Chapter 26 Safe

Regina had woken up to the sound of the monitors beside her bed, and the slight snoring coming from somewhere in the room. For a moment she couldn't remember why she was lying in a hospital bed until the events from the day before came rushing back. She felt so vulnerable after going through the exams that were conducted last night. She could remember feeling ashamed as each bruise, each scar and wound was exposed; The ghost of Dr. Roe's finger tips tracing the scars on her back. She had been afraid to look at Emma, afraid of seeing her reaction. When she did look at her, she saw nothing but shock and disgust flashing in her green eyes. She knew it wasn't disgust for her, but for the man who put them there. When it came time for the vaginal exam, that was when everything became a bit hazy. She was sure she must have dissociated from it. She could remember seeing the turbulent of different emotions flash across Emma's face. Anger, sadness, disgust, shock, but never pity. Emma never once made her feel like someone to be pitied and she loved her for that.

Emma had been her rock, even when she was afraid of her seeing the scars and bruises on her body; Even when she had admitted to the rape and sexual assault Leopold bestowed on her. Emma was there for her through it all, and Regina was starting to see her in a whole new light. She had been reluctant about starting a friendship with her, but now she was starting to open up her heart to her day by day. Somehow Emma became someone she trusted and no longer the woman who was just trying to take her son from her. Somehow, she became her best friend.

She looked over to see Emma passed out on the couch, snoring slightly and looking exhausted. Her blonde hair was a mess, her mouth slightly hanging open and her face a little more pale than usual. She wondered what time she had come back last night.

She pulled the oxygen mask from her face; Her ribs were throbbing painfully. The medications she had been on were wearing off. She grabbed a remote that had been by her pillow and pushed the button that would call a nurse for her.

Nurse Dana came in moments later, and Regina frowned, wondering if she had ever gone home.

"Good morning, honey," Nurse Dana greeted her with a squeeze to her hand. Regina gave her a small smile which could have been a pained grimace. She was an older woman with a motherly kind of touch. Her dark hair was pulled up and her dark eyes scanned Regina's vitals. She then administered her medication through her IV line. Regina didn't even have to tell her she was in pain, she was sure she could see it in her face and in the way her body was tensing.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice sounding hoarse. Dana gently slid the oxygen mask back on her which earned the woman a glare. Regina was sick of wearing this thing.

"Dr. Roe's orders," Dana chuckled at her annoyed expression and then looked over at Emma for a moment. "Do you want me to wake her?"

Regina shook her head. She wanted to let her sleep after being up half the night. She then started to wonder if Emma had ended up arresting Leopold. She was sure she did. She could remember Emma promising her he wouldn't be getting away with hurting her anymore. Dana made a few adjustments to her IV, checking the needle and then proceeded on updating her chart. She even checked the bruising on her eye and ribs before finally leaving her alone.

Regina stared at the sleeping woman, a sudden fondness warming her heart. She would forever be grateful for everything she has done for her and for Henry. She even started to feel bad for all the fighting she had put her through upon her arrival to Storybrooke, and especially for having her falsely arrested.

Emma must have felt her staring, because she started to stir awake. Regina watched her sleepy eyes blink open, bringing a hand to smooth her messy locks away from her face and yawning. The moment they made eye contact, Emma's whole face brightened, and she clumsily stood from the couch and came over to her bed.

"How are you feeling?" Emma asked, which had Regina struggling to focus. The medication must be kicking in, because her head was suddenly feeling a little too lightheaded. Emma frowned in concern and then a look of realization flashed in her green eyes. "Did the nurse come in and readminister your pain meds?"

Regina nodded, slipping her mask off and giving her a drowsy smile. "I'm feeling better. Nurse Dana came in and drugged me."

"I can see that," she laughed. "You're almost cross eyed." Regina frowned at the joke which had Emma laughing even more. Regina reached out, her hand suddenly caressing Emma's cheek. She grew serious as she once again thought about last night, about what Emma had seen. Emma leaned into the touch and Regina caught those green eyes glancing at her lips for a moment.

