I am sorry for the first part of this chapter. I got carried away with the drama. Don't hate me or the story!

Chapter 23

Running through the school gates with Daniel to find the whole building ablaze, as firemen begin their task of distinguishing the flames, Maleficent makes no hesitation as she heads in the direction of the side entrance to go inside while still having a firm grip of her phone in which she was still connected to the Principal's office. Feeling a tug on her arm as she is pulled back, she looks across at her brother fearful before attempting to free herself angrily. "Daniel, I need to go get her! She asked for my help!"

Grabbing at her shoulders forcefully, Daniel turns her round to look at him. "And what if she is already gone?! You will be the only person those two children will have left!"

Inhaling sharply, the blonde bites her lip teary then falls into her brothers arms. "She's all alone...she was so scared Daniel..."

Jumping as they hear a sudden break out of coughing and harsh breathing, Maleficent glances down to her phone wide eyed. "Regina?!"

Releasing his sister, Daniel rubs her arm briefly. "Wait here" without giving his sister any choice, he then runs in the direction in which the blonde had intented to go and throws his jacket over his head as he makes his way into the smoke filled building.

Watching in shock, Malaficent lifts her phone up. "Regina talk to me! Daniel has gone in to get you!" Hearing some more coughing and what sounded to be a scrape of a chair, the blonde waits to hear her girlfriend's voice which doesn't happen.

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Having snatched the fire extinguisher from the exit, Daniel heads down the corridor blindly, gradually seeing a spark of high flames by Regina's office. Ridding the flames the best he could, Daniel then looks towards the nearby sprinkle of electric coming from the boiler room while making sure his mouth is covered to help him breathe. "Regina?! If you can hear me, move away from the door!"

Hearing the scrape of a chair just like Maleficent did, Daniel takes a chance after already trying the key but unfortunately the door was too busted from the onset of black ash. Moving back, he kicks at the door, sending the wooden frame flying and hastily makes his way inside, seeing the brunette passed out on the floor by her desk. Heading over, he checks for her pulse. "Damn it!" Abandoning his jacket to place over her, Daniel lifts her limp body up and walks out, back towards the door he came in.

Seeing the pair exit, Maleficent looks shocked and drops her phone to cover her mouth as her brother then lays the lifeless brunette on the ground. Kneeling quickly, the blonde takes hold of her face to inspect her. "..is..is she..."

Daniel turns away through anger, hurt and annoyance at not saving her in time. "..Mal..."

"No!" Settling Regina's head under her folded coat, Maleficent looks at her brother. "She is not leaving us!" Turning back to her girlfriend, the blonde sniffles as she begins pressing on the young Principal's chest to start CPR.

"Mal..its too late..she inhaled too much smoke.."

Ignoring Daniel's statement, Maleficent continues, pushing down harder knowing that she would rather have Regina alive with a cracked rib than not alive at all.

"Mal! Stop!" Reaching for his sister, Daniel receives a slap across the face from the woman before she realizes he is right and slumps down beginning to cry.

"Oh my god.."

Looking towards the new voice, Maleficent gulps at seeing Mary Margaret and Emma, with the woman attempting to keep the small blonde behind her having seen a glimpse at who was behind the siblings on the ground.

Daniel steps forward towards the short haired woman and gestures out the gate as he glances towards Emma who is mesmerized by the flashing lights while also shocked by the state of the school. "Can you take Emma to yours please.."

"..yes..of..of course..." Looking teary, Mary Margaret nods then turns to lead Emma away. "Come on Emma..we'll check with Henry on the way"

The small blonde frowns then goes to look around the woman's leg. "Why am I going with you? Mallie is just there..where's mommy?"

"Because..she's helping..her brother..and..Regina is..she's..she's busy.."

Nodding along with what is being said, the girl remembers. "Yes. Mommy is going to be late as she working at school" letting out a gasp realizing, Emma yanks her hand free and runs over in the direction of the older blonde upset. "Mallie?!"

Mary Margaret and Daniel share a worried look as a defeated Maleficent grabs the small blonde before she sees. "Emma, you need to go with Mary Margaret please"

Pouting with a lip tremble, Emma shakes her head. "You're crying! Where's mommy?!" Pushing the woman back causing Maleficent to let go as she loses balance, the small blonde looks wide eyed at the still brunette on the ground. "Mommy?!" Dropping beside her, Emma lifts her hand with a sniffle then leans over to kiss her cheek.

Watching the scene, Daniel grabs Maleficent's arm in disbelief. "Mal her hand moved. Her hand moved!"

The blonde looks down to see that Regina's hand is now clutching onto Emma's as a huge inhale of breath, followed by a splutter then coughing could be heard, with the young Principal turning to her side in a coughing fit before glancing over groggily at everyone standing there. Maleficent despite being in a state of shock quickly guides her head back down to rest while Daniel encourages Emma to come to him.

