A/N: Trigger warning this isn't a fluffy chapter.
"Emma?!" Regina had pulled herself back onto the dock and was trying to find that familiar head of blonde hair. It couldn't have been more than a couple of minutes that they were separated but the dock was vacant. A brief moment of relief found her when she saw her bright red leather jacket off several yards down the dock. Her feet were moving before she was even aware of it, sprinting towards the unmoving heap.
"Emma!"she called again. She was nearing the jacket when she realized that the person usually wearing it wasn't accompanying it.
She bent down and picked up the garment, revealing a note beneath it. The breath left her instantly.
You're too late.
That's all it said but it was enough to make her composure crumble. It could only mean him. This had all been a trap.
She clutched the jacket closely to her chest and fought back the idea that Emma was gone. It couldn't end like this. I'll find you Emma. She shut her eyes tightly and focused on searching for her magic. The jacket acted like an amplifier and she could feel Emma's essence just barely coming through. Just hold on Emma. She thought. She ran off into the direction her magic lead her and hoped that it wasn't another trap. Why hadn't she listened to Emma?
It brought her to the cemetery and she was traveling down a familiar path. It couldn't be...the essence grew the more she neared the tomb and her worries grew. The magic was leading her straight to her own vault. How? She pushed past the door and prepared for the worst. However there was nothing.
Her heart clenched a little more.
"Emma..." She breathed. When it happened she wasn't sure but she knew she loved Emma Swan. She couldn't survive losing her.
A sudden static came from her mirror and her tearing eyes shot towards it.
"Your Majesty." A mans voice spoke out. It wasn't Sydney's and she didn't recognize it. "You're too predictable. I knew you'd track me as well as Emma's jacket. That's why in a couple minutes you'll realize what a mistake coming here was. I was going to give you the opportunity to try and save her but she's been uncooperative. "
The man suddenly dragged Emma into view. She was bound by her wrists and a thick piece of duct tape was placed across her mouth. Her chest felt like it was caving in. They failed. She failed. Emma thrashed in his grip, the fight in her still strong but she could see the fear in her eyes.
"What do you want?" Regina growled.
"Oh nothing from you. " he smiled and turned towards Emma. "I've got all that I need right here." His hand moved to Emma's chest and she felt a rage so strong that the surrounding artifacts flew off their shelves. She didn't notice though too caught up in her anger, this man had gone too far.
"See that Savior? The Evil Queen cares for you..." He drug a hand along the span of her thigh and Emma jerked away. Then he turned back to Regina. "I want you to watch. You'll have to live with the knowledge of your failure how your brash decision caused Emma pain. " He forcefully tore open Emma's shirt and both women gave a sob. She couldn't watch this she needed to find her. She tried to teleport through their connection but a strong magical barrier was keeping her from leaving. No... How did he? She was trapped in her own vault.
"You bastard!" She growled. The man laughed darkly and the sound ripped out the remaining piece of her heart left. Emma was going to be...and...it was all her fault.
"Stop this! I'll do anything you want!"
"Youre going to sit and watch." He hissed. She tried to break through again and was met with even stronger resistance. What was this? The more she fought it the stronger it seemed to grow. Soon she was drained and falling to her knees.
She looked up and the man had Emma completely undressed. She couldn't let him succeed. This was the ultimate form of humiliation and degradation. It jolted her anger once more and led to another attempt. The strength behind this attempt wasn't enough and it had her just barely hanging on to consciousness. She fell back and caught her breath.
Emma had tears streaming down her face but she met her gaze and through it she saw understanding. Emma wasn't blaming her.
"Emma...Use your magic! Remember what I've taught you!" Her voice shook and nearly cracked from the weight of her emotions. Green eyes saddened and told her she was missing something.
"She can't. Your majesty." He quipped. "Take a look at her wrist." He smiled proud of himself. "Now shut the fuck up."
Ten agonizing minutes went by before it was over. Regina's heart lay in pieces while her body shook with hatred. She would kill him.
Emma lay slumped over still bound by her wrists and was crying. Defeated.
