Chapter 13
It didn't take long for them to adjust to their new life together, falling into a blissfully domestic routine. A few nights a week, they would make it to The Blood Moon for a pint and some socialization before coming home and spending the rest of the night alone together. Most nights, they don't leave the apartment, spending hours making love and soaking in the tub together, sometimes going days without wearing clothes. As long as they had blood in the fridge, they didn't need to ever leave the apartment.
Life was perfect.
Emma lay fast asleep, wrapped in Regina's arms, her bare chest pressed against Emma's bare back, their legs tangled together with just a soft thin sheet over their naked bodies. She was dreaming a beautiful dream filled with visions of Regina and their future together when she was awoken suddenly.
"NOOOO! Please stop! Please don't! Please…PLEASE…AHHHHH!" Regina screamed, her body thrashing suddenly, her knee accidentally kicking Emma in the back.
"Regina?" she asked, struggling to turn over to face her thrashing Mate.
"STOP! STOP PLEASE STOP! NO PLEASE!" Regina screamed again, thrashing even harder, thick red tears rushing down her face.
"Regina! Regina wake up!" Emma said, trying to shake Regina awake.
"DON'T TOUCH ME! PLEASE STOP! DON'T TOUCH ME! DON'T HURT ME!" Regina screamed, shaking Emma off, punching her in the face in her attempts to free herself. Emma didn't even react when she felt blood drip down her chin from the gash Regina's punch left in her lip. She knew it would heal eventually. All she cared about was Regina and waking her from the terrifying nightmare she was trapped in. She grabbed Regina's shoulders so tight she was probably leaving bruises and shook her violently, attempting to wake her from the obvious nightmare she was experiencing. Her attempts were futile as Regina continued to scream as though she were in excruciating pain.
Finally, with no other ideas, Emma grabbed Regina's arm and bit down hard, tasting Regina's blood as soon as her fangs pierced her flesh. Whether it was the shock of being bitten, or the fact that Regina's body knew it was Emma's teeth buried in her arm, either way the bite startled Regina awake, causing her to shoot straight up in bed.
"Emma…" she whimpered, her body sore from thrashing and resisting in her dream, fresh tears running down her face and dripping on her bare chest.
"Shhh, I'm right here. I'm right here," Emma said, shifting to sit behind Regina, wrapping her arms and legs around her shaking body tightly, resting her head against Regina's shoulder. "You're safe." Regina couldn't speak. All she did was cry, her tears dripping down her body, leaving a red trail in their wake.
"I was back there…with them…they were…" Regina started to say, her tears cutting off her sentence.
"Shhh…you're not there any more. You're home safe with me," she said, running her fingers through Regina's hair.
"It felt so real, Emma. It felt like I was back there. I…I…I'm afraid to go back to sleep," Regina cried, her body still shaking in Emma's arms.
"It's okay. We can just stay here like this for as long as you need. And if you do fall asleep, I'll be right here with you to protect you. Nothing bad is going to happen when I'm around," Emma said, kissing the top of Regina's shoulder softly.
"Can you just hold me for a little?" Regina asked, her voice sounding uncharacteristically weak.
"You never have to ask. Just get into my arms, my love," Emma said, laying back down, opening her arms to greet Regina. In the darkness, Regina could see Emma's bright smile, causing her pounding heart to slow down. Regina's body instantly relaxed the moment she was safely tucked away in Emma's arms, her face pressed against the blonde's chest. Emma rubbed Regina's back gently, helping to further calm her down. They laid in silence for a while, Emma focusing on the slight movements of Regina's body, and the way it slowly relaxed fully in her arms. Eventually, Regina drifted back to sleep, allowing Emma to close her eyes and go back to sleep as well, once she knew Regina was fast asleep.
Regina's nightmares continued over the course of the following weeks, each time resulting in Emma waking her up and holding her until she fell asleep again. Emma grew accustomed to sleeping very lightly, subconsciously listening for the sounds of Regina's nightmares, waking Regina gently before she became hysterical. At the first sign of distress, Emma sprang into action, gently positioning Regina against her chest and holding her tightly, whispering that she's safe and in her arms where no one can hurt her. Some days were rougher than others, enduring punches and kicks from Regina defending herself from her nightmare, eventually being forced to wake her up with a bite on the arm.