"Thank you," she whispered, not thinking too much into the fact that Emma had glanced at her lips. Emma gave her a small smile, and then took her hand from her cheek and held it against her chest.

"I'm just glad you're safe now."

"W'as gonna… happen now?" she asked, her words slurred a bit, as the pain medication kicked in even more. She was starting to feel sleepy. Emma gave her such a look of endearment, Regina couldn't help but blush.

"I arrested Leopold last night," she informed her more seriously. "Or Graham did, actually. I preferred to beat him to a pulp."

"Graham?" she asked in disbelief because this was the same sheriff that had turned his back on her as Leopold beat her.

"Shocked me too."

"And wha's… gonna happen to … Leo?" Regina asked, her words getting more and more slurred and her eyes felt too heavy to keep open.

"He'll have to stand trial, although I know he's getting out on bail soon."

She let out a small gasp as soon as she heard those words; she started to panic, because how could she and Henry be safe if he was walking around town until trial? Her breathing increased, her eyes widening in fear and she could feel herself trembling.

"He's not coming near you or Henry," Emma assured her, squeezing the hand that she hugged against her chest. She could feel the beat of Emma's heart beneath her palm and she used the rhythm to ground herself. "You're not going back to the mansion. He's not going to hurt you anymore. You and Henry could stay with us at the loft as long as you need to."

"But… what if he comes after us?"

"I won't let him," she assured her, a fierce determination flashing in those green eyes. She placed the oxygen mask back on her face and Regina sent her a half hearted glare. "Just until you can at least catch your breath," she explained and then released her hand and pulled the blanket higher over her shoulders in an attempt to help her stop trembling.

Regina curled up, the comfort and care in which Emma treated her with, made her feel warm and safe enough to give into the pull of sleep. Not even the thought of Leopold posting bail and coming to find her could pull her from Emma's warm embrace of safety. She suddenly couldn't keep up with the fight of keeping her eyes open. She started to doze off with Emma softly combing her dark hair from her face.

"Get some sleep," she heard her say. "I'll be back soon and then we'll see about getting you out of here."

It was hard for Emma to leave, even after Regina had fallen asleep. She was tempted to just sit with her for a while, but she knew the longer she waited, the less time she would have to get back before Leopold was bailed out. She wanted to go check in with Henry and then grab some stuff from the mansion and even check in at the station with Graham. When she entered the loft, Henry was immediately jumping from his seat at the breakfast bar, abandoning his plate of pancakes Mary Margaret had made him and rushed over to her just as she was walking through the door.

"How's my mom?" he asked right away, his hazel eyes bright with anxiety. She looked over to the kitchen to see Mary Margaret in the kitchen pouring herself coffee, and to her surprise Ruby was standing beside her with her own hot mug. Her eyes were red, and she guessed Mary Margaret had told her what had happened last night. She knelt down to his level, hoping to reassure him first.

"She's ok, kid," she gave him a small sad smile. "She's strong, just like the Queen from your stories."

"When can I see her?" he asked, hopefully, his eyes shining.

"How about later in the afternoon? She's sleeping and I have a few errands to run first."

"Ok," he nodded, and then was suddenly wrapping his arms around her tightly. "Thank you, Emma. I knew you'd be able to help us."

"Oh, kid," she whispered, her eyes misting over as a weight of emotion fell over her. He pulled away and Emma guided him back to the bar so he could finish eating. Both of her friends gave her a questioning gaze.

"Mary Margaret updated me," Ruby seemed to be trembling, and Mary Margaret rubbed her back in comfort. Emma grabbed herself a cup of coffee before taking a seat next to Henry.

"She has two fractured ribs and two facial fractures," she sighed, deciding to leave out the part about the rape kit. She didn't want to scare Henry. She knew she would eventually have to update them and Katherine about her findings at the hospital and the fact that they had done a thorough exam and rape kit on Regina. "She's on pain medication and oxygen. The bruising is bad, but she's doing much better. She's breathing better."

