Chapter 02: Damage Control

A/N: First, I want to thank you all for the amazing response to this story. All the followers, reviews and PM's. You guys are amazing!

Second, I apologize for the amount of time it took to update. But I'm so excited with this story. It is like my baby. I want everything perfect, specially because it is a re-write. This chapter was a little hard, since I basically had to tie some knots for future references. Also, for the future updates I'll have a new laptop. My last one died and I am currently writing on my iPad. (Not a very good experience).

A huge thanks to my friend LarisNeal, who gives this a try and helps me to keep going and to HD Harris with his magical abilities with words. Thank you!

Now, enough said.

Enjoy!

Boston Freeway - Present time

The rain is getting worse, Emma sighed, hitting the brakes, at this rate we will never reach Boston. She weighed her options, they were barely moving now; the rain was almost too heavy to see the road. Boston was still a few miles ahead. She had planned to arrive that night, to allow a full day for preparation, but under the circumstances, it seemed that was not to be happening.

Glancing at the passenger seat, she saw Regina stir on her sleep and she thought they could stop for the night and take some rest. Just thinking of closing her eyes made her body relax. If they were lucky, the rain would be gone by morning and they could reach Boston without further problems. It does seem like a better option than this rain, she reasoned, turning right. She knew there was a motel just a few meters ahead. It was not fancy—far from it—but it would do for a night. It was just far enough from the freeway to make a perfect place to hide as they waited for the rain.

As the car neared the building, Emma took a good look at the place. It looked the same as all those years ago. A regular roadside motel, a cheap building with small guest rooms and reception in the corner. Parking near the reception office without bothering to turn the engine off, Emma ran inside quickly to avoid the worst of the rain. Futilely.

The place looked even cheaper from the inside, a simple hall, with nothing more than a counter and two old dusted armchairs. At least the heater works, she thought, pushing drenched hair from her face. In the time it took her to get inside, she had gotten soaked to the bone. A young man was sitting behind the counter, looking too busy with a crossword puzzle to notice her. She actually had to clear her throat to get his attention. She got the key to a room and the number of a pizzeria he swore would deliver even if was raining hail.

Back into the car, Emma felt brown eyes looking at her questioningly. "The rain is too heavy," Emma offered as she drove slowly looking for their room. Once she located the number, she stopped the car near the door. "I thought we could stop and get some rest instead of risking our lives." She handed the keys to Regina and reached for their belongings on the backseat,

"Go inside, I will go park. There is no reason to let you get caught by this rain too," she said, smiling weakly.

With a curt nod of acknowledgment, Regina accepted the items and got out of the car. The woman was now actually wearing the red leather jacket over the t-shirt. Emma smirked at the sight and watched as she struggled with the door for a few seconds before finally getting in, only driving away when the woman closed the door.

Once inside the room, Emma locked the door behind her and noticed she was literally dripping wet. Carefully, she removed her boots and placed them right beside the door. Her jeans and shirt followed, leaving her standing in nothing more than a tank top and her boy shorts. She heard the shower start, and took her time to observe her surroundings. The room was very simple, but she was happy to realize that it was actually nicer than she remembered. It had a double sized bed in the center, which seemed comfortable enough, with a nightstand on each side and on top of those, stood simple lampshades. In the corner, there was a small closet and the bathroom's door; on the other side, next to her, stood an armchair and a small round table. Across the bed was a dresser, on which sat a small flat screen TV.

The sound of the shower shutting off reminded her of Regina's presence. She busied herself looking for a change of dry clothes for herself - a simple pair of red sweatpants and a white tank top - from the bag packs Regina had placed in the armchair. It was not much, but it would do until they reached Boston.

The moment Regina stepped out of the bathroom was a very awkward one. First, because the instant Emma turned around, she met an almost naked Regina Mills, standing there, wrapped in a towel that barely covered anything. Her hair still wet, her face completely makeup free. Emma was caught off guard and she felt her jaw drop. Second, she became acutely aware of her own clothing, or lack thereof, and she felt almost naked under the woman's scrutiny. Their eyes met for a brief moment, in a silent contest, until Regina cleared her throat, making Emma remember to close her mouth.