"I punched you again," Regina said, wiping the dried blood left on Emma's lip, the gash it came from long since healed.
"Yeah. Last day was a rough one," Emma said, wiping the dried blood tears from Regina's face as well.
"I'm sorry." Regina frowned.
"It's alright. I would rather be punched in the face by you every single day, than not have you at all." Emma smiled, kissing Regina softly.
"Can we stay in bed tonight? I don't know if I have the energy to socialize," Regina said, a sad half smile on her face.
"Of course, my love. Whatever you need." Emma smiled, kissing Regina again. "I'll go warm us up something to eat. Stay here," Emma said, climbing out of bed and rushing to the kitchen. Without fail, just a few minutes later, Regina's arms were around her from behind, holding her tight, kissing her neck softly.
"What happened to staying in bed?" Emma asked, turning around to face her Mate.
"I don't follow directions well." Regina smiled, kissing Emma softly.
"Come here," Emma said, grabbing a paper towel, running it under water quickly. She gently cupped Regina's face and softly began wiping the rest of Regina's dried tears off, turning the paper towel slightly red.
"Thanks." Regina frowned again.
"Hey, we'll get through this. It's only been a couple of weeks. We'll find a Vampire friendly therapist if we need to." Emma smiled again. She pressed her lips against Regina's once more before Regina could counter what she just said.
Their kiss was interrupted by a loud knock on the door, causing both women to groan in unison at the interruption.
"I'll get it. Don't burn my breakfast." Regina laughed, making her way to the door. She opened it to find a young woman with short pixie hair on the other side.
"Hi. I…ummm…I was wondering if Miss Swan was available?" the woman asked timidly, as if afraid to speak to Regina.
"Yes, she is. Come in," Regina said, opening the door to let the woman in.
"Emma, you have a visitor," Regina said, assuming the woman was another Vampire Emma had saved during her rescue mission a few weeks prior. Emma turned around in the kitchen, immediately dropping the spoon she was using to stir the blood on the stove, splattering the thick red liquid on the floor.
"Mom?" she asked, her voice shaking, her already pale face turned even whiter, as if she had seen a ghost.
"Emma. It's really you! My little girl!" the woman said, rushing toward Emma, who took a step to the side to avoid the woman's hug.
"How…you're…you're dead. You died when I was fourteen."
"Can we sit and talk about this?" the woman asked, taking another tentative step toward Emma. Regina could feel Emma's hesitation and fear, and was by her side faster than she thought she was capable of moving.
"You can't just show up after fifteen years telling me you've been alive this whole time and expect me to just hug you and forgive you for leaving me," Emma screamed, a red tear running down her face.
"Maybe you should leave," Regina said, holding Emma's hand tightly to let her know she was there, Regina's touch seemed to instantly calm her. Emma took a deep breath and squeezed Regina's hand tighter.
"No. You're right. We should talk," Emma said once she had calmed down from the initial shock of seeing her mother again. She gestured toward the couch, inviting her long lost mother to sit down. "Would you like something to eat?"
"No, thank you," her mother said, sitting on the couch.
"I can give you two some alone time. I have some laundry to do." Regina laughed, tending to the almost burned blood Emma abandoned on the stove, quickly wiping the splattered blood from the floor.
"No, please stay," Emma said, accepting the mug of warm blood from Regina. Regina smiled and settled on the couch next to Emma, ready to witness the reunion. "Let's start over. Regina, this is Mary Margaret Swan. My mother. Mom, this is Regina Mills, my Sire and Mate."
"I go by Blanchard now. Since…" Mary Margaret said.
"Since you were turned into a Vampire and abandoned your daughter?" Emma asked, her anger rising once again. Regina placed her hand on Emma's leg, calming her down again. "Sorry."
"It's nice to meet you," Regina said, reaching to shake Mary Margaret's hand.
