Part 11

Us

"I'm giving you my heart freely no magic or force will be necessary. But the question is… do you want it?"

The mayor's lips twitched as she had to force herself to resume breathing when she heard her say that. And now it was her heart that fell to the lowest reaches of her inner self. She felt lightheaded and she carefully pulled away taking another deep breath and walked to the bed where she sat down. "I uh…" she said amazed that she couldn't find her voice. Was this really happening? Did Emma the savior just say that?

Emma stared at her for some time, brows lowered as she watched the queen deep in thought. Yep too soon she's going to bolt. Maybe I should say more….or not? She finally drew up some courage and followed the mayor to the bed and stood before her. "So, is this what you want? Or should I dare say me." She frowned in puzzlement, "because I simply just want to be with you."

Regina raised her head to look into the green eyes. "There is nothing simply about that," she said warmly. "It means everything to me."

Relief filled the sheriff and she released a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Good because I meant what I said," she smiled softly. "And it is apparent that I feel more for you with each passing minute."

The queen caught her breath. She realized few people ever had the nerve to say things to her, and most never would due to fear. So here it was the town's savior came not to just save the town, but literally came to save her. "I just…" she clenched her jaw tight trying to control her emotions, because deep inside her she could feel the dark hated part trying to fight against her new found heart, and tell her that none of this was real. "I want to believe you, I'm so afraid." She swallowed.

Emma blinked, did she just say that? "As strong as we like to think we are, there's always a part that's terrified we don't deserve the good things that happen to us ... that we aren't worthy enough to be loved." She paused with a heartfelt sigh. "Trust me I thought that a lot. I thought my parents just abandoned me."

The mayor cringed silently; it was she who did that, she was the one that made Emma live without two loving parents. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "And that's my fault."

The blonde's brows drew down, her mouth pursing in concern. "Okay…maybe, but I'm starting to believe that this all happened for a reason."

Regina's eyebrow arched, "what?"

Emma looked at her for a moment then gently smiled, "us."

"Us?" Puzzlement creased the queen's brow and she looked up under hooded eyelids.

Emma took a large breath, her eyes became soft as she snuck her way in between the mayor's thighs and rested her arms on her shoulders. She peered at her and when Regina didn't pull away, the blonde dipped her head slowly down for a long burning kiss.

"Us Regina, me and you." She whispered when they finally parted. "I know where I belong."

The happy glow was unmistakable when the queen smiled up at her; gazing into the warm green eyes she wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist. "And where do you belong princess?"

"Where else, but right here with your arms wrapped around me, with that rare smile your giving me now."

Regina held her smile but now to cover up her tears. "Are you sure about this?" She asked a bit reluctantly.

"Yes, so sure," The sheriff admitted.

Then there was silence as the mayor swallowed hard, eyes distant and clouded as she drifted over a memory. "Daniel said the same thing, and then he died." She said in such a flat tone that Emma realized that Regina was relating something very personal, and very painful to her. "I loved him, and…" her voice faltered and she turned her face away as she continued. "My mother had heard from Snow that I was going to leave with him and she wanted me to marry the king instead." She paused sucking in her trembling lip then returned her gaze back to the blonde's. "Your grandfather, I didn't love him but she wouldn't listen. So she taught me a lesson, she killed the man that I loved right in front of me."

She paused and Emma regarded her closely, sadness etching her eyes. "Oh Regina, I'm so sorry."

Regina swallowed at the painful memory. "So I'm afraid," she admitted. "I already know how I'm feeling and if I just allow it, allow you, I know I won't be strong enough to stop it. Also….." she faded off as she sucked in a wavering breath.

The blonde immediately wrapped Regina in a tight embrace to try to console the visibly shaken woman. "Also?" Emma wondered.

"I feel." The mayor whispered so softly, and then her lip thinned and the sheriff could sense the queen was fighting against some demon within her, and she didn't want her to put that wall up.