"Um," Emma said uselessly, the command of her tongue abandoning her.

Nice Swan, very smooth. Regina raised an eyebrow questioningly but surprisingly she did not say anything. There was another pause before Emma finally managed to say something without stammering.

"You can use anything you want," she said, pointing to the bag, "I hope you don't mind having to borrow my clothes since yours...you know. Anyway, tomorrow we can buy you some new stuff so you won't feel uncomfortable."

Damn, what the hell is happening to me, she furiously asked herself. Emma passed by Regina to enter the bathroom, too rattled to notice the startled look on the woman's face.

Hot showers had always been a refuge for her. She would let the hot stream wash over her, taking with it any of her cares. Today was not an exception. She closed her eyes and felt the warmth spreading over her body, felt the comfort she needed seep into her sore muscles. Right now, she was just a regular woman, taking a hot shower after a really bad day. She was not a daughter, mother, or savior.

When she finally left the shower, she found an already sound asleep Regina dressed once more in one of Emma's long t-shirts, her legs tucked under white sheets. Her hair was still damp, lips slightly parted and her face turned to the TV that merely worked as a background sound now. She felt herself smile as she retrieved a blanket from the cabinet and laid it over Regina's sleep form gently. Then, taking a pillow and a blanket for herself, she glanced at the brunette and thought about joining her in the bed, but scoffed at the idea and eyed the armchair. This is going to be a long night, she thought, but tiredness made her fall asleep almost instantly once she curled up in it.

Storybrooke - Day prior

Emma watched the horrid scene in complete astonishment.

What in the hell is going on? Although she knew what Regina did to them, her brain was still struggling to catch up with the current events. More specifically with the fact that her friends—Friends?Yes, they were her friends, good people that embraced and welcomed her into their lives nearly a year ago.

Did the curse change their personality so badly, she she did not recognize them anymore. Those people no longer looked at her as friends. As if they had simply been overtaken by their desire for revenge.

Had she been wrong all this time? Emma had always been good in reading people, observing them. Had she misjudged those people? She refused to believe that, something had to be going on and she would discover exactly what. She glanced at Regina, watching the brunette intently. As always, her face was an unreadable mask, devoid of emotion. Her eyes however, told a different story.

Regina's eyes showed the depth of her soul. They would always darken with rage when she was fighting, or shine whenever Regina would see or think about Henry; they would always show exactly how the brunette was feeling. So Emma gasped when she looked up at those eyes and saw how empty they looked.

Emma studied Regina's posture, the way her body was completely tense, her hands still holding the black case tightly, her lips firmly pursed and the tears that the strong-headed woman would never allow to fall.

Regina was breaking.

Stepping closer, Emma gave her a sad smile and placed a hand over her shoulder. It was just comfort; it was not supposed to mean anything else. Nevertheless, when Regina's breath hitched and a single tear rolled down her cheeks, Emma stayed.

"I'm sorry." She said after what felt like a lifetime. She knew she had said exactly the wrong thing when Regina recoiled from her touch and looked up at her completely disgusted.

"I don't need your pity, Miss Swan." She spat, her lips curled in contempt.

"You," she said, she taking a step towards to Emma, who refused to step back, even when she saw the darkness consuming Regina's eyes. "You took everything from me. You destroyed everything that I care for. My curse, my house, my son. So, you don't dare to be sorry Miss Swan."

"Me?" Emma said, completely taken aback. "I didn't take Henry away from you Regina, I know you don't believe me, but I never planned to do that." She breathed heavily. "And it wasn't me who set your house on fire. Actually, I am the one that dragged your fucking ass out of there. So you are welcome, your majesty."

"I don't remember requesting your help." Regina stepped even closer.

"I know. But I still did it, and I will still do it. And for your information, I don't pity you." Emma stood her ground.

Regina's eyebrow raised slightly, and her tone changed from anger to dark when she calmly added, "Of course you don't. What was I thinking? Why would you pity me? I am the Evil Queen. I deserve this." The last words laced with poison as Regina sneered.

