Kailor: You guys are the best. Straight on to the story today, loves. And Happy New Year!

Emma clapped her hands together, grinning at the finished desk. "Tada in full." She slid the office chair Regina had brought in up to the desk, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty?"

Rising primly, Regina stepped around the chair and settled into its warm leather. Emma pushed it up to the desk. The brunette scanned the hardwood, approving of the work the sheriff had done. "It's perfect, Emma. Thank you."

"My pleasure." Emma took a swig from her third root beer, leaning one arm on the back of Regina's chair.

Remembering what she was supposed to do once the desk was finished, Regina stood. She pulled her phone from her pocket, stepping away from the blonde and snapped a quick picture of the desk. She sent it to the number her mother had given her that morning. As Emma put her tools away, Regina got a reply.

"Great timing! Now, get rid of Mom!" It was followed by a very quick, "Please."

She hid her chuckle by putting her phone away and turning to snatch up her jacket. "Thank you very much, Emma. But I must be going now."

"Oh?" Emma said and Regina wondered if it was her imagination or if the blonde's face had fallen just a bit.

"Yes. I have a date." She slipped her arms into the jacket, shrugging it on.

Emma's face definitely fell a little then, though there was a strange narrowing of her eyes as well. Regina hid her smile with pursed lips. "Oh," Emma repeated.

Regina lifted one regal eyebrow, gathering her purse. "Have you depleted your vocabulary for the day?"

Emma shook her head, turning to grab up her tools and empty root beer bottles. "Oh-I mean, no. So, who's the date with?"

Throwing the blonde a smirk, Regina said, "Wouldn't you like to know, Miss Swan." She grabbed the other woman's button-up from the bed, holding it out. "Come along. I do hate being late." Emma took the shirt, juggling her toolbelt from hand to hand as she slid into it. Regina led her downstairs and to the front door. She popped open her purse, digging around inside. "Will a hundred do?"

"A what?" Emma's confused look nearly broke her composure, but she bit the insides of her cheeks to keep from laughing. Then, just as her mother had said, Emma shook her head, stepping away. "You don't have to pay me, Regina. I wanted to help."

Regina pretended to continue digging. "No, no. Let me pay you, dear. You worked for nearly three hours."

But Emma opened the door, putting it between them as she stepped out. "Don't. Please, I had fun. I don't need money."

"Are you sure?" Regina asked, retracting her hand from the purse. Emma nodded quickly. "In that case, let me just say thank you again. But I really must be going."

"I got it," Emma said, backing down the front steps. Her eyes never left Regina's. "Have fun. I'll talk to you tonight?"

The brunette allowed her a small smile. "I'm certain you will."

XXXXXXX

Emma grimaced at her steering wheel as she got into the car. Though she barely knew Regina, she had been hoping to get to know her better. Maybe by taking her on a date or two. Seemed that ship had already sailed, though she'd gotten the feeling Regina wasn't telling her everything. She sighed, starting up the yellow bug and pulling away from the curb with a quick glance at the street.

It was warm enough outside that she saw people in just light jackets or t-shirts walking around town. Her mood soured more, realizing that by the Monday, her birthday, the weather would probably be freezing again. She contemplated texting Ariel to see about going surfing while the weather was warmer, but decided against it. Henry had asked her to play video games with him and Roland anyways. So she aimed her bug for home, turning up the radio and letting the music take her mind away.

She was still humming along to the last song playing when she exited the car. A scent caught her attention and she sighed longingly. Somebody was barbecuing nearby. She'd kill for a burger right then. But she pushed the craving away, letting herself in the house.

"SURPRISE!"

Emma leapt back against the wall, one hand flying to her hip and the other out in front of her in a defensive block. Had she had her gun on her, somebody probably would have been shot. When her brain finally registered the laughing faces surrounding her, she took a deep, steadying breath. "Oh my god, you guys!" She leaned forward, bracing her hands on her knees as she waited for her heart to calm down.

