Emma opened her eyes around midnight. She was surrounded by warmth, soft linen and a comfy bed. It was nice except she didn't feel comfortable here. In Regina's home, in her bed. She was intruding, once again needing some else to home and take care of her. She would have snuck out but something kept her there. Maybe it was the promise of protection, or being treated in way she knew her mother wasn't capable of, or maybe it was because of Regina. The Regina that comforted her wasn't the Regina she knew. This version was understanding, protecting, and nurturing. The opposite of her usually acidic tongue. She spoke softly to her and treated her as though she were a fragile expensive piece of crystal ware, just a push away from cracking. It was exactly what she needed in that moment.

Of all the people to save her she was glad it had been her. She was positive the brunette would keep this low profile, after all she was the town's sheriff. It would make her look bad. She strained her eyes a little more against the dark room. There was movement towards the doors threshold, a silhouette lingering. Instantly her heart jumped into her throat. Panic, swirled like a whirlwind in the center of her chest, she jolted upright while inching back on the bed. Then the light switched on.

"Its just me!" Regina proclaimed. She held out her hands in a manner that went to show she was unarmed. Immediately, her body relaxed but embarrassment flooded her. She had been so frightened. How did that happen? She was Emma Swan. Town sheriff, ex bail bondsman, mother, and savior. She was supposed to be fearless.

"Regina...I wasn't expecting to see you there." Regina nodded, but in a sad knowing kind of way.

"I didn't mean to startle you. I was just checking up on you."

"Thank you..."

Regina still stood in the doorway.

"I haven't filled anyone on the exact details. I figured that was up to you but the man is currently being held in jail. Maybe you should take the rest of the week off, at least until we get him dealt with."

"Yeah...okay."

Regina cleared her throat.

"Good night. Emma." She hung in the doorway and just before she reached for the light Emma called out to her.

"Regina wait." She played with the sheet in her hands. "I...can't sleep. Could you...I don't know maybe...stay? Just for a little. You don't have to." Regina's face softened.

"I can stay." She padded over to the bed and it was so strange seeing her walk without the accompanying sound of heels.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" The bed dipped where Regina took a seat.

"I don't think that would do me any good. I mean nothing really happened he tried. You saved me." She felt uncomfortable discussing it and just hoped Regina wouldn't press the matter like she knew her mother would if it had been her there.

"Okay what then?"

Good question she thought. Why do you want her here. What good will come of this?

"I don't know. Just forget it." She pulled up the covers and turned from her. She felt foolish for asking her to stay.

"Emma..." Regina's hand fell on her shoulder. "I don't have any problems staying... You need a friend." Friend. Regina. They had never been pieced together in her mind before but now she was reevaluating that concept. Everything Regina had done for her so far, indicated a true friend. Maybe that was it.

She rolled back towards Regina.

"Thanks..."

"Don't mention it." Her hand fell away, and she immediately missed the contact. A minute of silence passed. Regina sat motionlessly on the edge of the bed while she just stared at the wall.

"Regina do you want to watch a movie?"

"Now?" She shook her head yes. She thought for sure she would say no.

"I'll make us some hot chocolate. " Regina stood up and she shortly followed after.

She folded her knees beneath her and cradled the warm cocoa in her hands. Granny would probably shoot her for thinking it but Regina's hot cocoa was sooooo much better. She closed her eyes in momentary bliss while Regina started the movie. Neither of them had spoken up until this point and when Regina finally sat down beside her, she almost didn't want to break the strangely comfortable silence between them.

"What are we watching?"

"Oh you'll see. Its one of Henry's favorites. I don't really have much to choose from but this is one of the few I actually like as well."

Now she was intrigued. As the typical previews played, because annoyingly they had been unable to skip through them, she studied Regina out of the corner of her eye. Her make up was gone, but she looked even more beautiful and she noted even her sleeping wear was expensive, a fine satin. Always keeping up appearances. However, the woman looked tired, she shouldn't be up watching a movie and this made her feel guilty. Yet, Regina could have said no so maybe she hasn't been able to sleep either. Before Regina could notice her staring, because she was certain she had been for well over a minute, she turned her attention back to the screen. The DVD menu popped up and she felt a bubble of happiness fill her. Regina liked Finding Nemo.

A third into the movie she had finished her hot cocoa and she set the empty mug aside. Now her eyelids were starting to feel heavy. She tried getting comfortable against the couches arm but it felt too stiff. So she sat upright leaning back Into the plush cushions but it put her neck at a weird angle. She leaned in the other direction and met Regina's shoulder. Her breath stopped the moment she made contact. She hadn't been thinking, any moment now Regina was going to push her away and yell out something like "I'm not a human pillow Miss Swan!" Yet, she never did. The brunette's tensed shoulder relaxed and wordlessly they continued to watch the movie. Or at least Regina did. She was too distracted by the warmth and smell of Regina. She smiled dopily as her vanilla shampoo overtook her senses. Right now she was the epitome of comfort and what clean would smell like if it had a smell.

Finally feeling comfy she let out the breath she had been holding and let her eyes drift close. Here she was safe.

Regina didn't stay up much longer than her and it was only halfway through the movie when her head lolled to the side, sliding down to gently rest on top of Emma's. It was almost like they were cuddling. When the movie was over the title screen continued to loop in the background but neither could be broken out of their peaceful slumber.