A/N: I'm back! :) Here is a longer chapter, excusing for my laptop screwing up on me and not allowing me to write. Thank God for a new laptop! I want to thank everyone for your patience. Finally, you will get to know about Emma's whereabouts... there's more coming for this story, guys. I do hope you enjoy!

Sam glanced down at the tenth wrinkled tissue paper she had just held up against her mouth, muffling one of her many cough attacks. Worried. That's what she became as she glanced down at a small red spots coating the white tissue paper. Her life was slowly coming to an end. She had been coughing up blood for a month now. She knew the end would be soon. Daniel knew, but he tried not to think so much about it.

It's true, he still and probably will always love Regina. But, he does love Sam. She was all a man could want, and he felt lucky to have her in his life. He didn't want to lose another love. He couldn't bare it.

As he walked out of their closet, uniform well pressed as he stood in place just at the foot of the their bed. He smiled brightly towards his sick wife as he sat right next to her, placing a delicate kiss to her forehead.

"You look so handsome in uniform."

He chuckled at her words as he caressed her cheek, placing another delicate kiss to her lips this time. "And, you always look beautiful."

"I haven't looked beautiful in a while."

He lifted a finger as he placed it on her lips to keep her quiet, "You always look beautiful."

She smiled at his persistence. A smile that soon turned into a frown as her brain raised with so many worries.

"I can practically the gears turning inside your head. What's on your mind?" Daniel asked as he saw the woman's concern.

Sam sighed as she turned her attention towards her husband. "It's more of a request."

Daniel smiled as he took her hand in his, placing a kiss to her knuckles, "Ask away. Whatever you want."

"We both know that my time is nearing."

His smile disappeared at the sound of her words, "Don't talk about that-"

"You can't keep ignoring my fate forever, my love." Her hand softly caressing his cheek, "I mean, look at me. It's only a matter of time." tears made their way down from both of them. She quickly wiped away at his tears, "When that day comes. I want you to promise me you will move on."

Daniel shook his head in protest as he cupped her face delicately.

"Promise me. I want you to be happy."

"I'm happy." he placed three more kisses to her knuckles, then one more on her lips, "I'm happy being here with you. Marrying you was the best decision in my life."

Sam couldn't help but smile as she looked into her husband's eyes. They were full of honesty and what looked like love.

"Being married to you has been a dream come true. It took me a long time to get you to fall in love with me just a little." tears streamed down, burning her eyes, "That's all I ever wanted."

"I do love you." Daniel gave her a sad smile.

She smiled a sad smile of her own, "Then, if you love me, promise me. Promise me you won't be alone. Promise me you'll move on."

"Is that your request?" his voice soft.

Sam nodded, "That. And, I want to see Regina. I need to talk to her, Daniel."

Daniel moved his gaze from hers. As much as he cared for Regina, he didn't like it when her and Sam would see each other. She wasn't stupid, and he knew that. He knew what she wanted to talk to Regina bout. But, he couldn't exactly say no to her either. She was dying after all.

He sighed, exhaling sharply. "I'm going to be late for work. I gotta go." he placed a kiss to her forehead, then her lips as he walked out of their bedroom. Sam didn't need a yes from him to know that he would give in to her request. A tear rolled down the corner of her eye as her brain raised with million daily thoughts. What would happen to Daniel when she was gone? Would he be okay? Would he miss her?

"This place is perfect!"

Regina smiled as her eyes scanned through the empty, small building that would soon become hers, Kathryn's, and Mary Margaret's bakery.

"I love it!" Kathryn's smile was just as wide as Regina's.

"It's been abandoned for a long time. It needs a lot of work, I'm afraid, but nothing a little tender loving care can't fix." the realtor, a man, slightly shorter than Regina and Kathryn spoke as he flashed both women a pearly white smile.

"We'll take it." Regina's smile grew as she shook the man's hand, closing the deal on the location.

The man raised a brow in amazement at the brunette's quick decision, returning her firm handshake. "I knew I liked you, ladies. Shall we close the deal, then?"

"We shall." Regina nodded as her phone suddenly rang. She quickly reached for it out of her purse as her eyes looked over at the man, "Excuse me."

"Of course." the man nodded as he stepped aside with Kathryn, giving her another tour of the place.

"Hello?"

"Regina. It's Daniel."

"Daniel? Are you alright?" Regina's brows furrowed at the sound of his voice. There was sadness.

"I'm…" tears formed around his eyes, as they made their way down, "She isn't doing so well. She's worse." he pinched the bridge of his nose to stop himself from crying, reminding himself that he was at work. He cleared his throat, "She asked to see you. Do you think you could stop by later?"

"Excuse me a moment, please." Kathryn walked away from the man as he simply nodded. "Regina, what happened?"

"That was Daniel." teary eyes looked right into Kathryn's, "Samantha isn't doing so well. She asked to see me."

Kathryn's eyes grew wide as tears of her own formed. She too grew to care for Sam dearly.

"If you're going, I'm coming with you. I'd like to see her too."

"Thank you for coming."