Her house was filled with people. Mary Margaret rushed forward to hug her and whisper an apology for scaring her, then pulled her the rest of the way into the house. Mulan was clapping her on the back. Tink had her island covered in alcohol and was playing bartender, though she had a bit of a slur going already. The kitchen table was covered in money and playing cards, surrounded by her friends. People were everywhere, wishing her a happy birthday or commenting on how shocked she'd looked. Someone had turned on music and voices lifted to speak over it.

When Henry's smiling face appeared, she grabbed him in a headlock. "Kid! You about scared me to death! Was this you?"

"I had help," Henry said, nodding to Ruby, who was chatting with Anna near the back door. Emma pushed through the crowd to her roommate's side.

Ruby grinned, waving her arms to indicate the room. "What do you think?"

"Have I told you I love you yet today?"

The brunette grinned, leaning closer. "No," she said in a childish squeal, expectantly turning her ear to the blonde.

"Good, because you're a jerk and I hate you," Emma deadpanned. "I nearly had a heartattack. How did you get all these people in here without tipping me off?"

"Everyone parked in the field behind Mulan's and walked. Brilliant, I know." Ruby shrugged.

"Come on, Em," Anna cut in, laughing. She continued in her ever breathless rambling. "You know you're happy. I mean, you can act happy. If you want to cry go ahead. I won't judge."

"I will." A thick-chested man with blonde hair said, appearing at Anna's side.

"Hey, Kristoff," Emma said, seeing her son's smile become very fixed out the corner of her eye.

"Heya. Happy birthday." Kristoff moved a little closer to Anna, his smile moving to her for a moment, then back to the birthday girl. "How old are you now? Like forty?"

Emma narrowed her eyes at the other blonde. "Your voice is finally starting to crack, so that'd be about right."

Kristoff laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Emma's shoulders. "Be nice, old woman. Or I'll make Anna replace Granny as grill master. Remember my birthday party?"

Anna groaned, covering her face. "It wasn't that bad!"

"You almost set me on fire!"

"But I didn't," Anna said matter-of-factly. She turned from her boyfriend to Henry. "Hey, Henry! Want to go see if we can get Granny to give us some food early?"

"Yeah!" Henry exclaimed, bouncing on his heels. The two quickly disappeared into the backyard. Emma followed with Ruby and Kristoff, finding her yard was also filled with people. Her small gazebo was full of workout equipment, so it was avoided, but beach chairs had been spread around a large bonfire that David was lighting at that moment. A few picnic tables she recognized from the park had been moved into her yard. A small plywood "dance floor" had been built beside the fire. She saw Leroy sitting at one of the tables, chatting with the little guy who ran the pharmacy. Aurora and Belle were standing by the large grill, talking to Granny as the old woman flipped steaks and burgers with practiced ease.

Emma whistled appreciatively. "Is the whole damn town here?"

Ruby looked around the fenced in yard. "Not everyone. August's leg was really messing with him again, so he stayed home with Marco. But they sent a present. Though, someone else just arrived."

Emma followed the brunette's gaze to the little gate in their fence that led to the driveway. Cora was there, opening it. And Emma's face stretched into a grin as she saw Regina step through, saying something to her mother.

Ruby's laugh followed her as she leapt off the porch, her long legs eating up the distance between herself and the Mills women.

Regina barely had time to realize who was sweeping towards her before she was snatched up in a tight hug. Her feet left the ground and her breath left her lungs as her vision filled with blonde hair. "Emma!" she gasped, less returning the hug than grasping the woman to keep from falling.

But Emma placed her back on her feet gently, her grin wide. "You knew. You were in on this."

Regina took a shaky step back, fixing her jacket and hair and ignoring her mother's sniggers. "I did. It was my job to keep you out of the house while they set up."

"So," Emma said, stepping closer. "That date?"

"Made up," Regina replied, fighting the heat flaring in her cheeks.