"I'm so glad she's away from him," Ruby stated in relief.

"Is he in jail?" Henry asked.

"At least until he bails out," Emma said, not at all comfortable with him loose in Storybrooke.

"But won't he come looking for us?"

"No, you'll be safe here," Mary Margaret said. "He won't dare barge in here and we'll keep your mom safe too. Don't worry honey, leave that to us."

"Ok," he nodded. "Can I go to school?" Everyone looked at him in surprise, Emma nearly choked on her coffee. Mary Margaret was the one to come to her rescue.

"You don't want to stay home and rest?"

"No," he shook his head. "I'd rather go. Then the day will go faster and I can see her."

Emma was a bit apprehensive. What if Leopold went looking for Henry at school? Mary Margaret must have seen the concern on her face, because she immediately reached out and placed a comforting hand on her own.

"Hey, don't worry. I can take him with me and bring him home. I won't let him out of my site and I'll make sure the school knows not to allow him on school grounds. Besides, it might be good for him to get his mind off everything."

"Please, mom?" Henry asked.

"Ok," she nodded. "Just be careful kid, and if you want to leave at any point, I'll come pick you up."

Henry quickly got ready for school while Emma attempted to at least have some breakfast. Soon both Mary Margaret and Henry were out the door, leaving her and Ruby alone.

"How is she, really?" Ruby asked now that Henry wasn't here. Emma sighed, giving up on eating and shoving her plate forward. She knew she was going to ask that. She wouldn't have shared anything descriptive because of Henry. Although, she wasn't sure of how much she should share.

"We did a thorough exam, and the bruises and scars that we found…" She shook her head in disgust. "She's scared and hurt, but she's so strong. She's going to be ok. She's just afraid of him finding her once he bails out."

"Let him try," the younger woman growled. "Then I'll give him a taste of his own medicine."

"And I won't stop you," Emma chuckled. "Actually, would you like to come with me to the mansion? I could use some help grabbing some stuff for them."

"Of course," Ruby nodded as they deposited their dishes in the sink and got ready to head out. "Can I come by the hospital after class today? I'd like to see her too. I always miss her when we have a sub."

"I would think you and the other students would enjoy a break from Dr. Mill's lectures," Emma chuckled, fondly thinking of all the lectures she had sat in on. Regina was tough, definitely not a community college leveled class. She could go so far in her career if Leopold had just allowed her to.

"Well, we're all just concerned. He's never left visible marks on her before, Emma. And suddenly she's starting to come into work with bruises on her face, neck and arms. What circulated as rumors is now…" She shook her head in disgust. "Everyone now knows they are true. Since you arrived in town, he started getting sloppy and people were starting to notice. She may be a tough professor, but she's the best if you're serious about making it in the field. The student's who appreciate her authenticity really do care for her."

"I don't think she knows just how much they do," Emma wondered out loud which caused the younger woman's face to light up.

"I have an idea," she stated, a glimmer of excitement in her blue eyes as they left the loft and headed down to the bug. She refused to tell Emma, claiming she'd just spoil the surprise.

Emma had used the key Henry had given her last night. The moment she and Ruby stepped into the mansion, ice cold chills made their way up her spine. She could practically feel every single emotion Regina must have felt while living here. The feeling of being trapped. Fear of being hurt at any moment. The tension she must have held within her, afraid of even stepping out of place. Her pain when he'd punish her. There was a darkness hanging over this place, and Emma never wanted to step foot in here again. Regina and Henry would never come back to this place. She felt like she was stepping into a prison.

"I'll grab Henry's things," Ruby said, shaking her from her thoughts and reminding her why they were here. She rushed up the stairs, leaving Emma standing in the foyer. She shut the door and just as she was going to rush upstairs herself, something in the kitchen caught her eye. There was an apple on the floor close to the doorway that could be seen from the foyer. She frowned in confusion and headed over, slowly stepping inside. She immediately became sickened at the mess she found. Apples and glass were all over the floor and along with it was a pool of dried blood… Leopold's blood from where Regina had shattered a bottle over his head. There had been a struggle here and she knew this is where it happened. Where he had beaten her. She was sure of it.

