"I love you, Emma Swan. That's why I must do this." With that, I plunged the dagger into Emma's shoulder. Darkness started to escape her and cling onto me. I couldn't move. Pain was everywhere.

"REGINA!" Strong arms caught me as I started to fall. "No! Why? Why did you become The Dark One? If one of us was supposed to die it was me!"

"My idiot." I smiled up at the blonde. Tears were streaming down her face. "Don't cry Emma. Just take care of our son."

"I refuse to let you die in my place!" Emma tried to use her light magic but to no avail. I felt my body growing colder. "I love you Regina." Emma clung to me; burring her head in my neck. "You can't become the dark one. Give me the dagger!"

"No." I felt my strength come back. "It's too late Miss. Swan. Leave me alone."

"When do I ever listen to you?" Grabbing the hand that still has a vice grip on the dagger, Emma kissed me. "I love you damn it." Warmth surrounded us. I felt the darkness start to leave my body.

Breaking the kiss, I looked towards our hands. "Emma, look."

She did as I asked. "No way…" The darkness surrounded the dagger and seemed to be drawn into it. "Regina, are you still…?"

"No. I don't think so." Getting to my feet, I threw the dagger over the town line. As it crossed, the dagger disintegrated into ash.

"Regina, are you okay?" Emma held onto my arm.

"I'm still here aren't I?" I smiled towards the worried blonde only to receive an eye roll.

"I'm legitimately worried about you and all I get is a smart ass answer? What the hell?" Emma shoved me lightly which caused us both to laugh. "What happened to it?"

"Magic objects can only exist when there's magic. They can't cause any damage when there's no magic. But one that dark couldn't sustain form."

"So, is it over?"

Sighing, I answered. "Probably not. But, for now, I think we're safe."

"Good." Emma shoved her hands in her back pockets and kicked around a rock. "Join me for a drink? Or two?"

"Remember what happened last time we drank together?" I smirked.

A light blush crossed Emma's cheeks. "Okay, drink at your place. I'll sleep in the guest room so we won't have to help the other get home. Both of us stumbling everywhere."

"Sounds lovely."

Xxx

Like all good, responsible parents, we called Henry to let him and the others know what happened before we started drinking. I explained that certain things were said that Emma and I needed to discuss alone. He and the rest of the group promised to give us our space. They would meet us at Granny's in the morning for breakfast. The air was thick with tension so neither of us spoke until we had a shot or two in us. "Emma,"

"Did you mean it?" Placing her whiskey sour on the bar, Emma looked at me.

I fought my walls. I had to answer her. I had to tell her the truth. "Yes."

"I did too." Tension started to fade. "True Love's Kiss…."

"It saved us. But what we need to know is, was that True Love's Kiss between friends or lovers." The color drained from Emma's face and then replaced by a dark shade of red. Well, that gives me her answer. But what's mine? Do I love Emma romantically or just care about her because she gave me Henry? "Emma?"

"I've loved you…romantically….or wanted romantically for awhile now," Emma mumbled. Everyone knew it was hard for us to show vulnerability and to express certain emotions. Love being the hardest to express. "I just never said anything because of Robin…"

"You've been jealous of him since the start. Don't deny it. Join me in the den?"

"Sure." We took our drinks into the den and took a seat on the vintage couch. "I won't deny it. I never tried to hide it."

"Yes, I know. I was there for most of it." A soft chuckle escaped Emma's throat as she finished her drink. "Another?" Refilling both of our glasses, I continued. "He saw it too."

"He did?"

"Yes. And each time he brought up the topic of how I felt about it, you always seemed to interrupt it."

"Oops." Emma grinned.

"Don't be a child." All I could do was shake my head as Emma stuck out her tongue.

"What was your answer?" Emma held onto her glass. She was dealing with her fight or flight reaction as well.

Emma and I are more alike than we are different. "I was never sure of my answer until you sacrificed yourself for my happiness. When I saw the darkness surround you…"

"I saw the tear." Emma knew I couldn't admit it.

She always understands. "I knew you had." A soft smile made its way to my lips as I turned to face the blonde. "I think that I love you in the romantic sense. We seem to even each other out. You're extremely childish for the most part and I'm too much of an adult…"

"99 percent of the time" Emma grinned.

"Shut up, you idiot." Cupping her cheek, I closed the gap between our lips. Warmth encased my heart. I've not felt like this since Daniel. As I deepened the kiss, Emma laced her fingers in my hair. Finally breaking the kiss for air, I let my forehead rest against hers.

"Regina..."

"It's romantic." Capturing Emma's lips with mine, I guided her to straddle my lap. "We'll take it slow, if that's okay with you."

"That's perfect."