I must apologize, first, for the length. I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you so much for reading. Reviews are much appreciated. I try to respond them all. Warning: slight dubcon in this chapter.

Robin is just content having Regina in his arms.

They are currently seated side by side on the hardly used couch in front of the TV that neither of them is actually watching, in the mayoral mansion.

The brunette woman is unable to relax, she is incredibly tense. She struggles internally to come to terms with the fact that this man is her soul-mate. Is this really how it's supposed to feel with your soul-mate?

She would rather just have sex and send him home than sit with him all night pretending to be comfortable. But what she truly wishes, though she is not ready to admit to herself, is to be in Emma's arms. She has never, in any realm, felt that level of comfort with another person.

Emma can't explain it; she's had a really weird feeling all night. It's an uneasy, nauseated feeling. She can't stop thinking about Regina. That is nothing new, but this feeling is new. And, she doesn't like it one bit.

Maybe I should check on her. I really want to talk to her. I'm going to see if she's alright.

Regina's phone begins to vibrate from inside her purse on the coffee table, sending Robin into hysterics as he's about to make his move. Talk about cock blocker.

"Bloody hell!"

"Shit, Robin, I'm sorry! It's my cell."

"I'm still getting used to that."

She rises from her seated position to retrieve her phone, saying, "I forgot that I left it on vibrate during the meeting today."

"That's alright."

Her heart immediately starts pounding as she reads a new message from Emma Swan.

Hey.

She's thinking about me!

"Who is it?" After receiving no response, he inquires again. "Regina?"

"Oh…uh…it's Henry."

"Do you need to call him back?"

"I'm sorry. This will only take a minute."

"Take your time," the frustrated man replies.

Emma is entirely relieved to see Regina's beautiful face show up on her caller ID. She cheerfully greets, "Hey," as she stands from her seated position, next to Henry, and walks into the kitchen.

It quickly becomes evident that Emma's suspicions were correct. She can hear the agitation in Regina's voice when she says, "Emma."

"Is everything alright?"

Hearing that, Mary-Margaret's interest is piqued from the next room.

I can't tell her the truth. "Everything's fine." Regina attempts to sound natural.

Emma begins pacing the short length of the kitchen. "I just…I hadn't heard from you in a while and I wanted to make sure that you're alright."

Regina hesitates. "I'm fine."

The blond woman stops in her tracks, alarmed by Regina's insistence and short responses. "Regina. What's wrong?"

Emma's sympathetic voice has become the older woman's weakness. You're so good me. Why are you so good to me? "Emma…" She barely stops herself from breaking down on the phone.

The younger woman switches to panic mode. "What happened?"

What am I doing? I can't tell her how I feel. "I…I have to go."

"No, wait! Regina! Talk to me." Maybe I can help.

She's so wonderful. "Can I see you?"

"What?" That was unexpected.

This is a bad idea, but I have to see her. "Just for a few minutes."

The younger woman announces, "I'll be right over."

She can't! "No, wait! I'll come to you."

"Okay," she responds with uncertainty in her voice.

"Are you in your bedroom?" Please say yes.

She looks around for a minute before answering. She has a clear view of her family seated around the ridiculously small television. Seriously, they couldn't have gotten something a little bigger? Snap out of it Swan, your girlfriend needs you.

"Um…yeah," she blankly replies. What the hell did I just agree to?

"I'll be right over."

Mary-Margaret's voice rises above the action of the movie that is currently playing. "Is everything alright?"

"Uh…yeah." She strides back into the living room, announcing, "Hey, guys, I'm gonna turn in."

"Are you feeling alright?" David inquires.

"I'm just really tired," she lies. "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

Her mother replies, "Alright, honey."

"Goodnight, kid," the young mother says, kissing her son on the top of his head.

"'Night, Mom," Henry replies

"Enjoy the rest of the movie," Emma says, as she begins her assent up the staircase.

Upon entering her room, a thought occurs to her. This place looks like shit. I really should clean before my girlfriend gets here. What the hell am I wearing? Why didn't I take a shower this afternoon? Shit, there's no time. At least, I should change my clothes.

"Is everything alright?"

"Robin, I'm sorry. Henry had a really rough day at school and…"

"I understand. Go take care of your boy. I'll be right here when you get back."

Damnit, I really hoped you'd be gone.

When Regina arrives in a puff of purple smoke, she is stunned to see Emma bustling around the room in only a bra and sweatpants.

The surprised woman remarks, "That was quick."

Regina rushes to the half-naked woman and begins furiously kissing her. Normally Emma would have no problem with Regina's advances, but tonight is different. Something is obviously very wrong. In between smothering kisses, Emma manages, "Regina."

