Chapter 9

"It worked?"

"Regina!"

"She's alive?"

"Well, shit fire an' save the matches! I'll be."

"Oh, Thank God."

"Mom?!"

It all came at her at once, and Emma suddenly found herself lacking in personal space. She put her arms up, begging everyone to stop. When finally there was quiet, Emma wanted to make sure she wasn't hallucinating. "Regina? Are you there?"

Regina sighed out in a bit of relief. "Yes. I'm here. Finally!"

Emma smiled big and squeezed Henry's shoulder. "Yes, she's here. It's her!"

The group hooted and cheered, with Zelena smiling broadly and doing all but sticking her tongue out at Blue who was shaking her head in disbelief.

Emma gladly hugged Henry tight, but shushed the room after a few moments of celebration. "Regina, where are you? What happened?"

Regina tore herself away from watching happy tears roll down Henry's cheeks and stood at attention in front of Emma. Clearly the blonde still couldn't see her. "I'm right here in front of you. And how the hell should I know? I saved your sorry butt only to be repaid by being chained against my will to your miserable existence."

Emma couldn't help but smile through the insult. "I missed you, Regina," she laughed.

Regina fought back her own smile with her arms crossed, but fought it less than she typically would if they had been able to see her. "Course you did. No one else in this pathetic rabble will put you in your place." Her smile deepened as Emma just grinned into space. She pulled herself out of the clouds. "I certainly don't know how I got here or why I'm stuck here, but I want to know what my sister and the blue bug claimed was that spell they used?" She turned to face the two women, both still smiling. They were unaware of the looming storm. They did however, notice Emma move her attention to them.

"It was an Affection Elixir," Emma said, her voice fading. Why didn't Regina know that?

"There's no such thing. Is there, sis?" Regina stopped in front of Zelena, hands on her hips.

Emma furrowed her eyebrows. So her suspicions had been correct. They were hiding something. "Zelena? What exactly was that? What did you do?"

Zelena shifted as she noticed Blue take a step away from her. "I told you," she said, forcing a smile.

"Regina says there's no such thing as an Affection Elixir," Emma said as she crossed her arms.

Zelena scoffed. "Well, just because Regina has never heard of it, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. She doesn't know everything there is to know about magic, you know."

"And you do?" Regina laughed.

Emma just stared at Zelena.

Zelena swallowed. "Look, Regina, I'm sorry it didn't go as planned, but it didn't totally fail! It kind of worked! I mean, the savior can hear you now, that's a step in the right direction, isn't it? At least now we can communicate with you. We have an even better chance, now!"

Regina suddenly clammed up. What if Zelena was telling the truth? What if the spell would have worked except...except there simply wasn't enough love for Regina between them all to bring her back. That was a reality hurtful but not entirely surprising for her. She decided not to push the matter, at least not for now. "indeed."

Everyone had a thousand questions, not being able to hear Regina's side of the conversation. They were hovering, suffocating, all demanding Emma's attention. She started to become overwhelmed. Finally she squeezed her eyes shut and put her hands up defensively. "Guys, guys! Look, I know you all have questions, I do too! But I can't listen to Regina and Zelena, try and answer all your questions and try to think all at the same time. Regina is not dead. She is here with me, and I can hear her. The spell worked enough to allow me to hear her but that's about it so far. That's all I can tell you. Please...just give me some time to talk to Regina and the other magic makers here and try to sort this all out. Once we know anything, you all will be the first ones I tell. Okay?" Emma sighed out and looked at Henry. She smiled and put her hand on his head. "Except you kid. I'm sure she has some things she wants to say to you."

Archie and Granny mumbled to themselves, but were still happy with the outcome. He helped her up the stairs to the vault and out. Snow and David both gave Emma a hug and some kind words. "We will wait for Henry upstairs," Snow said. David led her up the stairs as well.

Emma noticed Blue sneaking off as well. "Hey!" she called, causing the woman to freeze. "I'm not done with you. I'll be in touch," she said forcefully. The woman winced but nodded and took off like a flash.

"Henry! Henry, I'm here!" Regina said as she stood in front of him, trying in futility to put a hand on his shoulder. She didn't even have to scooch to be eye to eye with him any more.

"She's here, Henry," Emma translated.

"Mom?! Where are you? How?" Henry said, trying desperately to see something he was incapable of.

