A/N: here's an update on both women's progress for you! Once again, I'm not a doctor but I googled an anatomical picture of the human body and hope all the medical information below is correct. I hope you're all having a wonderful weekend. No cliffhanger, per se but I'm sure I'll see you tomorrow!

P.S. I've set up a Twitter account to keep you all up to date on all my fan fictions. Please follow me at SwanQueenUKFF

"How are you feeling Swan?" Booth asked as he approached the bed.

"Sleepy," Emma admitted. "And confused, angry, scared…"

"Fisher said you'll be able to leave in a few hours, once the sedative wears off. Luccas and Blanchard have both been here to check how you're doing so I'm sure they'll be happy to look after you," Booth said.

"And West? What's happening to her?" Emma asked, sitting up straighter and turning her attention to the warden.

"We've placed her in solitary confinement for the time being," Gold said. "After the attack, and the history of threats against you and Mills, we spoke to West, Faery, Feinberg and Trident. In fact, the latter three were apprehended trying to change their clothes. It seems there was some blood spatter from the attack and they were caught trying to hide the evidence. All three confessed quickly enough and we're having the DNA checked just to confirm. For now they're being charged with attempted murder."

Emma heaved a sigh of relief. "And West?"

"Well she herself didn't stab Mills but one of the women has implemented her as the ringleader. The other two are holding out but detectives are speaking with them now, hoping to get the story corroborated. West isn't talking," Gold said.

"She's protecting herself and her psycho mother," Emma growled.

"Her mother?" Booth asked, frowning.

Emma nodded. "Yeah. Cora Mills. She's the one pulling West's strings. Regina's mother has never accepted her daughter is gay and wanted me, the problem, dealt with. She threatened me herself when she came to visitation a few weeks ago."

"You met with Mills' mother?" Booth asked. "Why?"

"I thought I could convince her to accept Regina for who she is. But she was so cold, heartless. Made me think perhaps not having a mother wasn't so bad after all. She told me to end things between us before I got hurt."

"If the mother threatened you," Gold said slowly, "and all of West's threats were directed at you too, why is Regina the one recovering from major surgery?"

"Because she pushed me out of the way," Emma said, tears running down her cheeks again at the memory. "She saved my life."

Gold reached inside his pocket and handed Emma a crumpled but clean tissue.

"We're going to let you rest now but we will need a statement from you about the attack. Maybe you can come to my office tomorrow?" Emma nodded. "OK, Booth will escort you there when you're ready. Goodnight Miss Swan."

"Goodnight," Emma said as she sank back into the soft pillow behind her, watching the two men leave.

Looking at the clock on the opposite wall, Emma saw it was 3am. It had been over seven hours since Regina was attacked the previous evening. Images of her girlfriend on the floor flashed into her mind. The blood. The shivs. Regina's pale, pained face. Emma grimaced and rolled over, trying to forget but knowing she would never be able to. Her eyes slid closed as sleep washed over her fatigued body once more.

"NOOOOO REGINA!" The blonde thrashed on the bed, covers tangled around her limbs as she writhed, trying to fight something, stop something, escape something. Fisher rushed over from her office, and placed a soothing hand on Emma's shoulder, trying to hold the young woman down lest she hurt herself.

"Swan. Swan!" she said, loudly. "It's ok. You're safe, Regina's safe. Wake up, it's just a nightmare."

The blonde sat bolt upright panting and looking around, her eyes wild. Sweat coated her brow and her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Regina?" she asked. "Where's Regina?" The young woman looked around panicked, trying to remember where she was.

"She's fine. She's in the hospital near here and she's doing well," Fisher assured. "It was just a nightmare, Swan. Lie down and try to get some more sleep."

"It wasn't a nightmare," Emma said, tears forming in her eyes as the events of the previous day returned. "It was a memory."

Fisher nodded her understanding. "It's going to take some time but you will get past this Swan. You're going to be ok. You both are." She placed her hand gently on Emma's swelling stomach.

"Regina's really alright?" she asked, her voice weak as she became drowsy again.

Fisher nodded. "She's fine. I've just got the full report from her surgeon. There were some complications but overall the outlook is positive."

"Complications?" Emma asked, worried. "What complications?"

"I think it's best if Miss Mills tells you about them herself actually."