"Good." Emma's breathy response made her pulse quicken. She didn't even notice Cora slipping away. "Do you want to meet Granny?" Emma continued. "I'm sure you have if you've eaten at the diner. But now you get to meet her as my foster mom."

Regina nodded, straightening her shoulders out. "I'd love to."

XXXXXXX

Cora settled into her beach chair, flipping her hair out of her sunglassed face and sipping her wine.

In the chair beside her, Henry looked almost asleep, still and silent, his eyes hidden by his own shades, but smiling. "Looks like things are going well," he said.

"Indeed, dear," Cora smiled. "We were right. They get along very well. I think they're perfect."

Henry nodded, grabbing his Capri-sun from the ground beside him. He turned his head to the woman beside him. "To Operation Hero and Leander."

Cora clinked her wine glass with his juice pouch. "To us, darling. The best out there."

"The smartest."

"The sneakiest."

"The bro-est of them all." Henry laughed.

Cora repeated the sentence quietly, testing the words on her tongue. "Bro-est. We are the bro-est. Does this mean we are 'bros'?"

Her heart melted when the boy pushed his sunglasses up to look at her with green eyes. "We're family. But we can be bros too."

She reached out, running her fingers through his wavy hair softly. "Then to us, bro-est of them all."

And they settled back to enjoy their drinks in front of the small fire.

XXXXXXX

When the sun went down, David stoked the bonfire up so that it lit the backyard better. It was still blessedly warm enough to spend time outside. Regina heard Ruby saying that if everyone were forced inside, she'd have to send them home because she hated tight, closed in spaces. A few kids from town took over a corner of the yard, setting up a drum set and speakers and soon a live band was playing.

Emma had spent most of the party at Regina's side, unwilling to leave the new woman in town to drown in the crowd. Regina found it sweet and charming, but felt a little bad that the blonde was spending her whole party with her. So when the tall blonde with the braid approached and asked Emma to dance and Regina saw the sheriff hesitate, she gave her a gentle push. "Go ahead. I'll go talk to Henry."

It wasn't until Emma had set her drink down and moved off with the blonde that Regina remembered her name: Elsa. Emma's ex. She suddenly felt a bit angry, more at herself than at Elsa. She moved through the party to where Henry was sitting at a picnic table, eating a sandwich. He grinned when she sat beside him. "Hey, Regina!"

"Hello, Henry."

His eyes, so like his mother's in color and shape, strayed to the fire, where Emma was dancing with Elsa. They were laughing and rolling their hips exaggeratedly, but he was happy to see a polite distance between them. He looked back to Regina. "Are you having fun?"

"I am," she said. "It's shocking how many people are here. I thought this was a small town."

Henry laughed. "It used to be much smaller. But we've expanded over time."

"I see," Regina responded absently.

He noticed her watching the two blondes dance as well and tried to hide his smile. He was figuring out the best way to bring it up when an arm drapped over his shoulders and he immediately recognized the soft hand he saw out the corner of his eye. He felt his face go red.

"Hey!" Anna grinned over his head at Regina. "I'm Anna. And you're Regina. We kinda met at the Anne-Marie." She stuck out her other hand to shake Regina's. "I'm Henry's old babysitter. Well, I'm not old. I mean I was his babysitter back when he needed a babysitter, which he obviously doesn't now."

Regina blinked at the fast pace of the woman's words, soaking them in. "Oh. Hi again."

"I was just coming over to see if you-" the redhead's gaze dropped to Henry's, "-wanted to dance. Kristoff's being a baby, complaining about a hangnail."

"Y-yeah!" Henry exclaimed, leaping to his feet. "Of course. I'm a better dancer than him anyways."

Regina bit her lip to keep from smiling at his obvious enthusiasm. Anna, oblivious to Henry's red cheeks and goofy grin, grabbed his hand and skipped off to the fireside with him. His seat was quickly taken by Cora. Her mother's gaze was slightly unfocused, her grin too wide to be socially normal. And when she leaned into her daughter, Regina smelled wine.