"No talking." She swiftly relieves Emma of her bra.

This isn't right. Where's my Regina? "Regina." Regina grips the younger woman with unnecessary force and attempts to silence her with ruthless kisses. The fierceness of her actions results in injuring the younger woman. She cries out.

That sobers the queen immediately, she halts her advances. She knew she had gone too far, but this becomes painfully obvious when she sees Emma's bleeding lip. She had accidentally bitten it in her haste. The older woman suddenly feels the urge to vomit. What have I done? I hurt her. She's only been wonderful to me and I harmed her. She'll never trust me again. With tears welling in her eyes, she whispers "Emma."

"Emma? Honey, are you alright?" Mary-Margaret's voice can be heard from the bottom of the stairs.

The startled woman hold's Regina's gaze as she replies, "I'm fine, Mom. I just stubbed my toe," attempting to naturalize her tone.

"I'm sorry," Regina says silently as she starts to weep.

The younger woman carefully advances toward Regina and gently grasps her heaving shoulders. The queen is too ashamed to meet Emma's concerned gaze. "Talk to me. Please."

"It's no use, Emma."

"What's no use?" asks the concerned blond.

Regina continues to sob uncontrollably.

"Hey." Emma immediately embraces the very emotional brunette and gently begins rubbing her back. "Okay. It's okay."

Regina lets herself be comforted by the caring, amazing woman in front of her. She instinctively wraps her arms around Emma's thin frame. Emma doesn't mind that her neck and chest are now wet from Regina's tears, what matters is that she has her Regina back. She continues to soothe the older woman. "What's wrong, baby?"

Regina wishes she could tell Emma the truth. She feels like she will suffocate if she doesn't tell Emma the truth soon. What comes out of her mouth is not exactly the truth, but it isn't a lie. She whispers, "Everything."

The blond woman sighs in defeat. She is entirely at a loss for how to help the woman she loves. She does the only thing within her power at that moment. She continues to console Regina with her calming voice and warm embrace. She whispers, "It's okay. I've got you. Everything's going to be alright."

Why is she so good to me? I don't deserve her love. "Emma…"

"It's okay."

Once she has calmed slightly, Regina lifts her head off Emma's shoulder to meet her eye. "I hurt you."

"I've survived much worse. Trust me," she honestly states.

That admission affects Regina profoundly. She wastes no more time and uses her magic to heal the woman who has stolen her heart. "Does that feel better?"

"Yeah. Thanks." She smiles sincerely.

"You're welcome." Regina returns the honest smile.

"Are you okay?"

With tears in her eyes, she shakes her head, and replies, "No."

Emma closes the space between them once again and begins softly kissing the woman she loves. Regina melts into Emma's deepening kisses and wraps her arms around the younger woman's half-naked form once again.

After a couple of minutes of their incredibly hot make-out session, Regina feels the zipper of her dress being pulled down. The next thing she feels is the younger woman's hands sliding the straps of the dress off her shoulders and down her arms.

After a seeming agonizingly long time, Emma finally finishes removing the dress by sliding it over Regina's hips and letting it fall to the floor.

"I know something's bothering you."

Regina closes her eyes in ecstasy when she feels Emma's lips travel down her chin.

"And, I don't know if there's anything I can do to help."

She trembles slightly at feeling the younger woman whisper against her neck.

Emma lightly holds the dazed brunette's waist and travels behind her, now focusing her kisses on the back of Regina's neck and the tops of her shoulders.

"But, I am going to try to take your mind off it…"

Regina can feel Emma's hot breath behind her ear as she begins sucking on the lobe, causing a flood in Regina's underwear. If that wasn't enough, she feels Emma's bare breast press against her back which nearly causes the older woman to come undone.

"…if you'll let me."

She hears herself gasp.

"Shhhhh. You don't want my parents to interrupt us," Emma whispers in Regina's ear, sending a chill down the older woman's spine.

"I really wish you wouldn't talk about your parents when we're having sex."

"I forgot that's a turn off for you," Emma smiles against Regina's adorable ear. "Let me warm you back up." She begins nibbling and sucking on it again, at the

same time unhooking the older woman's bra. "You won't be needing this," Emma says as she slowly slides the straps down Regina's bare shoulders.

The brunette woman's breathing becomes more erratic.

"Just relax, Regina. I'm going to make you forget everything that's bothering you."

Emma takes her time, letting eager hands reacquaint themselves with the fullness of Regina's perfect breasts. She hears the brunette woman moan.

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, but you really need to keep it down."