"I'm right in front of you sweetheart," she said, smiling through happy tears.

Emma motioned. "She's there."

Henry put his hand out, trying to touch something, to feel his mother. He felt nothing. He didn't feel Regina put her palm up to mirror his. "Mom, I love you!"

Emma translated. "I love you too, Henry. So much, my darling!"

Henry shook his head in confusion. "Why Mom? How could you leave me like that? You're never supposed to do that!"

Regina sighed out a sob and shook her head. "I'm so sorry, Henry. I didn't mean for this to happen! I just-" she glanced up at Emma. "I just did what I thought was right."

"You thought I'd be better off without you? There had to have been another way!"

Regina shrugged her shoulders. "I'm sorry, Henry! It was-I didn't have much time to react. Perhaps if I had had more time I could have come up with something, but it just-I had to act fast." her tears rached her throat, causing her octave to dip. "I just couldn't let-"

Henry smiled. "You couldn't let Emma die."

Regina pursed her lips and raised an eyebrow, daring a look at the savior. She was red. Regina brushed it aside. That wasn't the explanation..."I couldn't let you lose her. I know how important she is to you. You need her in your life, as much as it pains me to say it."

Henry shook her comments off. "Look, Mom. I'm happy you saved Emma. You're right, she is important to me. But so are you! I need both of you in my life! The two of you have done enough sacrificing of yourselves for each other. Can't we just...be a normal family from now on?"

Both Regina and Emma giggled at this. "I want that more than anything," Regina laughed. "I promise. As soon as I get back into my body, no more sacrificing myself, least of all to Miss Swan." She nodded as Emma rolled her eyes. They both smiled. Emma fidgeted, twisting her toes into the floor. Her face burned red.

Henry chuckled and smiled, nodding his head.

"Now, Henry would you mind joining your grandparents so we can all figure out what our next step is?"

Henry nodded before reaching out one more time. He only found air, and yet still felt comforted knowing she was there. "Okay. I love you Mom!"

"I love you, Henry!"

Emma stuck her hands in her back pockets, smiling as Henry bounded up the stairs. It was so good to see a spring in his step again.

After relishing in the love of her son, Regina returned to awareness of her predicament. She sighed and looked at Emma and Zelena. "Well. Now what?"

Emma shrugged and shook her head. "Any other ideas Zelena? Why didn't this work-or only partially work?"

Zelena opened her mouth, but didn't speak for a moment. Regina cocked her head. "I-that I'm not sure. I was hopeful this would be the solution."

Regina sighed and started to pace. She was about to walk over to look in Zelena's cauldron when she was halted against her will. She looked at her proximity and sighed out. "Damn it, Zelena, what have you and the bug done?!"

"What is it, Regina?" Emma asked.

"I used to be able to go farther from you, at least 20 feet or so. Now I can barely go ten! Now I'm forced to stay even closer to you!"

Emma sighed, looking at Zelena who she thought looked a little guilty. "It seems whatever you've done didn't loosed the bind any. It seems to have made it stronger."

Zelena shook her head. "I don't understand. The spell was supposed to send Regina's soul back to her body. I assure you, that is what it was meant to do."

"Well it didn't work! You haven't helped any, you've made it worse!" Regina raged. She ran her fingers through her hair, trying to calm herself down.

Emma gritted her teeth. She didn't repeat Regina's scolding. It wouldn't help any. "Is there anything else that can be done?" She asked calmly.

"Perhaps. But right now, I think you should go home and get some rest. I'll continue researching. I may have to go to the library at the convent to see what the Fairies can offer. I'll enlist Blue's help again," Zelena said softly. She looked around the empty vault. "I'm sorry, Regina. I assure you, I am trying to bring you back. We will, I promise you."

Regina scoffed and shook her head, tapping her toe. She was annoyed, frustrated at this situation, and she knew there was something Zelena was holding back. Unfortunately in her state, there wasn't much she could do about it. She stayed silent as Zelena slowly slinked by Emma and up the vault stairs.

Emma sighed out heavily. She was tired. "I guess she's right. There isn't much more we can do tonight," Emma started for the stairs.

"Wait!" A desperate call from Regina made Emma halt.

"What is it?" Emma asked quickly.

Regina paused, feeling slightly embarrassed. She looked at her body, wringing her hands. "Please. Can you not...leave me here like that? It's mortifying, being like that...under a sheet."

