Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Spoilers: Anything up to 2x09 "Queen of Hearts" is fair game.

TW: BLACKSWAN IN THIS CHAPTER!

A/N: Okay, so the trigger warning's above. Don't say I didn't warn you. And it's gonna get rough…literally, I worry about my mental health sometimes. Also, did everyone enjoy the penis parade on Once? Yeah, me either. Enjoy this.

"Monsters are real, ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win."

Stephen King

Chapter 3: Losing Control

Emma let out an inaudible sigh when Cora stood, stepping away from the bed. Truth be told, she wasn't sure if she could speak right now. Her body ached, her throat sore from screaming. Her eyes remained trained on the other woman despite her desire to close them, to block out everything. Regina would know what to do. She blinked back her tiredness and noticed Cora staring at her, an amused smirk crossing her features.

Despite the pain in her throat, she spoke, "What the hell's so funny?"

Cora was back on the bed in a flash, running a hand down the side of her face before gripping her chin firmly to hold her head in place, "I didn't give you permission to speak, Miss Swan, did I?"

"I don't need your permission," she spat back, struggling against the woman's hold, shaking her head roughly; she probably would have succeeded if a round of dizziness hadn't overtook her. "What the hell?"

"Try not to move too much, dear." Cora released her and pushed her back, sending her sprawling onto the bed. She squirmed, struggling to get away. God, not again. The brunette straddled her waist, smirking, "If you would've just stayed quiet, I would've left you alone for a little while."

"Go to Hel—" Cora cut her off with a harsh kiss. She could literally taste the magic as it forced her to kiss back. Her mouth opened, her tongue coming out to mingle with the brunette's before the sorceress claimed dominance. Arousal flooded her core, making her gasp sharply in pain. She couldn't take another fingering, let alone an orgasm.

Cora pulled away, leaving her gasping for breath, and smirked down at her, "Well, now, what do we have here?"

"Don't…" she breathed out, raggedly.

"Come here," With a wave of her hand, Cora pulled her up until they were facing each other, breathing each other's air. Fingers stroked softly through her hair before it was being pulled to the point of pain, the other woman hissing in her ear, "Don't tell me what not to do, dear. It's rude." Their gazes met before the Queen of Hearts smirked, speaking in the same sickly-sweet voice as before, and it made her want to gag, "Let me show you this trick I did whenever Regina misbehaved." Her eyes widened as she suddenly found herself being levitated off the bed, bound tightly by invisible ropes. "How long would you like to be up there, dear?"

"Let me down, you fucking psychopath!"

The woman tsked softly before she felt the ropes tighten around her, "Not the answer I was looking for."

"Let me go!"

Cora opened her mouth to retort when she paused, her head tilted to the side slightly, as if confused, before she dropped the hold she had on her, sending her back to the bed. She quickly schooled her features to reflect confusion and not relief.

"As much as I've enjoyed this little game, I'll leave you alone for now. I'll be back, dear."

Before she could question the other's sudden disinterest (not like she really wanted to because God, that was fucking intense) Cora was gone in a swirl of smoke. The emotions hit the blonde all at once: Relief, confusion, anger, sadness. She felt tears slip down her cheeks, as her sadness outweighed her other emotions. She curled up under the sheet, thankful for the warmth that it provided on her chilled body, her sweat-covered body unused to this treatment. Taking a moment to thank whatever had distracted the Queen of Hearts, she slipped into sleep, tears trailing down her cheeks.

"Ma!" Henry stops her at the front door, a nervous smile on his lips. "What are you doing home so early?"

She cocks an eyebrow, bemused, "I figured since it's my birthday and all, I could sneak out a couple hours early," She peers over his shoulder, smirking, "Honey, why won't our son let me through the front door?"

Regina appears at the kitchen doorway, smiling softly at her and Henry, "It's okay, Henry. Let her through."

The 11-year-old steps aside begrudgingly, and she ruffles his hair in passing. Stepping into their house, she removes her boots and leather jacket before walking over to her girlfriend and pulling her close. With a smile, she pulls the brunette into a warm kiss,

"Ew, moms!"

Pulling back, she sees Regina's grin. Playful. Warm. Safe.

"Henry, please go wash up for dinner."

He's up the stairs quickly, and she chuckles along with Regina. Once he's out of sight, she turns back towards the mayor, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

"Dinner smells great."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Another kiss is placed on her lips. Gentle. Chaste. Comforting, "Happy Birthday, Emma."

