A/N: Surprise longer chapter to my most popular ff to date! :) I must say this chapter was an emotional roller coaster for me to write, and I hope I did it justice. A lot of Emma in this chapter, guys! And, before any of you freak out lol don't worry. Regina IS NOT going back to Daniel. Happy reading! I can't wait to hear your reviews on this one. Thank you all for the continuous support and lovely feedbacks!

Days passed before Daniel could give Sam a proper goodbye. Now it was time for the burial. He sat on the floor in a house that now felt lonely, and grew more and more quiet. His black clothing perfectly pressed, but wrinkled where his arms were wrapped around his legs as he hid his face on his knees. His body shaking with a muffled cry. He honestly did love Sam and missed her terribly. She did make him happy - while it lasted. They had a wonderful honeymoon and the best times a couple could enjoy. She helped him grow day in and day out.

His head lifted up from his knees as he heard a gentle knock at the door. He honestly didn't want to see anyone. He wanted to be left alone with his pain, but whoever was outside that front door was very persistent.

"Daniel, it's me. Open the door." he heard an oh, so familiar voice coming from the other side of the door. Quickly rising to his feet as he wiped his tears.

"Regina…" his voice was sad as he opened the door and looked into the eyes of the one woman who owned his heart. The one woman he couldn't possibly forget, even after marrying another.

There were no more words spoken in that moment, just actions as Daniel leaned forward in search for the brunette's hugging embrace. Regina was more than happy to provide him with a friendly and supportive embrace. After all, she did make a promise to Sam that she would be there for Daniel whenever the man needed her. Right now would be a good time of need. Emma's absence is still very much present for her (already it being a year) and she knew how much he could use a good friend. So, there she was. Embracing him in her arms as he cried without a single word. Tears of her own were making their way down her eyes now.

"I can't ever begin to tell you how sorry I am. I know I said it before, but- I'm so sorry, Daniel." her hands caressed his back in a soothing manner. "I only wish there was something I could do to take this pain from you." her voice breaking.

Finally he spoke, "I knew her time was near. I just… didn't expect for it to be so soon. It felt too soon, Regina. She didn't deserve this."

Regina's features were that of sadness and frustration all in one as all she could think to do was tighten her arms around him, offering all her comfort. "I wish there was something I could say that will make it all alright… but, there isn't. I know exactly what you're going through and I'm sorry."

"Just be with me. Even if it's just as a friend. Please." Daniel pleaded through soft sobs as he held on tighter, not wanting to let go for a second.

Regina nodded, "Of course." was all she could say. She needed to be there. For the sake of a dying wish, a promise. As a friend, but she was going to be there with him until he no longer needed her. Emma would have been here, despite her and Daniel never seeing eye to eye, but she would have been here in his time of need.

The burial felt long. Longer than Daniel would have hoped it would be. It was too sad, but everyone who knew Sam was there. Even Jefferson had made the trip (with Mia at his side) just to pay his respects. He never knew her all that well, because truth be told, he tried keeping his distance from Daniel. Weather it was for Regina's sake or because he was so ashamed of what he and his mother had plotted against him that time in the past, he wasn't sure. Maybe both.

Everyone else from Mary Margaret, Kathryn, August, Ruby, Graham, Neal and even little Henry were all there. If there was one person who made Daniel smile during that tough moment, that was Henry. He sure could charm anyone with his cuteness and well learned manners. For that Regina was grateful.

As the priest said his last few words of goodbye towards Samantha's soul, everyone gathered to say their very last goodbye as Daniel took a small pile of dirt and released it onto the coffin as it was being lowered to the ground.

As promised, Regina stood there by his side the whole time.

Regina was woken the next morning by the sound of laughter. It grew louder and louder as her door was soon opened by a giggling Henry, who wasted no time in jumping on his mother's bed, pulling her away from her deep sleep.

"Don't let him get me, mama!" shouted Henry as he hid under the covers.

Jefferson followed inside, roaring in a playful manner towards the boy, "You can't hide from me!" giggling was heard as he threw himself on the bed, gently grabbing a hold of Henry from under the covers.

Regina couldn't help but smile as she stared longingly at her brother, "Look at you. Who would've thought that you would be so good with kids when you couldn't stand them before?"

Jefferson looked over at Regina, "Who says I like them?" he joked, "I only tolerate this little hobbit because he's my nephew."

"What about when you have your own?" Regina couldn't help to ask.

That made Jefferson think for a moment. Would he be good with his own kids? Would he be a good dad, even? He grew scared for the first time in his life, really scared. What if he messed it all up and Mia left him because of it? Under no circumstances did he want to lose what he had with her.

"Jefferson." his eyes landed on Regina's olive hand as it rested on top of his own, "I know that look. You will be a great father someday."

"You think so?" he couldn't help to ask.

Regina nodded, "I know so. I see Henry with you and I can see how much he adores you."

"I do not!" shouted Henry from underneath the covers, breaking their conversation.

Jefferson gasped a dramatic gasp as he placed his hand on his heart, a frown on his face, "You don't love me?!"

Henry's little head popped out from underneath the covers, a wide smile on his lips as he stared at his uncle, "I kidding uncle Jeff!"