Emma turned to Regina's body and suddenly felt hot. She started squeezing her hands into fists, shifting her weight. "You want me to...dress you?" The thought of dressing a naked Regina Mills while her soul watched was a bit much for her to imagine.

Regina rolled her eyes. "With your magic, you nitwit." She couldn't help but crack a smile at how uncomfortable Emma was.

"Oh, right," Emma sighed in relief. "Thank...God," she said under her breath. Emma looked down at Regina, the line of her shapely body showing beneath the sheet. She frowned suddenly. "What do you want to wear?"

Regina let out a single laugh. How adorable for her to wonder such a thing. She looked at Emma for a moment, then became curious. "I don't care. You decide."

Regina watched as Emma was lost in thought for a moment, noticing the little lines form around her lips as she pursed them. She noticed a small smile grace the woman's lips as she seemed to come to a decision. She looked on in fascination as Emma closed her eyes, and waved her arms gracefully, much in the way Regina herself does.

Emma looked down and smiled in satisfaction. "How's that?"

Regina's eyes finally left the savior's face. She took in the sight and smiled at the memory the sight brought with it. "That'll be fine," she said quietly. Regina followed Emma up the stairs of the vault, leaving her body in the red dress she had worn in the hospital the day Snow was about to give birth to Neal. She remembered the look on Emma's face when she had walked down the hall. She hadn't thought much of it, but as the memory pushed back into her mind, she realized now that Emma apparently had liked what she saw. She smirked proudly as she followed Emma out of the vault.

Regina didn't know what magic it was that made some things solid to her and others not. She really didn't bother to think much about it. Therefore she didn't question the fact she could sit solidly in the passenger seat of the squad car and yet human bodies would pass right through her. Frankly she didn't care. She just wanted to be whole again. So as she sat next to Emma who was gripping the steering wheel unnaturally and gritting her teeth, Regina didn't wonder how it came to be. She only thought about what was occurring in the driver's seat next to her. She remembered the phone conversation earlier. She nodded in understanding. "You don't want to go home."

Emma laughed lightly. "I thought you heard all that earlier," she pursed her lips in embarrassment.

Regina really did feel bad about it. "Not willingly. I'm sorry," she said sincerely.

Emma closed her eyes and shook her head as if dismissing it. "It's not your fault. Ah, he's probably not there anyway. I'm sure he's on the Jolly Roger."

Regina paused for a moment. "But you don't want to chance it."

Emma sighed out. "I've just got too much going on right now, too much to think about without adding that into the mix. He just-I'll think about that once we figure out how to get you back."

Regina watched Emma's facial reactions, and truly felt for the woman. "I highly doubt he's going to want to wait that long to talk."

"Ya, well. I may not have a choice if he's there waiting for me," Emma said as she started the car.

Regina thought for a moment. "Stay at the mansion."

Emma was taken aback. She thought about how big of a deal it was for Regina to offer this. "Really?"

Regina didn't have it in her at the moment for a snarky comeback. She didn't think Emma deserved it anyway. Not this time. "Yes, really."

Emma paused again, looking at the empty seat beside her. "You wouldn't mind?"

Regina chuckled quietly. "I wouldn't have offered if I did." She looked softly upon Emma, noticing how tired she looked. She smiled softly. "It's the least I can do, really. Please."

Emma smiled in resignation. "The least you can do? You saved my life, remember?" She put the car into drive and stepped on the gas.

Regina just watched her, noticing how the shadows in the car accentuated the blonde's profile. She hadn't stopped smiling. "Well, I guess we're even."

Emma twisted her fist around the steering wheel as her belly did flip flops. She chuckled silently. "I guess so."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Regina I really don't feel comfortable wearing your pajamas," Emma expressed. She was standing in front of Regina's armoire, the top drawer open. She tried to ignore the excitement rising inside her as she looked at all the alluring silky under wears and night slips laid out before her eyes.

Regina had a feeling Emma would have this reaction at opening her pajama drawer, and felt a thrill of pleasure go through her at having embarrassed the blonde this way. She looked on with a devilish grin as Emma gingerly picked up a red silk night slip between her thumb and forefinger. Regina stifled a laugh as Emma held it up, her eyes bulging. Regina let the silence continue for a moment before she said, perhaps with a bit too much suave, "That's my favorite."