Daniel stepped aside as Regina and Kathryn both entered the house. The anbient around the quiet home was just that. Quiet. There was sadness and illness all put together. The look in Daniel's eyes was enough for both women to know that the end was near for Sam. It was only a matter of days.

"I'm really sorry for calling you so suddenly, but you know how she is. She can be very persistent until she gets her way."

"It's quite alright. I've been meaning to stop by and see her." Regina replied as she placed a hand on Daniel's arm. Her touch ever so gentle just as he remembered.

Kathryn silently stood in place, her eyes moving from one side to another as she observed just how Daniel would react to the brunette's touch. She knew there were still feelings from him.

"You can go in. I'll wait here, to give you two privacy." Daniel motioned towards their bedroom door as Regina turned to give Kathryn one last glance before entering the room, earning a nod from Kathryn.

"I'll wait here. Go."

Regina didn't waste anymore time in heading towards the bedroom, knocking ever so lightly on the door as she stepped right in. Her smile ever so pearly white towards the illed Sam as she was greeted with a weak but still welcoming smile.

"Regina. Come in. Sit here by me." Sam gently padded on the bed. Regina was happy to obliged as she closed the door behind her and did as she was asked to.

"Thank you for coming to see me."

"How could I say no to a friend?" Regina gave the ill woman's hand a gentle but firm squeeze. "How are you feeling?"

Sam quickly shook her head, "Like I'm dying."

Regina's brows furrowed at Sam's bold choice of words, "Don't talk about that."

"Death is a natural thing. We have to talk about it. I know it's only a matter of days before my number is called. I can see it in your eyes when you look at me, I can see it in Daniel's everyday."

And, she could. She could see it, feel it and she knew it. Regina had to admire her strength. Her sense of humor she sometimes had towards her inevitable situation. She held back tears, smiling at her dear friend.

"Which is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about." Sam paused as she had another of her many coughing fits.

Regina quickly helped her sit up more against the the bed, as she served her a glass of water from the pitcher she had on her nightstand, handing it to her as the ill woman quickly took a drink from it.

"Thank you." her voice weak and filled with exhaustion. "Daniel is scared. He acts tough around me, but I know he's scared to see me go."

"I understand that fear very well." Regina's voice was now filled with sadness as her mind quickly remembered how she felt to receive the news of Emma's death.

"The one thing I'm afraid of… is leaving Daniel all alone."

Regina quickly shook her head, "Don't you worry about that."

Sam was becoming breathless and Regina could see her becoming weaker and weaker, but even so Sam had to say what she needed to say.

"Regina. You and I both know that he still loves you." there was a moment of silence between the two of them before Sam continued, "He has always loved you."

Regina felt out of place having this conversation with her. She knew this was true, but it still wasn't a topic to discuss with Daniel's dying wife.

The brunette gave her best smile, providing her hand another gentle but reassuring squeeze, "Daniel loves you. I can see it. He doesn't want to lose you."

Sam smiled a weak smile, humming in agreement, "I won't argue that. But, we are women, Regina. And, a woman knows when a man's heart belongs to someone else."

Regina evaded looking into Sam's brown eyes, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"Tell me. Your situation was different because it was with Emma, but you can't tell me that everytime you looked into her eyes they were filled with love just for you. Am I right?"

Regina's eyes stung with pools of tears at the sound of Emma's name. The mere memory of the way Emma would stare into her own brown eyes. Her mind thought back in a matter of seconds of all those looks they ever exchanged. How bright Emma's green eyes would get with Regina's presence alone. The way her wife's emerald eyes would stare back at her even in the heat of passion. How simple her eyes would smile back at her with the most honest and true love there was.

Regina swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat as she nodded. "I could see it everyday of our lives together. It never faltered."

"See." a tear rolled down the corner of her eye. It was the only initiative Regina needed to release some of her own tears.

"I'm sorry-"

Sam quickly stepped in, giving her another warm smile, "You have nothing to apologize for, Regina. That's Daniel's own cross to bare and he's chosen to carry it for the longest time. You've been devoted to your family." she paused, thinking of how she would say her next choice of words. "As my friend… I wanted to ask you for a big favor."

"Name it."

"We both know that when I'm gone, he won't handle it well. Neal has left to Storybrooke and he hardly sees him anymore."

Regina knew where this conversation was quickly heading.

"Sam-"

Sam quickly gave Regina's hand a tight squeeze, "You are the only person I trust with him, Regina. I realize what this means to you, but I am not asking you to marry him. Just… be there for him. Please. If there is anyone he will not forbid himself to see - that's you."

For the first time in years, Regina really found herself in a predicament, not being able to say no. How could she? It was Sam's last dying wish.

Out in the living room, Daniel handed Kathryn a glass of water as he walked in from the kitchen.

"I'm sorry for not offering you something sooner." he said.

"I completely understand." Kathryn's reply was dry and Daniel quickly took notice.

"It's not the right time to discuss this, but I have to know. Is it just me or do you seem to have a problem with me?" his question straight to the point.