"And, to think I was going to share my pancakes with you." Jefferson stood up, playfully as he walked out the door.

"We can share!" Henry didn't waste any time in chasing after him, "Uncle Jeff, we can share!"

Regina shook her head as she smiled. She never thought she would even catch herself thinking this, but she actually loved having Jefferson stay with her. And, Mia too. He truly had become a completely different person ever since he left and met Mia. She couldn't help but in that moment, think of Emma. She so longed to wake up next to her once again, both enjoying Henry's morning games. Being woken up by her most favorite people in the world.

Her thoughts were interrupted as her phone started to ring. She answered quick enough as soon as she glanced down at the phone number that was calling her.

"Regina. I'm sorry to call you so early. It's Daniel."

"Daniel. Is everything alright?" she asked him.

"I was dressed for work, and I went back into the room to kiss her goodbye." he chuckled through the phone as his voice broke, "It's crazy, isn't it? Thinking she was still here."

"No. It's not crazy." Regina murmured.

"Did it happen to you?" Daniel asked.

Regina couldn't help but chuckle, "It still does. There's not a day where I don't wake up looking for Emma."

There was a brief silence. It still hurt him, knowing he had lost Regina - the love of his life - to Emma. And, to hear how much she missed her was even more painful, but he understood.

"I'm sorry again, for calling you so early. I just… wanted to hear your voice."

This time it was Regina who remained silent for a moment. She hated that he was sad yet again. Even if it wasn't her doing this time, she wanted him to be happy.

"I'll let you go now." Daniel spoke, "Have a good day."

"Daniel." she finally spoke. She could still hear his breathing over the phone, an indication that he hadn't hugn up just yet. "Why don't we meet later for lunch? It would do you good to distract yourself. It would do us both some good."

Of course, after conversing about it for a few more minutes, Daniel gave in. Why would he pass up this opportunity? When Regina was just trying to be a friend to him and be there for him in his time of need.

Their lunch day was only what soon became one of many as time began passing by quickly. Months passed, until it became another year, and Regina would have lunch with Daniel countless times. Keeping it friendly, of course. Even she had to admit that it was doing her some good to have this time with him. Both sharing their pain and griefs.

One morning, before Regina was off to her next therapy session, she decided she was finally going to share something with Henry. He was now six and old enough to ride a horse of his own. He rode with his mother before, but never on his very own horse.

"I can ride?!" the boy asked his mother, looking up at her, his eyes shining with excitement.

Regina smiled as she nodded, "Which horse do you want?"

Regina couldn't help to notice just how alike he was to Emma as Henry placed his little finger to his chin, tapping it gently, indicating he was thinking long and hard before he made the right choice. It was crazy, really how much he was resembling her wife as he was growing older. It was as if he clearly remembered every detail of Emma's behavior around him. Did he? She wasn't sure, but she hoped for it every day of her life.

"I like this one!" Henry pointed to a white horse.

The brunette's eyes burned with unshed tears as she smiled down at her son, "Why that one? He's too big for you, isn't he?"

"I can ride it!" said Henry, looking very much like Regina now as he placed his little hands on his hips. Daring his mother to prove him wrong.

Regina's smile grew as she gently ruffled Henry's hair, "Of course you can, my darling." she kneeled down to his eye level, "You made a good choice. Want to know why?"

"Why?" Henry asked filled with curiosity.

"This horse belonged to your mom Emma." said Regina, "She would be so happy to see you ride it."

As Henry was getting older, he too came to grasp the idea of what death meant. He would notice his mother's coping on the sore subject, but also knew very well when she was still deeply saddened by it. He placed his hand on her cheek as he caught a tear that was making its way down.

"Don't be sad, mama." said Henry in a soft tone of voice.

Regina smiled as she placed a soft kiss on Henry's smaller hand, taking it into her own. Having Henry was the best decision she had come to make for her and Emma. He was growing, and the more he grew, the smarter he only seemed. Emma would be tearing up right now if only she could see him. His body was still small, but nowhere compared to how small he appeared to be at just four years old.

"Mom told me she misses us too." Regina's eyes were in surprise at her son's words.

"She told you?" Regina asked.

Henry nodded, "I see her in my dreams. She always talks of you. Mom's just a little lost."

More tears made their way down. It hurt Regina to wonder sometimes if Henry really still did believe that his mother could still be out there. She believed it, even if two years had passed without a single word or known location as to where Emma could be, she wanted to keep believing she might still be alive. Even when she was losing believe that that could be so, the way Henry talked about his dreams with Emma made her always hold onto that bit of hope that still burned deep inside of her. She pulled him into a tight hug, not wanting to let go.

"Come on." Regina said as she finally broke their hug, giving her son a warm smile, "Let's mount up so we can go for that ride."

And ride, they did. They spent all morning riding along. Henry wanted to race but Regina told him he wasn't yet ready for that. She didn't feel safe to see him race across the field. As he rode on his mother's horse all on his own, Regina couldn't help to see a little bit of Emma in him and think how proud she would be to see him handling her horse quite well. She chuckled at the mere thought of Emma insisting to ride with him, not feeling yet safe in letting him ride alone. Emma always tried putting a brave face when something came up that involved Henry, but deep down Regina knew - Emma was more frightened and worried for him than she was. She cared for him like a precious jewel that could be easily misplaced if you took your eye off it.