Getting teary again, the older blonde strokes the brunette's face who faintly smiles at the touch as she gradually brings her breathing under control. "We thought you were..."

Reaching for her girlfriend's hand, Regina squeezes in reply for reassurance which leads to Maleficent leaning down and kissing her forehead with a smile of her own.

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Sitting against the hospital chair, Maleficent rests her head against its arm but keeps her focus on the brunette asleep in the bed in front of her. After much persuasion as Emma refused to leave with Mary Margaret, the small blonde realized if she stayed with her mother and Mallie, her little brother would suffer as he would end up being alone with someone he wasn't completely comfortable with for an overnight period. Seeing Regina begin to stir, the older blonde shifts her position and sits forward to take hold of her hand to reassure the brunette that she wasn't alone.

Looking across at the chair, the young Principal clears her throat. "..ch..ildren?..."

Covering the woman's hand with both her own, Maleficent gives a small yet tired smile. "They are fine. Back at home with Mary Margaret..and I have a message from a certain little lady. She wanted you to know that she has got it and that Henry will be okay.."

Giving a small yet hoarse sounding chuckle, Regina nods teary. Instinctively leaning forward, the older blonde wipes her tears despite it leading to her own. "And you..you need to get yourself better..so you can come home..because I have a very important surprise for you, okay?" Sounding like she needs reassuring herself, Maleficent stares at the woman in hope.

Letting out another nod, the brunette replies. "..okay...only...if you..you..stay here.." Gently patting beside herself, Regina moves over carefully. Smiling, the older blonde rises from her seat then settles herself beside her girlfriend and enculfing her into a hug, allowing the young Principal to rest against her.

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After close observation, Regina was discharged within a couple of days. Walking through the front door with the blonde having a secure arm wrapped around her waist, the brunette gives a contented sigh at being home. Seeing a trio of happy faces appear, the young Principal shares a look with her short haired friend as Emma and Henry practically charge at her to hug her as they hadn't seen her for a while. Tilting her head up, the small blonde grins. "Mommy better now? I didn't like seeing you on the floor!"

Running her hand through the girl's hair, Regina carefully leans down and kisses both the children's heads before responding. "Yes baby..I'm..a lot..better.."

Biting her lip, Emma gives a coy smile. "You sound funny..but I'm glad you're okay mommy. We were worried..even Henry and he doesn't understand properly..he just knew you wasn't there"

Crouching down while holding onto Maleficent's arm for support, the brunette uses her spare arm to wrap around the confused, lost looking boy then gestures for Emma to join and hug them both close to her. Henry automatically buries himself in while the small blonde rests her head gently against her mother's shoulder needing comfort. "I am not...going anyway..okay?.." Trying to clear her throat more, the young Principal gets glossy eyed. "I am your..mother..and I will protect you..just like I know...Maleficent will.."

Squeezing her mother more, Emma nods against her with a sniffle. "I know mommy..we love you..."

Kissing their heads again, Regina releases them from her grip and stands slowly. "I need you to..bare with me okay?...make sure you listen to Maleficent and Mary Margaret..because..I still need to recover"

Nodding abruptly, the small blonde takes her brothers hand. "We will..I have Henry..mommy, you sleep"

Watching proudly as the pair walk off, Regina and Maleficent share a look. Stepping forward, Mary Margaret smiles at seeing her friend well. Taking hold of the brunette's hands, the short haired woman looks between the couple. "I've got them..go and rest."

Smiling appreciatively, the older blonde goes to lead her girlfriend upstairs but pauses at hearing the door go. Mary Margaret looks wary but answers for them. Standing on the other side of the door, the fairly short man steps inside on seeing his niece, then pulls her into a tight hug. "Thank god you're okay.."

Hugging back with a small smile, Regina rests her head briefly against her uncle. "I believe..the term they used was..touch and go..."

Tightening his grip, Adam responds in relief. "But you're here.."

Nodding, the brunette repeats to comfort him. "But..I'm here.."

Seeing Maleficent staring with worry, Gold releases his niece with a smile as he rubs her arms. "And now you need to rest"

"I will..please don't stay away..too long.."The young Principal requests before returning to the older blonde's side.

"I won't I promise.." Adam replies as he returns back to the door where Mary Margaret is standing.

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Having escaped upstairs, Maleficent insured that Regina was as comfy as she could be as the woman slipped herself into bed with a bottle of water beside her. Settling down beside the brunette, the older blonde gathers her up into her arms and strokes the young Principal's dark locks as the woman in question falls into a peaceful sleep. Watching her sleep, Maleficent smiles to herself at not losing the woman she loves. "I hope you say yes..I cannot wait to ask you..especially now"

Shifting slightly, Regina moves her head to rest against the woman's shoulder and gives a brief squeeze around her waist before relaxing completely.