When Emma's eyes fluttered open, the bright sun made her recoil and she buried her face back into the pillow. She stretched for a moment before finally pulling her face out from the silky material. She looked down, suddenly remembering where she was. She thought back, remembering the events of the previous night. She looked at the empty bed next to her and thought for a moment. Regina wasn't there any more. She didn't know how she knew that, but she did. "Regina?"

A few hours earlier

Regina stayed next to Emma for hours, even after the woman had finally resigned herself to sleep. She watched the blonde intently as she slept peacefully, her body relaxed, soft hair billowing across the white sheets. She had no idea how much time passed as she laid watching the savior sleep, but paid no mind to it. Her mind traveled without her at the wheel. She replayed the events on her front porch that evening, and felt her jaw constrict. She had no doubt she would have pummeled that man with magic had she been able to. Her only solace was that Emma was finally able to stand up to him. Emma had been right: she had lost herself in that relationship. It happened so subtly, Regina almost hadn't noticed. When Regina saw Emma cringing on her porch at the man's words, she knew then that his hold over her was intense. She knew, because she herself had once been a victim of such manipulating oppression. Regina had let herself fall victim to it for far too long. Her only solace was that it seemed she was able to help Emma break free of that same situation before she broke as Regina had.

Regina's adoring eyes fell to the savior's soft face. You are so strong. Much stronger than I ever was. She didn't realize her hand had lifted up until she felt the soft skin of Emma's face on the back of her fingers. Her breath caught as she let her fingers brush down Emma's face, turning over for fingertips to run along the woman's jawline. Realizing something was happening here, but unwilling to let it end, she tried to ignore the change. She had only been able to touch a living being once since this happened and missed the sensation so very much. Although she longed to pull Henry into a warm hug and kiss him on the forehead, this feeling of caressing Emma Swan was suddenly a fulfilled desire she had harbored long before her run-in with the Black Fairy. She realized this subconsciously, but was so lost in the joy of this moment that she suppressed all the fear and confusion that came with this realization to deal with later. For now, her heart soared. The skin was so soft and warm, Regina nearly gasped. Her fingers trembled slightly as she reached up and tucked a strand of errant hair behind Emma's ear, letting her fingers grace gently down the outside of the lobe. When Emma stirred slightly, softly rubbing her face against the pillow, Regina saw her smile. Her lips moved, but barely a sound came out. Her mind tricked her into thinking she saw Emma mouth "Regina".

For the moment that Regina thought it was possible, she felt a whirl of excitement pass through her like a sudden jolt of electricity. Had Emma said her name? Could it be possible the woman could feel the affection Regina was oozing for her? Did Emma know it was Regina caressing her face so lovingly? And was it welcomed? For that long, glorious moment, Regina believed it to be true. That Emma knew of Regina's secret feelings, and she not only welcomed them, but felt the same way.

That moment was fleeting, however. As quickly as the excitement had come, so did the fear and confusion she had just moments ago denied. No. Regina snapped her hand back, looking down with confusion at the still sleeping blonde. Stop that. She desperately tried to push those feelings away, to deny them, to ignore them. Nothing good will come of you thinking like that! She quickly stood up from the bed and wrung her hands. She dared to look back down, praying that she had willed those sudden butterflies away. They were still there, taking flight the moment her eyes met Emma's silhouette. They raged up inside her like a freight train, and Regina could no longer deny it any longer. She scoffed and started pacing the room violently. She kept quiet, not wanting to wake Emma. What she really wanted to do was scream. She had subconsciously fought back these feelings for so long now, she was frustrated that they had finally won the battle. It had been easier before, when there was Robin for a distraction and Emma was with him. She was able to repress the feelings thinking they were just a farce; That Robin was her true love and that Emma was in love with the pirate. But all that has changed now. And on top of it she was now forced to endure hour after hour by the sheriff's side, sharing intimate moments, private conversations and...a bed.

It was then that Regina returned to her spot at the window sil. It was then she refocused on how she got into this situation in the first place. It was then she replayed the spell Zelena and the Blue Fairy had used to try and bring her back. It was then Regina started to unravel the mystery.

Present

"Regina?"

Regina hadn't heard her stir. She had been biting her nails. Regina never bites her nails. A riding crop to her hand by her mother had cured her of that. She was ten. Cora didn't even blink when she saw she had nicked Regina's face. Despite Regina's yowl and the blood running furiously, Cora only scowled. "A lady does not put her fingers in her mouth for any reason." Regina never bit her nails again, the scar on her lip reminding her everyday of her shortcomings as a daughter. Emma's voice pulled her from the past and she snapped her head over. The sunlight beaming on the woman's face, making eyes bluer than usual, did nothing to squelch the thoughts that had been swirling in her mind for the past few hours. She sighed, dropping her hands to her sides. "Yes, I'm here," she stood up from the window sil and crossed her arms. Looking at the sleepy blond rub her eyes, her mood softened slightly. "How are you feeling?"

