Part 8

Where have you been?

"So I guess we need our sleep," Regina said, in her best authoritative tone, "since we need to get to his ship early."

"Yes," Emma agreed with a slight smirk as she watched the mayor make room for her in the bed. "You do know how impossibly hard it will be to actually sleep by you."

The mayor smiled softly. "We've done it before dear."

"Uh yes, but that was before all the yummy kisses we had."

The brunette slowly arched her eyebrow at the sheriff. "So tonight no kisses, we just sleep." She told her as she pulled the covers up around her.

Emma narrowed her eyes in at the other woman, and tried to suppress her laughter. "Ahh hello….if I'm sleeping by you I'm so going to kiss you."

Regina's eyebrow rose slightly. "Oh you think so my dear," she said, faint surprise tinting her tone.

Emma's lips twitched as the mayor's hand reached out for her. She only hesitated for a second before she accepted it, allowing the brunette to pull her into the bed next to her. Emma wrapped her arm around her slender waist, and when she did she immediately felt Regina snuggle into the smooth silk of her throat.

"Oh I see….. I can't kiss you if you hide your lips on my throat." She felt the mayor smile against her neck.

"Maybe," The brunette said quietly, leaning her head back to look up at the sheriff.

So Emma took the opportunity bending slightly, her lips brushing over the queen's. "I guess I was wrong."

Regina grinned before she deepened the kiss, her lips parting, and she explored Emma's mouth hungrily, tasting the desire awaiting her. When they finally parted the mayor replied huskily. "We really need our sleep."

The blonde's breath was labored. "I'm starting to think I should have just slept on the floor." She pulled in a large amount of air trying to smother down the fire that was burning inside her. When the smug grin appeared on the queen, Emma reacted quickly grabbing the mayor's hands. "Don't you dare push me off the bed!"

The brunette looked at her and smiled. "Wouldn't dream of it my dear," she whispered, now entwining her fingers with Emma's.

"Good," Emma said and brought the mayor's palm up to her lips and kissed it gently, just like Regina did earlier. Their eyes met and the intent of the gaze was electric. The blonde knew that the mayor was sexy and could be very seductive, but the passionate expression she was giving her now didn't even compare. Then her beautiful delicate fingers flexed to trace over her lips, it made Emma swallow hard as she watched the dark sultry expression drift lower and with the tiny bounce of her finger the mayor turned over in the bed.

"Go to sleep Miss Swan." The mayor muttered.

The blonde swallowed again and shook her head. "That was just mean." She grinned and leaned down, and kissed Regina gently on the temple, pulling her body close to hers and tucking an arm around her. "Good night my queen."

Regina smiled inwardly and snuggled back against the sheriff. "Sleep well princess."

…..

Emma moved quickly darting through the rich vegetation in front of her using only a small flashlight and the full moon as her guide. She stopped short when she heard the waves crashing against the shore. She knew she was close. She took a breath and closed her eyes knowing that she was alone, and knew deep down this was the only way she could make sure all of her loved ones stayed alive. She knew Hook wanted Henry, but she was convinced she could make him see that he was wrong to take her son away from her.

She was hoping that somewhere in this man stood the person she knew that one single night that changed her entire world. She peered through the green shrubbery noticing the deep depression of the ocean just ahead of her and the smell of salt water filled her nostrils.

Just when she set her gaze to the left she felt a sharp point jab into her kidney. On impulse she flinched sideways trying to move but was only halted with the sharp spear edging farther into her side. "Okay," the sheriff hissed and raised her hands up. "What do you want?"

The response she got surprised her. "Emma?" The cloaked figure grunted.

Now she was confused, she slowly spun around. "In the flesh," she muttered eyes wide.

"Oh my god you are alive!" The hood slowly pulled down and the gleaming happy eyes of Granny appeared. "We've been so worried." She sucked in her lip drawing a tiny sob as she did and pulled the younger woman into her arms.

The blonde relaxed as she hugged the older woman. "What are you doing here?" Emma murmured pulling back and watching the other woman's face fall.

Granny heaved. "We are here watching that ship." She informed her as her eyes drifted to the sea. "Your mother is there." She frowned.

Emma nodded, "I know." She said faintly as she followed her gaze out to the open waters.

Shock laced the old woman's eyes. "How did you know that?" She grabbed the sheriff by the shoulders so she could face her. "And I ask again where have you been? And where is Henry?"

The blonde puffed out. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

Granny grasped the sheriff's upper arms. "Try me." She said firmly never breaking eye contact.

The young woman swallowed, she had no idea where she was going to start. I mean it wasn't everyday you had to explain things like finding the lost boys and of all people, Peter Pan. Not only that they found Neverland, and not to mention who Henry's father is, but the hardest would be explaining the deep connection she had with the one person that everyone wanted to now kill.

Just then noises from behind her stirred her thoughts away and all of a sudden she was standing eye to eye with David, or James, or was it Charming, or her father? Shit if she had a headache before it didn't compare to how her head felt now.

His eyes went soft and compassionate. "Emma," he softly spoke. "You're alive."

Emma's lips thinned and she could only nod, before she found herself being pulled in by his strong arms.

…..