"When can I see her?" Emma asked.

"As soon as she can be safely moved, I'll have her transferred here, ok?" the doctor said kindly. "It shouldn't be more than a week or so. Now get some sleep so you're fresh for your meeting with the warden tomorrow."

Muffled voices filtered slowly through her ears and into her brain. She couldn't understand the words and the voices seemed unfamiliar. She opened her eyes slightly but shut them again instantly. Too bright lights hung overhead, making her eyes burn. She swallowed thickly. Her throat felt dry and tight. She needed some water. Bracing herself once more, she cracked her eyes open again and waited for her pupils to get used to the brightness. As the room came into focus, she looked around. It was unfamiliar yet Regina could tell instantly she was in a hospital. All at once, the memories flooded back to her. The bathroom. West. Faery, Feinberg and Trident. Emma. Searing pain.

Regina tried to move but as she tensed her muscles to sit up, she cried out in agony.

"Miss Mills?" said a faint voice from nearby. A face appeared above her, shining another light into her eyes. Regina growled and rolled her head away. She suddenly saw the machines she was hooked up to, and beeping noises filled her brain. What had happened to her? She rolled her head back to look up at the person above her. A man. A doctor. Regina could see his stethoscope swinging clumsily from his neck as he peered into her face.

"Where am I?" Regina asked. Her voice was hoarse and quiet. It hurt to speak.

"You're at Capital Regional Medical Centre," said the doctor as he lifted a glass of water to Regina's lips. She drank gratefully. "You've had some major surgery after an attack you sustained in FCI."

"What happened?" Regina asked, her eyes now fully open and able to focus on the doctor's face. He was a young man, barely out of medical school with kind features and an air of entitlement.

"You were stabbed by three different shivs," he began. "One was a superficial cut from a razor which we've stitched up. A straightened piece of chainlink fence penetrated your liver. We had to operate to stop any internal bleeding, and to prevent infection we decided to remove the affected tissue mass. It was only a small area however and we believe you won't notice any change to your bodily functions."

Regina nodded. Her neck was stiff. "And the last one?"

The doctor smiled sadly. "The final stab wound was a little more problematic. It was low on your abdomen and the sharpened end of the toothbrush lacerated your uterus. Our surgeons did the best they could but they were unable to save it. I'm very sorry Miss Mills but we had to remove your womb."

A sob escaped Regina and she tried to move her right hand to her mouth. The clanging of metal brought her crashing back to reality. Despite being a victim of a vicious attack, she was still a prisoner. The handcuff suddenly felt very heavy around her wrist. She bought her left hand up to her face instead, covering her mouth and trying to stifle her cries. She would never have children of her own. She would never experience pregnancy, give birth, hold her own child in her arms. She had dreamed of having a family all her life. She wanted to give her children the love and support she never received from her own mother. She had never let her sexuality deter her from believing it was all still possible. And now, thanks to her own mother, she was unable to bear children. Tears streamed down her face as the devastating news sank in.

"There's some people here to see you," the doctor continued, seemingly unaware of how upset his patient was. "I'll send them in now I've spoken to you. Once again, I'm sorry."

He disappeared leaving Regina to attempt to wipe her teary face and calm her ragged breathing. Who could possibly be visiting her in hospital, she wondered. Surely the prison wouldn't let Emma out to see her, and she couldn't believe her mother would show her face after orchestrating the attack.

Regina's eyes widened as she saw the two men approaching her bed.

"Good afternoon, Miss Mills," Warden Gold said. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired," Regina croaked as she wiped away the last of her tears and tried to put on a brave face.

"We need to ask you a few questions, if you don't mind," said Glass. Regina scowled at her counsellor. She had never liked the man. He was too slimy and openly homophobic but her requests for reassignment had always been denied.

"Can it wait?" Regina asked. Her mind was still reeling from the doctor's news.

"It won't take long," Gold assured. "We just need you to walk us through the attack."

Regina nodded. She had known this was coming. "I was in the bathroom," she began.

"With Inmate Swan?," Glass prompted.

"Yes."

"What exactly is the nature of your relationship?" Glass asked.

"Why does that matter?" Regina snapped. If she knew how the counsellor worked, he would be trying to blame the victims for the attack based on their sexuality, adding fuel to his hate campaign.

