Chapter 7

Once Regina managed to calm the small blonde down, she lead the girl back into the classroom to find Henry trying his hardest not to fall sleep with his head on the desk as he was now warm and settled. Watching the pair as Emma walks up to her brother and kisses his head, the young teacher discreetly locks the door in case the girl decides to run then heads over. "Emma..I know you're scared but I promise you I will help you"

The blonde nods, looking towards her teacher then hugs her waist again. Sighing, the brunette pulls a chair forward and sits down before lifting the girl to sit on her lap. Stroking a strand of hair out of Emma's face and behind her small ear, Regina looks guilty. "Honey, I need to call the police to let them know you're safe..."

Shaking her head abruptly with a few tears, the small blonde sniffles. "No...please I'll be good. We both will"

"Emma, its not about your behaviour..I know you are good..but there are a lot of people out there looking for you. They are worried.."

Looking down, Emma fiddles with the button on her top. "Not home..Gina..."

"Why don't we just see what they say first? I promise I won't leave your side.." Regina suggests as the girl rests her head against her, prompting the woman to stroke her hair.

Answering quietly, the blonde rubs her eyes. "..okay.."

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Hearing the school doors open, Regina stands up and keeps Emma close by her side as two officers walk in along with her mother. Glancing over annoyed, the brunette keeps a hand on the blonde's shoulder as the girl begins to disappear and hide behind her teacher while Henry is now asleep, wrapped up on the brunette's chair.

Officer one nods towards the young teacher in acknowledgment. "Miss Mills, thank you for calling us..we will just need to ask a few questions and then we shall let you get on with your evening"

Taking a deep breath, Regina nods then looks towards Cora again. The older brunette steps forward with a sly smile. "Why don't I wait with the children while you talk in private, I'm sure Emma here will not want to hear you talking.."

The blonde's eyes widen as she grips onto her teachers leg more. "No I want to stay.."

Looking across to the older woman, officer one smiles. "Its fine Mrs Mills, why don't you wait in your office until we are done?"

Insulted, Cora scoffs then walks out the classroom. Cringing, the brunette looks apologetic. "I apologise for my mother..she can..be a handful.."

"Its quite alright Miss. Now can you just tell me how you came about finding these two runaways.." Joking on the last part, the man winks at Emma, gaining a small smile.

"I was working late and I heard a noise so I followed it and found this one in the kitchen trying to get food out of the cupboard. She ran, I followed..they were in the basement and by the living conditions, I would say since they went missing." The young teacher explains while rubbing Emma's arm reassuringly.

Nodding, the officer then crouches down to the blonde's height. "Now missy, would you be able to tell me why you and your brother left your house?"

Glancing up at Regina who nods, the blonde gulps then answers. "I get locked in my room..and left alone..at night with Henry. I wanted to go away so I took my backpack and Henry's nappies and milk then carried him out the front door"

Scratching his head bewildered, the officer frowns. "You were able to walk out the door without anyone noticing?"

Nodding. Emma looks sad. "They watch TV like I'm not there..I was going alone but Henry needed me..no one take care of him"

"I see..well aside from the fact that I'm guessing you're hungry, you did a good job looking after your brother Emma. He is really lucky to have you"

Biting her lip going shy, the blonde nods again.

Rising to his feet, the tall officer looks towards Regina. "Thanks for your help but unfortunately what Emma has told us is a serious matter and an investigation will need to be carried out with regards to her parents which means at this moment in time, she will need to come with me and Henry"

Concerned, the brunette frowns. "Go with you where?"

"To a temporary home until the matter is solved"

Gasping, Emma pouts and slips her hand into Regina's. The young teacher looks down to her and squeezes her hand to comfort her. "Is there no other option? I mean I take it you cannot let them go back home but.."

"There are no other family members Miss..I'm sorry but they need to come with me" The officer explains then looks towards the girl who sniffles then backs away when he reaches out for her hand.