She backed away, feeling herself trembling and rushing back into the foyer and up the stairs. She was a bit uncomfortable going into the bedroom after finding out about the sexual abuse, but she didn't have a choice. She needed to quickly grab Regina's things and get out. She didn't even look at the bed as she rummaged through the closet for a suitcase and started filling it with clothes. She then went into the adjoined bathroom and grabbed all the feminine toiletries she could find and threw them in the suitcase as well. When she was done, she met Ruby in Henry's room.

"Just about done?" she asked, walking in and seeing the younger woman filling a tote bag with comic books, drawing pads and notebooks. A packed suitcase was ready to go by the door.

"Yup, I figured Henry would want these as well." She looked up to see Emma holding a single suitcase for Regina. "You might want to grab her laptop and briefcase for when she goes back to work."

"Good point," Emma said, leaving the suitcase by Henry's and then going back into the bedroom to look for it. They were nowhere to be seen and she didn't remember seeing them in the kitchen. Maybe it was in the study? It looked more like Leopold's domain. She wondered where Regina went to do her work. There were four other closed rooms in the hall. One was a guest bedroom, one was a bathroom. One of the doors was locked which Emma grew suspicious of. When she tried the last door, to her surprise it had opened and she had found what she guessed was Mary Margaret's old bedroom.

It had white furniture, pink curtains and was full of beautiful things. A room fit for a princess. The fact that Mary Margaret had given this up, a life of luxury, for Regina didn't surprise her. The way she talked about her stepmother, sounded like she really loved her. She was nothing like her father.

She went inside and didn't see Regina's work stuff anywhere. She did notice the pictures on the bulletin board above the desk. There were old polaroids of two little girls. They looked so happy and carefree. Innocent and naive of the horrors their future would become. She pulled off a photo of a teen Regina sitting in the diner with a 13 year old Mary Margaret and who she believed to be Daniel. She figured this must have been taken before the crash. She was so young and happy with her whole life ahead of her.

"Look at you," she whispered in awe of seeing such a young version of Regina. The fact that she was married off at this age made her sick. She couldn't even begin to imagine how it must have felt to be married at such a young age and to a man who was old enough to be her father.

She put the photo back, staring at the pictures of two girls who once seemed to be inseparable despite their five year age difference. She wondered if there was hope for them to rekindle that love and friendship. They were meant to be sisters, not stepmother and stepdaughter; Another thing Leopold had taken.

"Emma!" she heard Ruby calling out. "I found them in the foyer closet!"

She wiped the sudden tear that streamed down her cheek. She walked out with one last look of the room and shut the door.

After leaving the mansion, Emma dropped the suitcases off at the loft while Ruby headed off to campus. Emma had one more stop to make before heading back to the hospital. She wanted to check in with Graham and see exactly when Leopold would be released. To her dismay, Leopold was already out, sitting at Graham's desk and filling out the paperwork. She guessed his lawyer must have already paid the bail. She must have walked into an heated argument because Graham was standing, his face red and eyes hard with anger. Leopold was sitting there looking like a smug son of bitch.

"Deputy Swan, now that I'm free from this place I'd like to see my wife," he ordered, standing and facing her. His eye where she had punched him last night was bruised and almost swollen shut. The bruises and head wound Regina had given him looked worse than they did last night and she could see by the way he was favoring his side that it still hurt where she kicked him. Emma was so damn proud of Regina for fighting back.

"You're not getting anywhere near her or Henry," she growled, her fist clenching and her anger rising. She had to fight everything within her from punching his eye again.

"Last I checked, she is still my wife and Henry is still my son."

