A/N: this has become a three chaptered fic. You may need tissues for this chapter.
"Regina, I think Emma will be safe with me. No need to keep her locked up down here like an animal." Hook pleaded.
"No." I stood by Emma. I wasn't going to let her out of arm's length.
"But Reg-,"
"I. Said. No." Eventually the pirate realized no amount of begging would change my mind. "Henry, will you stay with your grandparents?"
"You're not going to let me near our son?" Emma scoffed, turning towards me.
"Not now. It's hard to trust someone who just turned dark and steals your clothes…again."
"That was Henry!" Emma's eyes grew wide.
I couldn't help but smirk. The real Emma is still in there. She flusters just as easy. "Maybe. But I have yet to have gotten the shirt back." Emma scowled.
"Night Ma. We'll figure this out. You won't hurt us." Henry hugged Emma tightly. "I love you." A lump formed in my throat at the sight before me. I had to get the real Emma back for Henry's sake. He needed both of his mothers. "Night Mom. Help bring Emma home."
I pulled our son into a tight embrace. "I'll do my best Henry." Kissing him on the forehead, I noticed Emma's parents saying their goodbyes. It took everything I had to not vomit.
"Goodnight my love." The pirate placed his hand on the small of Emma's back and a shot of rage made its way through my veins. My grip tightened on Emma's dagger. "I love you." I smiled inwardly when Emma turned away from Hook's kiss.
"Goodnight Hook."
It wasn't until they were gone that I spoke again. "Now, change out of those and into something more appropriate."
"Why are you treating me the same way? Everyone else is scared of me but you're not?"
There was a part of me that was proud of Emma when she used magic to change out of the dress and my shoes. "Because you're still the Emma who sacrificed herself for my happiness. You're just a bit on the darker side now."
"A bit?" Emma turned with a chuckle. Her choice of clothing was all black. "I'm The Dark One, Regina. I want to crush someone's heart to feel the dust slip through my fingers. I want to destroy any optimism there is in this town. The only reason I didn't is because I know you're controlling me."
No. I'm not. I've not been controlling you since you bowed. "Well, when it comes to destroying optimism, I'm tempted to let you go after your parents. But, for Henry's sake and your own, I won't. No matter how tempting that is. And that outfit will never do." Waving my hand, Emma's leather jacket appeared. Instead of black jeans she was in her normal dark wash blue jeans. "Much better."
"You're dressing me now?" Emma tugged at her jacket.
"Stay out of my closet, Miss. Swan." We stood in silence. The golden glow from the candles flickered on Emma's pale complexion. Clearing my throat, I started towards the staircase; stopping in front of Emma. "If you need anything, you can call me. But stay here for tonight." We'll fix this; together. "Goodnight Emma."
"Night Regina."
Xxx
Letting my silk robe fall to the floor, I stepped into the steaming shower. The hot water felt lovely on my sore muscles; the pressure loosening the tension in my shoulders. I didn't bother putting a protection spell on the door of my crypt. If Emma went anywhere it would be here to get her dagger. Little did the blonde know, I wasn't letting the dagger out of my sight. I set it by my shampoo bottle. Emma might be honed in on getting this back, but there's no way she would chance trying to grab it now. I could only imagine the look of horror and frustration on Emma's face when she realized the dagger is with me in the shower. A soft chuckle escaped my throat as I ran a washcloth over my curves. As I rinsed my hair, I heard a familiar set of footsteps. "You won't find it Emma."
"Where's my dagger, Regina?" Emma's voice was nearly a growl.
"It's with me," I paused, "In the shower. If you have a death wish, feel free to try and grab it. If not, I suggest you turn around so I can dry off and cover myself."
Emma grumbled and turned around. "Fine."
I could tell the silence was making Emma uncomfortable. "So, you left the crypt and tried to get the dagger from me. Did you really think I would make it that easy?"
"I didn't think you would shower with it." Emma was tense. She could feel my eyes burning into her.
Tying my robe, I started to towel dry my hair. "You can turn around now." As Emma's eyes fell on me, her cheeks turned their normal pinkish color. Good. The real Emma is still in there.
Looking away quickly, Emma cleared her throat. "Really Regina? Cover up."
"You're the one who came into my bathroom. Emma, you're not getting this dagger back." The blonde watched as I slipped it inside my robe. Her green eyes darkened as they lingered a moment. "You can sleep in the guest room. But if you try to steal the dagger while I'm asleep, you will regret it."
Xxx
It was nearly noon before I heard Emma stirring upstairs. Pouring her a cup of coffee, I returned to my seat as Emma entered the kitchen. "Good afternoon."