"Are you sure you don't want to join us? I hate the thought of leaving you here alone." Regina asked Mary Margaret, as she had promised Henry that they would go out for lunch that day after they went pottery painting like she had promised they would days ago. She wanted this time with Henry before the summer was up and he had to start up school as a first grader.

"I'm sure. You two go ahead. You need this time alone with him." Mary Margaret smiled. "Besides, I won't be alone. August is going to stop by later."

"Say hi to him for me if he isn't here when we get back." said Regina.

"I will."

"Let's go, Henry. We'll bring something back for your grandmother."

Henry rushed over to Mary Margaret, giving her a great, big hug, "Bye, grandma!"

"Have fun, Henry. Be careful." she hugged him back as she watched the boy race over to his mother as they headed out the door.

David stopped as he had his last drink of water from his bottled water. He hated leaving the way he did, and leaving the fields all alone. Not to mention his family. But, he needed to find her. One way or another - dead or alive, he had to find Emma. Maybe this was his way of grieving. Maybe he just didn't want to lose the hope he felt that was still within him. He came into Emma's life without warning and she welcomed him with open arms, without judging him or thinking straight off that he would be just as a bastard as James was. No. He wouldn't give up. Even if he gathered blisters on his feet from all the walking and searching he has done. Emma couldn't just leave his life like that. He wouldn't accept it. He had searched high and low without any signs of the blonde whom he had grown to see as a daughter of his own.

He would keep on searching…

"You paint one, mama!" Henry told Regina as his eyes shined to the idea of painting pottery with his mother as her eyes scanned through the many figures of pottery that were stocked on a shelf.

"Hm. Why don't you chose it? We'll paint it together." Regina suggested.

"That one!" Henry pointed up, as if he already knew that that particular pottery was there.

Regina glanced up towards where her son was pointing, her eyes sad and smile momentarily gone as her eyes landed on a single swan. It was the only one there out of the rest of the white pottery. Her eyes wanted to water, as she reached for the swan, but she held them in. She wanted nothing to ruin this day for her son.

She smiled as she handed it over to Henry, "I love it. I couldn't of chosen one better myself."

"I chose it for mommy." Henry said, which again Regina smiled after, teary eyed.

She took a deep breath, "She would have loved it."

Time flew by in the pottery place for both of them. Regina found it to be very relaxing, as well as actually being able to spend a whole day with her son. With her and Kathryn busy as ever in their now set up bakery. She still would take him to work sometimes, and boy, did he love it. Like all kids, he especially loved his mother's apple turnovers and found himself almost eating them all, had Regina not kept him in check on that.

As they were walking along the sidewalk, Regina's eyes grew wide with surprise in who she happened to bump into next.

"You?" the brunette asked as she moved Henry behind her.

"My, my. Long time no see. Being a widow has done you good, I see." Robert said as he smiled to which Regina's anger instantly grew. "How are you handling all the business. You know, I'd be more than willing to help with that, if you need it."

"I don't want anything from you. The only thing I'm glad about is that I haven't had to be around you, so please. Spare me the pleasantries. Excuse me." she grabbed a hold of Henry's hand, "Come on, Henry."

Robert turned to face Regina once again as she walked right past him, "Regina." he continued as she turned to face him again, "Believe it or not, I am sorry for your loss. Poor Lily has had it rough without Emma as well. In the end, neither of you got to keep her."

"You know, police said that she suffered an accident, but I never once believed that." Regina replied.

"Accidents do happen." said Gold.

"Hm. Or they could be provoked." Regina closed in her distance between her and Robert, speaking in a low tone of voice to save Henry from hearing her, "I know you never liked Emma. For what reasons, I'm not sure, but I promise you… if I ever come to discover that my intuitions towards Emma's accident are true… I will personally see to it that you never see the light of day."

Gold smiled a smile that screamed I dare you. Just as things were changing so was he. Regina always did suspect that her wife's accident wasn't one at all, that Robert was behind it. Little did anyone know that he very much was.

"Making threats? Emma would be proud." he said.

"Everything alright, Regina?"

Everyone turned to the sound of Daniel's voice as he was now standing behind the brunette and her son. His eyes moving towards Robert in a menacing manner.

Robert chuckled, "That didn't take you long. You both lose the so called loves of your life and now look at you. Together at last. Isn't life a fairytale?"

Daniel took a few steps towards Gold, "Why don't you just leave the lady be?"

"Oh? Am I going to be in trouble, officer?" asked Gold, "If you're going to arrest someone, why not arrest her? She just threatened my life and is going on about false accusations."

"You will be in trouble if you don't leave her alone. Robert. Your presence alone bothers her." replied Daniel.

"How touching. She screwed Emma, yet you still love her for that?"

Daniel moved forward as Robert stepped back, smirking once Regina stopped him from wanting to hit the older man.

"Daniel, don't." her eyes looked down at Henry and quickly back up at him, "It's not worth it."

As Robert walked away, Daniel relaxed as did Regina. "I'm sorry." Daniel said as he looked at Regina.

"It's not your fault. Thank you for stepping in." Regina replied.

