A/N: This story was supposed to be only a one-shot. But after requests for more and the fact I forgot to switch the story over to complete and left it as 'In-Progress' You now get what you want... more. ;) One guest reviewer did have a slight constructive criticism and I tried to take that into account when doing this next chapter. I do hope this is to your liking. Enjoy. Reviews are always welcome.

Chapter 2

Pulling themselves from the kiss, the atmosphere within the car became still once more. Emma glanced down and slowly took Regina's hand within hers, caressing her thumb over the brunette's knuckles. "So, what do we do now?" Emma wondered aloud. She had thrown herself out there with the kiss and while Regina had seemed to express interest in return, Emma knew nothing was ever easy especially in Storybrooke and especially when others were involved. Regina was contemplating, looking out toward the direction of the cemetery and her family crypt, not knowing quite where to start. When the brunette didn't answer, Emma stole a glance up at her and noticed where she was looking. Of course she still has feelings for him, idiot. Emma berated herself, doubt beginning to lace it's vile web with precision, targeting her at her weakest point. "You should probably get back to him." She removed her hand from the other woman's and shifted to sit back in her seat, staring forward as she gripped the steering wheel once again; she needed something to keep her grounded and her emotions in check. Now was not the time for her magic to catch her off guard and rage out of control.

Regina immediately noticed the loss the moment Emma took her hand away, as though a part of her had somehow been taken with it. She turned and watched the blonde intently, wondering what had suddenly changed. "I can sense your magic flaring again. What's wrong? Why did you move your hand from mine?"

The blonde blinked a few times before looking down at her hands, releasing them from the steering wheel. She had not noticed the magic this time, lapping at the edges of reality, her mind had been too preoccupied to pay attention; she thought she had it under control. Emma could tell it was craving its release to explore its new found strength and her fear of loss was only making it worse. "Sorry. It's nothing." She flexed her fingers a couple times making sure everything was alright before placing them in her lap, then shifted her gaze to the other woman. Regina glared at her with eyes narrowed, making it quite evident that she wasn't going to let Emma get away with that answer. "Fine. You didn't answer and then, well, I saw you looking toward where you left forest boy. I just…" Emma turned away again and rubbed her forehead with her hand, feeling a headache settling in.

Regina continued to regard the other woman with concern. She knew all too well the fight or flight mode she sensed the blonde was in; she had been there far too many times herself. "Emma, what just happened is a lot to take in." The blonde felt a touch of calm wash over her at the sound of Regina calling her by name, not Miss Swan like she usually spoke, but Emma. Strange that something so small and seemingly insignificant to most could do such a thing, but it did. It always had.

Emma let out a small huff of annoyance at herself and relaxed back in her seat a bit, staring up at the roof of the car. "I know, and didn't exactly have the best timing." She spoke softly, letting her head roll to the side to look over at Regina and finding a pair of tender satin brown eyes gazing back at her.

"Well, picking the wrong time does seem to be something you're quite good at." Regina teased as she brought her hand up to brush a wisp of blonde hair away from Emma's face before tracing her jawline with the lightest touch, the small act causing a faint smile to play upon the blonde's lips. Emma reached up and held Regina's hand, turning her head just the slightest to place a kiss upon her palm.

Regina gave a deep sigh as she closed her eyes, not wanting to end the moment but knowing it needed to be… for now. "I should probably get back to Robin so he doesn't worry and come looking."

Emma reluctantly let go of her hand, knowing it needed to be done. "What are you going to tell him? I mean, unless you're still…" Regina silenced the blonde's doubt with her thumb as it brushed across her bottom lip before leaning in and kissing her.

"I honestly don't know what I am going to tell him." Regina whispered as the kiss broke, letting her forehead rest against Emma's a few moments before pulling back. "You and I will discuss whatever has just transpired between us, but later." She placed a light kiss upon Emma's cheek before turning to open her door and exit the car. Just before she closed the door, she paused and ducked her head back inside. "Would you stop by the manor later?"

"Um. Yeah, okay." Emma nodded in affirmation. Regina gave a somber smile before moving to shut the door and head back toward the cemetery. The blonde let out the breath she didn't know she was holding as she watched Regina walking off into the distance, then leaned her head against the headrest in thought. Her feelings were actually out there, the guard that she had put into place so long ago was no longer up; her walls she had perfected in building over the years were down and now she felt extremely vulnerable. She brought her hand up and brushed her fingers across her lips, remembering Regina's upon hers. Well, she didn't kill me. That's a good sign, right? But where will it go from here? Whether she had truly realized it or not at the time, she had given Regina her heart; the woman that had a vault full of them and had crushed those who had hurt her, now possessed Emma's. Perhaps not physically like the others but emotionally, and sometimes that can be just as damaging if crushed.