"I'm so sorry Emma..."she sobbed. " I'm sorry. "
"You can come and clean up your mess now." The man grinned. "We're just above the charming's apartment." The man disappeared in a cloud of thick black smoke and she felt the barrier lift. Within milliseconds she was there.
"Please forgive me Emma."she pleaded. " I should have listened to you." She removed the tape and a sob followed. Emma was trembling still in shock from what just happened.
"I'll kill him." She snarled finishing the task of unbinding her. She did all she could to not to look at Emma's naked flesh, wanting to give her some privacy and respect but she had seen it all.
"Re-gina. " she hiccuped. "Its not...your fault."
"Of course it is!" She cried. "If -" Emma threw her arms around her.
"Its not your fault."she said again.
The blonde buried her face into her neck and she felt the briefest surge of life to her broken heart. Emma always forgave her...she gripped onto the blondes backside before realizing how vulnerable she must be feeling. With a quick wave of her hand she was fully clothed and they were back at Regina's house. Emma didn't even notice the change as she was too busy burrowing into her neck. The hot breath mixed with tears met her skin and Regina was forcing back her own sobs. What Emma was feeling would never go away. Emma may have believed it wasn't her fault but she sure as hell did. She mentally pleaded for the blonde to remain who she was, who they all knew that strong resilient woman. She threaded her hand through soft locks and slowly started to rub the blondes back with her other.
" I'm sorry... " she found herself saying again. Emma didn't reply this time because of the lump forming, and constricting her throat but she imagined she would have had the same reply.
"We need to take you to a doctor." Emma bristled before slowly nodding. With a surprising strength Regina lifted Emma into her arms bridal style. It wasn't necessary but she didn't want to let her go, she was easier to protect this way. The image of the man pawing at Emma popped into her mind and she pulled the woman tighter against her. Emma only mimicked the action.
She disappeared them in a cloud of purple smoke and seconds later they were standing before a receptionist at the doctors. The woman jumped in her seat but took one look at Emma and just somehow knew. Victims always had that look.
"Follow me." Was the terse reply.
"Regina set me down." Neither really wanted it but Emma needed her pride. Reluctantly she did. When Emma's feet met the floor her knees buckled slightly and she was grabbing onto Regina before falling. Emma turned red with embarrassment and she saw the tears returning. You are not weak Emma. You are unbelievably strong. She thought. A reassuring touch to Emma's shoulder had the blonde moving and Regina stayed close just in case.
"We need to alert the authorities of what happened." The nurse told her in private.
"Yes. Just let me talk to her before we involve them." The nurse nodded and she crept back into the room where Emma was sitting, shoulders hunched over.
"He had magic..." Emma said."the whole time he had magic." Her voice hardened with anger. "Which means he was toying with me from the start." She looked up from the floor and her eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"Why? What the fuck did I do to him?!"
Regina stood there in silence unable to form a proper reply. She had no answer. She didn't even know who he was.
"Emma..." She took in the blonde's worn, and wounded appearance through her own bleeding heart. "I will find him."
She saw the disbelieving look and it hit her like someone took a bat to her chest. Emma didn't trust her word anymore. Whether the blonde realized it or not she no longer saw that light of faith in her eyes.
She needed Emma to believe her. She wouldn't rest until that man was dead.
Several strides across the room and she was in front of Emma, firmly taking hold of both of her hands.
"I will find him."
She poured everything she had into that statement and for a moment Emma looked at her like she used to. Trusting, and undoubting. However it quickly faded as the nurse came in to remind them both of what happened.
"Miss Swan if you could just lay back this will be over in a couple of minutes. Miss Mills I'm going to request that you step out of the room until we are finished."
"Of course." She released Emma's hands and wouldn't acknowledge the pain that came with it. Outside the room she vowed to take her revenge if it was the last thing she'd ever have to do.
A/N I was reluctant to post this because it's really dark but I think it accomplishes whats needed to further develop their relationship. Also, I apologize falling off the face of the Earth, i've just been to swamped. Hopefully I can get some more fanfic out for you guys. Reviews :).