"No..I want to stay with Miss Mills..you look after us Gina?" Emma looks up at her teacher with a pout and waits for an answer.

Caught off guard, Regina opens her mouth to speak while looking towards the officer who raises an eyebrow. "Yes. I..I could take them..yes"

"Right..okay I guess its better for them to go with someone they know..someone they trust.." The officer smiles. "We will just need to escort you back so that we can make sure your home is suitable for-"

Chuckling slightly at his authority, clearly new at the job and wanting to make a good impression. "Suitable living? For children?..I'm a teacher..I think I've got the looking after children part covered"

Nodding a little embarrassed, the officer looks away. "Yes, I guess you do..anyway we better go, its been a long day"

"That it has.." Glancing towards Emma, Regina guides her forward. "Dear go get your coat and bags"

Walking over to get her stuff, the blonde watches curiously still not convinced over what is happening then watches as the young teacher lifts Henry up carefully so he can stay asleep then follows the officer out.

Stopping briefly at the headteachers door, the two officers explain the situation. Cora sniggers at the idea. "You're seriously allowing my daughter to take the children? Like she knows how to be a mother?"

Picking up on the tension and Regina's hurt expression, the officer who had helped decide the outcome clears his throat to speak up. "Yes Mrs Mills..I believe that she will take very good care of the children. I also believe she knows a lot more than you do considering her first hand practice on a daily basis while you sit here in your office.."

Eyes widening in surprise at the man literally having a go at her mother, the young teacher bites her lip then turns away to hide a smile while Emma leans into her leg to giggle.

"I..I beg your pardon?! How dare you..you ignarant fo-"

"Are you also looking for an escort Ma'am? To a cell? As that is where you will end up going if you decide to finish that sentance and insult a police officer?" Raising an eyebrow, the man then smiles at a silent response. "Right then. Escuse me, I shall see that these three get home safely, goodnight"

Following the officer out of the school, Regina looks across at him receiving a smile in return.

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Once settled indoors and being left a business card by the officer for 'emergencies', the young teacher lays Henry onto the couch and cushions him in so he does not fall then heads towards the kitchen with Emma in tow. "Emma honey, you do not need to follow me around.."

Looking eagerly, the blonde leans up on her tiptoes at the counter and smiles. "But I want to help you"

Squinting at the girl and pursing her lips, Regina responds with a smirk. "No."

Screwing up her nose, Emma frowns. "No?"

"That's right. No you will not help me. You will go and sit that bum of yours beside your brother and watch TV or read, whatever you would like to do before dinner" tickling under the girl's chin, the brunette smiles.

"Oooh..okay.." The blonde smiles back and skips off towards the living room. Stopping briefly she runs back and gives the woman's legs a squeeze then joins her brother on the couch.

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Having woke the small, confused boy up for dinner which prompt him to get even more messy, Regina ran each child a bath before dressing them in a pajama top, despite being huge on them as their clothes were dirty and needed washing, plus she had no children sized pajamas. Flapping his extra long sleeves, Henry giggled as his clapped then the boy hugs into Emma as the pair lay in the brunette's bed, ready for sleep. Exiting the bathroom herself in silk, navy pajamas, the young teacher smiles at the scene then fixes her dark hair in a knotted bun causing a few loose curly strands to escape by her face. "Okay time for sleep. I will leave the lamp on in case you wake up and are not sure where you are. I will also leave the door open so if you need me, I will be right next door on the couch okay?"

The blonde nods slowly then pulls the covers up for Henry as the boy's eyes begin to droop again. The tiredness of what happened between dinner and a splashy bath taking over. "Do we go school tomorrow Gina?"

"I doubt we will..we can't leave Henry and I am not so sure what is happening with your parents.." Regina tucks the pair in then strokes both their heads even though Henry is already snoring softly. "Goodnight Emma.."

Smiling, Emma hugs her brother and closes her eyes. "Goodnight.."