"Coffee…."
"Well, it's good to see that some things haven't changed." I watched the blonde slump over the counter. "Hungry? Even The Dark One needs to eat." Emma sipped her coffee in silence; her green eyes studying me. "You're safe here Emma. I'm not going to kill you or lock you away in a hat. I'd never do that to Henry. He needs both of us."
"Why do you still see me as just Emma?"
"Because you saw me as just Regina." Silence fell between us. I wasn't sure, but I think there was a slight glimmer of light in Emma's eyes. It lasted a second and then was gone. "Now, do you want lunch or not?" Before Emma could answer, her stomach growled. "That's what I thought."
Xxx
After lunch, Emma and I went back to my crypt. We searched through my spell books looking for anything that could help us. "Regina?"
"Yes?" The worry in Emma's voice made me weary.
"Will you promise me something?" Emma's voice was nearly a whisper.
Closing my book, I gave the worried blonde my full attention. "What is it?"
Biting her lower lip, Emma took in a deep breath. "If I ever try to hurt you, Henry, or my parents and you can't stop me. I want you to be the one to kill me. I can't stand the thought of losing myself to the darkness and hurting you or Henry. So please, if I lose myself…" Clearing her throat, Emma tried to continue.
"Emma, it won't come to that. I won't let it. But, if that happens, yes. I will kill you before you hurt Henry." The thought of killing Emma sickened me. Four years ago I would have no problem killing her. I wanted her dead and gone from my life. But now, now I can't stand to think what my life would be like without her.
"Or you?" Emma paused. "Regina?"
"Yes Dear?" The realization startled me.
Emma stood and knelt before me. She took the book from my hands and placed it on the floor. Crossing her arms to lean against my knees, she gave me her full attention. "Regina," Emma placed a hand on top of mine. Her touch was cold. Nothing like it once was. "Thank you. I couldn't bare the idea of hurting you or Henry." There was a single tear that rolled down Emma's cheek.
Before I could stop myself, I wiped away the tear with my thumb and cupped the blonde's cheek. "You're welcome." A soft smile tugged at the corners of Emma's mouth. That smile. That cheesy smile of hers. It's good to see it again.
Emma and I just stayed; neither of us looking away. Breath hitched in my throat as I watched Emma slowly move closer. When her lips were a whisper from mine, my phone rang. Emma moved quickly to the other side of the crypt and looked away. "Regina, I'm sorry. I…"
Looking down at my phone, I secretly cursed Robin. "Yes Robin?" Emma's eyes flashed towards me; anger and sorrow in them. "She's with me. No, its best if you stay away from her for now. Emma is…a bit temperamental. Just like a teenager."
"Hey!" Emma stuck her tongue out as she picked up a book.
Chuckling silently, I continued my conversation. "I'll be fine. Emma knows better than to hurt me. Is Henry near you by chance?" There was a moment's silence on the phone.
"Hey Mom, any luck?" Henry sounded hopeful.
Putting him on speaker, I answered. "Not yet. How about you? Finding that wizard is our best bet."
"Nothing yet."
"Can I say hi?" Emma kept her voice hushed.
"That's why I put him on speaker phone, you idiot."
Emma scowled and came closer to the phone. "Hey kiddo. How are you?"
"I'm okay. You? You sound less dark." The three of us couldn't help but laugh. Our family. Warmth tugged at my heart.
"I'm alright. Regina and I are looking through her spell books. Well, she's looking through them. I have no clue what any of this means. And yes, your mother just rolled her eyes at me." I gave Emma the phone so I could keep looking. I needed to find a way to reverse this. Two books later, my hands stopped. That's it. But, would it work? Emma stopped talking when she realized the color drained from my face. "Hold on kid. Regina, what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I need to go." Emma watched as I hurried towards the stairs. "Stay here."
Xxx
"Tell me, when are you ever going to listen to me?" I closed the book as Emma entered my study. My heart was heavy.
"When you start controlling me with the dagger. Why did you leave in such a hurry? What did you find?" Emma came to lean against my desk. Worry was clear.
"You will always follow me, correct?" I know what I have to do. Even if it kills me.
Emma's brow creased. "Why?" With a wave of my hand, I transported us to the town line. "Regina, what the hell are you planning?"
"Henry needs his birth mother." As I walked closer to Emma, my plan became clear to her.
"Regina, no! He needs us both!" Emma tried moving away but I pulled out the dagger; keeping her in place. "Please Regina, don't do this. I'm begging you! Don't please!" Emma's voice was choked.
"I love you, Emma Swan. That's why I must do this." With that, I plunged the dagger into Emma's shoulder.