"Regina, darling," Cora said, her voice dragging out the end of 'darling'. "How are you?"

"Good, Mother. You?"

"Mmmm," her mother hummed. "I'm having a wonderful time. But I have a lot of paperwork to do tomorrow. I'm afraid I won't be staying much longer. Also, your father's leg is starting to stiffen."

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine, darling. What doesn't kill me makes my drinks stronger." And then the older woman snorted in a very unladylike fashion, covering her mouth as she giggled.

Regina took the cup of sloshing red liquid from the woman's hand. "That's enough of that for you. I'll take you home when you're ready to go."

"No need, darling. Your father drove here. I do, however, have a favor. Can you drop by Town Hall on the way home and get my reading glasses? I left them in my office."

"Sure." Regina watched the woman fumble through her jacket pockets, finally pulling out a set of jangling keys. She handed them over and Regina pocketed them.

"They were right on top of my desk, I believe. Just grab them and-oh, hello!"

Regina turned as her mother greeted the new arrival.

Emma grinned at Cora's ardent greeting. "Hello." Her green gaze shifted back to Regina. "So, I was hoping to have a dance with the prettiest woman at the party..." She trailed off, her crooked grin growing wider. She held out a hand in a charmingly formal gesture.

But before Regina could even make her brain remember how to lift her arm, Cora's hand plopped into Emma's palm. "How sweet of you, dear. Let's go!" And the older woman pulled the blonde back towards the fire. Emma shot an apologetic smile over her shoulder. Regina just rolled her eyes, chuckling. Cora jerked the younger woman into position, then laid a stately hand on the blonde's shoulder, tossing her head back in a very ballroom pose. Over the fire, Regina saw Henry Sr. shaking his head with a small smile.

XXXXXXX

The song ended and Emma left Cora with Mary Margaret, moving back towards Regina. The brunette felt her heart skip a beat as green eyes locked on hers. The strumming of a guitar started from the speakers. Regina recognized the song immediately, smiling at the Spanish beat. Her stomach clenched as the sheriff once again stood before her, holding out a hand.

Regina glanced at the swaying bodies around the fire. "I told you, Miss Swan. I don't dance like that."

"I know," Emma said. "Your mother just regaled me with stories of your years in dance classes." Her fingers twitched, still reached out for her.

Regina slipped her hand into the blonde's larger one, feeling the calluses on the pads of her fingers and palm. "I do apologize."

Emma shrugged, pulling her up and onto the "dance floor". "Don't be. I enjoyed it. To think you used to move like an 'epileptic giraffe with three legs at a rave'."

"She did not say that! That woman is just asking for it-oh!"

Her sentence cut off as Emma suddenly spun her closer, bringing their bodies flush against each other, and looped Regina's arm around her own neck.

The quick move ripped the breath from Regina's lungs. And suddenly everything was in slow motion. She was close enough to see the firelight peeking through blonde curls to lick at the base of Emma's throat and tease the shadows along her collarbones. She could see the faintest flicker of a pulse in the side of the other woman's long neck. Emma's jaw was set, her smile replaced by tightly pressed lips. Her eyes were half-lidded, only giving a hint of the emerald beneath. The smell of cinnamon teased Regina's nose and tongue as she finally sucked in a breath. She wasn't sure if it was just her or if someone had turned up the music again, because suddenly that was all she could hear besides the soft huff of Emma's breath.

She gasped as Emma's foot tapped against the inside of hers and she automatically moved it out, circling it back to it's original postition, Emma mirroring the move. Callused fingers slid down her arms, hooking around her wrist to take her hand. The blonde's other hand moved expertly to the sensitive place between her shoulders, pulling her up into perfect frame. The intimate contact made Regina tremble as she rested her other hand on Emma's bicep, unconciously squeezing. She'd danced with many people in her classes, mostly men. But she had always led, always been in control. As the music sped up and Emma stepped into her, forcing her back a step, she realized that was not the case here.