"I don't know what fucked up mind you have Regina, but I don't think you deserve this, and I know you don't believe me either, but I am sorry..." Emma's eyes met brown and she paused for a few seconds. "I am not saying that I am sorry for coming to Storybrooke, or that I am sorry for breaking the curse, because I am not."

Regina scoffed.

"I will never regret meeting Henry, or breaking your curse as a result of saving him. Our son."

"Yes Miss Swan, thank you for the painful remark about what I did to-"

"Please Regina, please just let me finish. I may not be sorry for those, but for this..." She raised a tentative hand and touched one of the cuts that marred Regina's usually flawless skin. "This is what I am sorry for, because you are hurt, because they burned down your home Regina, Henry's home. Because it doesn't matter whatever you did in the past, you deserve to be treated as human, and that is not what they are doing. So for that Regina, I am really sorry."

Regina was watching her closely, narrowed eyes searchingly. It was after a long pause that the former Evil Queen broke the silence.

"And what would have been human Miss Swan?" Her tone was mockingly. "Arresting me perhaps?"

"Yes Regina, maybe. After all you are not complete innocent here, are you?" Emma was getting tired of this. She almost missed the barely whisper.

"No, I am not."

"Look Regina, Let's...let's just keep moving. I still don't know what is going on and I won't rest until I know you are safe." She started walking and waited a few meters ahead to be sure the queen was following her; she did.

Another hour passed in silence. It was like an unspoken agreement between the two. Emma was walking ahead, Regina following her closely behind.

"Regina," Emma said, pausing to look at the other woman, who raised an eyebrow and clasped her hands together, stopping as well.

"Yes, that is my name Miss Swan," she said after a long pause when Emma said nothing. Then she rested against a tree, sighing heavily.

"I'm lost. I have no fucking clue where we are." Emma said after some hesitation.

"We are not lost. I realize you are useless, but I am not, and I would not venture into the woods without knowing where I was going."

"It is getting dark Regina; I really think we should get out of here. So stop playing and just tell me how we get out of here." She glanced at the woman and saw how tired she looked. She had never seen her like this. Crossing her arms, she continued, "I think that things may have settled down now, so we should look for a safe place to hide. Staying here will just delay how long will take them to find us, plus, I still want to discover what the fuck is happening."

"Magic." Regina said in a clipped tone. "It is always magic. I am inclined to believe that those people are suffering some magical effect..."

"What kind of effect?" Emma wondered, cocking her head.

"I can't be sure. It could be anything like a simple consequence of having magic brought here, and that will just wear off in a few hours, or..."

"Or?"

"Or it could be a spell. A controlling spell, or an amplitude spell, that would amplify everything they are feeling. The possibilities are so many that I can't know for sure."

"But it doesn't affect you."

"No. It doesn't."

"Why not?"

"Because I have magic, and I know exactly what it is like, my body is more than used to it. So I wouldn't feel anything, and since I have magic, it won't be as easy to affect me with a spell as it is for them." Emma pondered this for a moment, slightly surprised at Regina's sudden cooperation. She pushed her luck.

"Why aren't you using your magic then?"

She was interested in Regina's explanation since her magical knowledge was inexistent. Regina eyed her for a whole minute. She saw the woman close her eyes and take a few deep breaths before her brown eyes focused on hers again.

"Magic here is different. I can feel it, but my magic is not working correctly... I think it will take some time until I can control it."

Emma accepted that answer and wondered. "If you are having trouble with magic, what about the others?"

"Impossible to say... I think it would depend on the magical source." Emma frowned and Regina elaborated. "I use dark magic, just as Mr. Gold. Although, in our land he was called the Dark One. The fairies, they use their dust. And there is also white magic, which a few healers and sorceress can conjure."

"Okay..." Emma nodded, more to herself than anything else. "So as far as we know, the citizens are stoned in magic."

"Honestly Miss Swan?" Regina cringed at the choice of words but a small smile actually formed on her lips.

"What? At least it doesn't affect us, or the kid."

"Indeed, I'd rather not think of my son-"

"Our son." Emma looked straight into Regina's eyes and held her gaze firmly. She was sure to make Regina to understand that, and she would repeat that no matter how many times she needed it.

