Part 4

Fire and Rain

Together, the three of them moved along the hidden corridor which Regina revealed quickly behind the potion filled shelf. Emma once again rolled her eyes and said that she should have known she would have that in her basement as well.

"I still can't believe they set fire to my house." The mayor said sharply as her pace quickened.

"Do you believe it was the man we talked to on the radio?" The blonde asked wonder in her tone.

Regina sighed. "If it was, then he has been waiting and watching the house for quite some time."

"So why burn it now?" She exhaled.

The mayor stopped then turned back to the sheriff. "I guess he figured since I knew he would be watching I would also know to never come back here." She responded bleakly.

Emma shook her head sorrowfully, "I'm sorry."

Regina was silent for a moment, and then raised her eyes over Emma's head. "Well time to go topside."

Emma turned around slowly and stared at the old looking rusty latch. "Uh I take it you haven't been down here in awhile." She muttered grasping tightly to the iron clasp and yanking it up. It didn't move so she reaffirmed her footing and with more force she heaved harder upwards. "Shit," she grumbled. "It's stuck."

Regina rolled her eyes. "Do I have to do everything?"

Emma moved out of her way and gracefully waved her hand in the air followed by a tiny curtsey. "By all means your majesty."

Shaking her head the mayor sauntered over to the latch. She rubbed both hands together as if she was warming them up and then grabbed tightly to the clasp and jerked it firmly with all her strength. She used all her body weight and when the lock finally swung free it shot open so fast that it ripped the footing from the brunette right out from under her. She fell forward hard, and landed right on top of the other woman. When she regained her breath she also regained her awareness of where she landed, her body was pressing heavily against the blonde's. The warm curves below her shook her right down to her core, and she immediately knew she needed to move off of her, but her body was telling her something else entirely. Regina gritted her teeth trying to command her body to move and when she lifted her head up she found herself nose to nose with the sheriff. Her lips mere inches from her own and the thought whispered in….Go on you know you want to taste it….. and then the sudden wash of desire tingling along all her nerve endings twisted through her, and for one insane, purely lustful half of a second, she actually considered doing just that and press her lips against the temping ones below hers.

The groan from the blonde below her brought the mayor back. "Regina," she grunted, and her eyes locked with the brown ones above hers. She visibly saw the mayor swallow in her long creamy neck followed by a light blush creeping its way to her cheeks.

"So madam mayor are you going to move off of me, or what?" She muttered in a compressed breath.

Regina rolled quickly off and a second later she was fixing her clothing. She then noticed Henry walking up to poke his head out of the small opening. "Be careful," she said hoarsely and then felt the blonde gently move around her and joined their son looking into the early morning sun above them.

The mayor was going to join them as well, when Emma pounced back into her space. She took a deep breath to settle herself. "Uh you sure you want to see this?" She cringed.

Regina slowly looked to the opening and the feared stricken face from her son she instantly knew it wasn't good. She brushed passed the sheriff and snuck up through the opening by him. She could smell the smoke before she saw the fire.

She collapsed a hand across her mouth to keep her violent gasp from floating out. She felt the presence of Emma by her side, and the tiny hand that held hers as the three of them watched the red flames engulf her home. Rage swirled around the brunette as her dark eyes grew darker and narrowed in on the fire. She took a step forward and flung her hand from Henry's and quickly raised both of them to the sky.

The whirlwind of fury that creased the mayor's forehead was nothing Emma had ever seen before. She watched as Regina spun around summoning things she couldn't make out. Out of nowhere a crash of lightning split through the morning sky, and the world now turned dark from the low shadowy clouds that swirled in all around them. Thunder shook the ground; and a strong gust of wind blew leaves from the trees. Then just like someone turned on the sprinklers rain shot from the sky in a watery flash.

Emma wiped her face from the pelting rain as she watched the flames dwindle down. She pulled Henry into her side as he clenched tightly against her. "She did it, she put the fire out." The blonde uttered in amazement.

Regina watched as the rain she created doused the fire. She then noticed movement on the northeastern side of her house. She looked up at the heavens and clapped her hands together making the storm get stronger and more vicious than it was before. She stumbled back to Emma and Henry. "We need to get out of here." She exhaled, "I saw a group of people, and I think they may have spotted me."

Emma noticed the weakened expression on the mayor's face even though her vision was cloudy from all the rain. "Yes, my car is right over there." She shouted.

Regina shook her head. "No, they will be looking for it." She turned and faced the wooded area. "We go in there." She breathed pointing to the lining of trees, and moved to pick up the back pack she brought with her from the basement. All three of them moved across and down the hill toward the forest.

…..

They began their way across the rough tall wet grass and fallen old trees of the thick forest floor. The storm had lessened and a tiny sliver of sun poked its way through the green foliage above them. Emma regarded the brunette in the dim light, her steady blue green eyes filled with emotion "Here let me take that." She said as she took hold of the back pack from the mayor's hand.

