman beside her. She grasped trembling hands, her head lowering to rest her forehead against them, Emma simply allowed the movement.

"I…I love you?"

"Is that a question?" Regina's voice was thick with emotion, her lower lip trembling as she looked back up to Emma, dropping her hands in the process.

"No…I…no" her voice steadied then as did her resolve, "I love you Regina, I know I do."

Tanned hands gripped the younger woman's face as she crashed their lips together in possibly one of the most passionate embraces they had shared. The taste of tears mixing with the essence of their love. It was the last kiss they shared before all they knew was ripped apart, before every feeling they had for one another was completely shattered and lying broken before them…

She scowled in disdain at the memory of the Charming's practically breaking down her door in order to 'save' their daughter from the Evil Queen, essentially dragging them both down to Gold's shop and taking away her happiness just as they always had…her happiness…yes, that's what Emma Swan was…she was her happiness.