Desiring more, Regina raises her arms to grant Emma easier access. This new position allows the younger woman to angle herself in a way that allows her to meet Regina's eager lips.

"I love the way you kiss," Regina breathlessly admits.

Of course she'd heard it before, but she knows that she will never tire of hearing Regina say it.

She snakes her hands down to the waistband of Regina's panties and begins to tease the older woman.

"Emma, please," Regina begins. She is in a complete haze of ecstasy and desire.

"Do you think of me when you're touching yourself?

"Yes," the older woman whispers

"I was hoping you'd say that." She's not teasing any more.

Regina had had many sexual experiences in the past with men and woman, but none compared to Emma Swan. The way she touched her was beyond anything she'd ever felt before or would ever feel again. She is suddenly snapped out of her trance.

"I broke up with Killian last night," Emma whispers in the panting woman's ear.

"Emma…you shouldn't have done that."

She halts her movements, unsure of whether she heard correctly. "What?"

DAMNIT!

The exceptionally frustrated woman breaks away from Emma's grasps, and continues to explain as she slides her thong back on. "Emma…we are not in a relationship." She locates her discarded bra, slides it on, and secures the hooks in the back.

The younger woman just stands utterly still, completely shocked, wondering what the hell just happened. "Well…not yet. We are not in a relationship…yet. But, I want to be." She summons the courage to say the most important words that will ever come out of her mouth. "I can't believe I'm gonna say this; I didn't plan on telling you tonight. Regina, I…"

"Please, Emma, please don't finish that sentence. I have to go." She finishes zipping her dress and prepares to leave. Before she can make her escape, she notices that Emma has moved to sit on the edge of her bed, she looks sadder than the queen has ever seen her or ever wants to see her again. She can barely make out what the younger woman says next.

The blond woman's timid voice cracks as she asks, "Why do you keep pushing me away?"

I broke her heart. "Emma…"

"He's waiting for you. Isn't he?" she calmly asks.

Before Regina knows what's happening, tears are clouding her vision and burning her eyes. She makes the admission, "Yes." She attempts to lessen the force of the blow. "Emma, I…"

It pains her, but Emma confidently states, "I can't see you anymore."

"Emma-"

Glassy blue eyes finally meet equally glassy brown eyes. "Do me a favor…don't call me again," she says with a serious tone.

"I'm sorry," Regina weakly responds.

"Just go," she flatly directs.

Now a sobbing mess, Regina leaves in puff of purple smoke. She goes to the one place where she can always find refuge, her vault.

She couldn't tell you how long she'd been laying there, only that the cold floor was the only thing grounding her. She is currently lost in thought about a certain blond, when her cell phone begins to vibrate, snapping her out of her bleak reality.

"Robin." Her voice is scratchy after a solid hour of crying.

"Regina! Darling, where are you?"

"My vault," she automatically replies.

"I don't understand. Why did you go to the vault? Regina? What's the matter?"

When he receives no response, he assumes the worst.

"Hang on, Regina. I'm on my way."

She had no energy to argue. She has nothing left.

When Robin arrives, he witnesses a sight that makes his blood run cold.

"Darling!" He rushes to Regina's side

"Robin, I'm sorry." She starts to cry again, as Robin gently guides her to a standing position.

She immediately wraps her arms around him for support and comfort. "What's wrong? Why are you apologizing? What happened?"

"Please don't leave me," she whispers.

Robin is thoroughly confused by his girlfriend's sudden breakdown. He attempts to reassure her. "Darling, I'm not going anywhere. I love you. I would walk through fire for you."

"Why are you so good to me?"

"What? I told you, I love you," he says, hugging her tighter.

"I love you too," she responds without thinking.

"What happened?"

Even though it's not the whole truth, the admission is still painful. "Emma…and I had a fight."

"I'm so sorry," he responds sincerely.

"She's never going to talk to me again." It's a legitimate fear.

"Everything will be alright. You'll see. This is Emma we're talking about."

"I'm a horrible person."

Robin adjusts his position so he can meet Regina's eyes. "You're not. You're a good person. You're my favorite person."

"Why do you love me?" she asks honestly.

"You gave me the greatest gift, Regina. You made me feel something I haven't felt since Marian's death. Alive. With you, I'm alive again."

That struck a chord.

Maybe it was loneliness that motivated her. It could have be any number of things. Before she knows what she is doing, she says it.

"Marry me."

"What?" an entirely surprised Robin asks, to make certain he heard correctly.

She already said it, might as well commit. "Marry me, Robin. I want to be your wife."

"You mean it?" the overjoyed dope asks.