Emma yawned obnoxiously, raising her arms up to stretch. "Better. I slept like a log."

Regina scoffed but didn't need to hide the adoring smile on her face. "Yes. A log getting buzz-sawed."

Emma frowned slightly as she pushed the covers off. "I don't snore."

Regina smirked. "Of course not. And I've never cursed anyone." she said sarcastically.

Emma rolled her eyes and stood up from the bed. She smacked her lips, noting how she really needed to brush her teeth. A quick chin down to her shoulder blade and she caught whiff of herself. Her face soured. "Do you mind if I shower?"

Regina turned red faced. Did Emma somehow know all the thoughts that had been running through Regina's head? Did she become aware of how affected Regina was by the thought of Emma's nakedness? Was she aware of Regina's old attraction becoming newly uncontrollable? "I-what-I don't care. Why would I care?"

Emma furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she gathered up the clothes she had shucked off the night before. "It's your house," she said, shaking her head. "I was just being polite."

Regina rolled her eyes at her panic and nodded. "Yes, of course. Go right ahead. I...can't smell you but I'm sure you need it." She swallowed as she watched Emma walk into the bathroom. "I'll be out here."

XXXXX

"Regina!"

It wan't long after Regina heard the shower curtain pulled closed that Emma called to her. She ignored it.

"Regina!"

"What do you want?"

"Come in here so I don't have to shout!"

Regina stood with her back to the bathroom door, arms crossed. "Why? Can't it wait?"

There was pause enough that Regina knew Emma had rolled her eyes. "Just come in here," annoyance in her voice.

Regina knew if she didn't it would be suspicious. She rolled her own eyes, arms dropping to her sides. She passed through the door and into the steamy bathroom. She glanced at the shower curtain, noting she could still see the blonde's silhouette through it. She swallowed and turned her back to it. "What?"

Emma squirted the shampoo into her palm, the rich smell of apples reaching her nose. Her eyes closed inadvertently at the pleasantness. God, this smell is so Regina! She rubbed her palms together before reaching up into her hair. "Did you come up with anything last night?"

Regina couldn't help being, well, Regina. "Actually yes. I have the perfect plan to finally be rid of that wretched mother of yours, but I'm hardly inclined to let you in on it."

Emma smirked and shook her head as she massaged her scalp. "Very funny. You know what I mean."

Regina shimmied in place slightly, pleased at her own wittiness. "If you're referring to my unsavory predicament of being bound to you, then...perhaps."

Emma perked up as she ducked her head under the water. "Oh? Do tell."

Regina had come up with a possible explanation, but was skeptical. She was not prepared to let Emma in on this theory, however, and decided to keep it to herself until she had more information. "I don't know for sure yet, but I'm certain Zelena and Blue have more information than they are letting on."

"You picked up on that too, huh?"

"Indeed. It's time to grill my sister."

Emma rinsed the remaining soap out of her hair and turned off the water. "What do you think it is that she isn't willing to tell us? I mean, she has seemed pretty willing to help. I thought she was one of the good guys now."

Regina didn't answer right away. She was too busy listening to Emma wring her hair out, picturing it in her mind. Emma reaching out and grabbing her towel jostled her back to reality. "Uh, I'm not sure yet. I need to know more about this spell she and Blue used."

Emma stood behind the curtain, drying off her wet body. "You don't believe this 'Affection Spell' mumbo jumbo?"

"You mean do I think Zelena has somehow heard of this 'goodness' spell and I haven't?" She scoffed. "Unlikely. Even if she had, she certainly wouldn't have found it on one of my spellbooks. I have read all those books cover to cover. There's no such thing in there."

"Hm. True. But what could Blue possibly have to do with this? She wouldn't do any thing sketchy," Emma tussled her hair.

Regina scoffed. "Have you met that woman? She reeks of sketch."

Emma snorted and laughed.

Regina's heart exploded. She was glad the blonde couldn't see her goofy smile.

"Alright. How's this; First we hit up Zelena. See if she will come clean on whatever spell she cast. Then we go talk to Blue. I'll use my superpowers to decide if either of them are lying. We go from there. Sound good?"

Regina pursed her lips, thinking. It was a good idea. But she couldn't resist the eyeroll and snark. "Oh, right. Your superpower of truth. Please. That never worked on me."

"Regina," Emma said softly. Both women froze, only a thin veil of plastic between them. "It always works on you."

