By the time they reached Regina's place, the car seats, as expected, were soaked.

"I'm gonna run inside and get some towels," Regina announced. "You go ahead and get dried off."

"You sure you don't want help?" Emma asked, hesitating as she stepped out of the car.

"Mhmm. Go on."

"I'm actually gonna get in the shower to get all this sand off me, if that's alright."

"Of course."

The two went inside, Emma stepping through the doorway first, dripping a trail of saltwater from the door to the bathroom on her way there. After using an armful of towels to dry the car seats, Regina went back into the house, then hovered near the closed bathroom door as she heard the shower begin to run. After a moment of contemplation, she opened the door and slipped silently inside, stripping herself of all clothing. Without a word, she pulled back the shower curtain and stepped inside, startling Emma to the point of letting out a small yelp.

"Regina!" Emma gasped.

"Hi," the woman cooed with a grin, standing behind Emma and resting her hands on the girl's waist. "How can you stand the water this hot? It's scalding."

After turning the metal knob to lower the temperature, Emma attempted to turn around to face her lover, but the woman held her tightly and pressed their bodies together.

"I wanna take you from behind," Regina whispered. "Let me fuck you."

"I..."

"Shh," the brunette said, sliding a hand up to grope the girl's breast and moving the other down until her fingers were stroking Emma's clit. "Let me fuck you."

Emma, unable to stifle the whimper, let out a soft cry as Regina slipped two fingers into her core and pinched her nipple with her other hand. The girl braced herself against the wall as the warm water cascaded down her back and soaked her from head to foot.

"Regina," Emma moaned a few minutes later, coming hard, her muscles contracting tightly around the woman's steady fingers.

"I love you," the woman whispered back, kissing her neck.

After the two of them were thoroughly cleaned and free of any beach residue and sand, they stepped out of the shower together and dried off. At this point, it was late, and the two were sleepy enough that it was difficult to keep their eyes open as they climbed in bed and lay beside each other.

"That was actually really great," Emma finally said as Regina slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"The shower or the beach?"

"Both."

"I know," Regina replied with a satisfied smile. "I'm glad we went."

"Me too, even though it was fucking freezing."

"It was good just to be able to do something... I don't know... crazy."

Emma nodded in agreement and leaned her head back to rest it on her lover's shoulder.

"I don't want to go to school tomorrow," the blonde sighed. "I'm going to be exhausted. I can't see Belle. I just can't."

"Baby," Regina sighed, "I know it's going to be difficult, but you have to do this. You're so close to graduation. One more month and you're out of there. You just have to hold on until then."

"I know. I just..."

"I'm proud of you," the brunette interjected. "Very."

This caused Emma to open her eyes and sit up. When she looked into her lover's eyes, she saw the seriousness there and bit her lip.

"Why?"

"Because I know how hard you're trying, and I know you can do this."

"At least someone believes in me."

"I do."

"Thank you, Regina," Emma said softly, kissing the woman's cheek. "And thank you for that little episode in the shower. I really needed that."

"Needed it, huh?" Regina giggled.

"Mhmm."

The smirk on Emma's lips drew Regina in, and when their lips connected, Regina felt her core grow warm again.

"Wanna go again?"

"We should sleep. We've gotta get up early in the morning. Rain check?"

With an exaggerated gasp, Regina said, "I never thought you'd decline a passionate fuck, Miss Swan."

Emma laughed and shook her head, saying, "You want me to do well tomorrow, don't you?"

"I suppose."

After a few more tender kisses, Emma fell asleep in her lover's arms.

The next day at school, Emma dragged her feet as she walked down the hallway to her first class, knowing she was bound to see Belle soon. But, to her surprise, the brunette was nowhere to be seen. By the time Regina's car pulled up to the curb to pick her up after the final bell, she still had not seen the girl.

"She wasn't there," Emma said slowly as she climbed into the passenger seat.

"What?" Regina asked.

"Belle. She wasn't there today."

"You think she's okay?"

"I think she's probably pissed and doesn't want to see me."

"Oh, honey," Regina sighed, shaking her head as she pulled away from the school. "I'm sure this will blow over soon."

"What if it doesn't?" Emma asked solemnly.

"Then you'll be alright. You'll always have me."

Leaning back in the seat against the headrest, the blonde sighed and shut her eyes until they reached Regina's place.

"Homework time," Emma groaned, sitting down at the dining room table once they were inside.

With an understanding nod, Regina said, "I'll leave you be. I've got some paperwork I need to do anyway. I'll be in my office, alright?"

Emma nodded and opened her backpack, setting a large pile of books on the table.

A half hour later when Regina reappeared in the dining room, she was surprised to find Emma with her feet up on another chair, comic book in hand.

"What the hell are you doing?" Regina snapped, stomping over to her and tearing the thin paperback from the girl's hands. "Deadpool?"

"Yeah..." Emma said, blushing. "So?"

"So, you're supposed to be doing your homework! And since when do you like superheroes?"

"He's more of an anti-hero, really," the girl muttered, grabbing the comic book away from Regina and stuffing it under the pile of her textbooks.

"I don't give a shit what he is. Get back to work!"

"What the fuck do you care anyway?"

"Emma!" Regina yelled. "You know exactly why I care! Now is not the time to mess around."

With a dramatic sigh, Emma reopened her textbook and slammed her head against it.

"Emma!" the brunette cried, causing Emma's head to snap back up and her spine to straighten.

"Yeah, yeah," the girl huffed, picking up her pencil and opening her notebook.

"Good. Now, hit the books, and don't let me catch you goofing off again, or I'm bringing you home."

"It's not home," Emma snapped, slamming the writing utensil down on top of her paperwork.

"I'm sorry," Regina sighed. "You know what I meant."

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"I love you too," Emma muttered, looking back down and refusing to meet her lover's gaze.

When the woman left the room, Emma let out a groan and continued to work through the math problems that so boldly seemed to be mocking her and exasperating her struggle.