Letting out a long sigh, Emma pulled herself together and started her car. Her magic seemed to be in control at that moment and she needed to get out of there before she became some whimpering lost pup. That wasn't her. What she needed was a drink, or two. She stepped on the gas a little harder than she had intended as the wheels spun on the gravel before the car lurched forward, kicking the pebbles up in it's wake.

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Regina came to a stop as she arrived in front of the Mills family crypt. Her gaze drifted over the architecture as she took a moment to become lost in her thoughts. What do I do, daddy? She questioned to the void in her heart as she wrapped her arms around herself. She still missed her father dearly, the one person in her life that simply wanted her happy and she had taken his life all those years ago for just that… a chance at happiness, but at a great and terrible cost in the end. Her mind had been so clouded and filled with vengeance and hate back then, wanting others to suffer as she had, it consumed her. But through being a mother to Henry she learned there was more to fight for, better things, than the darkness that had almost won. She now found herself truly at the doorway to her fate; a man who was foretold through pixie dust all those years ago, or a woman who came into her life only a few years back and helped change her into the person she now was and to whom she shares a son. Taking in a deep breath and exhaling it slowly, she entered the crypt and began her descent upon the stairs to find Robin.

Robin was sitting there looking around the room, debating whether to leave or stay, when he heard footsteps coming down the steps. "Regina?" He called out as he went to stand, the woman in question soon coming into view. "Are you alright?" He asked, noting the less than pleased demeanor from her and thoughtful expression. "I'm fine, Robin." Regina answered him back quietly as she moved to look at the portion of her vault that had been damaged from the earlier confrontation, her back to him. She couldn't look at him, not yet. She realized at that point that no matter her choice, someone was going to be hurt by it and she needed just a moment to collect herself to deal with whatever the outcome. She cared for both Emma and Robin, but there was only one she had come to realize in her heart… she actually loved.

Robin scrunched his brow as he took a step toward her, his arm outstretched in intent to place his hand on her shoulder. "So did you find Miss Swan? Was she able to give you an explanation?" His hand came to rest on her shoulder just at the base of her neck, giving a gentle massaging motion in hopes of helping her. Regina remained quiet, not turning to look at him, her arms wrapped around her as she moved out of his touch; Robin immediately dropped his hand away to give her the space she apparently wanted. "Regina, talk to me."

"I think we need to end this." She stated somberly as she finally turned to look at him, seeing the look of confusion and slight hurt behind his eyes.

"What?" Robin scrunched his face, trying to make sense of her words. "End... us?" He moved into her personal space, taking her hands in his. "I know I've had a hard time coming to terms with my feelings between you and Marian and it has hurt you, which I never wished to do. But I can't deny that this..." He moved their hands to place hers over his chest. "My heart. It is yours. I...I love you. Please tell me what happened out there that changed you against me."

Regina looked down at their hands, her brow furrowed in sadness at the pain she was sure she'd cause. Though it was true he had hurt her, she no longer wished to be that person who wanted revenge. She gingerly removed her hands from his and brought them down. "Someone just made me realize I deserve to be more than someone's second choice. That maybe I wasn't truly in love with you but instead with the idea of being loved again, that I accepted without much thought. It was what I had wanted for so long, to be loved and accepted. That's fair to neither you nor I. It feel that perhaps I was blinded by pixie dust from long ago, but I'm seeing quite clearly now and I refuse to let that past now dictate my happiness."

"No, Regina." Robin moved to take her hands once more but she flinched away. "Regina, I'm here. We had found each other. You're not my second choice. Please tell me how I can fix this. You're..."

Regina brought her hand up to stop his lament. "You're not listening." She furrowed her own brow in hurt. "I don't love you as you love me. And besides that, you went back to your wife because you were a honorable man and I respected that, despite how bad it hurt. And now you're willing to give up your honor so you can be with me? The one thing that makes you a good man." Robin scrunched his face again and was about to interrupt but the look on Regina's face caused him pause. "You would lose it because of me. Do you realize how that sounds?"

"Regina, I…" He dropped his shoulders in slight defeat, knowing she was right.

"How do you think that would make me feel in the end? Truly, I want to know." Regina's voice gradually began to raise in volume as a small touch of anger she didn't know was there began to brew. Catching herself as she felt her hands balling into fists, she paused and calmed herself. "I would just see myself as a monster all over again. I don't want to be that person anymore. I can't go back to that again." Her voice was softer and almost broken as she said the words.

