A/N: don't you just love it when you're kicked out of your own office! I've taken up residence in the library and am drawing my literary inspiration from the books that now surround me …
"You have to tell her you know," Red said kindly. Emma nodded but said nothing. The two bunkmates were sat on the grass outside, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the fresh air. The blonde had confided in her friend a few days previously and the taller woman had been just as supportive as Snow, if a little less congratulatory.
"When?" Red asked.
"Not yet," Emma shrugged. "It's our fifth date tomorrow and I don't want to drop a bombshell like this on her."
"You think she'll take it badly?"
"It's hard enough to maintain a relationship in this place without the added complication of me being up the duff with my loser ex's baby. I hardly think telling her will make life better."
"And just how do you think you're going to hide it from her when you start to show?" Red asked. "Of all the people in here, I'm guessing she's the one who'll notice the physical changes first."
Emma sighed and flopped back on the grass, her hands covering her belly protectively. "I know, I know! But I'm only just three months along. I'll tell her soon. In a few weeks."
Red laid down beside her friend. "Ok Swanny, but you need to do it. Better she hears it from you than from someone else."
Emma's head snapped to stare wide eyed at the brunette. "Only you and Snow know though. You haven't told anyone have you?"
"No, no, of course not," Red assured. "But you know how women talk and you have made several visits to the doctor. Plus your morning sickness. I wouldn't be surprised if someone put two and two together. I had my suspicions, as I said when you finally told me."
"You're right," Emma nodded. "Argh, when did my life get so complicated?" she groaned as she covered her face with her hands.
"I'd say about the time you decided having unprotected sex on New Years Eve with a pathetic excuse for a man," Red quipped. Both women laughed darkly.
"We ought to head in," Emma said, sitting up. "Lunch break is almost over and I've got to get back down to laundry."
"Ok, I'll see you later then," Red said as the two of them stood and Emma walked back inside whilst the brunette headed in the direction of her beloved vegetable patch.
"I'm not religious but I'm damn glad we get tomorrow off," Boyd said as she dumped the last load of laundry into the hamper.
"Me too!" Emma grinned. "Who knew Good Friday was observed in prisons."
"One of the few perks of the system I suppose," Boyd grinned. "What have you got planned for your day off?"
"Regina and I are spending it together," Emma said, a goofy grin spreading over her face at the thought of the brunette.
"Urgh, you're even more lovesick than me," Boyd laughed, nudging Emma playfully on the arm.
"Shut up," Emma countered, her cheeks colouring at the blonde's words.
"So what have you got in store for the queen?" Boyd asked, still laughing.
"I'm not telling you now," Emma replied, folding the last of the towels and hopping up onto the side to wait for her co-worker to finish.
"Oh come on Swanny, you know I'm only kidding," Boyd said as she sorted the linen before her.
"I know but no one knows and I want to keep it that way. I don't want to risk Regina finding out what I have planned."
"Who knew the great Swan would be such a romantic!" Boyd laughed as she finished her work. "And who knew the queen could be so easily wooed."
"I wouldn't say it has been easy but we're trying our best," Emma said as the two of them headed back to clock out for the day and return to the main prison.
"Hey," said a sultry voice from behind her.
"Hi." Emma grinned up at her girlfriend as she took the empty seat across from her. "How was your day?"
"Dull as always," Regina replied, reaching across to snag a slightly soggy French fry from Emma's plate. "Yours?"
"Same," Emma smiled as she watched the brunette munch her stolen food. "I can't wait for this four day weekend."
"Me neither," Regina sighed, leaning back in her chair.
"Are you religious?" Emma asked, realising it was something she had never discussed with the woman.
"Technically," Regina replied. At the confused look on the blonde's face she elaborated. "I was brought up in a strictly Christian household. My mother didn't believe but religion was very important to my father and my father was very important to me so I followed his example."
"But?" Emma asked, sensing there was more to the story.
"After he died, I lost my faith," Regina said, her voice breaking slightly. "I couldn't find the strength in me to continue his practice and I feel guilty about that every day. I try to observe the important holidays though."
Emma reached out across the table and grasped Regina's hand, letting go quickly lest a nearby guard reprimanded them.