Kathryn sighed as she took a sip from her water, "Here's what I don't understand. Daniel." she spat his name as she kept her voice to a level that only the two of them could hear. "How is it that you can look into the eyes of your dying wife loving Regina the way you do?"

And, there it was. The question Daniel never thought he would hear anyone ask him. He never really knew Kathryn well enough like Regina did, but the blonde did seem to be direct when it came to protecting her best friend.

"It's not without difficulty, I assure you." his voice as low as Kathryn's.

Daniel's eyes looked right through Kathryn's, knowing well he was telling the truth and seeking the answer to which she knew she was right. Daniel was in fact still in love with Regina.

"I hope not. Because I love Sam, she's been an unconditional friend to Regina and I both, and I would really hate for her to die feeling that she could never win your heart."

"It's not a competition. Kathryn." this time he spat out the woman's name. His stare was a furious one towards her. "Samantha knows she has my love."

"Hm, your love. But, not your heart. No, your heart will and has always belonged to someone else."

Daniel grew angrier, but kept his voice to a low level, "What's your problem? Is this why you came? To make accusations."

"I state facts. I don't accuse." Kathryn stepped up, staring Daniel down now, "I could clearly see how your eyes light up around Regina. The least you could do is tone that down when Sam is in the other room dying."

"I've respected her and I've respected Regina. What I feel is my business, it doesn't mean I'll act on it."

"You won't act on it because you respect your wife. I hope you keep your word even after she's gone. Regina is already going through enough, she doesn't need you around to confuse her."

Daniel's eyes grew a shade of black as he never looked away from Kathryn's own, "Because I'm not Emma?"

Kathryn grew angry on the inside but kept her composure, "Just remember, Daniel. Exactly how your heart belongs to her, Regina's heart belongs to Emma. All she can ever offer you is friendship. You'll do well to remember that."

The tension was heavy between them and it went on even after Regina came out of the bedroom. Regina did ask them both if everything was okay, to which both simply nodded, but knowing her friend as well as she did, Kathryn expected the brunette to ask her questions later. Questions she would be more than happy to give answers to.

"Mama!" Henry ran straight to his mother that he hadn't seen all day, clinging to her legs like a monkey.

"Hi, my darling!" she scooped him up as she placed a big wet kiss on the boy's cheek, "Oh, I missed you."

Mary Margaret smiled as she walked right behind her grandson, "He has been asking about you all day long."

"I'm sorry, Henry. Aunt Kat and I had a lot to do today." Regina placed another kiss to her son's cheek, her lipstick brightly marked on it.

"Dinner is ready if you're hungry." Mary Margaret informed her, her eyes shifting towards Kathryn, "You are more than welcomed to stay."

"I'd love to, thank you." Kathryn smiled.

"I hope you don't mind me welcoming myself, but I've been missing everyone terribly."

Everyone's heads turned towards Father Gabriel's voice. Smiles so wide, it made everyone's cheeks hurt.

Regina was the very first one to greet the man in a tight embrace, as it was returned right back to her. "It's so good to see you, father!" she said, her eyes beaming with happiness. "You are more than welcomed to join us."

"Is this little Henry?" his eyes wide in surprise as he looked down at the small boy, who was just a baby the last time he had seen him. Like everyone else, he too was so devastated with Emma's death that he just disappeared for some time. Leaving his church in charge to a much younger priest.

The boy smiled happily at him, not being shy at all. Even if this was the first time Henry was meeting him, he felt like he knew him for a long time. He had a kind face to him.

"He's grown!" the older man's eyes were in tears as he looked back up at Regina, who was all smiles and happy to see him.

After another while of greetings and hugs, they all made their way into the dining area for dinner. The table was big enough for everyone. Only person that was missing was Emma. Her seat always remained empty at the head of the table with Regina sitting by its side. The brunette couldn't help to glance at it, drinking in its emptiness, just another reminder of Emma's absence all during dinner. But, sadness aside, there were laughs shared as well, thanks to a cute and adorable Henry who was quick to lighten the mood.

After dinner, Kathryn and Regina made their way out from Henry's room after the boy had passed out, exhausted from all his visitors.

"This house feels so quiet." Even Kathryn could feel a great big absence. Regina's eyes immediately became saddened by her friend's words, "You know… Graham works late tonight. I could stay if you want me to." the blonde offered her friend.

"He wouldn't mind?" Regina asked, already loving the idea of not having to sleep alone.

Kathryn scoffed, "Of course not. What are friends for, after all? He can handle himself without me for a night - you need me more right now."

Regina didn't speak. She just moved forward and embraced Kathryn in a loving and appreciative embrace. She would never admit it to not seem vulnerable in front of Mary Margaret, or even Kathryn herself but her friend knew her better. She needed the company.

Both eventually made their way down the stairs and into the living area, where father Gabriel stood as he looked up at Regina with a sad smile of his own. Undoubtedly already feeling that emptiness everyone felt of not having Emma around the house.

"I have to go on my way, but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"Are you going back to that retreat you went off to?" Kathryn asked.

Gabriel simply nodded.