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Leaving the room quietly, the young teacher checks the apartment then sits herself on the couch. Feeling a wave of tiredness take over, the brunette rests her head against the arm before jumping at a loud banging coming from her door. Standing up and quickly going over to check through the spyhole, Regina sighs at recognizing the pair stood on the outside. Reaching for her phone, she quickly dials the number she got left by the officers and informs him of what is happening. Hearing the banging continue, the brunette looks over to see a scared looking Emma.

"..Regina?.."

"Honey go back to the bedroom for me and make sure Henry is okay and stay there until I come back"

Nodding, the blonde runs back to the bedroom and shuts the door before joining her brother again in bed.

Taking a deep breath, knowing that help is on its way, Regina waits by the door until it flies open with the lock snapping. Staring in shock, the brunette stands before them. "You are not supposed to be here. You need to leave now."

"Not when you have our kids you stupid woman!" Glaring, the children's father barges past and lets himself in along with his wife before being met by the young teacher again who is blocking the corridor to the bedroom.

"You are not taking them, I have been told they need to stay with me until further notice. Please. Leave." Regina grips onto both walls and stands her ground.

Getting angry, the father goes to swing, making the brunette turn her face away ready for the blow but glances up again to see the officer standing there, having grabbed the man's fist before it went anywhere.

Glaring at him, the officer handcuffs him. "Well that is one way to get your children back, hitting a woman..do that a lot do you?" Shoving him to his fellow officer, officer one turns back to the young teacher and places a reasurring hand on her shoulder. "Its okay, you can breathe.."

Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Regina smiles slightly in thanks. "I'm starting to think today will not end.."

"Maybe not but you're doing the right thing..helping those children. You have changed their lives for the better.."

Looking away getting coy, the brunette gestures to the bedroom. "I better go check..Emma came out before they came in because she heard the banging.."

"Of course, I will be out here, fixing your lock.."

"Oh you don't have to, I can do that its-"

"No problem?" The officer smiles then heads over to fix the door.

Watching briefly, Regina smiles to herself then walks to the bedroom and in, catching Emma just in time as she jumps from the bed to hug her. "Its all sorted.."

"But that was them.." The blonde sounds sad, knowing her parents were outside.

Carrying her to the bed, the brunette tucks Emma back in then sits to the side, resting her head against the headboard. Having also woken up, Henry rolls onto his knees then crawls over his sister and onto the woman's lap. The young teacher lifts him up properly and allows him to settle with his head against her chest. "Yes but the police lead them away and now they definately won't be getting you back"

"So we stay here? Forever?" Emma looks hopeful.

Stroking the boy's hair, Regina sighs. "I don't know Emma..its not all down to me honey..we'll see.."

"Okay.." Giving a small pout, the blonde buries into the brunette's side and closes her eyes as Regina begins to stroke both children's hair.

Glancing up at a knock, the young teacher looks down to herself and gulps. "..yes?"

Poking his head hesitantly around the door, the officer gestures to the front while trying not to smile at the scene. "Locks fixed but it may need oiling.."

Biting her lip, the brunette nods. "Okay, thank you."

"I will let myself out..do not hesistate to call again if you need any support"

"Thank you but wait.." Glancing down to the now sleeping pair, Regina manuvers herself and gets off the bed, tucking them in before turning back to the officer. "At least let me make you a coffee or something..its late and well normal people would be in bed by now and..." the brunette gets a little red as she is not sure where she is going with the conversation.

"And we are not normal?" Chuckling as the pair head back towards the kitchen, the officer nods. "Thanks but would you be offended if I said I don't drink coffee?"

Raising an eyebrow as she boils the kettle, the young teacher also chuckles. "Yes...you are not normal"

Laughing, the guy then nods as the woman points to the teapot with a smile of her own.

A/N: okay I was not intending on this officer person being a bit of a love interest but yeah. Plus he is only 'Officer' at the moment as I only usually write SwanQueen fics and so guys do you want this man to be an interest for Regina? If so who?

P.S. I know Regina hasn't mentioned the light thing but I think she is in denial and will talk with Emma soon!