"You never talk about your family," Emma whispered.
"Because it's too painful," Regina replied, raising her moist eyes to look at Emma. "My father was taken from this life too soon and my mother never cared for me. It's easier to pretend they don't exist than to face the truth sometimes."
"I understand," Emma nodded. "But if you do ever want to talk, you know I'm here for you right?"
Regina smiled weakly. "Yes, thank you Emma."
"Of course," the blonde grinned back.
"So, what's the plan for our date tomorrow?" Regina asked, eager to change the subject.
"I'm not telling," Emma replied, tapping her nose with her forefinger and winking.
Regina laughed. "You're an idiot. A completely adorable idiot."
Emma grinned proudly and nodded her head. "Yep, and you love it!"
Regina blushed at the words and smiled shyly. "I do," she said, quietly.
Their eyes met as both women registered what had just been said. Emma smiled softly as she looked deep into the dark eyes before her, a tug at her heart when Regina eventually broke the connection and stood up.
"So I'll see you at 10am in your bunk?" she asked. Emma nodded. "I can't wait," she grinned before walking off, trailing her fingers against the blonde's shoulders as she passed. Emma shivered slightly and turned to watch the slightly exaggerated sway of her girlfriend's hips as she left the dining room.
"Please just tell me where we're going!" Regina all but whined as the blonde grasped her hand and led her out into the corridor.
"Nope!" the blonde replied, enjoying how annoyed she was making the older woman.
Grumbling, Regina fell into step beside her girlfriend, interlacing their fingers as she did so. Since West had threatened them, the two women decided there was no point hiding their relationship. They had received a few raised eyebrows when they ate together in the dining hall but no one had commented. Not that either woman cared what anyone else thought of their romance anyway.
Emma led them down to the yard and out into the fresh air. It was a beautiful spring morning and the sun was rising in the sky steadily, evaporating off the last of the dew still lingering on the blades of grass.
"I thought we'd go for a walk to start off," Emma explained as the two of them reached the edge of the grassy area. "I know how much you miss being outside and I thought you might like to spend some time out here. It's such a beautiful day and I love walking too."
"Sounds perfect, Emma," Regina smiled, glancing around before placing a gentle kiss to the blonde's cheek.
The two women set off and in hand, talking about their likes and dislikes and generally getting to know each other even better. When they had completed a circuit, they both glanced at one another and silently agreed to walk around the perimeter again.
"I miss being outside so much!" Regina sighed as they reached the furthest point from the building.
"Why don't you try and get a gardening detail?" Emma suggested, pulling at Regina's hand to make her stop before sitting on the grass and patting the ground beside her.
"I have considered it," Regina admitted as she sat down next to Emma. "But the spaces are hard to come by and I've not got as much sway in here as I once did."
"What do you miss most about being outside?" Emma asked, wanting to keep the subject away from Regina's drug dealing past.
"Horse riding," Regina said, a dreamy expression coming over her face.
"You ride?" Emma asked.
"Ever since I was a little girl," she grinned. "My father bred racehorses, that's how he made his money, and I was helping out at the stables as soon as I could walk. I rode professionally for a while before I fell and damaged my leg. I can't grip the saddle properly any more so I just ride for pleasure now."
"Do you have your own horse?" Emma asked.
"I sold him shortly before I was arrested actually. His name was Rocinante and I'd had him since I was seven. I want to buy another one when I get out though. Can you ride?" she asked, turning to face Emma who was listening to Regina's passionate recollection with a smile on her face.
"Nope," Emma shook her head. "I always wanted lessons but none of my foster parents would pay for them."
"Maybe I can teach you when you get out of here," Regina offered.
"I'd like that," Emma smiled, squeezing their still clasped hands. A comfortable silence fell over the two women as they both looked around the green space.
"So what's the next part of this day date?" Regina asked after a while.
"Well I kinda added in a bit after our chat yesterday," Emma smiled. "Fancy going to church?" Regina raised a questioning eyebrow. "They have a Good Friday service at midday, I thought it might be nice for you to go along, you know, for your father."
"Thank you, Emma," Regina said. "That's really sweet. Are you joining me?"