Daniel smiled over at her as he looked down at Henry, ruffling his hair in a playful manner, "Hey, Henry! Enjoying your day?"

Henry nodded, "We painted pottery and now we are heading to the beach!" he said excitedly.

"Really? That sounds like fun!" he smiled at them once again, "Well, have fun."

"Wanna come?" Henry blurted out.

"I'm sure Daniel is very busy, Henry." Regina soon said.

"I'm actually free today." he smiled, "I mean, as friends. We can go to the beach."

Regina smiled and nodded as she walked away with Henry while Daniel followed close behind. They ended up having a small picnic at the beach, to which afterwards, Henry ran around in the sand, making sand castles and watching as the water washed them away. While Regina remained seated near the sand. Flawless as always, sunglasses and sun hat on, her body wasn't completely exposed, she wore an afternoon dress that suited her quite well for the day.

Daniel sat right beside the all too familiar brunette on the sand as he watched Henry play, a smile on his face.

"It's nice to see you smile." Regina commented. "That's the Henry effect. He's about the only person who's made me smile lately."

"He's a great kid. You've raised him well. He's lucky to have you as a mother." Daniel grew quiet for a moment, "I always knew you would be a great mother." he said as he looked straight at Henry while he continued his sand castle building.

"He can be a handful at times, but I always try to do my best. I can't say it's easy raising him alone. He needs Emma." replied Regina, who also watched Henry playing.

Daniel looked over at Regina. "He remembers her?"

Regina's eyes met with Daniel's, "I've never allowed him to forget her." to that, Daniel looked down at his hands as they hung in the air as his arms rested upon his knees. There was silence between them for a while. Regina wanted to get something off of her chest, but wasn't quite sure if this was even the right moment to do so. But, if not now, then when?

She went for it…

"Daniel, I wanted to apologize to you." she said softly as their eyes met once again, continuing as she saw the question mark plastered all over the man's features. "I want to apologize for hurting you. I know it was a long time ago, but I hated myself for that."

Daniel shook his head, "You have nothing to apologize for, Regina. The past is the past. We obviously were meant to lead different lives - away from one another." he sighed, "It pains me to say it, but maybe all that needed to happen. Including these tragedies in our lives for us to be able to get somewhere again. Even if it's just as friends. That's enough for me."

"I can't help to notice you keep using the term friends a lot." his eyes left hers as she continued, "We've known each other a lot of years, Daniel." she paused, "Did you ever even love Sam?"

He knew Regina wasn't a stupid woman, nor did he wish to treat her like one. He nodded, "I loved her very much. I still miss her, just like you miss Emma." his eyes found hers again, "But, if you want me to be completely honest with you, Regina… I still love you." he shrugged, "I never stopped."

"Daniel-" she shook her head as Daniel quickly spoke over her.

"I'm not trying to ask anything of you." he laughed lightly as Regina glared at him, "Okay, maybe, yes. But, not now. I understand that Emma was the love of your life. It pained me when it happened all those years ago, but I get it. And, in no way do I wish to mess up this opportunity that has presented itself with you again. Even if it is just as a friend. I can be that." she could see honesty in his eyes as he spoke, "You've been there for me ever since Sam left this world, keeping a promise I know she made you make. You didn't have to honor that promise- but, you did. Now, I want us to start over as friends. Just that. I want to be there for you and Henry, if you allow it. And, if things escalate someday then… great. And, if they don't, I'll respect that. We both suffered a great loss with the loss of our spouses. Maybe it's that connecting us to be in each other's lives again- I don't know, but if we can help each other get through this pain. Together. Why not?"

This was unexpected for her, but at the same time she saw it coming. She did make a promise to Sam and she's been honoring it. That much was true, they had become good friends again and it was helping them heal. Deep inside her she knew Daniel wanted more though. She wasn't sure if that was something that would do him some good, and it was true she loved him once, but Emma was and continues to be the love of her life. Her one true love and she couldn't possibly let go of that.

"I appreciate your honesty, Daniel. And, you're right. All this time keeping each other company has done us some good. You're also right, that I didn't have to honor that promise I made to Sam. But, you know that I love you. You were always someone special to me and you mean a lot. And, as special as you are to me, I feel like I need to be honest with you. Emma was and will always be the love of my life." the brunette could see pain in his eyes, but she continued, "I'm not just going to get over that and I can't make room for someone in my life right now- romantically. But, I can be your friend. We do owe that to each other after everything life has thrown us. I want to continue to help you in anyway I can."

Daniel smiled, a smile that was so genuine and real as he grabbed a hold of the brunette's hand. Hesitating at first. "A friendship is all I ask for. As long as I can have you in my life again, I'm happy. But, I have to be frank, when I say that I'm not going to stop trying. And, whenever you need me to hear you about how much you miss Emma… I'm here. We can talk about them both."

Regina smiled a friendly smile at him as she took her hand back. After all they had been through, a friendship didn't sound so bad. Of course, she would keep him in check whenever his feelings started coming out into the open, because she honestly only wanted a good friend. She couldn't just leave him alone after losing someone he cared for. And, weather it was life itself making her feel like she could connect with him in a way she couldn't with anyone else due to this grief they were both still feeling, she didn't know. But, she wanted to be someone he could count on when Neal wasn't around to hear him rant about how much he missed Sam.