"I didn't think of it like that. Regina, please believe me when I say that I would never want to hurt you like that." Robin pleaded gently. Regina looked into his eyes and knew he was telling the truth, which only made what she had to say next all the more difficult. "I know you had good intentions but… I just can't." She stepped to him and cupped his cheek gently. "Go to your wife, to your son. They need you. And deep down inside, you know you need them as well." She stroked his cheek with her thumb. "I'm not going to let some pixie dust so many years ago dictate who is for me." She leaned in and placed a soft kiss on his other cheek before pulling back and dropping her hand away. "I'm sorry. But I am choosing to be in charge of my own destiny."

Robin felt his heart clench at her words but made no motion to add his own at first. Her choice had been made, that was clear. He stood there a moment before hesitantly taking her hand into his own and bringing it up to place a kiss upon the back of it then looked into her eyes. "I hope Miss Swan will make you happy then." A surprised look came upon Regina's face at the man's knowledge of such, causing a smile to finally show up on Robin's. "Come now, your majesty. I may not be the sharpest man and perhaps a bit slow at understanding, but between Miss Swan's outburst and your change of heart, or perhaps clarity of heart as it were, after speaking with her, it is the only thing that could truly come as an explanation." He leaned in and gave her a chaste kiss upon the lips. "You do deserve happiness, Regina. And if Miss Swan has been the one to make you see that then she's truly special. But know you will always have a place in my heart." He kissed her once more before bowing out and leaving her to be. Regina moved to collapse upon the stone, sitting there as she let soak in what had just taken place. Am I making the right choice?

The bell above the door chimed as Emma walked into the diner, finding an unoccupied seat at the counter and planting herself there. "Emma. What can I get for you?" Granny smiled at the blonde as she came out of the back.

"A beer. Or four." Emma sighed as she shrugged off her jacket and placed it down next to her.

"That bad huh?" The older woman reached for a glass and began filling it with the amber liquid. "Well, I'm sure you already know your parents have been looking for you, along with a few others." She finished and set the glass down in front of Emma.

The blonde said nothing as she grabbed the glass and almost downed the drink in one take. She really didn't want to deal with her family or anyone else for that matter. Granny's eyes rose as she watched before making another without question. By the time she was done, Emma had already finished off the first. Taking the empty glass, Granny set the new full one in front of her. "Want to tell me what's going on in that head of yours?"

Emma took a generous sip of the new beer before answering the older woman. "Besides the fact my magic keeps going out of control and I broke a wall out of a building? Or maybe the incident where I almost hurt David and Killian?"

"Well that would definitely deserve a drink, or two. I'll agree with you there, but I've seen you deal with worse." She reached out and patted Emma's hand in understanding before moving to take her glass and fill it once more. "Those aren't the real reasons for your little afternoon beer fest though, are they?" She gave a knowing look over her glasses at Emma before handing her drink back to her.

"No, they're not." She sighed and took the offered drink and sipped it more slowly that time before setting it down, keeping her hand on it as she stared at the contents in thought. "I just made a rash decision and took a huge risk; I still don't know if it was a mistake or not. I wasn't thinking and before I knew it I... " Emma caught herself and cleared her throat instead. "Look, all I know is it's either going to change everything, or hurt like hell." She ran her finger along the lip of the glass.

Though Emma hadn't exactly said who or what the decision was about, Granny assumed she knew. "I think it'll end up just fine." She commented, causing Emma to lift her gaze to look at her as Granny gave a small wink. "Even though we've all had our differences with her, I can't deny Regina's changed." She reached out and patted Emma's hand as she leaned in to speak lower. "And I think deep down inside she knows it's because of you and Henry." Granny smiled and gave the blonde's hand a light squeeze before moving away. "Don't lose that hope of yours." She finished, flipping her towel over her shoulder.

Emma furrowed her brow and looked down a minute shaking her head in confusion, wondering how the older woman knew. "How did you…" She went to ask but the older woman cut her off with a small chuckle.

"Dear, I learn quite a lot about this town, owning this little diner. And I've also noticed the looks." She gave a wink and went to grab some dirty plates down at the other end of the counter.

Emma watched her and was about to ask more when the bell above the door chimed. She glanced back toward the door and groaned inwardly when she saw it was Killian. I seriously don't need this right now. She turned away and grabbed her beer to down the rest of it, then lifting her glass to Granny, a silent plea for another one.

"There you are Swan." Killian stated as he sauntered over to the counter where the blonde sat. Granny stole a glance over at the pirate, noting the look upon Emma's face as well and shook her head. She reached under the counter and sneaked a shot of whiskey in along with the beer before placing it back in front of Emma. Wiping her hands on her towel, she gave a light pat on Emma's hand once more then excused herself, heading into the backroom.