"Hey," Emma gently placed her palm to the side of the queen's cheek. "I know, and I don't think I could stop this even if I tried. I believe in some sort of mixed up way…." She paused as she dipped her head. "I was sent to Storybrooke to find you. So please don't fight this, don't fight us."

"I can't lose you too." Regina said her voice ragged. There was such bleakness in her eyes, such despair that Emma couldn't bear to see it. She drew down and hugged the mayor close, kissing her on the temple.

"You won't. Just believe that maybe this is how it was supposed to end."

Regina closed her eyes when the tears began to fall, and she felt Emma gently brush them away and she leaned in closer for her touch. She opened her eyes slowly and found herself sinking into the sea depths of green just inches from her own. She hesitated then leaned forward and pressed her lips gently to the sheriff's. "You make me believe Emma." She said softly, against her pink lips. "Thank you for saving me."

Surprised the blonde's eyebrow arched slowly, "Wait who saved who here?"

The queen leaned forward and kissed Emma again, lingeringly. "You taught me how to love again."

Startled, Emma blinked, forcing back the tears. "I….ah,'' she said shakily. "Me?"

An unbidden smile creased the mayor's lips. "What was that?" She teased raising her head and pressed her lips against Emma's in the briefest of touches. Regina dragged her upper lip across the blonde's, caught her lower lip between her own tasting the pleasure, wanting her so desperately, wanting to convey to this woman how much she really meant to her. Moaning she shifted her head, changing the angle, and closed the distance again, her right hand sliding in her hair. While Emma's fingers were tangling in her own and her other arm was wrapped around the queen's back and their bodies were pressed together, not hard, not yet, but Regina caught a glimpse of what that would be like and she wanted it, so badly….when…

A loud crash on the deck above them, along with brutal yelps and clashing of steel.

"Time to leave princess."

Emma's eyes went wide. "Uh oh, what is that?" She inquired in a nervous whisper.

"Sounds like the cavalry dear."

"Who?"

"Who else…..but Peter Pan."

"Wait you know it could be James." The sheriff pointed out.

"Well then it's time to leave." She said and yanked the blonde toward the latched door, and felt her slightly pull back. She turned to see Emma look down at the captain. "He will find us."

Regina shook her head and gently laid a palm to the side of her face. "I won't let him." She laced their fingers together with one hand and with the other she flung the large wooden door open. Bright lights from the sun's rays semi blinded them as they moved around the deck. Sounds of bashing swords clashed as they darted to the hold where Snow was. "Go get her." The queen demanded.

Emma nodded and ran into the hold and saw her mother slumped over on the deck. "Mom," she yelled. She tugged on her arms and helped her to her feet.

"Emma," Snow said weakly. "What's going on?"

"It's time to go."

Snow White looked worried, "how?" She croaked.

Emma only said one word. "Regina," then spun back to the door with her mother in tow. When she opened the door she saw no sign of the mayor, just commotion and chaos with fighting and sword play. She recognized a few of the lost boys, along with some of the town's people. "Shit, where did she go?" The blonde whispered as her eyes scanned the area.

"Mom," a small voice straggled out through the noise.

Emma's eyes went wide in shock. "Henry?" She scooped her son up in a tight embrace. "What are you doing here?"

"I had to save you." He said, then looked up at Snow. "And grandma."

Snow lightly laughed as she looked at her grandson. "So you're the one who brought all these people."

Henry nodded. "Grandpa is right over there." He said motioning to where James was dueling a man with a dark patch over his eye.

"Charming," Snow gasped.

Emma returned her attention back to her son. "Did you see Regina?"

He shook his head. "No I assumed she was with you." He said fretfully, "come on let's get you on the other ship."

Snow smiled. "See even Henry has a plan." She teased as they followed the boy carefully around the men, and as they came close to James, Snow grabbed a sword from a stricken pirate that now lay lifeless on the deck.

Emma saw as Snow carefully held the sword. "You know how to use that thing?"