Regina swallowed. "Oh? Is that why you believed I killed Archie all those years ago?" It hurt even bringing it up. Granted, it was a long time ago, and things had changed dramatically since then. She didn't even know why she mentioned it.

Emma sighed silently. "It worked then. I believed you. Even with the surveillance footage. I knew you had told me the truth."

Regina scoffed in disbelief. "Oh, really. That's why you showed up on my door step? Screaming at me, taking Henry away from me?! Because you believed me?" she stayed calm, but the anger was evident in her voice.

Emma shook her head. She wanted to explain why she had behaved that way, but was afraid. "No, I-" she sighed heavily. "We have more important things to take care of right now. Can I-can you leave please? I need to get dressed."

Regina just gritted her teeth. "Of course," she said slowly, walking through the door until she was forced to stop. She shook her head at her own stupidity. Why would she bring that up? They were getting along so well until she had to just-the past was the past. If she expected people to forgive hers, she had to to the same for them.

XXXXXXXX

They were quiet as they made their way toward the convent. Emma had texted Zelena that she needed to see her, and the red head said she was looking through the fairies' library at the church. Neither woman wanted to fight, but old wounds had inadvertently been reopened, and no one knew how to heal them. So Regina stared ahead in the passenger seat while Emma wrung her hands on the steering wheel. The woman had never been so happy to see the front doors of a church in her life.

The two walked side by side into the library, joining a concerned looking Zelena and Blue. Zelena spoke up. "Emma! You didn't have to come down here, I haven't found anything yet."

Emma eyed the two women as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Well, I had some questions for you anyway."

"Oh?" Zelena said a little too sweetly. She closed the book she had in her hands and put it down, smiling obnoxiously large.

Emma hesitated only slightly as she peered at both women. "Tell me again about this 'affection elixer'."

Zelena tried, but couldn't hide her guilt. "I told you-"

"Lies," Emma interrupted. "You told me lies. Now I want the truth. Show me the spell."

Zelena swallowed but tried to keep up her facade. "What?"

"The spell you used. Show it to me," Emma insisted.

"Whatever for? You said yourself you can't read Elvish," Zelena was panicking now. Blue shifted uncomfortably.

"No, but Regina can. Give it to me."

Zelena paused, the outline of her jaw clenching showing through her cheeks. "No," she said plainly.

Emma scoffed. "Excuse me?"

Zelena looked at her, eyes wide. "No."

Emma took a step forward, causing Zelena to lean back in her chair. "You know I could make you. I'm asking nicely first. Let me see the spell."

Blue took a step toward them both, looking at Zelena. "Give it to them."

Zelena's eyes shot angrily up to the fairy. "What?! No! We agreed they weren't ready!"

Emma furrowed her eyebrows, clearly confused by the cryptic conversation. Regina watched with bated breath.

Blue let her eyes dart up to Emma but then back to Zelena. "I don't think that's up to us to decide any more. They deserve to know."

"Know what?" Emma exclaimed. The two women seemed to ignore her.

"You have known Regina longer than I have. She's the most stubborn woman either of us has ever known. How do you think she's going to take this?" Zelena said through gritted teeth.

"You're right, I have. I have been here since day one of this curse, and day one of Emma showing up here. From what I've seen, I think she'll take it much better than you're giving her credit for!" Blue shout-whispered. It was a church and a library, after all.

Regina listened to the words and drew in a deep breath. She had been right. She knew exactly what was going on. Her heart sank. Although she was still coming to grips with her sudden realization, there was no way Emma was in the same boat. Emma couldn't even barely consider Regina a friend, never mind...

The bickering was cut off by a booming "ENOUGH!" Emma's voice echoed through the chamber, six eyes fastened to her in shock. Emma focused her attention on Blue, gesturing her to speak.

Blue took one last warning glare from Zelena before straightening her posture and looking at Emma. She snapped her fingers and a book appeared in her hand. Regina recognized it immediately. Her ghostly face paled. Blue rifled through the pages before settling on a page. As Zelena sighed in disagreement, Blue stepped forward and handed the book to Emma.

Emma turned the book to face her, not that it would have mattered. The symbols and shapes were foreign to her, so she would have no idea which way was up. She held it away from her body so Regina could see it. "Regina? What does it say?"

Regina didn't have to look. She knew. She walked up to Emma anyway, her eyes never leaving that of Zelena. Zelena knew. For how long, Regina had no idea. Regina looked down at the page to confirm what she had been thinking was correct. Well isn't that just perfect. Regina felt a tear prick. She knew she would be like this: dead but not dead, here but not here, bound to a woman who could never love her back for eternity. Emma couldn't know. Regina knew the savior would carry guilt forever. It wasn't her fault she could never fall in love with Regina. Regina was quite unlovable, that much had been made abundantly clear many times. And so, Regina lied.