Henry ran through the door hugging his grandmother, happy to be home. "My goodness! Someone had a great time today." said Mary Margaret.

"We went to the beach!" said Henry.

"Really? You know that's where your mommies met." Mary Margaret told little Henry.

"We saw Daniel." said the boy.

"Daniel?" Mary Margaret's look went to Regina, "He was there?"

"Henry, why don't you go help Eugenia in the kitchen? We'll be right there." Regina told the boy, to which he was more than happy to go help. As they were left alone, she looked at Mary Margaret, "Henry and I had a run in with Robert. Daniel happened to be there and he put a stop to him." Regina set her purse down on the couch, "Before you say anything, I know you don't like him. But, I did make a promise to Sam."

"Promise or not, Regina I would say you have honored that promise. I understand if you two help each other cope with the loss of Emma and Sam, but knowing him, Daniel might take this chance to want to make something of it. You want to be friends, fine, but he doesn't have to be everywhere you go. That's becoming a bit too much, isn't it?" said Mary Margaret.

"I know what he expects, but he isn't getting it. I assure you that. I made it very clear to him." Regina replied, "Why are you getting so upset over this?"

"I'm upset because he wants more with you and if Emma were to come back-"

"Emma would understand. They never got along, but Emma would be there for him in his time of need." tears ran down both their eyes as Regina neared the older woman, taking her hands into her own, "It's been two years, Mary. Two years and I still wish to see her walk through that door. It has taken me two years of therapy to start feeling better about her absence alone."

Mary Margaret held on tight to Regina's hands, "I may seem selfish, and I'm sorry. You have every right to move on with your life, but Regina I can't help to feel like you are giving up hope that she may be alive."

"Daniel has been a good man. He knows well that my love will always be for Emma." Regina assured her, "This hurts me too." her voice began to break, "But, I need some peace in my life too, Mary. I have to keep moving forward for Henry." her eyes glanced down at her wedding band that she still wore, despite these two years, "Deep down, I'm always waiting for Emma. But, I also need peace. That doesn't mean under any circumstances that I am ready to move on with anyone. Emma made an effort to get along with him. Why can't you?"

Mary Margaret was never one to sugar coat things, and sure Daniel was a good man, but she could see right through him. His feelings for Regina went beyond those he ever felt for Samantha and it worried her. It worried her to not know anything about David's whereabouts or Emma's. She needed them both back home. She needed Emma here to protect Regina and Henry. She hated these talks with Regina, but she was right. The least she could do was try to get along with Daniel for as long as he was a part of their lives. Because she was right. Emma would have tried, she did. For Regina.

The older woman nodded, "I'll try. Just, promise me. For Emma, that you'll be careful."

Once again, Regina nodded, "I promise." she wiped the older woman's tears as well as her own, "I'm going to check on Henry."

Mary Margaret was left alone with her thoughts, which mostly revolved around her daughter. Regina was right, they could all use a little peace. Ever since Emma left the house didn't feel the same anymore. Their lives weren't the same.

"Emma… you need to come home now. Please, come home." she whispered to herself.

Emma could hear a familiar voice deep in her dreams. A husky, sensual voice she grew too fond of that belonged Regina.

Regina…

Slim pale fingers began to slowly move as green, tired eyes began to make an appearance as they slowly began to open. Her head slowly turned to her left, seeing a blurry figure sitting in a chair beside her. The strange beeping from the machines were echoing in her ears as she slowly came to. Eyes once again landing on the still blurry, brunette figure.

"Regina?" her voice was muffled due to the oxygen mask. She could see how quickly the now visible woman stood right up, walking right to her.

"You're awake!" her soft but sweet voice was heard as she spoke again, "Don't worry. Everything's ok. You're going to be ok." the nurse rushed out to get Emma's doctor that had been assigned to her. As he quickly rushed in, she waited outside until he could be done with his check up.

Two long years in a coma. Her bruises and broken bones already healed. It was truly a miracle that she even lived through a fall of such altitude, let alone her body hitting the water with such force as it did. And, to have lasted that long, unconscious until she was found.

As the doctor finally came out of her room, the nurse turned to him, wondering about the well being of this stranger she had been caring for on her time off, "How she is, doctor?"

"I'm having test done on her later tonight. I want her resting right now. She didn't want to seem to say much, maybe you can get her to talk and find out who she is. Her muscles are going to need a lot of therapy. Two years in a coma is not easy to recuperate from. She'll need to gain strength in them again. But, so far she seems to be pulling through." he smiled as he walked away.

The nurse went into the room as she smiled at a now woken Emma, sitting next to her on the bed as she slowly removed the oxygen mask. "You must be tired of this thing over your face for two years. You've been asleep for a long time. But, everything's going to be alright." her eyes connected with Emma's green ones as she drank in all the blonde's beauty. She had not seen a clear view of Emma's face until now due to that oxygen mask.

Emma wet her lips as they felt dry, "You took care of me?" she asked in a tired voice.

The nurse nodded, "I did. You weren't in my care, but you looked so alone, I couldn't just not care for you." she smiled, "I'm Amy."

"Two years?" Emma asked quite shocked.