Regina hesitated, and then released the pack over to her. "Thanks," She muttered softly and leaned against the nearby tree. She crossed her arms over her chest to keep her chilled wet self warm. Henry moved in and stood next to her. The tree did supply some shelter from the rain that was drizzling out. She watched him gaze into the distance. She noticed his tiny smile, and slowly moved closer to him to see what he was looking at. The blue sky not too far-off brought in the sunshine making the green vegetation sparkle off the rain to create a glorious rainbow arching over the forest.

He looked up at her when he felt her hand on his shoulder. "Did you do that?"

The corner of Regina's mouth curled up. "Wish I could take credit for that." She paused as she took another glance in its direction. "But I didn't do it." She replied wearily and closed her eyes leaning her head against the tree.

The blonde noticed the glittery rainbow also, but the disheartening expression the mayor had kept Emma's interest. She moved close to her and softly nudged her shoulder against hers. "You okay?"

The mayor slowly opened her eyes, and with a sideways glance replied. "Do I look okay?"

Emma gently shook her head. "Honestly, you look exhausted." She drew in a breath. "You still feeling sick?"

Regina hesitated. "No not sick."

Emma twisted around so she was standing face to face with the brunette. "Then what?"

"I feel it, "She replied in a low hardly audible whisper.

Emma bent her head forward. "Regina, talk to me what do you feel?" She urged.

The mayor narrowed her eyes at the blonde. "The magic." She stated firmly.

The sheriff flicked a small smile at her. "Uh yeah, figured as much with that rain dance you did earlier."

"I had no idea I had any magic left." She paused trying to get her thoughts in order. "I didn't lie to you at the hospital that day." She inhaled as she gazed at Henry then back to Emma. "If I could have, I would have done anything to save his life." Her lip trembled and she had to look away to hide her painful emotions.

Regina felt the warm hand covering hers and she had to look down to make sure it was real and she didn't imagine it. "I believe you." The blonde whispered.

The mayor jerked back as confusion raced across her eyes. "Why?" She demanded.

Emma inched slightly back but kept her hand firmly grasped to the other woman's. She opened her mouth then closed it and then tried again. "Everything has changed; I can't explain any of it. But for some reason I do believe you and I do believe you will not hurt Henry." She breathed and then added in a much quieter voice. "And I know you will not hurt me either."

"Really?" The mayor asked skeptically. "And how do you know that?"

Emma grinned smugly at her, "cuz you had a million chances to do that already."

Regina gave a twisted smug look of her own. "Miss Swan how do you know that I don't have a plan already set into motion?"

"So do you?" Emma asked with what seemed surprise laced in her voice, as she gently inched into the mayor's personal space.

Regina could feel the blonde's sweet breath dance across her lips, and a shiver ran down her spine. "Don't worry my dear…. I promise I have no plans of killing you."

"I'm glad," Emma mumbled, "I guess." She had to swallow a few times to moisten an intensely dry mouth she had from the sexy confident grin the mayor was now giving her.

Henry broke in. "Hey so where do we go now?"

Regina drifted her eyes slowly to her son. "I suppose we need a dry place." She brushed passed the sheriff and began to walk back into the thick brush. "I know just the place."

Emma looked to Henry. "You okay over there?"

The boy nodded. "Yeah this is like a hiking trip." He smiled and ran up to Regina; Emma shrugged as she also swiftly caught up to them both.

…

Shivering, teeth chattering, leaning weakly against the caverns wall, Emma closed her eyes as she huddled her arms around her. Regina flung off her wet jacket and noticed the blonde's trembling legs. The rain began again, and this time she had nothing to do with it. She tried another spell to keep it at bay, but she soon found she must have exerted all she had back at her mansion. She now understood why she felt ill back at her basement. It was the effects of her forgotten power renewing itself back within her. In fact that little rain show she did earlier about drained her completely, and it took all she had to keep walking and to get them all safe. Now she noticed both Emma and Henry shaking from the cold weather.

"It isn't much but it is dry."The mayor said coming closer to Emma and her son. She grasped Henry's hands into her own and rubbed them trying to warm them up. She then slowly gazed up at the chattering teeth above him. Wow how the tables have turned…she thought and knew it was on her shoulders now; she then closed her eyes searching quietly inside herself. Finding the strength and power in her to bring forth the element of fire, and with a snap of her finger she directed it to the nearby rocks, and it shattered with a bright frizz and smoke and all that was left was a warm radiant glow coming from the small pit below them.

"Wow," Emma gasped through a trembling lip, as she watched the fire come to life.

Henry quickly raced to the source of the heat. He raised his hands over it. "Ahh that feels good." He said raising his head up and stared at his mother with a thankful smile that Regina had seen at least a hundred times in his life.