Emma turned even redder and quickly dropped the piece back into the drawer and swiftly shut it. She knew she was squirming but couldn't help it. "Don't you have anything else? A t-shirt or something?" she whined.

Regina shrugged. "You could wear some of Henry's pajamas."

Emma scrunched up her nose and shifted her weight. "You must really have a low opinion of me if you think I'm going to put on a pair of our teenage son's boxers."

Regina shuttered and thought for a moment. "There is a new, unopened package in the hall closet."

Emma shrugged and made her way into the hallway.

Emma had taken a clean pair of boxers and one of Henry's black undershirts into the spare room. She laid them on the bed and stared at them, unsure of what to do next.

Regina watched her in amusement, letting her struggle in the moment. Finally she rolled her eyes and dropped her arms to her sides. "You can go in the washroom, Miss Swan. I have enough of a leash to give you at least that privacy."

"Are you sure?" Emma said rigidly. "Cuz, last time...the shower..."

Regina suddenly became rigid. Touche'. "That was...I wasn't sure what was happening or where you were going. It-was an honest mistake." Now Regina was the one flustered.

Emma waved her off, nodding in understanding. Of course. It's not like Regina had meant to see her topless. She retired to the bathroom and took a deep breath. She changed as quickly as she could and completed her bathroom routine in record time.

Regina waited rather impatiently for Emma to emerge from the bathroom. Her new restrictions didn't allow her to stray much past the washroom door, and she was quite uncomfortable with simply standing there. She was relieved to hear the door open, and swung around as the savior emerged. Relief suddenly turned to shock. Surprise. Discomfort. And another sensation that Regina pretended not to feel. There she stood, in a black t-shirt barely large enough to come down just below her navel. Meant for a boy, the chest area was way too tight, offering Regina a much too generous view of Emma's nipples, straining at the fabric. The boxers started at the end of Emma's happy trail, just high enough to not be considered indecent, and left enough leg showing to leave Regina speechless. She had frozen as the tingling feeling crept all through her. It was only when Emma walked through her that Regina awoke from her trance.

Emma stopped short. "Regina?" She asked nervously.

Regina shook her head and turned to face the back of the savior who had just passed through her. "Yes?"

Emma cocked her head to the side. "Did...did I just walk through you?"

Regina panicked. Emma had felt that too? Regina felt tingling, warmth, calm, relief, comfort in the brief second that Emma had passed through her. She didn't think the blonde had felt it too. "I-um, yes, I didn't hear you come out of the washroom until it was too late. I had my back to the door," she lied cleverly.

"Oh," Emma nodded. She laid her dirty clothes across the vanity chair and walked to the bed. She ignored the feeling of being watched. Normally that feeling would give her the creeps, but somehow knowing it was Regina watching her didn't bother her. She pulled back the covers and top sheet, noticing how soft and smooth they were. Much more expensive than her sheets at home. She climbed into bed and felt her tired body sink into the mattress. She inadvertently let out a groan of pleasure. As she settled into the pillow, she murmured, "Good night, Regina."

Regina stood in the middle of the room, uncertain as to what to do. She saw the sleepy eyes of the savior fluttering closed, wrapped in the luxury of her own guest room and let out a single chuckle. "Good night, Emma." As Emma switched off the light, Regina sauntered to the window, and perched herself on the sill. She looked out into the clear Storybrooke night. Only a few seconds passed by when the silence was broken.

"Regina?"

Regina looked over to the bed and snarked, "You're supposed to go to sleep."

"Do you sleep now?"

A moment passed. "No."

Emma paused for a moment. "What are you going to do while I sleep?"

"Oh, I don't know. Figure out how to solve world hunger, fix global warming, come up with a way to finally get rid of the Charmings for good...that kind of thing," she mused. She heard Emma chuckle and then realized why the blonde might be asking. "If you're worried about me standing over you and staring while you're asleep, don't worry. I'm over here looking out the window. I'm going to think about how to get myself out of this ridiculous predicament."

Emma was somehow comforted at Regina's presence, and let it go at that. She smiled one last time at sleeping in the same room as Regina Mills before falling into a much needed slumber.

True to her word, Regina stayed at the window sill. Emma would never know, however, that the Mayor did indeed keep a watchful eye over her as she slept.