Emma took an audible deep breath before continuing. "What happened?" she asked, cutting right to the chase.
"Everything you were told was true. I was attacked that night while changing a flat tire," Mary Margaret explained.
"That's not the part I'm confused about," Emma said, rolling her eyes slightly. "What happened after ? You know, like what caused you to abandon your daughter."
"I never saw the attack coming," Mary Margaret started to explain, ignoring Emma's passive aggressive comment. "And the next thing I knew, I was waking up the following night buried underground. I was confused and disoriented. And terrified, so very terrified. I didn't know what happened. One minute, I was changing a tire, and the next, I was digging myself out of a shallow grave. And I was so hungry I didn't know what to do," Mary Margaret continued, pausing for a moment to allow Emma to catch up.
"A man named David Nolan found me wandering around and helped me my first night. He took me under his wing and treated me as if I were his own Fledgling. Which was nice, because I don't know who my Sire was. I never even saw their face. We've been together ever since, eventually becoming Mates. He was one of the Vampires you saved a couple weeks ago. Lucky for us, he had only been trapped there for a few days, not nearly as long as some," Mary Margaret said, trying to hold back tears.
"Regina was trapped there as well. She was there for over six months," Emma explained, reaching for Regina's hand, squeezing it slightly.
"That's horrible. I'm so sorry," Mary Margaret said, with sympathy in her voice.
"Thanks," Regina said quietly, flinching so slightly that only Emma could feel as the painful memories came flooding back at the mention of her time imprisoned.
"That still doesn't explain why you left me. Why didn't you come back after you discovered you were still alive? Didn't you think about how this would affect me?" Emma said, red tears welling in her eyes.
"At first, I didn't know how to. You were so young. How could I show up after being missing for weeks and tell you I'm a Vampire? How could I admit that I was turned without even knowing who did it?" Mary Margaret asked, emotional tears filling her eyes.
"You figure out a way. You don't let your fourteen-year-old daughter think you're dead, when you're actually living down the street with some other guy," Emma said, anger raging in her voice. This time, it was Regina's turn to squeeze Emma's hand for support.
"Emma, it's not that simple…" Mary Margaret tried to say. "I was afraid that I would scare you. You were so young. But I always kept tabs on you and made sure you were alright. I had to move on when you joined The Agency, which is when I moved here. I knew that even if I did make contact after all that time, it would put you in a difficult position to choose between your job and your family."
"I ended up doing that anyway, when I fell in love with Regina." Emma smiled, all anger disappearing from her voice as she changed the subject. "My entire way of thinking changed drastically after meeting Regina, actually. Which is why I did what I did," Emma explained.
"I was heartbroken when I found out that you had died rescuing the captive Vampires in The Agency. I was so relieved to have David back, of course, but beside myself at the same time knowing my daughter died to save him," Mary Margaret explained, discreetly wiping a tear that was forming in her eye. "I have never felt happier than when I found out that Regina was able to change you at the last minute and save you."
"I know the feeling." Regina smiled, looking at Emma. "The moment Emma woke up from the change was one of the happiest moments of my life." Mary Margaret smiled so wide when she heard Regina talk about her daughter in that way.
"I do hope now that everything's out in the open, we can once again have a relationship like we used to," Mary Margaret said, leaning a little closer to Emma.
"Mom…that's…that's a tall order. It's been over fifteen years. And it seems like you're only coming to me because I saved your mate. It's going to take more than one surprise conversation to build a relationship," Emma said.
"I understand," Mary Margaret said, disappointment in her voice.
"Do you even know that Dad's dead?" Emma asked after a few minutes of very uncomfortable silence.
"Oh Emma, I had no idea. I kept tabs on him as well but lost all contact after I moved. Did he suffer?"
"He had a heart attack a few years ago," Emma said, her voice filled with emotion. "He was never the same after you were gone. We didn't eat very well either."
"He always did have an aversion to vegetables." They laughed together before falling into more uncomfortable silence.
"All things considered, it is nice to see you again, Mom," Emma said after a few more moments.