"My son," Regina spat the words bitterly. "No matter what you think, Miss Swan, Henry is my son!"

"He is my son too Regina. I am part of his life now no matter what you want, and I am not going anywhere." Emma's voice was calm, but firm, to make her point. She had been thinking about what had happened into her life, and she might had thought about leaving and not coming back, or even whishing she hadn't go to that city. But now… Now that she was buried deep in the situation, more she wanted to stay, more she wanted to prove that he was her son too, and she would not run away.

Regina's phone beeped twice and she blinked in surprise, breaking their intense staring contest for a brief second, as she reached for the device in her pocket. "Please, do remind me-" of how you are taking him, went unsaid as Regina's eyes scanned the screen.

"I received a message." She looked uncertain at the screen and then back at the frowning blonde. "From you." Regina furrowed her brows and turned the screen to the green eyes.

Message received at 6:02 pm, Sheriff Swan - O.C 2.0?

Emma actually grinned as she read the message.

"Care to explain, dear?"

"Henry. Henry has my phone," Emma said, smiling. At Regina's questioning expression, she added, "When I left the hospital to look for you, I gave him my phone; he is texting to know if we are ok."

"I see." Regina pursed her lips. "What does this message mean then?"

"It is a code for Operation Cobra 2.0" Emma stated brightly. "The kid is checking if we are really together. We should reply."

"Very well." Regina said quickly hitting the reply button, and looking expectantly at Emma. "What should I say?"

"May I?" Emma extended her arm waiting for the device and Regina scowled as she handed over the phone.

Message sent: Is a go! - Emma typed quickly. Then she typed again.

Message sent: where r u Henry?

Message received at 6:08pm, Sheriff Swan - Grandma's. They just dropped me off.

Emma thought she heard Regina scoffing as she read over her shoulder. The kid certainly was an easy adapter.

Message sent: Is it safe to call? Her response was the incoming call flashing at the screen. She quickly answered and put it on speakers. Regina leaned against the tree again to listen.

"Emma?" Henry's voice came loudly through the speakers.

"It is me, kid."

"Is she with you?" Emma pretended not to notice the intake of air Regina took.

"Yes, your mom is with me." She really needed to have that talk with him. "Where is Mary Margaret?"

"They brought me over and they didn't want to tell me anything." He whined. "They sent me to your room and told me to wait, so Ruby, Granny, Grandpa and Grandma where talking and I kind of eavesdropped..."

Of course you did, Emma smiled.

"What were they saying kid?"

"They were going to a council meeting, at town hall. They just left."

"They left you alone?" She asked surprised, knowing that it was unlike Snow and her caretaking ways. Besides, even she did not look to her; Emma knew Regina would not like to know that.

"Yeah. I'm ten Emma, not five."

"I know kid, it is just...I have a plan. Henry, keep the phone close to you and text me if anythinghappen. Do you understand? We will call you back really soon."

"Okay."

"Bye kid."

"Bye."

She flipped the phone closed and put it in her pocket. She mentally ran over the details of her plan. It was risky, but it was also the best they had now.

"Come on, let's go. I have an idea, we better move." She said to the brunette who was currently making a stellar job of holding the tree. "Are you okay Regina?"

"I am fine, Miss Swan." The way she sighed tiredly gave her way.

"Regina?" Emma took a step closer and eyed the former queen. "What is it? Do you need to rest a little more?" She frowned concerned.

"I said I am fine," the woman moved but hissed and leaned against the tree again, what made Emma step a little closer. "Maybe just a few more minutes." She sighed and looked at her feet with a frown.

Following her gaze Emma almost face palmed as she took notice of Regina's attire. She was still wearing the same pantsuit from before, although she had lost the blazer. Feet still clad in heels, her black slacks, now wrinkled, and the sleeves of her white shirt now stained with dirty, but even like this, the woman still managed to appear regal and imposing.

"Regina..." Emma took another step closer, her arm reaching for the brunette.

"I said I am fine." Regina snapped and Emma recoiled her arm. "Just a few more minutes and we can go."