Her eyes locked on Emma's, trying to read there what the blonde would do next. But the green eyes gave away nothing, just staring back at her, into her. Instead, her hint came from Emma's hand pressing slightly into hers. And Emma stepped into her again, flicking her foot out to tap against Regina's ankle. The silent message told Regina everything she needed to know and she lifted her foot, tapping the toe of her high-heel on the ground. Emma sidestepped, twisting her body away. Her right leg flicked out and Regina's left leg automatically copied it. Quickly, their legs hooked at the calf, then released. Her jacket swirled from her body as Emma spun her out, then tugged her back in, gentler, pressing her front to the brunette's back. Her rough hands slid down to Regina's hips, pressing softly to lead her, and they swayed together. Emma's fingers tensed on Regina's left hip, and Regina obeyed, turning that way. The blonde pulled her back in, closer. Soft breath tickled Regina's cheek and lips. It took her a moment to realize she had stopped breathing.

And just when she thought the sheriff couldn't surprise her anymore.

They continued to dance, a mix of formal ballroom steps and Latin. Neither woman was aware of the other dancers watching them, moving away from the dance floor. All Regina could see was blonde curls and flickering flames in green eyes.

When the song ended, Emma dipped her, drawing a small laugh from the brunette's lips. She pulled her back up. Their breaths came in shallow puffs. It took a few more seconds for Regina to hear anything besides the music and her-or was that Emma's?-heartbeat.

Cheering. She dragged her gaze from Emma's, blinking at the crowd that surrounded them. She saw Henry and Cora, side-by-side, clapping. Ruby's hands were cupped around her mouth as she howled. Regina felt her face heating up. She had completely forgotten where they were. Emma just chuckled, stepping away from her. The blonde gestured to Regina, as if presenting her to the party-goers, and the cheers grew louder.

She nodded, accepting the applause for a moment, then hurried off the dance floor. Maybe it was the embarrassment of dancing in front of everyone, or the way her heart had been racing from the second Emma spun her into hold, but Regina felt the strange urge to laugh.

Kathryn appeared at her side, grinning. "Okay, you were right, Reggie." Kathryn jerked her chin at the blonde who was talking to her son. "Bitch ain't real."

That was all it took to push Regina over the edge and she began to chuckle, clutching her ribs as that became full-blown laughter.

XXXXXXX

Emma was doing her best not to stare at Regina across the party. But apparently, she wasn't successful, because Ruby suddenly said, "I'll get the scissors."

"What?" Emma said, blinking at her roommate.

"Because you're creepily staring and you need to cut it the hell out."

On Emma's other side, Mary Margaret snorted into her drink.

"I am not creepily staring-"

"Emma," Ruby cut her off. "If you stare any harder you'll singe her clothing. And that's some nice ass clothing, so you better chill. I mean, did you not hear my panties dropping when you two were dancing?"

"Ruby Lucas!" Emma flushed. "Are you drunk?"

"Only a lot." The brunette grinned.

Emma was about to wrestle the drink from Ruby's hand when someone spoke behind her.

"Mom?"

She turned, finding a hand held out in front of her face. "What's up, kid?"

Henry's cheeks tinged pink, but he kept his hand out. "Will you dance with me?"

Emma's insides completely melted, leaving a pool of warmth in her stomach. Her eyes burned a bit and she blinked hard to hide it. "I thought dancing with your mom was embarrassing?"

"It's your birthday," Henry said, shrugging. "I'll let it slide this once."

She stood, reaching back to place her root beer on the table, then took her son's hand. He pulled her to the dance floor. When they stood face to face, she felt the familiar burning behind her eyes return. He was so tall. His hair stuck up to her shoulders, his eyes level with her collarbones.

Henry turned and waved to the band. The lead singer, a guy wearing a red bandana, finished his song and handed the mic off to a pretty little blonde that Emma recognized from Henry's school. She waved back at Henry and the band started up a soft beat. It barely took two notes before Emma knew the song and her tight hold on her tears slipped, one drop escaping to race towards her chin. "Oh, Henry. It's our song."