"You beat her!" Emma snapped, stepping forward and backing him up against the wall. Graham didn't even stop her. "You terrorized her! You raped her! She doesn't want anything to do with you! If you come near her or Henry, I'll give you more than just a black eye! I'll give you a taste of your own medicine and then maybe you'll see what it's like to be hurt and helpless!"

"You're feeding into the lies she's telling you," he sneered. "I never raped her!"

"You're full of shit!" she yelled, about to punch him in the face again except this time Graham pulled her back.

"Get out, now!" Graham yelled at him but the old bastard stepped up to Emma instead.

"I always take back what's mine," he threatened, holding her fierce gaze before walking out of the station.

"Son of a bitch," she grumbled, taking out her phone and sending Mary Margaret a quick text that her father was now walking free and to keep a close eye on Henry.

"Emma, go to the hospital and make sure he stays away from her," Graham suggested. "I'll take care of the paperwork and submit for a trial date."

Emma was grateful. She was in no shape to be doing the brunt work right now. She just wanted to get back to Regina as soon as possible and make sure her husband wasn't stupid enough to come looking for her. Graham took a seat and didn't even make eye contact as he worked. Guilt still reflected in his eyes and his unshaven face. It was eating away at him, and maybe Emma should at least feel just a bit bad for him, but she didn't have it in her. He was a selfish coward who couldn't stick up for himself years ago, and instead dug himself deeper into a lie. He let Leopold take advantage instead of doing his damn job, and because of it Regina was the one to pay for it.

She didn't say anything to him; Not even a thank you as she determinedly left the station. She left him to sulk in his well deserved guilt.

When Emma arrived at the hospital, Regina was still asleep. The pain medications had knocked her out. She was curled up under the blankets, the oxygen mask was placed on her face, helping her breathe easily and steady without any pain. The bruises on her face were dark against the white sheets. She leaned against the threshold, watching her sleep for a moment. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to leave without worrying about Leopold stopping by. She wasn't even sure how she was going to tell her about him posting bail. She knew they had a long way to go to completely free her from Leopold's grasp. Regina needed to file divorce papers and then go through his trial as well as reopening her own case. She needed to call Katherine and update her on everything and get the process started.

She finally tore her gaze from Regina and went over to the nurses station where Nurse Dana was working on some patient charts.

"How's she doing?" she asked, getting the older woman's attention. She looked up from her work.

"She woke up an hour ago from nightmares. I calmed her down, but she had jostled her ribs pretty good."

"Was she in a lot of pain?" she grimaced.

"Not too much. The pain medication helps take off the edge, but she can still feel it if she were to jostle it the way she did. Dr. Roe upped her dosage a bit, which is why she's a bit out of it."

"Any chance Dr. Roe will be releasing her soon? The mayor posted his bail and I'll feel a lot better if she were home with me where I can keep a better watch over her and her son."

Her eyes widened in alarm at the news of Leopold walking around free.

"I'll check in with her," she said and then picked up the phone and alerted security to not let Leopold in under any circumstances, no matter if he was the mayor.

"Thank you," she said sincerely once she hung up the phone.

"Hey, as my patient, it's also my job to keep her safe. I don't give a damn who her husband is. He could be the president for all I care and he still wouldn't be allowed to walk into this hospital."

Emma smiled gratefully and then went back into Regina's room. She sat on the couch and was scrolling through her messages. Ruby texted that she'd be there in a couple hours with her surprise for Regina, and then she also got a text from Mary Margaret confirming she was watching Henry at school and that security knew not to let Leopold on the premises.

Satisfied that Henry was safe, she got up and grabbed Regina's phone from the nightstand beside the bed. There was no lock on it and she figured it was so Leopold could look through her stuff. She went into the settings and deactivated the locator. She was tempted to block the son of a bitch, but decided to leave that up to Regina. She placed the phone back on the nightstand just as Dr. Roe walked in.

"Hi Emma, I'm just here to examine her once more before I decide to release her," she explained, going over to Regina.

"Great, with Leopold out on bail, I'd really like to get her home to my place."