Killian gave the blonde a welcoming smile as he leaned down to kiss her, but Emma brought her hand up to place it on his chest and gave a slight push back, turning her face away from him. "Please, don't." She grabbed her beer and went to take a generous swig and choked, pulling the glass back to look at it. She could have at least given me a warning. Emma shook her head to brush off the surprise then took another sip before setting it down and wiping the edge of her mouth with her finger.

Killian scrunched his brow in confusion at her reaction to him and sat down next to her. "Something wrong?" He asked, reaching to place his hand over hers, but she moved it away before he could and his concern only grew. "Is it because of earlier? Look, I know you didn't intend to hurt me. I'm fine." Killian motioned for her to look at him, that he was in one piece. "Besides, you seem to be in control of your magic now, love. I know you're not going to hurt me." He tried to comfort her, moving to place his arm around her but she shrugged it off.

"I can't keep doing this, Killian." Emma stated, turning herself completely toward him so she could face him.

"Do what?" Killian questioned back, cocking his head slightly.

"This, us." She motioned between the two of them. "I have tried to let it work, truly. But… I'm done lying to myself."

"What are you getting at, love? You're making no sense right now. How much ale have you had?" He asked and went to pick up her glass but she snatched it before he could and finished it, putting it down a bit harder than she intended, making him jump a bit. "Look, let me just take you back to your place and we can talk about whatever it is."

Emma growled a little as she stood up and dug in her pocket for her money, setting it on the counter, then grabbed her jacket to shrug it back on. Killian went to stand as well, thinking she was taking his advice as he went to help her with her jacket but she stepped out of his reach. "I have to go." Emma snapped and brushed him off, making her way to the door.

"Swan, wait…" He took a step and reached to grab her but she sidestepped and walked out the door, leaving a confused Killian standing in the middle of the diner. "What the bloody hell was that?" He mumbled to himself.

"Emma!" David stated with a smile of relief that she was alright, since last time he saw her she was running away from them with her magic out of control. However, the smile and relief were short lived and replaced with concern once more as he saw her state. "Emma? What's…" His words halted as she rushed past him, all too caught up in her thoughts to stop and deal with anymore people.

"Not now." Emma muttered in irritation as she made her way to her car and fumbled with her keys, even dropping them once. David stood there watching, wondering what was going on with her as Killian came out the door of the diner.

"Swan!" The pirate ran over to the car and went to stand on the passenger side, looking over the hood at her. "Come on, Swan. Don't you think I at least deserve an answer for what I did... though I'm bloody well lost as to what it could be."

"Please leave me alone right now, Killian. Contrary to your ego, not everything is about you." Emma gritted her teeth in anger when she couldn't get the car door open. She could feel her magic flaring again and that meant someone would likely get hurt, and soon.

"Love, I can help if you'd just tell me what's wrong." Killian pleaded, leaned over the car as he rested his arms on the top with his hand over his hook.

Emma sighed and realized she was in no shape to drive with her emotions as they were and began to walk off down the road. Killian went to follow her but she stopped and turned, glaring at him. "I swear you don't know the meaning of 'NO'. And if you don't back off, I fear you're going to be in worse shape than that stupid Robin. Just let me breathe!"

Killian furrowed his brow, wondering what the hell that all meant. "Look just…"

Emma threw up her hands in aggravation, sending the pirate flying backwards and hitting the ground so hard that he skidded a few feet. Emma dropped her hands and looked at them and then to him. She just gave the man a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry. I'm..." Emma sighed in slight defeat then turned on her heels and walked down the street, tears beginning to well up in her eyes.

When all was done, David rushed over to help Killian up. "What was that all about?" He asked as he got the pirate back on his feet. "Wait. Did you do something to her? If you did I swear..."

Killian shrugged out of the other man's help once the accusations started to be thrown at him and looked David in the eye. "Listen, mate. It wasn't me. I am just as confused as you are." David continued to eye him with suspicion before finally taking into account Killian might be telling the truth, giving him a short nod before turning to look in the direction Emma was headed. "She did mention something about Robin though, maybe he knows." The pirate added in as he turned his attentions in the same direction.

"Why would she mention Robin?" David furrowed his brow, trying to make sense of anything that had just transpired.

"Dunno mate. All I know is she said I'd be in worse shape than him if I didn't back off." Killian folded his arms.

David watched until he could no longer see Emma then turned to place a hand on Killian's shoulder. "After what I just saw… you'd probably be wise to do what she says. If she's like Snow, you don't mess with them when they're in that mood. Just let it go. She can take care of herself." He patted him on the shoulder, then turned him around and put his arm around his shoulders. "Come on, first drink is on me. I think after that we both need one."