"Happy birthday, Mom." Her son smiled and held out his hands in a dance position.

She shot past his waiting hands, wrapping her arms tight around his neck. After a moment, he returned the hold, looping his arms around her back and squeezing tight, his small fingers curling in the fabric of her shirt. They barely swayed as the little blonde sang.

"I dont need whiskey to drown out the pain. Or some old umbrella to hold off the rain. Don't have to cross over a river of tears. All that I need is right here."

XXXXXXX

"Holding you, holds me together. When holding on gets just a little too hard. When this tight rope I travel begins to unravel. And it feels like I'm falling apart. Holding you...holds me together."

Regina watched the sheriff and her son dancing, suddenly feeling her chest tighten. Her left hand fluttered up to cover her stomach and she blinked furiously at the wetness gathering at the corner of her eyes. A hand covered her own and she turned her head, finding Cora there, a soft smile on her face. With a sigh, she let the older woman pull her into a tight hold, resting her forehead on her mother's temple.

"Are you okay, darling?"

"Yes, Mother. I'm fine." Regina looked back at the blonde. She cleared her throat, standing straighter. "I'll be off in just a minute to get your glasses and head home. Weren't you and Daddy leaving?"

"We were. But your father is busy taking all of Tink's money at cards at the moment." Cora pointed to the house where Regina could hear people yelling and laughing.

She shook her head. "Of course. Then I'll see you at home." When the song ended, she said a quick goodnight to Kathryn and headed for the gate. She let herself out and rounded the house, heading for the field just down the road where everyone had parked. She had just reached Mulan's driveway when she heard rapid footsteps behind her.

"Regina!" Emma stomped to a stop beside her, red leather jacket swinging from her fist.

"Emma?" Regina leaned around her to look back down the street. "What are you doing here?"

"Your mom said you were going to Town Hall before you head home. First off, I sorta forgot some stuff at the station. So I figured you could drop me off there and I'll drive the cruiser home. Secondly, you-" she pointed an accusatory finger at the brunette. "Did not tell me goodbye or happy birthday or thank you for that wonderful dance earlier-"

"I wasn't aware you expected such pleasantries," Regina said, smirking. "And if that is your way of asking for a ride, I guess I could give you one." She spun on her heel, not waiting to see if Emma followed. "Besides," she said over her shoulder. "Your birthday isn't until Monday. Don't get greedy, Miss Swan."

Emma chuckled, pulling on her jacket as she trailed the shorter woman.

XXXXXXX

They stopped at Town Hall first. Though Regina assured her she was fine going in alone, Emma insisted on coming with.

Despite her protests, Regina was very glad the blonde had joined her when she unlocked the door and stepped inside. The lights automatically dimmed after eight p.m. and the usually inviting lobby was dark and foreboding. She had forgotten that the building was in the process of being renovated. The right side of the room was covered in plastic, the opaque sheets fluttering occasionally even though the air was still. Scaffolding had been built in the corner and it was coated in shadow, rising above them eerily. She didn't say anything, but it really creeped her out.

Emma seemed unperturbed. She crossed the room and opened the door to the stairwell, ushering Regina through. They climbed up to Cora's office. Regina flicked through the keys until she found the right one and let them in.

It was even darker in the office. Hoping Emma didn't notice her hesitate in the doorway, Regina forced herself to cross the room at a calm pace. Though the corners were filled with thick shadows, moonlight filtered through the windows enough that she could make out the desk. Grabbing her mother's glasses, she turned and marched back to the door.

As she locked up, she heard Emma clear her throat behind her. "So. Henry likes you."

Regina put her keys away, smiling. "I like him too. Where did that come from?"

"He mentioned it while we were dancing." Emma let her go down the stairs first.

"He's very smart. And very sweet. You did well with him."

Emma chuckled. "I had a lot of help."