"They're telling the truth," she said, emotionless.

Emma did not expect to hear this. "What?"

Regina swallowed down her tears. "It's an affection spell, just like they said."

Emma shook her head in confusion. "But...you said you had never heard of it."

Zelena and Blue just looked at each other in shock.

Regina tried to gain her composure as she thought up another lie. "I-guess I overlooked it." She faked a laugh. "I was the Evil Queen, Miss Swan, I had no use for any 'Affection Elixer'. Must have slipped my mind."

Emma was shaking her head in disbelief. "But...Okay, but, why didn't it work?" She looked up to Zelena and Blue, begging for an answer.

When the two remained silent, Regina forced out a response. "Simple. I'm afraid there just isn't enough love in the world for a conniving, murderous, deceitful Evil Queen to raise her from the dead," she haggard a breath in. "Not even a former one."

Silence. Emma quivered. A tear threatened, but did not fall. "That can't be," she whispered.

Regina wiped a tear from her eyes, again thankful no one could see her so vulnerable. "I'm afraid so. There's nothing to be done to bring me back." She swallowed a golf ball down. "Perhaps, though, they might come up with a way to at least free you from me? Even if I means I am gone for good."

"No," Emma said through her breath.

"What is she saying?" Zelena asked.

Emma looked up at her, wide eyed. "She wants you to free her from the bind, even if it kills her."

Zelena stood up from the chair. "No. Regina, you know everything now. You know the truth, that there is a way out of this!"

"No," Regina walked up to Emma so she would be sure to be heard. "There isn't anything else to be done."

Emma tried to ignore Regina. "What else?" she asked Zelena.

Zelena tried to speak, unaware of Regina talking loudly over her, insisting to Emma there was nothing else. Emma strained to hear Zelena but Regina in her ear was drowning her out. Emma shook her head, trying to shush Regina so she could hear Zelena. Everything Zelena said was drowned out by Regina's yelling voice. Emma only heard two words when Regina was finally able to make her presence known physically.

"...true love!" The only words out of Zelena's mouth that Emma could make out were muffled by Regina screaming and a thunderous roar around them. Every shelf started rumbling, until suddenly every book on the shelves went flying. They flew off their shelves and into a cluttering heap on the floor, causing the three solid women in the room to duck for cover.

Zelena looked around the room in shock as she stood up. Damn it Regina. Have it your way, then. "Well. I'm afraid this will only complicate our search more. We'll keep searching, Regina. I promise."

Emma was shell shocked. Confused. Hurt, though she didn't know why. She didn't even have anything further to say to Zelena or Blue. She just turned and walked out. Her face was ashen and stone faced. She had never felt as helpless as she did in that moment. How dare they? Who were they to say how much Emma and the others cared for Regina?! They had no idea-Damn the magic, and damn them. They didn't know anything. But still she felt a sadness. She had heard Regina. She wanted them to give up. That wasn't something she ever thought Regina would do; give up. Regina sounded defeated. Beaten down. But there was something else.

As Emma walked solemnly to her car, silent Regina in tow, she began to think. She sunk into her own mind so far, she had no recollection of driving to the mansion. She had sat at the bar in the kitchen for who knows how long until things started to piece together. She knew Regina was lying about the 'affection elixer'. She knew Zelena was telling the truth when she said there was another way to bring Regina back. And she knew Regina didn't let Zelena explain because she was afraid of getting hurt. As one piece after another fell into place, an eerie calm settled into Emma's heart.

The fireball meant for Emma.

Regina sacrificing herself for Emma.

Missing Regina.

Regina being bound to Emma's soul.

Hearing Regina's voice.

Feeling Regina's touch.

Needing Regina's strength.

The intertwining hairs.

The bright purple light.

Zelena's words.

Sleeping curse.

True Love's Kiss.

Regina watched in confused silence as Emma's body sat still, but her eyes darted around. Clearly the blonde was lost in some thoughts, and Regina could tell they were pretty deep, whatever they were. She watched as the blonde worked through something on her own. Regina perked up when Emma's eyes suddenly flew open.

It snapped into Emma's brain like an exploding aneurysm. She stood up, a warm burst exploding through not only her brain but her entire body. Idiot! She sighed out a chuckle silently, smiling into the dark kitchen. The smile left her face and she cocked her head. She sat in silent contemplation for a moment before pursing her lips. With one wave of her hands, and before Regina could object, she disappeared into a puff of white smoke.