"It'll depend on her pain levels and her breathing," she informed her as she gently removed the oxygen mask. She started to wake her. "Regina?" she said softly, rousing the exhausted brunette from her sleep.

Brown eyes opened sleepily and right away found Emma. They were glazed over, and her movements were sluggish from the medication. Emma gently cupped her cheek so that she'd focus on her.

"Hey, Dr. Roe just wants to examine you," she said softly.

"I'm just going to check your ribs," the doctor said, removing the blankets and moving the side of her gown up just enough to examine the bruises on her ribs and abdomen. Emma thought they looked worse from last night. The bruising was still so horrific and she really couldn't tell if there was a difference in the swelling.

"The swelling seemed to have gone down a bit," Dr. Roe noted and then slid the gown back on. "Now, I'm going to help you sit up so that I can listen to your lungs." They helped her to sit up. Regina whimpered at the pain. She was tense and Emma gently took her hand and helped support her while Dr. Roe listened to her lungs with a stethoscope.

"Can you take a deep breath?"

Regina did and Emma could see her wincing. She had a feeling that if her medication dosage hadn't been increased, she'd be in unbearable pain. After a few more breaths, both women were helping her lie back into the bed. Emma pulled up the blanket over her and then placed the oxygen mask back on her face to help her breathe after the brief exertion.

"What's your pain level with ten being the highest?" Dr. Roe asked after letting her breath for a few minutes. She gently removed it from her face so she could answer.

"Eight before the pain medication starts wearing off, then it turns into a ten."

"I do prefer if you'd stay so we can monitor your pain, but considering certain circumstances," she was referring to Leopold being released. "I'll approve your discharge. I'll prescribe some pain medication and if you feel the pain is too much or if you're having too much difficulty breathing, I want you to come back."

"Thank you," Regina whispered and Dr. Roe reached out and squeezed her shoulder.

"You'll be good to go this afternoon. Meanwhile, get some rest and keep using the oxygen mask." She smiled kindly at her and then left the two women alone to go update Nurse Dana.

"What does she mean by certain circumstances?"

"Um… Leopold already paid the bail."

Emma could see the panic in her eyes and the deep fear in her face. She was immediately taking her hand, and gently reaching out to caress her cheek, her thumb rubbing circles on her skin in an attempt to comfort her. Friends weren't this affectionate when it came to comfort were they? Emma didn't even realize that maybe she might have crossed a boundary until it was too late. Regina seemed to lean into it, and Emma told herself that it had to be because of the circumstances, because Regina was hurt and afraid and just needed comfort and to feel safe.

"You're going to be safe at the loft and if he shows up, he's not getting near you."

"Where's Henry?" she asked shakily as Emma pulled her hands away.

"He wanted to go to school," she said, noticing her struggling to breathe without pain. She winced everytime she inhaled. She brought the oxygen mask up to her face, holding it for her while she took several moments to breathe. "Mary Margaret is with him and security already knows not to let Leopold on the grounds."

Regina nodded as she removed the mask although she seemed a bit anxious.

"He can't wait to see you," she smiled, hoping to cheer her up a bit but instead gained a look of disbelief.

"I think he's just frightened after what he saw," Regina stated, a dark shadow in her eyes. Emma frowned, seeing the self loathing for the first time. She truly believed her son didn't love her.

"Do you know what happened last night after you came in and I took Henry upstairs?"

Regina shook her head, frowning as if she were trying to remember. She probably didn't even realize she had taken him to her room after she had come in crying and beaten.

"He became angry from what he saw. He tore pages from the book and fell out of his belief. I think it's time you talk to him. I think that this time he will be more receptive to hearing what you have to say."

"I don't think he knows why Mary Margaret gave him the book," she said, a bit surprised at what Emma had just shared. Emma tilted her head curiously.

"Why did she give it to him?" She doubted it was to pull mother and son further away from each other. Regina gave her a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. A kind of wistful smile that reminded Emma of the fact that the book was once hers and she had once passed it to Mary Margaret when she needed it the most.

"To give him hope."