Fortunately for Regina, David thought far enough ahead to bring her some actual clothes. The t-shirt and sweat pants would not have been her first choice, but they are better than the hospital gown she has spent way too much time in over the last week. She leans against Emma, having a hard time keeping herself upright for the drive. On her other side, Henry holds her hand and thumbs through a comic book.

Emma is thankful that Mary Margaret made no effort to put herself between Emma and Regina in the backseat this time. In fact, she has spent much of the time wedging herself between father and daughter. At the hospital, before David showed up, Emma thought she was ready to let it go, but as soon as she saw his face, she instantly felt betrayed by her lying father, regardless of his intentions.

"Can we go home first?" Regina asks Emma quietly.

Emma kisses her forehead. "We are supposed to transfer directly to Whale. I don't particularly want that case following us because she left the hospital AMA."

"I don't think they realize I'm the mayor and your father is the sheriff. Who's going to come after us?"

"We don't need any unwanted attention. I don't trust those people."

Regina deflates. "I just want to see my house. I want a semblance of normality, even if for a moment."

Emma studies her. "Alright, but only for a few minutes and then we have to go check in with Whale."

Smiling, Regina kisses Emma's cheek. "Thank you, my love."

Emma turns and softly kisses Regina's lips. "I love you."

"I'm glad," Regina pecks her lips again then nestles into Emma's neck. She closes her eyes and rests.

Trying not to disturb Regina, Emma texts Mary Margaret about going to the mansion first. She taps Mary Margaret's shoulder and wags the phone when she turns to look at her.

"Go to the mansion," Mary Margaret whispers to David.

He glances back at Emma, noting Regina with her eyes shut, and nods to her.

Emma gives him a faint smile in return.

The rest of the drive is mostly silent, with Emma trying desperately not to move from Regina's tickling breath on her neck.

When they pull up to the mansion, Henry springs out to grab the wheel chair from the trunk while Emma gently strokes Regina's hair and kisses her face to wake her up.

Regina's eyes flutter open then widen instantly when she sees the mansion. "Finally," she breathes out.

Emma slides out and lifts her out of the car. Henry rolls up the wheel chair and waits, but Emma just stands with Regina in her arms.

Regina looks between Emma and the chair. "Are you planning on placing me in the chair?"

"I kind of like just having you in my arms," Emma smirks.

"At this rate, you'll have plenty of time to carry me. Now, put me in the chair, dear."

Emma groans dramatically. "Fine, but I get a kiss." She closes her eyes and leans down close to Regina's face and waits for Regina to close the distance. Her eyes widen and she sputters when Regina suddenly licks her face instead of kissing her. "Gah. Here." She quickly puts Regina in the chair and wipes her face. "You're so gross."

Regina giggles, watching Emma squirm. "You like it."

Emma grins and leans down in Regina's ear. "Those aren't the lips I want you licking."

Regina gasps and swats Emma's arm. "Control yourself, Miss Swan."

"We gonna do this?" Henry asks impatiently behind the chair. He glances and sees David and Mary Margaret waiting in the car.

Emma gestures for them to pass before striding past them in the grass to unlock the door. She helps Henry jump the step to the door.

Regina releases a sigh of relief when she enters the house. "At times I forget how much comfort I find in home." She runs her fingers along a table and grimaces at the tiny amount of dust. "Even if it could use a good cleaning."

"Henry and I will go on a cleaning spree this weekend before he leaves for Atlanta on Sunday."

"What?" Henry and Regina ask in unison.

Emma shrugs. "The kid has school. He can't miss a whole nother week."

"I thought you were staying," Regina says.

"I am. But Henry's got to go back."

Regina looks at Henry then back to Emma. "But he'll be alone."

Henry steps forward. "I want to be here with Mom."

"I know, kid," Emma squeezes his shoulder. "But you can't mess up your first year of college. You only get so many absences. I'll be here to take care of your mom. I promise I'll do everything I can for her. And we'll call you every night."

Regina shakes her head. "I don't want him to be there alone."

Emma squats down in front of Regina, hands on Regina's knees. "Babe, he's not a little boy anymore. He can do this. I'll give him money. He's in walking distance of campus and his friends. He knows how to handle himself in the apartment. He's going to be fine."

Regina looks up at Henry questioningly.

He nods. "Yeah, Mom. I'll be fine. I can take care of myself."

She holds out her hand for him to take. "I love you so much, Henry. I want you to be safe."

"I will be, Mom. Don't worry. Like Ma said, we'll talk every day."

She pulls his hand to her lips and kisses it lightly. "Make sure you call every morning when you get to class, then when you get back to the apartment, then before you go to bed. And at any other time you want. If you don't feel safe, you call us right away."

"Mom," Henry smiles down at her. "It'll be fine. Don't worry."

"Next weekend, your mother will come visit you," Regina states firmly.

"I will?" Emma asks.

Regina snaps her head around and stares at Emma. "Yes."

Emma nods. "Then yes, I will."

After a quick tour of the downstairs, Regina picks out a few books to take to the hospital. They go back out to the car, and finish the journey to the hospital.

Whale is waiting for them as they wheel Regina through the hospital doors. "Mayor Mills, I have to admit it's disappointing to see you back."

Regina sucks her teeth. "Perhaps if I had simply stayed for a bit more testing we wouldn't be having this meeting."

"Perhaps." Whale gestures for them to follow him into a hospital room where Emma lays her in a bed. "I've reviewed your file. Tonight, simply rest then tomorrow we will start therapy." He turns to leave as a nurse steps in to hook up Regina's IV.

"Wait," Regina calls out stopping him. When he turns back to her, she waves him over. Once at her side, she leans up toward him. "I need to see Archie tomorrow."

Whale studies her face. "Can I ask why?"

"I'd rather you not."

He nods slowly. "I'll call him in the morning."

"Thank you."

Having been the only one to hear the brief interaction, Emma watches him leave then looks to Regina. "What's wrong?"

Regina clenches her jaw then shakes her head. "I just need to talk to the cricket."

"But, why?"

"Emma, I just need to talk to him," she bites back.

Emma opens her mouth to respond, but Regina's firm glare stops her. "Okay," she says and moves to sit in a chair.

Finished, the nurse steps past David and Mary Margaret in the doorway to exit. "Regina," Mary Margaret starts. "Would you like us to stay for any reason, or should we simply return tomorrow?"

"Go home, thank you," Regina responds. "We will call you tomorrow if we need anything. Henry, go home and sleep."

"But I want to be here," he argues.

"You don't have much time left. Go be with Grace then come back tomorrow to visit at some point. Have a nice meal for both of us." She smiles at him.

"I love you, Mom." He hugs her.

"I love you too, sweetheart. Say hello to Grace." She watches them leave then turns to Emma. "Are you tired?"

"Nope, just curious."

Regina shakes her head. "Then you'll have to stay curious, Emma. I am tired and need to rest. You're more than welcome to lay in the bed with me. It's your decision." She closes her eyes and tightens the sheet up around her chest.

Emma sighs and slumps in the chair, staring at Regina. Grumbling, she rolls her eyes and clambers into the bed next to Regina. "I love you," Emma states, wrapping her arms around Regina.

"I know," Regina responds, gripping Emma's arm over her torso.