Amy nodded, "You came in here with a broken rib, a shattered leg and a mild concussion." she placed her hands out, stopping Emma from trying to move, "Don't. Your muscles just as your body are going to need some work to still recover." she continued as Emma quietly stared at her. "Do you remember what happened to you that you ended up here?"

Emma's brain tried to process what exactly happened to her in that moment. Her mind was blank. Absolutely no recollection at all.

"No." she shook her head.

Luckily, Amy picked up quick. Of course, forgetting about some things after being in a coma for two years was a completely normal side effect, but Emma's eyes looked completely lost. Something was off.

"What's your name?" she finally asked.

Emma searched deep in her brain for a name, any name of who she might be.

Nothing.

She looked back at Amy with again lost eyes, a completely blank expression on her face. "I don't know. I don't know who I am."

Amy's first instinct was to take this stranger by the hand, "It's okay. With the conclusion you had, you must have some memory loss. It was to be expected if your head hit the water first and God only knows what else. I was told you were found floating in the water." she gave Emma another sweet smile, "But, don't worry. The important thing is that you are alive. Figuring out who you are will come later."

Two years in a coma can take a lot out of you. At least it did for Emma. The hospital food wasn't that great, but Amy would sneak in outside food for her as many times as she could. Emma was starving to say the least. Her body had lost muscle mass that she quickly began gaining back with all her therapy sessions and slowly but surely began to gain back movement of her legs, feet, arms and hands. It was difficult. It took a full year to get her moving. She felt like giving up many times, but never did. Even if she was completely clueless as to who she was, she felt it within her to keep on fighting and gain her life back. Whatever life that may be. Eventually she was moved to a different room as soon as she was able to walk a little more on her own. Amy, of course was there every step of the way, caring for her and guiding her through her recovery process.

When night fell, Emma couldn't help to look out the window of her hospital room and be lost in thought of what type of life must she had leaded before her accident. Was she married? Did she even have a family? Why wasn't she being searched for if she did? Question after question. But, neither of these questions could top her most unanswered and probably most mysterious question of all…

Who was Regina?

She had caught herself saying her name in her sleep. She has had dreams of an elegant, beautiful brunette woman with a pair of brown eyes that could hypnotize you just by staring into them. And, they did. Emma couldn't understand it, but many nights she would wake up with tears in her eyes because she had to stop dreaming and losing sight of this magnetizing woman. She couldn't felt like she knew her. What she questioned the most was, was she someone from her past? Or someone she just met? But, when? She knew her name was Regina, but more beyond that was a blank. What was scary for the blonde and completely unknown, however was that every time she woke up from a dream with this mysterious woman who made it a habit of appearing every single night; was that her heart would beat a hundred beats per minute every single time.

She had never been in love before, at least not that she knew or remembered. But, was this it? Was this what love supposed to feel like? Give you that heart fluttering, butterflies in your stomach, floating feeling. Soon after, she began wondering if this mystery woman was even real. In her dreams she seemed real. Very real. Real enough that she could hear her voice, so clear in her mind saying that she loved her and missed her. She would see herself married with this woman. They didn't always get along and would fight a lot sometimes, but in the end they loved each other with a passion that Emma was certain she had never felt before for anyone.

Sometimes in her dreams, she would see a small boy. Four year old, brunette, dimpled cheek boy. She felt happy, complete even. Could people you've never seen before in your life but dream about all the time be real? Could they truly be somewhere in this world?

A soft knock at the door interrupted Emma's thoughts as she saw Amy enter the room for one of their daily chats as always. Emma smiled. She had grown quite fondly of Amy, she was grateful a total stranger would care this much for her. And, Amy? Well, she was already taking too much of a liking to Emma.

"You are looking so good." Amy said as she took her usual seat by the bed next to Emma.

"You say that every day." replied Emma.

Amy lets out a light laugh, "Well, it's true. I never imagined a patient could recover rather nicely after a two year coma. Not as quick as you have."

"I owe a lot of that to you. If only I could remember what happened to me, and why I'm here in the first place." Emma replied.

"You're being discharged tomorrow. The doctor has seen you recover with flying colors and you get to go home."

Emma chuckled, "If only I could know where that is. There must have been something on me that could clue someone in on who I am."

Amy shook her head, "I'm afraid there was nothing. Most likely everything got lost at sea." she suddenly digged through the pocket of her scrubs, taking out a silver necklace with a circular pendant. A swan right in the middle of it. It was her necklace that Regina had gifted to her. "All you had on you that didn't get lost was this." she showed it to Emma as she placed it right in Emma's hands.

Emma's eyes looked long and hard at the pendant as it laid in the palm of her hand. Her finger caressing the swan that was placed in the middle. Flashes came to her mind like a quick flash of fast images that her brain decided to fast forward to. Flashes of the day Regina gifted her with this necklace that she swore she would never take off.

"I swore I would always wear this." the blonde whispered.

"You remember this?" Amy asked, a sad tone in her voice. It's not that she wanted to keep her from remembering, but her co-workers were right. She had grown too fond of Emma over the years.

Emma's eyes blinked a few times as she closed a tight fist around the necklace, "No. Well… I don't know, really. I've seen it before, in my dreams. A woman gives it to me."

