Author's note: A reader expressed some concern about the last chapter, given the patient-therapist relationship. If this bothers you, now is a good time to stop reading. This is a work of fiction. I respect the relationship between patient and therapist as being sacred, so this is just a story - a crackfic. That being said, if you're still hanging in there, I appreciate it, and I hope you enjoy the read!

"What's on your mind, Emma?" the therapist asked.

"N-nothing," the girl mumbled, staring down at her new shoes as she sat in the woman's office.

"You can tell me the truth," she said. "You should know that by now."

"Yeah," Emma said. "I know. I just... Not about this."

"Why not?"

"Because."

"Will you tell me what it has to do with?"

Emma shook her head and kept staring at her feet.

"Can I guess?"

Emma thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright. Your foster parents?"

Emma shook her head.

"Your foster siblings?"

Regina was careful not to refer to them as parents or siblings, since she knew it upset Emma. After all, they weren't her real parents or siblings.

"No."

"Okay... School?"

Emma shook her head again.

"Have you been cutting again?"

"Yes, but that's not it."

"Emma," her doctor sighed. "You've got to stop. Please... Please stop."

Emma shook her head for the third time.

"I don't want to."

Regina rubbed her eyes and nodded her understanding.

"Is this about your real parents?"

"No," Emma answered, surprised at the guess. "Why would you think that? I never talk about them."

"That's exactly why. You never talk about them, so I figured that might be why you feel like you can't talk about them now."

"That's not it."

"I give up, Emma," Regina said softly. "I'm out of guesses. Will you please tell me?"

"No."

Emma kept her eyes down, ashamed.

"Wait..." Regina looked up at Emma, who wouldn't look at her. "Is this about me?"

Emma looked startled as she lifted her head, not having expected her therapist to guess correctly. She wasn't sure what to say, so she just nodded.

"Are you embarrassed to tell me something?" she asked.

Again, Emma nodded, too nervous to speak.

"If this is about me," Regina said, "you should tell me."

"I know," Emma told her. "I just can't."

"Why?"

"Too embarrassed."

"What if you write it down?"

Regina handed her a clipboard, a blank piece of paper, and a pen. Emma looked at the clock. Ten minutes left. With some reluctance, she began to write in red ink.

Regina,

This is so fucked up. I don't know how to say this. I know you need to know, but I'm so scared to tell you. I'm incredibly embarrassed, and I don't know what to do. So here it is: I have a crush on you. No, that's not right. It's more than a crush. It's... I don't know. It's just... more. I wish I could explain, but I just can't. I've never had feelings like this before, not for anyone. You're the only one who has ever cared for me as a person, exactly as I am, even with all my flaws. This is so awkward. I don't know if I can come back this week after this. I don't feel like I can show my face here again. I'm so ashamed to be saying all this. When your hand touched mine when we went bowling, I just kind of knew I was in over my head. I didn't know what to do, and it's only gotten worse since then. At the mall the other day, when you told me it wasn't a date, I knew it wasn't, but it hurt to hear you say it. I wanted to pretend... I wanted to live in some alternate reality where you care for me that way too. I... Our time's up. I have to go. I don't think I can come back. I don't know if I can do this. This is why I've been cutting lately. I can't control my feelings. I can't control how I feel about you. I can't swallow it. I can't get past it. I'm so fucked up. I need serious help. I'm sorry. I'll call you if I decide to come in on Friday, but I don't think I will. This is just too fucked up. I can't deal. I'm sorry.

Emma

Silently, Emma handed her the piece of paper and stood up, gathering her things and reaching for the door's handle.

"I'll see you Friday, Emma," Regina said, looking at her with seriousness in her eyes.

Emma said nothing and left the room, fighting the urge to run down the hallway.

Once Regina had read the letter, she called Emma, but the girl did not answer the phone. Instead, Emma ignored the call and stayed in her bedroom after school, moping. Even though Emma had told her she wasn't coming that Friday, Regina left her schedule open and kept waiting for the phone call. Just when she didn't think it would come, on Thursday, her cell phone rang.

"M-Miss Mills?" Emma stuttered into the phone.

"Emma! God, I'm glad you called. I've been worried about you."

"Can I still come in tomorrow?"

"Of course you can, Emma. Of course you can."

"Alright," she said. "I'll see you at four."

"Do you want to do a double session and go to the movies? That way, you only have to talk if you want to."

"That sounds good," Emma agreed, relieved.

They both hung up, and Emma sat anxiously on the bed, thinking about the events the next day would bring. She fell asleep with her heart racing.

The next day, after school, she was even more nervous. When she finally reached her doctor's office, her hands were shaking.

"Emma," Regina said softly, this time greeting her as soon as she walked in. "Ready?"

Emma nodded and walked out to Regina's car.

"What are we going to see?" Emma asked.

"Anything you want."

"Let's see what's playing when they get there."

"Sounds good," Regina told her, flashing her a smile.

They drove the rest of the way in silence. They chose a horror movie - Emma's favorite genre. Regina paid for the tickets and Emma paid for the popcorn and drinks. They found a seat in the theatre about fifteen minutes early. Emma felt awkwardly close to her therapist, their arms nearly brushing as they sat next to each other.

"You okay?" Regina asked quietly as the ads played on the screen.

Emma nodded nervously.

"It's okay, Emma," Regina whispered. "It's a totally common thing for a patient to have feelings for their therapist. It happens to a lot of people."

Emma looked at her, her face stern and serious.

"You're discounting my feelings as some kind of lame transference."

Regina was surprised to hear her use the actual psychology term.

"That's all it is, Emma. It's just transference. The feelings will relax soon. You'll see. It's really not a big deal."

"It's a big deal to me, and it's not fucking transference."

"Alright, Emma," Regina said, sighing. "Alright."

They were quiet for a few moments before Regina spoke again.

"Then tell me what's making you feel this way."

"I don't know," Emma sighed. "You're flawless. You're funny, you're sweet, you care about me... You're... You're beautiful..."

Regina couldn't help but blush. She reached up to feel how warm her own cheeks were and was surprised to find them hot.

"These feelings will pass."

"I doubt it," Emma said, looking away.

Regina took Emma's hand in hers, giving it a little squeeze.

"It's really okay. Don't be embarrassed, alright? I understand."

Realizing what she'd just done, she pulled her hand away.

"You don't," Emma snapped. "You have no fucking idea what this is like."

Regina sighed and nodded weakly, looking back at the screen as the lights dimmed and the film started. For the first half of the movie, they didn't look at each other, even once. But as the film grew more gruesome, Emma nearly jumped out of her seat as she grabbed Regina's hand. But the woman didn't pull away. Instead, she gripped Emma's hand tightly and looked over at her.

She leaned in, whispering in Emma's ear, "It's okay. I'm right here."

"I'm not scared!" Emma hissed quietly, scowling at Regina but not letting go of her hand.

Regina couldn't help but smile, sensing the lie. As the movie's plot began to slow down a little, Emma looked over at the brunette.

"Regina."

The woman turned and looked into her eyes as she watched Emma lean in just a little bit.

"Please," Emma whispered desperately, tears filling her eyes.

When she leaned in a little more, Regina leaned in too. As their lips touched and moved together, Emma felt sparks fly.

That's it, guys. That's all I got for this one (unless somebody has a great idea and wants me to write more). Thanks for reading and reviewing!