"I hope to see you again soon, father." Regina's eyes filled with tears yet again, as did Gabriel's as he provided the brunette with another sad smile.

"Me too. I hate leaving you and Mary, and everyone here. But, you know well that Emma was like a daughter to me." his voice sounding empty.

"I still hope to see her walk through that door. I can't help to think that if maybe I had not met her, she would still be alive." Regina's voice wanted to break. Her eyes filling up with unfallen tears in an instant.

"Don't think that, Regina." his voice now firm, "You were the best thing that ever happened to Emma. She loved you with all her might and knowing her as well as I did, I know she would marry you again if she had to make that choice."

Both hugged each other as tears made their way down their eyes. Kathryn joining them in a hug as she wrapped her arms around her friend, already giving her the comfort she surely needed.

"You take care of that handsome boy." both pair of smiles were sad ones as they parted from their hug, "You've done a fabulous job raising him."

"Thank you, father. I will." Regina nodded as she wiped her tears.

"Take care of her, Kathryn and give Graham my best."

"Of course, father. Have a safe trip back." Kathryn smiled as she wiped tears of her own, walking him to the door as the man took his leave.

Mary Margaret was shedding a few tears of her own, finding herself alone in the kitchen. She had sent Eugenia to rest for the night while she washed the remainder of the dishes. She was a bit startled to feel a pair of strong arms wrap around her like a warm blanket.

"I miss her too." the older woman broke down as soon as she heard David's soft voice near her ear as he gently rested his chin on her shoulder, wrapping his arms more around the woman's form. "Everyday." his lip trembled as tears made their way down.

"It's not fair, David. Life isn't fair." her voice filled with sobs as she gave in to the man's embrace, "It should have been me instead of her. She had so much to live for. Emma should be here!"

"I'm here. I'm here. You have me and Regina and Henry. You have a little piece of Emma."

It was there that Mary Margaret broke away from the man's loving embrace, "What good is all that when my daughter is gone, David?! What kind of mother was I to just leave her to fend for herself, scared and alone?"

"You have been a great mother-"

"No!" she shoved him back as David tried to hold onto her yet again, "It should have been me! Not Emma!" sob after sob escaped her until she couldn't handle it anymore and dropped where she stood, her back leaning against the cabinets of the kitchen. "Not my Emma, David. Not Emma."

David bent down to the older woman's level, holding her tightly against his chest, his arms wrapping around her like a blanket again. He hated what had to happen to Emma, especially when everything was going so great for her and Regina. Life did have a way of messing with you, but what pained him the most was seeing the woman he loved in agonizing pain. Feeling helpless and impotent towards the pain she and Regina had to live through daily, ever since Emma's misfortune. He hated not being able to do more.

Regina dreamed that night. She dreamed of Emma, like most nights. One thing Regina never shared with anyone and kept deep within herself. In this particular dream, she saw and began re-living one of her favorite moments she ever shared with her wife. Henry was still a baby when both women took him to that one special spot, where they shared a romantic picnic and made love for the very last time before Emma had to leave.

Both taking turns in who would get to carry Henry next. Emma smiling down at him with such love and devotion, unaware that Regina had snapped a picture of them both. The very same picture that their son now kept with him as he was instructed by his mother. The rays of sunlight beamed down at them, Emma's golden hair shining just as bright as her smile as she stared down at their baby boy, Henry wrapped up in his blanket, smiling a lazy, sleepy smile back at Emma. It was a perfect candid moment.

Only they hadn't re-lived it. And, Regina hadn't taken that picture. In her dream it felt as if they had. Why, she wasn't sure. But, this was one dream she wouldn't mind coming true. Sharing that very same spot with their son, sharing a few stolen kisses while Henry was too busy to even notice because swimming was all he cared about.

And, then her dream changed. She could clearly see it. Henry a little older, swimming in that river, while Emma and her laid back, comfortably watching him while they would occasionally kiss, once Henry wasn't looking. Even in her dreams, Emma looked as happy as ever. Smiling down at her with a form of thank you for their beautiful family and life that they lived.

And, the picture Regina gave to Henry was completely different. It was of them two, yes, but they weren't in that spot. Emma was holding a newborn Henry in her arms as she fed him one of his many bottles of the day, her smile pearly white as she looked down at their baby.

Everything happened so fast that they never got the chance to take a picture together with him as a baby.

Like many nights before, tears escaped a still sleeping Regina, crying in her sleep due to her constant dreams. She never knew, but she would call out to Emma in her sleep, many many times. Tonight was no different. Only thing that was different was that she was suddenly woken by someone shaking her and calling out to her name. For a moment, she could swear it was Emma's voice she was hearing. Just for a moment.

"Regina. Wake up."

A voice called out as she came to from her sleep, her eyes slowly opening to a blurry figure, noticing a head full of blonde hair.

"Emma?" Regina whispered as the blurry figure became more and more clear.

"You were dreaming." Kathryn softly said as she sat next to her friend, while Regina quickly sat up, her back against the headboard. "You were calling out to her in your sleep."