Amy knew about Emma's constant dreams. They had become such good friends over the years that they talked about pretty much everything. And, the more Amy got to know her, the more she wanted her to stay. But, even she wanted some answers. She needed to know if she had the slightest chance of keeping Emma around a little while longer.

"Who's Regina?" she could see Emma's eyes light up at the mention of the name. "You call out that name in your sleep a lot. Is she someone you know?"

Emma thought, and thought, and thought some more… her features looked so lost and frustrated all at once.

"I'm not sure." her eyes look into Amy's blue ones, "Do you think people from your dream are real? That somewhere in this world, they exist."

Amy chuckled, "If that is true, then how I wish I would have dreamed of you before you came here."

Emma smiled, feeling a light shade of pink set on her cheeks. Her concentration quickly went back to the mystery woman in her dreams, "If only she did exist. I would find her. Maybe we knew each other. Then, I could have a home to go to."

Her tone of voice sounded so sad, it even made Amy sad. No. She had no right to keep Emma here, clueless towards who she truly was. If this woman was real, then she had to find her. Maybe she would be in luck and it was her sister or her best friend. Either way, she needed to help Emma.

"You could come live with me. I live alone, so you won't bother anyone." Amy suggested.

"I couldn't ask that of you-"

"You're not." Amy quickly replied, "I'm offering. You have nowhere to go and you have amnesia. I'm the only friend you have here it seems. No one has claimed you, but you had to have come from somewhere. I want to help you remember that. Put a name to that face."

Emma could say nothing but simply smile. She was grateful, truly grateful. And, she wanted nothing more than to know who she was and what waited for her on the other side of this world.

"London? Why on earth are you going to London?" Regina asked Daniel, her brows furrowed in confusion, but wondered if it had anything to do with Emma. With Daniel getting promoted to head of the police department, he could probably do more to find her.

"We got a call that a man we are looking for could have ran off to London. I'll only be gone for a few days." Daniel replied.

Regina couldn't help to think of Emma. After all, London was where she was coming back from. She wasn't so sure if this was a good idea, but she needed to go on that trip. Whatever it took.

"Take me with you."

Daniel's lips parted in surprise, but he quickly shook his head, "Take you with me? No, Regina."

"Why not? Daniel, I need to go-"

"No, Regina." he sighed, "I know why you want to go. It's crazy, alright? If Emma was alive, we would have heard something by now. It's been three years."

"No measure of time can keep me from trying. If it was me lost out there, you would be searching for me through rocks and sand." replied Regina.

"Lost? Listen to yourself! Emma is dead! And, it's about time you let her go!" he shouted, which was something Regina would not stand for.

"Keep your voice down, you'll wake my son!" she pushed the man out the door as she closed it behind them, not risking Henry to hear. She sighed in order to collect her thoughts. "Daniel. Please understand. When Sam died, you were able to see her body, you were able to give her a proper burial. I have nowhere to mourn my wife, expect in the privacy of my bedroom. I couldn't even bury her." tears fell from her eyes, sad eyes that Daniel hated seeing fill with sadness. All for her.

"Please." she pleaded. "I promise you, I won't get in your way. I just need to ask at the last place she stayed in, if they have any other information on her. Anything."

Daniel sighed deeply as he nodded after a while of thinking it over, "Alright." he could never deny Regina anything. "You can come."

Regina was all smiles as she threw herself into his embrace. An embrace of many that through the years Daniel had waited patiently every time to receive. It hurt. It still stung like an open wound that life was determined to keep pouring salt in just like the first time he had lost her to Emma. And, now after all this time. After he had patiently waited for three years to be able to get this close to Regina again and possibly have a chance again in the near future… even in death. Emma was a constant thorn on his side. Because that's what she was becoming.

And, Daniel knew. Oh, he knew that Emma was still alive. Truth is, he had never once stopped searching for Emma. He had already called in the hotel where she last stayed at and asked the desk clerk to be discreet about the whole thing. Being head of the police department had its perks alright. So, much that he had received a call from the London Police department with information of the whereabouts to a one Emma Swan. He had lied to Regina, of course. There was no such wanted man. There was Emma, and he needed to know for certain if she was alive or in fact dead.

Emma settled in right away with Amy. She had no way of paying for everything the hospital had done for her over the years, so with Amy's help she was able to help out in the hospital. Little did she know that all her medical experience she once studied would come in handy at a small clinic just near the hospital area. It even surprised Amy how good the blonde was with patients. In her free time, she would work out or go for an early run, gaining more of her body muscle back. Until every single muscle was back in its rightful place. Even Amy enjoyed the view of watching her work out every once in a while.

As promised, in a matter of days, early one morning they went off to every hotel in London, trying to figure out the right one she might have stayed in if she was ever here. After searching, they came across one in particular.

An old man glanced at Emma as he focused his glasses in with his view, to get a better look, "Yeah. You were here." he assured her. "I never forget a face."

Emma smiled, "You wouldn't happen to have records of three years ago, would you?"

"I might. Do you remember when it was you came here?" the man asked.

Emma sighed as Amy rolled her eyes, "Sir, she has amnesia. She can't even remember her own name."

"Then, without a name I can't help you. I'm good with faces. Not names. I'm sorry." he said dryly.