Snow rolled her eyes and ignored the question as she darted around the blonde, her steps quicked and with a forceful leap she rammed the big man hard sending him to the edge of the ship. James continued with his own assault and heaved the pirate over board. Gathering a breath Charming swiftly pulled his love into his arms. "You came." Snow White breathed.

James gazed happily into her eyes. "Did you ever doubt I would?" Snow gasped then drew Charming in and kissed him like they never kissed before.

"Uhh ummm." Emma cleared her throat, and James and Snow pulled back smiling at their daughter. "Can't that wait? Let's get to the other ship." The blonde blinked awkwardly.

"Good idea," Snow muttered and began to cross the wooden plank to the other ship.

James then turned toward Henry and Emma and just as he was about to help his grandson to the other ship, out of nowhere Hook bounded in and snatched the boy. Pulling him in front of him with one arm and his sword pointing shakily toward them with the other. "Sorry mates, but it looks like you'll be leaving without him." He snapped with a hateful glare.

"Let him go!" Charming demanded as he held his sword on the captain.

Grasping Henry tighter Hook snarled, "Never." He grinned, sending chills down Emma's spine. "Once last chance Miss Swan, join me or say goodbye to your son…forever."

"Captain!" Smee shouted from the wheel house. They all turned to see what he was pointing at.

The blonde and Charming's eyes went wide with fear, as a huge tidal wave came barreling toward them. But then the fear that was laced in the green eyes faded and a calm peaceful feeling fitted against them and in her heart. She didn't know why but she did, she knew the wave wouldn't hurt her. She stood strong and her eyes glared at the man holding her son.

Panic laced the captain's face as he saw the dark wave coming at them. "Hoy! That isn't good." He responded furiously. "By the way where is that Witch?"

Emma's eyebrows dove in angrily at the man. "Let go of Henry… Now!" She yelled. "Or be prepared to say goodbye to your lovely ship." She darted quickly at the man and he had no choice but to point the sword at her.

"Don't tempt me Miss Swan; I won't hesitate to kill you." Hook said harshly as he held his sword against the blonde's chest. "You will not keep me from my son."

James stepped closer then and held his sword against the captain. "Let him go, can't you see there is no escape."

Hooks dark eyebrows lowered on them, and was about to aim his blade at Charming when he heard Henry muffle. "Please just let me go."

The captain's jaw clenched as he struggled on what to do next, and out of the corner of his eye he could see Smee inching closer to the blonde, so he knew he could eventually get the upper hand but then the dark shadow of the looming wave uprooted his plan. "To fight another day." He barked as a flash of anger filled his eyes. He pushed Henry away toward Emma and as she went to grab her son something struck her shoulder and it rendered her to the deck hard.

Snow struggled to warn her but it came too late, she saw the big man with the knife coming at her daughter. She drew up her arrow and fired it within seconds. It flew like a laser and punched its way through the bearded man making him fall to the deck before he could do any more damage to the sheriff.

Hook scrambled up and darted around his ship yelling at his crew to brace the ship from the wave coming at them. Charming and Henry helped Emma to her feet and James immediately picked her up and carried her swiftly to the other ship. "Hurry turn the ship, before the wave gets here." He ordered when he heard Emma muffle something up at him.

"It's going to be okay." He said peering down at his daughter.

He heard her faintly mumble again and he tried to calm her as he carried her across the deck. "Listen," she said finally finding her voice through the pain.

"Emma," he said. "We have to ready the ship; we can't have that wave hit us."

The sheriff shook her head slowly, her eyes wincing from the pain in her shoulder. "Regina," she whispered grittily.

"Don't worry about her." James muttered as he gently laid her down and Snow began to dress her wound to stop the blood.

He frowned at his wife. "Is it bad?"

Tears welled up in Snow's eyes, and she shook her head. "I won't lose her now, I won't." She looked down at her daughter when she felt her hand lightly squeeze her own.

"Wa…..aave is Re…gina." The blonde whispered faintly.

Watery blue eyes narrowed in with confusion. "What was that?" She asked gently but it was too late Emma's eyes slid closed and her body went limp.

...