Regina couldn't help but feel disappointed. Disappointed because it wasn't Emma waking her up. No, Emma would not be waking her up ever again. She wiped away at her tears as her head bumped against the headboard. She sighed with a hint of anger, because it made her angry that Emma had to leave and not stay home with her family. Why did she had to be so goddamn responsible? For once Regina wished she would have just stayed home.

"Does this happen every night?" a now concerned Kathryn asked, continuing as she got no response from her friend, "Listen. I have a friend. His name is Archie Hopper. It might do you some good to go see him."

Regina remained silent.

Kathryn knew Regina wasn't mourning easily, but she never imagined it was this bad for her to the point of calling out to Emma in her sleep every night. She knew it could only get worse, and as her friend she wanted to help. She had to.

By morning, Mary Margaret was the first one up. The first room she went into was David's, she needed to apologize to him for the way she had pushed him away the previous night. She was always so lovable with him, she was angry at herself for ever shouting at him the way she did.

"David?" she knocked softly on his bedroom door, slowly turning the knob and peeking her head inside when she got no answer, "David, I wanted to apologize-" her head turned in every direction of the now empty bedroom. He was nowhere in sight. Her eyes noticed the well made bed and a piece of paper resting on his pillow. She slowly plopped on the as she held the note in her hands. It was a letter addressed to her.

My dearest Snow,

Last night pushed me to make this drastic decision of leaving. Please, don't come looking for me, and don't think for a second that you are now losing me too. Because you're not. I love you more than words could ever fully begin to express or more than many times I could ever write it in this letter. I hated seeing you in pain because of what happened to our daughter. Which is why, I've gone on a quest to try and find her. I found her once - I know I can find her again. I will search for you until I find her. This is my promise to you. I only beg you to understand why I left without saying goodbye. I have to find her and bring her home, even if she is dead as everyone seems to believe. I can't give up hope. I won't.

-David.

Mary Margaret stood up quickly from his bed, as she searched all the drawers only to discover that they were indeed empty. David had left and now she didn't know when she would see him again.

Another light knock sounded as Regina stepped out of her bathroom, dressed and ready to face another day.

"Good morning." Kathryn smiled, still worried for her friend.

"You don't have to walk around eggshells with me, Kathryn. I know last night took you by surprise."

Kathryn shut the door behind her as she took a seat next to Regina on the bed, "I'm worried about you, Regina. I had no idea that-"

"I'm sorry you had to hear that." Regina's voice was soft, she wondered if Kathryn had heard her. She not only felt sorry, but embarrassed as well.

Kathryn wasted no time in placing her hand on top of Regina's, gently squeezing it in full support, "Don't you be sorry. Everyone grieves differently. Some have it harder than others, it's perfectly normal." she paused for a moment before continuing, "But, if I may… I think it would do you some good to see Dr. Hopper." her voice raised an octave as Regina stood, sighing and totally opposed to the idea of seeing a shrink, "At least give him a try."

"And, tell him what, Kathryn? I'm grieving - I'm not crazy!" Regina's tone could make any person feel small. That's one of the many things she missed about Emma. She was never scared to put up a fight in any of their arguments. She was the only one who would never coward away, scared.

Kathryn held up her hands in defense, "Calm down, I am in no way saying you are crazy."

"What are you saying, then?"

"Look, I understand that losing Emma was painfully unexpected. I do, and she will always be with you someway, somehow. But, I just think that maybe you need to slowly start putting this pain aside- just enough for you to get some decent sleep."

Kathryn made a good point on the sleeping part, which Regina wasn't getting any of. If she wouldn't cry herself to sleep, she would wake up crying from any other dream she would constantly have.

Her hands rested on her hips now as she stood before Kathryn, "I appreciate you trying to help me, but I honestly don't think you understand what I'm going through, Kathryn."

"Regina-"

"No!" Regina lifted a finger, her glare as deadly as ever, "You have Graham, you get to go home to him every day of your life. Sleep and wake up next to him, under his embrace." her voice breaking, "Imagine him walking out that door, giving you one last kiss and never seeing him again. Would you be alright?"

The blonde's heart sank down to her knees. Of course she wouldn't be alright. She'd be devastated if she ever lost Graham and was unable to see him again.

Kathryn sighed as she pulled Regina down beside her, sitting her down, "Forgive me. I guess I can't imagine that."

"I wouldn't wish for you to ever live it." the brunette chuckled dryly, and soon broke down as she threw herself into her best friend's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, "I don't know what more to do to live with this pain. I can't do it. I miss her so much."

"You can!" she cupped Regina's face in her hands as she forced her to look into her eyes, "You are the strongest woman I've ever known in my entire life. Stronger than many of me put together. I know life sucks sometimes, but you can get through this, Regina. I won't let you fall. Emma wouldn't want you to fall. So don't. You need to think of your son. He needs you."

Regina glanced down at Kathryn's hand as she held out a white business card, placing it in the palm of her hand as her other hand wiped away her many tears.

"Call him. It will do you good to someday say a proper goodbye to her. When you're ready."