"It wouldn't be much of a date without your girlfriend there distracting you and reminding you of what happened the last time we were in that chapel would it?"
Regina laughed and stood up, pulling Emma to her feet and the two of them walked towards the main building hand in hand.
"Well?" Emma asked as they left the chapel an hour later.
"It was nice," Regina said. "Reminded me of home."
"It reminded me of our first time," Emma whispered throatily in the brunette's ear as they headed towards the dining room.
"Shhhh," Regina giggled. A few passing inmates looked around at that particular sound coming from the former queen of the prison.
The two women ate lunch together, pleased that fewer women in the dining hall were paying attention to them. The sight of the two lovers together had become old news quickly it seemed.
"Enjoy the service?" came a voice from behind Emma.
Regina looked up and narrowed her eyes at her half sister.
"What do you want West?" the brunette asked, pointedly ignoring her former associates who were stood on either side of the redhead.
"Did it remind you of dear old dad? Being in the house of God once more after so many years of absence?" the Brit continued, ignoring the brunette's question.
Regina's hands balled into fists on the table and Emma leant quickly across, placing a soothing palm on the tense fingers.
"Don't," she muttered, squeezing lightly before withdrawing and turning around to glower at the four women behind her.
"Touched a nerve I see," West smirked. "Well I suppose it is hard knowing your mother cheated on your worthless father."
"At least she didn't give me up when I was born," Regina spat back.
"Hardly," West sneered. "She didn't want me raised by a spineless man who cared more about his precious horses than his own family."
Emma never did quite remember what happened next. All she knew was suddenly Regina had launched herself at her half sister, screaming and clawing at any part of West she could reach. Emma jumped into action, as did Trident, Faery and Feinberg, although the latter three were far more offensive than Emma's defensive attempts. A well aimed punch sent Regina reeling back into the startled blonde who had stood to pull the brunette away. Wrapping her arm firmly around her girlfriend's waist, Emma attempted to hold Regina back but the woman was seeing red. Her previous bodyguards moved towards her menacingly as the brunette hurled abuse at all four women.
"Regina stop!" Emma cried, struggling to maintain her hold as the older woman writhed in her arms, still out of reach of the three advancing cronies.
"Let me go, Emma!" the brunette yelled. "This bitch deserves everything I can give her."
West laughed from behind her wall of muscle. "Oh yeah little sis?" she jeered. "And just how do you think you're going to get to me?"
Regina's scream made the hairs on the back of Emma's neck stand on end before the brunette pushed away from her, hard. Losing her balance, Emma fell backwards, her arms flailing as she collided heavily with the dining hall floor. Blinded by rage, Regina flew towards the three women, her fists raining down on them in a manic and haphazard manner. Feinberg, stood a little behind, raised an eyebrow at her former boss' behaviour before quickly circling around and placing Regina easily in a headlock.
"Stop!" cried Emma, struggling to push herself up before doubling over at an excruciating pain in her abdomen.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?" thundered Hunter as he and Nolan sprinted into the room. West, Trident and Faery pulled back immediately and Feinberg loosened her hold on Regina's neck. The brunette moved away, gasping and rubbing her tender throat.
"Warden's office now. All of you," Nolan growled, marching behind the five women as they left the room.
As Emma curled into a ball on the floor, Red and Snow, who had been dining nearby, rushed to her side.
"Emma, are you ok?" Red asked, fear etched on her face as she looked down at her friend.
"Inmate?" Hunter asked, noticing Emma for the first time. "You injured?"
"I'm not sure," Emma muttered, bracing her body to move again. She uncurled her legs slowly, the now dull ache in her stomach didn't increase so she straightened them completely.
"We'll take her to the infirmary, officer," Snow said, crouching beside Emma and looking carefully into the blonde's face for any sign of distress as Red reached out her hands to pull Emma to her feet.
"You ok?" Red asked again when Emma had eased herself to her feet.
"Not sure," the blonde said through gritted teeth.
"Come on," Snow said, ducking under Emma's arm and supporting the taller woman's weight against her shoulder. Red did the same and together the three women walked slowly out of the dining room followed by the curious stares of every inmate there.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I just love writing more drama! Don't worry, Regina is going to find out about Emma's pregnancy very soon!