"It may be pertinent to the investigation. What were you two doing in the bathroom?" Glass asked.

"Fucking," Regina replied shortly. "But you already knew that didn't you."

Warden Gold flushed slightly at the inmate's crass language whilst Glass looked satisfied. Regina's suspicions were confirmed, but she knew lying about her and Emma was pointless.

"Anyway," Regina continued. "We came out of the shower stall and West was waiting for us. I know Emma had already alerted the prison to the fact my crazy half sister had threatened her with harm if she didn't end our relationship. West said similar words to that effect in the bathroom and then we realised her three thugs, Faery, Feinberg and Trident, were there too. Those three were stood behind us when we were talking to West. I asked West why she was doing what our mother told her to do. I told her our mother never loved her. She snapped. Shouted at the other three to attack us, well to attack Emma. I pushed her out of the way and they got me instead. I don't remember much more after that, except Emma staying with me and calling for help. Next thing I know, I'm waking up here."

Gold nodded. "Thank you Miss Mills. That tallies with Miss Swan's version of events."

"Because it's the truth," Regina replied. "Why would I lie about what happened?"

"Revenge," Glass said.

"Revenge on who?" Regina asked.

"Your sister," Glass sneered. Gold laid a hand on the counsellor's arm, warning him to back off as it was clear the brunette was getting increasingly agitated. The machine monitoring her heart rate beeped faster.

"West ordered those women to attack Emma. She may not have stabbed me herself but she was behind the whole thing. West and her thugs are getting what they deserve. Aren't they?"

"We just needed to clarify what happened before we confirm the charges," Gold said. "Don't worry, Miss Mills, we're taking this very seriously."

"Does my mother know?" Regina asked.

Gold nodded. "We are obliged to notify next of kin when events like this occur. She doesn't know any details but she is aware you were injured and that you're in hospital. No medical information has been passed to her yet but it can be arranged with your consent."

"No," the brunette said, shortly. "I don't want her to know anything about it. I assume West hasn't been able to phone her either?"

"No," Gold said, shaking his head. "Your half sister is in solitary confinement until this case is closed."

"When can I go back to FCI?" Regina asked. She never thought she'd say that.

"The doctors are monitoring you for infection but they think you'll be discharged within a week."

"And Emma? Can I see her?"

"No," Gold said, sympathetically. "But I'll see what I can do about arranging a phone call."

Regina nodded and smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Warden."

"Not at all. Now you just focus on getting better and we'll be back in a few days to focus on your progress," Gold smiled as he moved away from the bed and waited for Glass to do the same. The counsellor hesitated for a moment, a curious look in his eyes before he turned and followed his boss from the ward.

Regina relaxed back into the soft mattress, trying to process everything that had happened. She believed Gold when he said FCI were taking the attack seriously and she also knew Glass held little sway with the administration. Her job for the past two years had allowed for numerous eavesdropping moments and the man was the butt of many office jokes. His homophobic smear campaign didn't stand a chance. Regina knew there was no way her sister would wriggle out of the allegations. Nor would Faery, Feinberg and Trident. But her mother, that was another matter. Getting Cora Mills to admit involvement would be almost impossible, Regina mused.

Unless …

"Doctor?" Regina called.

A few moments later, the young man reappeared.

"Is everything ok? Are you in pain?" he asked.

"No, I'm ok," Regina assured. "Is there a phone I can use?"

The doctor folded his arms. "You do remember you're a prisoner right?" he asked, gesturing to the handcuff securing Regina to the bed.

The brunette nodded. "I know. I just wanted to call my mother."

The man hesitated, then nodded. "Give me a moment. It will have to be on loudspeaker and I am required to record it."

"Understood," Regina smiled. "Thank you."

"I'll be back in a moment," he said before disappearing up the small ward.

Regina lay back and smiled, formulating her plan quickly in her mind.

A/N: Oh and the other television show reference was to Rizzoli and Isles. Episode 10 of Season 2 starts with the murder of a prison inmate (all orchestrated by Hoyt) and Maura tests three different shivs to see if they are the murder weapon: a sharpened, prison issue tooth brush, a pen embedded with a razor, and a straightened piece of chainlink fence! Did any of you spot that? This also acts as a disclaimer that I've never been to prison nor have I made a shiv!