Regina looked down at the card once again, as Kathryn handed her her phone, which she hesitantly took, dialing in the numbers as they were directed in the card. She took a deep breath as she heard the line ringing once, twice, three times before a gentle voice spoke on the other end as the phone rested on her ear.

"Good evening, Dr. Hopper. This is Regina Swan-Mills." her eyes remained on Kathryn as she spoke to the man on the phone, "I believe you know Kathryn. She told me all about you and said you could help." there was a momentary pause, "Perfect. I'll see you then. Thank you."

As fate would have it, Dr. Archie Hopper had an opening in his busy schedule for an afternoon session at 3 O'Clock. Regina wasn't even sure if sharing all her feelings with some stranger was the right thing. She wasn't crazy, but, she wasn't well emotionally either and she knew Kathryn was right. She needed a little help. If not for her sake - it would be for Henry's.

Daniel came out dressed in his uniform as was his daily routine. He stood in front of the mirror of his and Sam's bedroom, making a last few adjustments. His eyes glanced over at a sleeping Sam through the mirror, his smile sensciere and full of love. He walked over brushing her hair lightly away from her face as was his routine of waking her up in the most gentle of ways. He wasn't surprised when she didn't move a muscle, seeing as her illness tired her out most of the time lately.

Bending down, he placed a gentle kiss to her forehead, "Good morning, beautiful." he whispered. His brows quickly farrowing as there was still no respond from his wife. As tired as she may be, this wasn't like her to be so deep asleep.

"Sam?" he called out to her as he placed his hand gently on her now cold cheek. His eyes pooled with tears the instant he realized the woman was no longer sleeping. She was dead.

"Samantha!" he shouted as he sat beside the bed, holding her in his arms as he weeped, "Sam, wake up! Please!" he shook her in his arms, only to realize she was in fact dead. Her body hanging loose in his arms as he only held her tighter towards his embrace, tears making their way down his eyes. "You can't leave me like this, please… No. Sam."

He remained holding her, crying uncontrollably, unable to face the fact that the one woman who shaped him into the man he was today was no longer with him. He had once again lost another great love in his life and was now left to face the world on his own. He couldn't possibly come to understand why fate would be so cruel as to take someone so kind hearted as she was. Why was life so determined to take away everything he loved? Just like that.

Regina wanted to run. She shouldn't be here. She shouldn't be going through therapy, paying some stranger to listen to her problems. Problems which he would care absolutely nothing about. Wearing a black pencil skirt and white buttoned up shirt, she sat in the waiting area of Dr. Hopper's office, her hands resting calmly on her lap as her insides were all in knots. She really shouldn't be here. This was crazy. She couldn't possibly go through with this.

The door next to her opened as a ginger, curly hair man stepped out from it, smiling at a poor weeping man, much older than Regina as he was escorted out the door by Dr. Hopper himself, "You did great today. Same time next week."

Dear God, is this why she came? Was she expected to cry in front of this stranger and for what? So, she could simply be escorted out with a smile and be told to come back next week around the same time so she could repeat it all over again?

"Regina?" the smaller man said as he smiled a warm smile at her as Regina's eyes soon found his.

Too late.

"I'm Dr. Hopper." he stretched out his hand after Regina nodded with confirmation to hearing her name mentioned. "Please, let's step inside." he motioned towards his office door as the brunette hesitant at first, stepped into such office as Archie closed the door behind them to give her a feel of privacy.

The walls to his office were olive green colored, brown door and white baseboards. The shelves surrounding it, filled with books, which were placed behind him were oak wood that went perfectly with the room. It was a small office, but felt very welcoming. Regina's eyes fell on the big brown leather couch that was placed against one of the walls that was facing his desk.

"Have a seat. Please." he softly said as he pulled one of the chairs that were positioned by the desk as he placed it in front of the couch, where he would be facing Regina.

Regina took a seat on the couch in front of Archie, her hands resting on her lap as they were in the waiting area. She was nervous, to say the least.

Archie glanced at his watch that he wore on his wrist as he sat calmly, with a leg resting on his knee as he placed a notebook in front of him. "I understand what you must be feeling. This is all new to you and you think it's ridiculous to let me in on your personal life or troubles. Only, I'm here because you are paying me at the end of the day."

Regina couldn't help but chuckle, "Basically."

Archie chuckled in return, "I understand. You didn't have to come today, but you did. So, I'm here to listen. You don't have to tell me everything that's going on with you, but whatever you do say will stay in this room. This is a safe place, Regina."

Strangely it did feel safe. The man was very welcoming with his words, and he did seem scensiere in wanting to help and willing to sit there and listen. Not like any other psychiatrist that scribble in their journals and aren't really paying attention to your feelings. What did she have to lose?

As he sat patiently waiting for her to speak, she did, "I lost my wife." was the first thing she said as she took a deep breath before speaking again, "Her name was Emma. It will be a year soon that she… passed."

"How did she pass?" he asked as he wrote in his notebook.

"Her plane crashed." Regina batted her eyes, holding back tears that were starting to burn at her eyes, "She was on a work trip to London and on her way back it crashed into the sea. At least that's what police say. Her body hasn't even been recovered."