"Bullshit!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said it is bullshit, Regina! You are not fine. We've been walking in the woods for what? Hours? And you're wearing fucking heels. I bet your feet are killing you now."

Emma was getting tired of Regina pretending to be always okay when she was clearly not. Why the woman could not admit for once that she needed help?

"I am fine, Miss Swan."

"Let me see."

"Excuse me?" Regina thought she had not heard right. She raised an eyebrow.

"Sit down and let me see your feet Regina." Emma was tired of asking for permission, so she just commanded and kneeled before Regina. "Just let me take a look."

"Did you lose your mind Sheriff?" Regina's eyes were wide open.

"We don't have time for this Regina." Emma rolled her eyes, quickly reached for the woman's hand and tugged Regina down roughly.

"Miss Swan!" Regina landed ungracefully on the floor. "I don't know what gave you the idea that you could manhand-" her protests died in her throat as Emma removed the first shoe and she hissed in pain at the same time the blonde gasped at the sight of a swollen and bloody foot.

"Oh my God! Regina..." Emma carefully removed the other shoe, that foot looked even worse. Regina had probably twisted that ankle in their hurry. She imagined how the woman had come so far without a single complain. "Shit! Why didn't you say anything?"

"It is nothing." Regina hissed between gritted teeth. "I just need a few more minutes to rest. Now, if you please, I'd like my shoes back."

"Like hell," Emma said. She placed the proffered shoes out of Regina's grasp. It was insane that Regina still wanted to pretend that she was not hurt. Deep down Emma could understand why she did not show what she was feeling, but they were running and hiding, she should at least let her help.

"Oh, right, Miss Swan, and how do you imagine in that brilliant mind of yours that I will go back to town? Because I assure you I will not take a trip in the woods barefoot!" Regina tried to get up only to have Emma forcing her down again, firm hands on her shoulders.

"Stay." Emma said firmly, offering Regina her sternest stare; only when the former Queen nodded did she remove her hands from Regina's shoulders and gently examined Regina's feet. "Even if you wanted, I don't think you could put those shoes back Regina. Your feet are bleeding, swollen and I am pretty sure you have a twisted ankle."

Even with the smooth touch, Regina was hissing in pain.

Emma thought for just a small second, before stepping back. She removed her jacked, and turning her back to the queen, she removed the black tank top she was wearing underneath it staying only in her bra before putting the jacked back and zipping it up. Sitting close to the silent woman, she ripped the shirt apart and wrapped both feet in the rags. Brown eyes watched her intently, with something that Emma could not place. Once she finished her poor attempts of bandaging, she placed one hand on Regina's knee and gave it what she thought would be a comforting squeeze.

"It is not much. But it'll do for now." She raised herself and offered a hand. "Do you think you can get up?"

Emma watched Regina eyes narrowing as she eyed her in suspicions, surprisingly the woman accepted the proffered help to get into her feet. She swayed and winced as she stood, and Emma did not even think, she just circled thin waist with her arms, holding the brunette close to her.

"Regina? I don't think you should walk now." Emma observed her face, the pain written all it, even if the woman stubbornly would not admit. She avoided using the word can, because she knew exactly that no matter how she said it, Regina would not take it lightly.

"I can do it just fine, now please release me." Emma removed her arms but kept her ground. As Regina tried her first step her nostrils flared and inhaled sharply, gritting her teeth.

"Come on, lean on me Regina." Emma did not wait for a reply, she raised Regina's arm and dropped it over her shoulder, and circling Regina's waist with her own arm, she half carried, half-dragged Regina back to town.

They walked in complete silence for long twenty minutes before Regina's breath became so heavy that Emma demanded they stop again. Helping the former Queen to sit down against a tree, she looked around recognizing exactly where they were. Near the well. The well that August had taken her for a date a few weeks ago.