Emma blinked as the face of the mayor abruptly appeared in her view, then felt her warm hands drag her over to the fire. She allowed the brunette to move her closer to the heat of the flames, but the shaking was relentless from the bitter cold.

"You need to get out of those wet clothes." The mayor stated firmly.

Emma's brow fell and she searched around the cave. "I don't see another room in here, and besides I don't have anything to change into."

"That wasn't a suggestion." She hesitated slightly then slowly brought her hand to the zipper of Emma's jacket. "But more like a command dear." She smiled warningly.

Emma shivered. "Henry is right there." She whispered.

A small chuckle ripped through the mayor, "I didn't mean in front of him Miss Swan."

The blonde exhaled a cold rush of relieved air as she watched Regina grab an item from her bag then shook it a few times and it immediately became large. "Come over here." The brunette beckoned for her to come with the little flicker of her well manicured finger. She then held up a large blanket. "There you go, all private."

Emma nodded and began to take off her wet clothes behind the blanket barrier that the mayor held up. She grinned inwardly, "Do you need some help?" Regina offered politely.

The sheriff swallowed hard…did she just ask me if I needed help? Uh getting naked? She didn't answer and just continued peeling her wet clothes off.

"Miss Swan, are you okay?"

"Uh ummm now….uh…. now that I'm stripped of my wet clothing…what am I… "

Regina dropped the blanket to chest level so she could look at the blonde. "What was that?" And her voice faltered when she caught sight of the smooth well toned skin before her. A flush started from the mayor's toes and spread hotly through her entire body, making her glow pink in the dim fire light, from seeing the slope of her breasts. She caught her breath, but didn't pull away. Instead she stepped forward never leaving eye contact from the sheriff and wrapped the blanket gently around her shoulders.

Emma gradually drew her head up to look at the brunette, all though she felt vulnerable and awkward, being this exposed in front of the mayor. The sheriff really had no words as Regina lead her back to the fire. "Thanks," was all she could muster between the shivering and the strange compassion from the other woman.

The brunette studied the sheriff closely noticing her ailing features as she clutched tightly at the blanket that was keeping her warm. Regina didn't understand why she was having all these feelings about her, but she did know she hated seeing her in any discomfort. She inhaled and found she could smell Emma's sweet scent, the fragrance curling around her senses, making her heart speed up and her respiration increase. She dropped her head in her hand and squeezed her eyes shut to bite off her unexplained desire.

Emma saw the distress from the mayor. "You okay?" She asked uncertainly.

Regina ran a hand through her hair. "Yes," She tore her gaze from the blonde and directed it to her son. "You okay Henry?"

He nodded his head. "Yes, I brought a change of clothes in my pack," he said slipping into a dry sweatshirt.

Emma tried to smile through quivering lips. "You taught him well." She said peering over at the brunette. "You guys are surely prepared."

The mayor raised an eyebrow. "I had to be." She replied simply, even though what Emma said meant a lot to her. She cleared her throat and grabbed a few energy bars from her pack. "Well I guess we should have a little lunch."

…..

After they had their lunch, the rain hadn't lessened and it continued to whistle outside the cave. Emma still felt cold, as she huddled closer to the fire. Henry was warm and quickly fell asleep. Regina was looking out into the dark storm, and didn't see it letting up anytime soon. She sighed as she walked back in by the fire. She could see the blonde trying to get comfortable.

"Still cold?" The mayor asked, even though she knew her answer.

The sheriff nodded weakly at the brunette, as she watched her check her clothing that she hung up by the fire to dry. "They're still wet," she muttered softly.

"Why don't you just cast a spell or something to dry them off?" The blonde mumbled back.

Regina quirked any eyebrow slightly. "I would if I could dear. But I'm still getting the magic back. It took all I had to start that fire." She said gazing into the red ambers.

Emma acknowledged what she said but didn't say anything. She felt cold and now a pain had inched its way into her head. The mayor watched her quietly for a few moments then crouched down next to her. She gently slid her hand under Emma's chin and raised her head up. "I guess it is your turn." She sighed, and then brushed her hand softly across the sheriff's brow. "Yep now you're burning up."

"Funny, cuz I'm freezing."

Regina grinned, and then did something that surprised both of them; she flung off her shoes then crawled next to Emma, wrapping herself around the shivering form, hoping that body heat could somehow help warm her chilled weakened body. "Umm, uhh why are you being so nic…" Emma stuttered as her teeth chattered.

Regina stopped her before she could. "Don't you dare say that word Miss Swan." She said sternly, but kept her arms tightly around her. "I'm nothing of the sort." She shot her a look and slightly grinned. "Like you said earlier I'm just trying to help."

Emma closed her eyes. "Oh okay," she said faintly, and began to relax feeling the twinges in her muscles subside from constant shaking. She huddled within Regina's embrace, noticing for the first time in a very long time how great it felt to be held by someone, and from the most unlikely source of all.

…..