"Does that make you think that the possibility of her being out there somewhere is possible?"

It was possible. Why not? Nobody, in land or sea to be seen. She couldn't of just disappeared without a single trace. She quietly nodded.

"I'd love to believe that. I do. A part of me feels she's out there, somewhere. She has to be."

"And the other part of you?" he asked, his voice remaining calm.

There was a brief pause before she answered, a tear already running down from her eyes, "I think that Emma would find a way home to her family if she were alive. She wouldn't take so long to return to us. To me, to our son, to her mother." she continued as Archie remained silent, giving all of his attention, "Sometimes I feel like she might be dead, but other times I think what if she's out there? What if she's badly hurt and can't come home? What if she's alone?"

"And how do you feel about that?"

"Scared, helpless, alone- angry even." Regina composed herself as she wiped away at her tears with a tissue she pulled out from a box that was placed in front of her by the man himself. "I feel angry at her sometimes. Angry for her leaving instead of staying home with us. If she would have stayed she would be alive and well. We were supposed to leave on a family trip and we never had that chance." tears made their way down again and before Regina realized she was venting about everything, "We used to hate each other, so much." she chuckled at the memory, "She wasn't always my favorite person, but we fell in love. I fell in love with her like I'd never fallen in love with anyone before. And, now she's just gone." her voice broke.

Regina's features went from sad to angry in an instant. "When we met, I was with someone else. He's a good man, but I fell in love with her. And, it angers me that, I keep thinking that if I hadn't agreed to marry her… she wouldn't be dead."

"You can't think that, Regina. You have to consider, that even if you hadn't married her, she would still have to go on that business trip."

Regina's eyes met Dr. Hopper's.

"What I'm trying to say is, you can't control what is meant to happen. You were destined to meet her and be with her even while being with someone else at the time. Just like in the long run, she was meant to get on that plane and take that trip."

"Well, I wish she hadn't."

"Go on." Dr. Hopper nodded, knowing there was more she needed to say.

"It's just so upsetting. Everything. I hate that she spent all that time trying to get me to see her for who she truly was. Even when I was so angry at her and couldn't stand her near me, she just… wouldn't let up."

"It sounds to me like you're becoming angry at her once again for something she had no control over." his voice calming.

Regina sighed at the realization as she pinched the bridge of her nose, "I can't do this." she stood from her seat, followed by Dr. Hopper as he stood right after.

"Regina. Don't leave. This is good, trust me."

"How on earth could this be good? You said it, it wasn't Emma's fault that this happened to her! It's not, yet I am so angry and hurt by it! I'm blaming her for something she had no control over." her body plopped down on to the couch once again as she exhaled in exhaustion.

Archie took a seat next to her, "It is perfectly normal to feel angry when a loved one is gone. People have different ways of dealing with death. It's normal to feel angry at her. You wanted her to stay with you and your son and she didn't. And, now she's not coming home. But, at least you know it wasn't her fault, yet you can't help feeling angry about the whole ordeal."

Tears made their way down again from the brunette's eyes as she looked right into Archie's, "What am I supposed to? I see her in my dreams, constantly. When I don't cry myself to sleep. Her absence just becomes harder and harder."

"Focus on other things that give your life meaning. Go out with your friends, work, do things you love doing. You can even do things you and Emma enjoyed doing together. How old is your son?" Archie asked.

A sniffle was heard from Regina as she answered, "Four." a small smile on her lips now.

"What is the one thing that you and Emma enjoyed doing together?"

Another smile appeared on the brunette's lips, the very memory brought her a bit of happiness in all this pain, "We rode horses. We always talked about someday moving to our home in Storybrooke, but…"

Archie smiled, "Why don't you do that?"

Regina's brow raised, "Move to Storybrooke?"

He nodded, "It's a big change, but it could be what you need to start taking a step towards feeling better about all this. If it's something you and your wife always wanted to do, then maybe you should start considering it. Do it together with your son. Take him riding, share that experience with him."

That wasn't a bad idea at all. Maybe in time Regina could consider moving to their home in Storybrooke. As much as Emma's presence was left in that house as well, she wasn't trying to put her behind her, just to be able to cope with not having her around anymore. For the first time in a while, she found herself smiling. It was still sad, but it was a smile.

"Riding sounds like a good idea." she said in a soft voice.

Archie smiled, "In the meantime, I would try to go on your own first. As a way of coping. Talk to Emma, you might feel better. Begin accepting the fact that she is gone."

She hated the thought of accepting that she might never see Emma again, but what could it hurt to try and do something her and Emma enjoyed together? And, in the long run, making Henry a part of it as a way of always remembering her.

Another smile was seen from Archie, "Let's schedule the same time for next week?" he asked, to which Regina simply nodded as she stood from her seat as the man walked her out.

As soon as Regina arrived back home, she didn't bother going inside. The first thing she did instead, was walk towards the stables as the memory of the first time Emma gifted her with her own horse came to her mind. She smiled a sad smile as she thought back as to that being their first time starting to get along with one another. She walked up to Emma's horse as she softly patted it. Before she knew it, she had prepared it herself to take it out for a ride.