"Thank you." Emma murmured as she walked out without another word. Amy following close behind her.

"Don't give up. At least we know you were in fact here the day of your accident. We'll find something." Amy smiled, to which Emma couldn't help but stay positive, even if it felt hopeless at times.

Both women were enjoying lunch that afternoon. Well, Amy was, Emma was so down about not even knowing her own name that she hardly touched her food. She had her hopes set up high.

"You have to eat something. Just because that old koot couldn't even remember your name, it doesn't mean it's the end of the world." said Amy as she held on to Emma's hand.

"I'm sorry. I just wish I knew something about my life before I woke up in that hospital. Anything. It's torture not remembering one single thing."

"You must have hit your head pretty hard for it to last this long. Amnesia veries, you know, your memory could recover and sometimes it won't." said Amy. "Look, if that's the case and it never comes back then, you can always live with me." she smiled.

Emma gave her a sad smile, "Thank you, Amy. I am very thankful for all you've been doing for me. It just, it wouldn't be fair to you." she sighed, "I just feel like there is a big piece of me missing. I feel like… an incomplete puzzle."

"We'll find something."

Emma stood up, taking her hand away from Amy's, "I'm gonna take a walk. Clear my head."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Emma shook her head, "Enjoy lunch. I'll be fine, I promise. I just need a walk."

"I'll see you at home, then."

With that being said, Emma left to walk on her own. Walking always felt relaxing for her, she found herself doing it more and more now a days. Especially when her head was always yelling out unanswered questions her way. She would look at this big, unfamiliar city and all the people in it. She wasn't sure if she ever lived here, but she didn't feel like she did. She tucked her hands inside her jeans pockets as she thought to herself… if she could live anywhere it would be somewhere quiet, somewhere where she could always feel at peace and loved. Maybe somewhere with that beautiful brunette she always found herself dreaming about.

She caught herself smiling as she shook her head from all those crazy thoughts. What the hell was wrong with her? Why was she feeling so attached to this unknown stranger that she dreamed about?

If only dreams were real…

Emma's eyes landed on a head full of brunette hair. Silky, jet black hair. Her height was small, but seemed taller in the heels she happened to be wearing. Her brows furrowed in wonder as to who this woman was. She looked like she was looking for someone.

Was it her? Could it be? It was crazy. Right?

The brunette turned, only showing a small portion of her face, but it was enough for Emma to get a good look at. Good enough, that Emma's mouth parted opened as her feet froze in place, and her heart started beating a hundred beats per minute, butterflies started flapping inside her stomach, and her head began spinning.

It's her! She thought to herself as she began following her through the crowded streets as no other than Regina began walking away, getting father and father from her wife. From Emma. If only Regina had turned around, she would have seen Emma standing right before her. She would see her trying to follow her and catch up to her now.

Her smile was immediate. She couldn't believe that the woman in her dreams. Regina, truly existed. She was real! Not someone from a fairy tale book, or someone on tv who she would never meet. She was real and she was a few feet right before her. Emma couldn't explain as to why she was feeling this pull towards this beautiful woman, but if this was what love felt like. Then, yes. She was deeply in love and she had to talk to her. She just had too. Whatever it took.

"Regina…" Emma said to herself as she kept on walking, quickening her pace this time. Emma came to a halt as she saw Regina had rested upon a bench. Her heart only beating faster. This was it. This was her chance. Her chance to finally talk to her and ask if they had ever met before. She smiled as she drew in a breath, ready to shout out her name. If she turned, then that was her name.

"Excuse me." A male voice sounded from behind her as she felt a hand grasp onto her elbow. The man's eyes grew wide as he saw he was standing in front of Emma Swan herself. Daniel had found her. She was alive.

Emma looked right into the unknown man's eyes. "Yes?" she asked, quickly looking over at Regina who was still sitting right across from her, clueless to what was happening before her just a few feet away.

"Uh…" Daniel's brows furrowed in confusion as to why Emma was staring at him as she had never seen him before. But, he picked up rather quickly, so he played along. "I'm looking for my wife. Have you seen her? She's brunette, very pretty, she has on a black blouse with a blue jacket and skirt."

Emma's face fell, realizing he had just described the beautiful woman from her dreams. Regina. She was married to him? Her next question was obvious…

She turned to look at Regina one last time, as she turned back to him, "Do you know me? I'm sorry if this sounds like a strange question, I just… I saw your… your wife and I couldn't help to feel like we know each other."

He could tell her the truth. Yes, we know each other. Regina isn't in anyway my wife, but she was in love with me until you took her away. He could be a nice guy about it and tell her. He should have. But, that wasn't Daniel anymore. Having Regina as a friend by his side all these years made him get his hopes up high with her. Weather he had a chance or not, Emma was not going to ruin it for him. Not this time. Not anymore. Not ever. Not if he could have anything to do with it.

He shook his head. "I'm sorry. I think we'd remember if we've met you before." he smiled his best smile over at Emma as he patted her gently on the arm, "Thank you for finding her for me."

With that, he walked away from Emma without even looking back, walking right up to Regina as he made the brunette walk away from her spot where had she turned or looked the other way just once. She would have seen Emma a few feet away.