Regina Mills the mayor of Storybrooke and also the evil queen tossed and turned, seeking the elusive void of sleep even as she realized that what she was truly seeking was the warm soft body that cradled her tenderly as she drifted off. She hazily turned grasping the pillow that still bore the delicate fragrance of the beautiful princess that she was now so captivated by. Her eyes immediately fluttered open realizing she was now in bed alone. With an aggravated sigh she sat up and tossed the covers back in search of the blonde in the room somewhere. Finally dropping her bare feet to the cold wood floor she found her way to the window and instantly shot her eyes around the bare ground below.

"Damn it!" She hissed out in the lonely room. "I should have known she would have done this….I must be growing soft." She clenched her teeth and with a whirl she darted across the room and before she even made it to the door she was now clad in black leather suitable only for a queen on a mission. She kinked her head as her hands skirted down her new attire. That's more like it.

She slowly creaked the door open and drifted quietly to Henry. She sighed as she touched a hand to his forehead and watched him sleep. "Henry," she whispered.

"What?' He muffled and half turned his head.

"Wake up; you need to listen to what I'm going to tell you."

He rubbed at his eyes and slightly leaned up. "What's going on?"

"I'm going to be going somewhere, and doing something I'm not quite sure what the outcome may be."

He blinked. "Okay."

Regina took a deep breath, trying to control her fears. She didn't want this to be the last moment she would ever see her son. "I need you to listen to exactly what I say." She watched him nod before she relayed precisely what she wanted him to do.

He swallowed, as a tiny tear fell. "I heard her tell me goodbye, and when I turned over to see what she meant she was already gone."

The brunette grabbed his hand. "I'm going to get her back, this I promise you."

He nodded then asked. "And will you come back?"

She sighed and the corner of her mouth curved slightly. "You are my son, and don't you ever forget that." She said with a playful glare. She kissed his forehead and then took a few steps away from the bed. The queen winked at him before a smoky twist of grays and purples blew in like a heavy mist and in an instant it evaporated and she was gone.

He grinned as he watched her disappear. "My father doesn't stand a chance." He smirked jumping from his bed he quickly got dressed; he knew what his mother told him, but he had a plan all of his own.

…

Emma was whisked into the wooded shelter of the group of the people with whom she once shared the town of Storybrooke. Her hands dangled limply against her sides, as they all gawked wide eyed; as she stood quietly next to Charming. They stared and the silence was painful and for a moment she didn't know where to look.

Finally Red appeared out of nowhere. "Emma, where have you been?" She asked. "As soon as you broke the curse your mother has been worried sick wanting to find you. She walked right into Hook's trap. He claimed he had Henry. Does he?"

The blonde shook her head. "No," she paused gathering her thoughts. She now realized in her search for Regina and their little escapade with Henry, she never once thought anyone would actually worry about her. But yet not only did they worry, they actually were out looking for her. So how in the hell was she going to explain it all to them? She was having trouble finding her voice as they all watched her in wonder. Okay she could do this, right? She was the savior after all….right?

"Henry is just fine." Emma assured sharply.

"So where is he?" James prodded worriedly.

Shit shit shit….they're going to freak when I tell them. The sheriff cleared her throat and stood tall. "Trust me okay, he is fine." She said looking between Charming and Red, then back to Granny and to the rest of the crowd.

Dr. Whale bounced off of a few shoulders in the crowd as he stormed up to the blonde. "Have you seen our lovely mayor?" he asked unkindly.

She held up a hand to him as she started to respond, then swallowed and forestalled when she read the anger in his eyes. "I uh….."

"So, have you?"

James butted in and stood in between them. "Calm down, why would Emma know where Regina is?" He breathed smiling at his daughter. "So where is Henry if Hook doesn't have him?"

This time she heard the rest of the town pipe in and voice their concerns and fears, and the sheriff's head began to spin. "Stop it!" she finally shouted, then as everyone stood quietly she finally found her voice again. "Henry is safe." She exhaled.

Red and James at the same time interrupted. "How do you know that?"

"Because he is with someone that will risk her life to protect him."

They both flinched back. Charming narrowed in on his daughter trying to understand. "Who?" He whispered unevenly a little unsure of her answer.

"He is with Regina….okay." She blurted, "So you see he is safe."

"What, she took him from you?" James asked trying to understand what she was saying.

"So you have seen her?" Dr. Whale said harshly. "Why didn't you finish her off?…You are the savior right the one who is suppose to save us from the curse and her."

Emma glared at him. "No I didn't. So why is it that's all you can ask about is her? Haven't you all tried to even get Snow back?" She said averting her answer.

"We haven't yet…. he has his crew ready to kill anyone on sight. We just were figuring out a way to get her back when you showed up." Grumpy explained with a cranky face. "So I take it you heard as well?"

"Yes," the sheriff sighed.

The small ornery man stepped closer. "So how did you find out?"

James stepped in. "Yeah Emma how did you know that Hook has Snow?"

"Well", the blonde began, hesitated, and then dropped her gaze. This just wasn't going to be a one word answer. How was she supposed to tell them all that Hook is actually Henry's father? And how is she supposed to say it's her fault he now has Snow? And to make matters worse she now was in a relationship with the evil queen who Henry was with at Neverland. How is it that the truth really did sound like a lie? Uh really? Wow…. am I ever jumping to conclusions here…. I kiss Regina and we're in a relationship. She would laugh if she didn't have an audience.

Emma began, "so how well do you all know Peter Pan?"

…..

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