Shrugging the thought away, Emma watched Regina again, her face, covered in cold sweat and she looked a little paler. There was no way she could drag Regina like this. She could see the woman was in pain and tired. She knelt before the woman, who had her eyes closed and her lips pursed together; her arm still holding firmly to the small black case she was caring. She sighed, feeling weirdly impotent. Although she knew it was important that Regina would keep her pose and her head it, she felt an urgent will to help her, to make her feel better, or at least, to do something. She looked around, watching the night falling down, the air was getting cold and there was almost no sound in the woods. She knew by experience they had to keep moving. Looking back to Regina and examining her bandaged feet, she realized they had gotten worse.

"Regina." Heavy eyelid opened slowly and she met brown pained eyes. She helped the Queen to her feet. She softened her tone. "Come on, we have to go."

"I... I can't..." Regina sighed.

"I will help you."

"Miss swan..." Regina was ready to start her "I don't need your help" speech, but Emma was faster.

"Come on." She turned her back to Regina, who frowned confused. "Hop up." Emma leaned, bending her knees a little.

"I... What?" It sounded completely surreal to hear Regina Mills struggling in her words. Her tone was uncertain, as if Regina thought she was hallucinating the whole scene, Emma had to hold her grin.

"It will be easier Regina, I'll carry you. Hold my shoulders and jump up." She offered calmly.

"Are you out of your mind?" Regina snapped back to herself. "There is no way I will agree to this arrangement."

"Fine then." Emma said turning back with defiantly eyes. In a fast motion, she raised Regina over her shoulder, carrying her in a firearm style.

"Miss Swan!" Regina yelled and started punching Emma's back. "Set. Me. Down. Now." She punctuated each word with a punch. Emma could not hold back her laugh, what made Regina punch her even harder.

"Ouch!"

"I am not a potato sack Miss Swan! Set me down!"

Fuck, Regina is pissed, Emma thought to herself, secretly was always amused to see Regina so annoyed by something she did or said. It was interesting to see Regina losing her mind or getting out of control when someone confronted her. She smiled and shrugged.

"It's that or carrying you on my back Regina, pick up your poison." She said with a grin, finding Regina's reaction kind amusing.

"Fine." Came the quiet reply.

"Hmm? I am sorry, I didn't get that." Emma smiled widely.

"I said fine." Regina hissed the last word in exasperation.

Emma winced at Regina's death grip on her neck and at the awkwardness of this moment, as she carried a very uncooperative and silently Regina Mills on her back. One of Regina's arms was holding the case closely and it was actually hurting Emma's back, but she did not say anything, she just kept walking. It wasn't until they reached town, with Emma taking special care in staying hidden, that she noticed how Regina's arm had loosely relaxed its grip, her head now was fully resting against Emma's shoulder, and her uneven breath was touching Emma's hair lightly. Her chest fully pressed against Emma's clad leather back, her legs bending on each side of Emma's slim figure as her own arms helped to sustain their weight. Regina's body was relaxed, as she was fast asleep.

She called Henry one more time, just to be sure that it was safe, taking an extra care to do not drop Regina as she held the phone, and then made her way to the loft. At the door, she tried to wake the woman up only to discover her unconscious. When Henry opened the door, he narrowed his eyes, watching the completely surprisingly scene and opened his mouth to question her but Emma cut him with a small gesture of her head, and then carried Regina to her room dropping the brunette unceremoniously onto the bed, sighing happily and rolling her shoulders at the loss of weight.

"Mom?" Henry had climbed the stairs right behind her, looking at her apprehensively. "What is wrong with her?" The kid looked conflicted.

"She is ok Henry." Emma reassured. "She is just tired." She said adjusting Regina's form over the bed. "Can you please take the first aid kit in the bathroom for me?"

"Yep." He said disappearing in the aisle.

With a first aid kit, she removed the rags of Regina's feet and cleaned the cuts, applying some anti-septic and medicine over the cuts, then Band-Aids. She then managed to bandage them properly, specially the twisted ankle. Reaching for a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt in her closet, she asked the kid to grab some water in the kitchen while she changed an unconscious Regina in what she thought was something cleaner and more comfortable.

Placing painkillers on the bedside table and a bottle of water, she left Henry taking care of Regina, as she headed to town hall.

Time to get a few answers.

TBC

Reviews of any kind are truly appreciated.

Hugs,

brokenheartstillbeat~