All she can manage is a nod and a timid smile at this point.

"You have made me the happiest man alive." He embraces her again.

Well, at least one of them is happy.

########

"Sheriff Swan, can we talk?"

They young sheriff doesn't bother to meet her visitor's eye as she responds, "Unless this is about the town, I have nothing to say to you."

Regina gulps down the lump in her throat before inching closer to the sheriff's desk. She carefully explains, "You told me not to call."

"Fine," the young woman barks. She closes the file she had been pretending to read and slams it on the desk, startling the older woman slightly with her brusque manner. With a hostile tone, she asks, "What?"

Emma's sudden outburst catches the mayor entirely off guard. Her eyes betray her, imagining the hatred this woman must have for her. "Please," she gulps back her tears "can I just apologize?"

The younger woman is determined to be as cold as possible toward her former lover. "Save it, Regina." Her retort is laced with contempt.

"I feel horrible," the emotional woman admits.

"Is that why you came here? To make yourself feel better?" Her rage is growing by the second. "You don't care about me. You never did."

"That's not true!" She shouts. She can no longer fight the tears that spill from her eyes.

Emma was determined to present a gruff exterior. Unfortunately for her, the older woman's tears are her kryptonite.

She softens. "I'm done fighting, Regina."

"Emma…"

"Please don't make this any harder than it already is," she says, avoiding the mayor's eyes.

"Is everything alright in here?" David asks, upon entering the station.

"Everything's fine. Regina was just leaving."

#######

As he descends the staircase with his backpack, Henry is alarmed by a sound that immediately turns his stomach inside-out. It is unmistakable. His mother is crying. He'd seen her cry before, but never in his life had he heard crying like this. He follows the sound to the kitchen, where his mother stands over the sink, with her face buried in her hands.

He approaches her slowly, desperately wishing to comfort her. Afraid that he won't be able to, he hesitates. Then, he finds his voice. "Mom?"

Suddenly brought back to the present moment, Regina remembers her most important role in life, mother. She quickly wipes the tears away before turning to face her son. "Henry."

It's Henry's turn to become emotional. "Mom, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, honey."

His pleading eyes fill with tears. His mother knows this look. She is not going to betray her son by lying to him again.

"No. I'm not fine." She falls apart.

He rushes to her and envelopes her in a protective embrace. "Mom."

When did my little boy become this young man? "Henry."

He just holds her, anchoring her to the present. "What is it, Mom?"

My little prince. "It's nothing for you to worry about, sweetheart." She gently takes his chin in her hand and looks him in the eye before continuing. "Hey. I love you."

"I love you too." He throws his arms around her once again. Instinctively she begins to rock him.

They remain this way for a minute, before breaking their hug.

Regina places a kiss on her almost too tall son's forehead. "Have a good day at school, honey. I'll see you…on Monday."

"See you Monday." He begins to leave, but before reaching the door, he turns back. "Mom?"

"Yes?"

"You know you can call me. Right? If you want to talk, you can call me. I'll come home if you need me to."

"Thank you, Henry."

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too."

########

How long does it take pour a cup of coffee into a "to go" cup? The queen has been kept waiting more than a minute, without service and she is growing impatient.

The bell over the entrance of Granny's Diner chimes, alerting everyone present to a new customer's arrival.

When Regina, out of curiosity, turns to see who has entered the establishment her attitude makes a sudden shift. I would wait a thousand years just for a chance to see her again.

"Emma," the grateful woman whispers.

"Regina." Obviously the younger woman is as surprised as Regina.

Did they honestly think they could avoid each other that long? It's a small town.

"Can I…buy you breakfast?" Please stay, Emma.

"I have to go." The blond woman makes a swift exit, before becoming an emotional wreck.

Regina leaps out of her seat to chase after the woman who has become her obsession, leaving the forgotten coffee behind. She calls out as she chases her, "Emma, wait!"

After putting some distance between them and the diner, the younger woman halts her movement and turns to address her pursuer. Only, the queen wishes she hadn't. Emma's face is freshly streaked with tears.

I did that. I made her cry. Why can't I just leave her alone?

"What do you want?" Emma's tone of voice is hopeless. She is desperate to escape Regina's advances.

I don't want to hurt her anymore. But, I need to make things right. "Can we just talk?"

"Talk about what?" I'm so tired of doing this.

Honestly, it would have been better if Regina had planned what she was going to say before getting into this position. Instead she goes to her failsafe question. "Are you okay?" Only, that was not a good idea.

"Yeah, I'm great," Emma flatly responds.