She ended up in what had become their spot. It was still just as beautiful as when Emma first shared it with her, her eyes looking over to the very spot they had last made love in. Her eyes closed at the very vivid memory of their last time together. Did she miss her touch. Her presence alone. She glanced down at her wedding ring as she strangely started feeling more and more at ease. It was hard being here, no doubt. But, part of her felt like it needed this.

"I don't know if you are even out there. Somewhere. But, if you are… come home." tears made their way down, chuckling at the feeling that she was just talking to herself, "Can you even hear me? I can't help to feel like you need me. Because I know I need you. Henry needs you and he misses you so much. Come home now, Emma. And, if you don't. Then, in time I will come back and we will say our last goodbye."

She gave one last glance at the beautiful flawless spot before she turned to ride off back home. It felt silly to talk out loud as if Emma was there, listening to her every word. But, Dr. Hopper was right. It strangely made her feel better about the whole thing for a little while. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to come here for a while on a daily basis and talk to Emma in her own way. Tell her about her day, about Henry and what has been going on during her absence.

Maybe in time she really could cope with Emma being gone. But, never forget her. She would always be carrying her love for her until the day she parted from this world herself.

"Thank God, you're home!" Mary Margaret ran up to Regina as she was making her way into the house.

"What's wrong? Where's Henry?" Regina asked.

"He's down for his nap, he's fine." Mary Margaret handed her the letter that David left on his bed, "David left."

Regina saw tears fall from Mary Margaret's eyes as her own became tearful, "What?" she took the letter from the older woman's hands as her eyes read through it, looking back up at her in surprise, "What does he mean, he went to look for Emma? Where?"

"I haven't the slightest idea. He never told me he was thinking about leaving and much less going on a quest to look for Emma."

"This is crazy! He can't go out there alone looking God knows where." Regina replied, still in shock.

"I have no doubt that he will be fine. I just can't believe that he would leave just like that without saying goodbye. Especially to Henry." said Mary Margaret.

Regina swallowed the lump in her throat. The very thought of him finding Emma had her hopes set high. She didn't want to get too excited about it, in case it was too good to be true. But, it was hard not to. Very hard. What if she really was out there? What if David did return home with her?

What if…

"There's something else you should know." Regina was drifted away from her thoughts at the sound of Mary Margaret's voice, "Kathryn called." her voice sounding sad and low, "It's Daniel."

Regina's eyes filled with tears not wanting to think the worst of news.

"Samantha… didn't wake up this morning. She's passed."

Regina soon ran upstairs without a single word. Why was she just finding this out now?

"Where are you going?" the pixie haired woman asked.

"To get Henry. We need to go see Daniel." was all Regina said as she continued her trip up the stairs and into her son's room.

It was a quiet night at one of the hospitals in London. A small, brunette nurse was done making her rounds as she sighed and leaned up against the wall, feeling exhausted for the day. She turned as another nurse came by, nudging her arm to get her attention.

"Why don't you go home now? We've all had a busy day." she suggested to the brunette, her accent thick.

The brunette smiled as she nodded in agreement, brushing a strand of hair back, tucking it behind her ear, "I just have to say good night first." she replied in her American accent as she made her way down the hall.

"You are getting too attached to our Jane Doe." her friend said as she smiled back at the brunette.

As the brunette neared the the last room of the hallway in the ICU unit of the hospital, she slowly made her way in, the sound of the machine beeping, beep after beep as a sign of life. The same with the sound of oxygen being passed through an oxygen mask that was placed over the face of this Jane Doe she had grown quite fond of and watched over whenever she was done with her shifts. It wasn't her responsibility to look after someone she didn't even know her name, but as much as they tried finding out who she was and where exactly she came from - there was no tiny part of information on her person when she came into the hospital all bloodied and bruised. And, as kind hearted as she was, she couldn't just leave without saying her daily good night to this beautiful stranger.

She still had signs of a few bruises that were slowly starting to fade. No one in that hospital had any knowledge of what had been the cause of whatever accent this blonde stranger had gone through, but whatever it was, it had been pretty bad by the looks of her. Bad enough, she came in with part of her clothes torn up, her head badly banged up to the point where she had developed a concussion. She had a broken rib and her leg had broken into three parts, which now slowly mended. She was able to breathe on her own, but the coma she had gone into was still not allowing her to fully awaken.

The young nurse neared the bed as she smiled down at a comatose Emma. "I'm sorry I didn't come to visit you sooner. Busy day today." she whispered as she took a seat next to the bed for one of their daily conversations before she had to head home. "I had a patient almost die on me today. It was a close one. I think you would have been impressed if you had seen me." she chuckled as she held Emma's still hand, "If only you knew how many times I saved you from death when you first came to us. You have to wake up soon so I can tell you all about it. Maybe then… you will let me in on your secret and tell me your name."

Emma's little hospital scene was a favorite of mine to write! More coming your way... in the mean time... reviews, please! :D