"Well, he's quite the gentleman. Which, I've noticed, is a term I could apply to you." Regina cocked her head to the side. "Gentlewoman?"

"I just prefer charming. I'm charming."

"Indeed," Regina laughed.

The conversation helped distract her from how dark the stairwell was, but she couldn't help but speed up a bit when she got to the bottom. She was ready to be safely back in her car. Emma moved closer, reaching to open the door for her, but Regina didn't wait this time. She grabbed the handle herself and tugged the door open.

A blast of hot air, smoke, and light threw them back onto the stairs, breaking the door off the hinges. Something hard and heavy landed on Regina's leg, but she couldn't think clearly past the thick smoke clogging her lungs.

Emma recovered first, sitting up and coughing. The doorway before them was full of flickering flames. Her green eyes jumped to the steel chunk of scaffolding that had Regina's ankle pinned. She leapt forward, lifting it with gritted teeth and shaking limbs. Tossing it aside, she grabbed Regina's hand. "Come on, let's go. We've gotta get out of here!" But Regina shook her head, her other hand grasping her ankle.

"I can't move," she gasped. "You have to get me out. Help me!" Regina squeezed her hand tighter, trying to breathe through the smoke.

Emma's eyes flicked up the stairs, back towards Cora's office, then to the flame-filled doorway. Releasing the brunette's hand, she hopped down the stairs, making for the door.

Regina snatched one leather-clad arm. When Emma's wide eyes turned back to her, Regina caught the firelight peeking through blonde curls to lick at the base of Emma's throat and tease the shadows along her collarbones, just like when they'd danced barely an hour before. The memory of how safe she'd felt in Emma's arms then clashed heavily with the wrenching in her stomach as Emma pulled away. Regina held tight. "You're going to leave me, aren't you?" she hissed before she could stop herself.

Emma's brow furrowed further, her gaze switching to the vice-like grip on her arm. Then she tore herself away, turned, and leapt through the flames blocking the door. She was gone.

Regina blinked furiously at the tears in her eyes, blaming the smoke that was thickening by the second. She rolled, her hands scrambling on the stairs to pull herself up. The windows in Cora's office were her only hope until the fire department arrived.

A loud, rushing noise filled her ears and the gray smoke mingled with white. She coughed, waving her hand to clear the air. A dark figure emerged from the smoke, slowly becoming clearer. Had the firemen gotten there already? But then the figure stepped closer.

And there was Emma, wielding a fire extinguisher in one hand and reaching for her with the other. The blonde grasped her wrist, yanking her up and ducking under her arm. Her hand moved from Regina's arm to her waist, lifting her easily. She half-carried the brunette to the door, spraying the extinguisher before them.

But through the smoke and flames, all Regina could see was Emma.

They shuffled through the lobby to the front doors, bursting out into the clean night air. Both of them began coughing heavily, trying to expel the smoke from their lungs.

Regina tested her foot on the ground, hissing in pain. Red lights flashed before her eyes. The fire truck had pulled up beside them. Men rushed to put out the fire, some hurrying to help the two women move farther from the burning building. The street was full of people, crowding close to see what was going on.

Emma held tight to Regina, not letting her go until the paramedics arrived and brought over a gurney. Despite her protests, they managed to get Regina on it, placing an oxygen mask over her face.

Blonde hair swung into her vision, a rough hand grabbing her arm. Green eyes latched onto her own, full of a different kind of fire than the one she'd just escaped. "I would never have left you, Regina." Emma's soot-stained jaw tensed visibly. "Never."

And then the sheriff moved away and was blocked from sight by bustling paramedics.

Kailor: Stupid writer's block hit me for a while. Finally finished this chapter, thankfully. So happy now. Obviously, I do not own some of the fire scene. Or the characters. And a shout-out to the guest reviewer that commented about Cora and Henry Jr. being "bro-est of them all". That made me laugh so hard that I had to put it in here. Thank you all! Hope you enjoyed! Let me know! See ya next chappie!