Okay, that didn't go over so well. I know she doesn't want to hear this. But what else can I say? "I'm sorry."

"I really don't want to hear it Regina." I am so tired.

Regina summons the strength to say something she never believed she would hear herself say to another person as long as she lived. "What can I do to make things right between us?"

Emma has stopped caring. She responds with sarcasm in her tone, "How about, go back in time…and show some restraint."

That one hurt. That really hurt. She hates me.

She is sincere this time as she asks, "Did you have any idea what that would do to me?"

"I didn't think," Regina, honestly replies.

"I knew when we started we agreed that this was just sex. But that's the problem. This was never just about sex for me. I fell in love with you, Regina. I was foolish enough to believe that you actually had feelings for me too."

How deep is she going to drive this sword? The pain is too much. Regina responds numbly, "I never meant to hurt you."

It's convenient for Emma that she cannot feel the force of her own words. Emotionless, she states, "Well. You did."

All Regina wants to do right now is crawl in hole and die. She'd be better off without me in her life.

"I'll understand if you don't want to see me anymore," she solemnly states.

Even though she was the one who made the admission, nothing could have prepared her for Emma's response.

"I think that's best," the younger woman calmly agrees.

########

"Mom?"

Henry had been listening to his mother cry for close to twenty minutes before summoning the courage to intervene. He had quietly, carefully, and slowly made his decent to the kitchen where his blond mother is seated at the table. Her face had been hidden, covered by her arms.

At hearing her son's voice her face reemerges. It is still recognizable, though slightly altered by countless hours of crying.

"Hey, kid," she shakily responds.

The concerned teenager asks, "Mom, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Henry. My allergies are bothering me; that's all."

Not buying it for one second, Henry considers another tactic. "Is this about Mom?"

"What?" She was not prepared for her son's bluntness. But, they'd always had a special relationship, one that allowed them to talk freely with each other. Maybe it was the fact that they had met each other later in life. No matter. Henry had grown tired of feeling helpless against his mothers' depression. He had decided to confront the issue and he is determined to stick with his decision.

"Come on, Mom. I know you've been avoiding her. I also know you've been crying yourself to sleep at night."

She sees no point denying. "I'm sorry, Henry. I'm sorry you had to hear that.

"It's about Mom. Isn't it?"

He is our son. I might as well tell him the truth. "Yeah," she soberly admits.

Realizing that he has made progress, even though it is only the beginning, Henry continues, "Are you two fighting again?"

I can't tell him the whole truth. "Not exactly," Emma warily states.

Henry is not about to let up now. He asks more specific question. "What is it? Why won't you talk to her?"

"It's a little complicated, Henry." She heard herself say it. She had just given her son the go-to parent answer.

Of course he is not about to accept that. No more fooling around. "Did you two have sex?"

"Henry!" Whoa! Whoa! This is not okay.

"What? I'm a teenager. I know about sex," Henry confidently admits.

"How much do you know?"

Oh, that look. She must've learned it from Regina, the disapproving mother look. Even with her limited experience being a parent she had mastered that look. It's the kind of look that sends an immediate surge of dread through Henry's body.

He quickly tries to assure his mother. "Don't worry! Not that much! I have zero first-hand experience."

"Let's keep it that way." She doesn't have to threaten, that tone of voice is enough to keep Henry a virgin for the next five years at least.

Not wanting to push his luck, Henry cautiously asks, "Did you and Mom have sex?"

"Henry, your mom's and my private life is none of your business." She is determined to remain impenetrable, even against her son's tactics.

"I'm your son." Except that one.

She attempts to remain defiant. "And we're your parents."

"You two had sex. Didn't you?"

Damn this kid is good. He must get it from me. Her façade had been broken down. There is nothing left for her to do except tell the truth. "Yeah…we did." Surprisingly, that admission brings her instant relief. So, she continues, "I was worried that things would get weird between us and they did."

"Have you talked to her at all?"

It's so nice to have someone to talk to about this. "We had a fight."

"I hate it when you guys fight."

The realization hits. Though his mothers had never been married, they behave like divorced parents. Henry was in a custody battle at the age of ten. This kid has had it rough.

"I hate it too," she admits.

"Do you love her?" It's a simple enough question. But, it resonates with Emma.

"I love her so much. I didn't know it was even possible to love someone other than you this much."

"You need to tell her," Henry implores.

How is this kid so amazing? "Henry, do you want your mom and me to be together?"

"You are both my moms and I'm the True Love of both of you. It just makes sense. We're a family."

Truer words had never been spoken. In that moment, Emma realizes that her son is right. They do make sense.

"I love you Henry."

"I love you too."