"I love you, Regina."

A smile lights Regina's face, "I love you too, Emma. So much."

She hears Henry coming down the stairs and turns, wanting to hug him after a long day of work. She isn't expecting the liquid fire in her veins, the sudden burning in her lungs, the crippling pain.

Emma shot awake, gasping harshly for breath. An agonizing scream was torn from her throat. She felt her fingers start to prickle; it was the same feeling she felt when she had activated Jefferson's hat. But different. Activating Jefferson's hat hadn't hurt this fucking much. It was her magic, she realized. It's not something that Cora had done. Her magic was hurting her, causing her pain. Did this happen with Regina? With Rumple? Was it because she had never learned how to control it? Was it lying dormant too long? Did that even matter? It hurt so fucking much.

"Make it stop…" Her voice came out hoarse, speaking to no one. A plea to whomever was listening. She didn't know how to make it stop. A potion maybe. Hell, she didn't care. She'd take as many potions as she could to make it stop. She closed her eyes, resisting the urge to cry out when another wave of pain hit her. God, this is worse than childbirth. The next wave made her see black spots, and seconds later, she was out cold.

As soon as Regina's feet touched the ground, she felt the rush of pain that flashed and coiled through her body. She staggered on her feet, her muscles seizing in a vice grip. Her magic pulsed through her body, prickling in her fingers, reacting to something. But what?It felt familiar. Warm. The realization hit her suddenly, and she knew without a doubt. Emma. More specifically Emma's magic. The pain shot through her again, nearly bringing her to her knees. What was with this pain? Was her magic hurting her because she was too far away from Emma?

"Damn it all," She gritted out through clenched teeth.

With a flick of her wrist, she was standing outside the Dark Castle, the green of the Enchanted Forest long behind her. There was a faint buzz, but the unbearable pain was gone. She sighed in relief before pulling out the small mirror, allowing her magic to flow through it, activating it. She felt herself release a breath she didn't know she was holding, as she gazed upon the sheriff. Blonde hair was splayed out on the pillows, and thankfully, her purple-turned-red sheet covered Emma's body. Well, she considered briefly as her body flared with arousal, perhaps not so thankfully. Emma seemed to be sleeping peacefully, but the mayor could see the thin layer of sweat on her brow, which caused an uncomfortable knot to form in her stomach. She'd been too late to stop the abuse. I've got to get her home before it gets worse. The thought hit her so suddenly that she nearly laughed aloud. To think she used to hate her, resent her…loathe her, fearful that she'd try to steal Henry.

"You're Henry's birthmother?"

"Hi."

There was so much fighting. So many disagreements.

"You're going to stay away from me. And more importantly, from Henry."

"What? That's—"

"Not open for discussion."

A lot of sexual tension, she was sure of that.

"Don't underestimate me, Miss Swan. You have no idea what I'm capable of."

"Sister, you have no idea what I am capable of."

"Miss Swan, sit down right now, or so help me—"

"What? You'll punish me?"

But they both…

"He's my son."

"He's my son, too."

They both loved Henry...

She had to bring Emma home. She needed to be safe. It was as much for the blonde's sake as it was for Henry's. And for her own. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't save Emma…

Her attention focused back on the mirror at the blonde's muttering of her name. Even when asleep, huh? She felt her heart swell with affection she hadn't felt since Henry had started acting like her little prince again. It took only a second for her heart to drop into her stomach as her mother materialized into the room, the purple smoke dissipating. She saw her smirk. Saw the bed dip as she sat, bent closer to the sleeping beauty. Her breathing quickened, fear for the blonde taking over. One of Cora's hands trailed through blonde locks, gentle and maternal. She felt the bile rise in throat, unsure of what to do. She wanted to poof into the room, get Emma, and then get out, but she wasn't sure she could take on her mother while worrying for the blonde. Perhaps a trade.

Her mother's voice sent chills down her spine, "Time to wake up, Miss Swan."

A/N: Damn, sorry this took so long to update. Figured I'd have it out sooner. I was planning on making this chapter longer, but decided to cut it in half instead. So this is Chapter 3A. It's funny cause Season 3B just started…*ahem* ANYWAY, please review. And I was sorta joking on the 3A business. I've cut the chapter in half, but Chapter 3 did end…the next chapter is going to be Chapter 4…

Hime no Kowai Shumi