"How have you been since the change?" Mary Margaret asked, her motherly instincts kicking back in.
"Alright. The change hurt like a bitch, but I'm pretty sure it does for everyone." Emma laughed. "Other than that we've been good. Great, actually, except for sharing clothes since all my things are still at my apartment, and I can't go back there." Emma chuckled. "Not that I mind sharing clothes, since most of the time we aren't wearing anything," Emma added, a sly smile spreading across her face, causing Mary Margaret to blush slightly.
"Why can't you go back to your apartment?" Mary Margaret asked, her concern washing over her face.
"I'm afraid to, to be honest. The Agency is probably looking for me. I don't know if they think I'm dead or on the lam, or if they know the truth that I've been changed. Either way, I'm in some seriously deep shit with them. I'm a traitor in their eyes. I'm sure they have been watching my apartment. I don't think they have my phone tracked or they would have found me by now," Emma explained.
"David and I could go back to your apartment and pack up some of your things. That way you have what you need and don't have to risk getting caught," Mary Margaret offered, perking up at the idea of being able to help her daughter.
"I can't ask you to do that. It's still very dangerous, especially for a Vampire," Emma said.
"You're not asking, I'm offering. You gave your life to save my Mate, it's the least we can do," Mary Margaret said. "If anyone is there, we'll just tell them we heard the hunter who lived there left town and we are looting the place."
"I guess that sounds plausible," Emma said, glancing at Regina for support. "Okay, but you both have to be very careful. And if anything doesn't feel right you leave, regardless of whether you got everything. And you MUST leave my computer EXACTLY where it is. It's Agency issued and they will definitely be tracking it. So don't even touch it," Emma instructed, gaining a fast nod from Mary Margaret.
"Yes, I can do that. Make me a list of things you need and we'll go over and get them," Mary Margaret said, excited to help her daughter after all these years. Emma quickly made a list of the most important things and where to find them and sent Mary Margaret on her way, with a promise to be back before sunrise with Emma's things.
A few hours later, after the domestic chores of laundry and restocking the fridge with blood packets were finished, they settled into the couch with one final mug of warm blood and began to watch a movie, when a loud knock on the door startled them for the second time that night. Emma opened the door this time and was greeted by Mary Margaret and a tall blonde man that she assumed was David Nolan, her mate.
"Hey, you made it," Emma said as she let them in, noticing they were each carrying one of her large duffle bags, both overstuffed with stuff. "Was everything alright?"
"Everything went great. We didn't see anyone and the door was locked, but The Agency was clearly there. Everything was ransacked and rummaged through. I think they took your computer too, because we didn't see it. We did manage to get everything on your list," Mary Margaret said as they handed the bags to Emma and Regina, handing Emma a small white envelope as well. "This was on the floor by the door when we got there. I'm thinking someone slipped it under the door after The Agency left or I'm sure they would have taken it as well."
"Thank you so much for this," Emma said.
"It was the least I could do after you risked your life to save me," David said for the first time since entering the small apartment. "Thank you again for everything you did."
"You're welcome. You guys better get going though. It's almost sunrise," Emma said, knowing the other three Vampires could also feel the upcoming sunrise.
"Yes, we should," Mary Margaret said, clearly not ready to leave just yet.
"So, maybe some time soon…we could all get together and hang out. Maybe catch up a little," Emma said, causing Mary Margaret to smile wide with excitement.
"I'd like that," she said, clearly holding back her tears of happiness.
"Great. I'll give you a call soon and we can set something up," Emma said. "I really am glad you found me, Mom."
"I am too," Mary Margaret said, a stray red tear falling down her face, opening her arms tentatively to hug her daughter.
Emma hesitated for a moment before taking a step into her mother's arms. Mary Margaret wrapped her arms around Emma the second she was close enough, and Emma did the same. They both smiled at the feeling of being together again after all those years, and at the prospect of rekindling their broken relationship. Things were starting to look up once again.
Emma flopped down on the couch next to Regina as soon as Mary Margaret and David left, making sure to lock the door behind them in preparation for the day, opening the letter Mary Margaret had found on the floor in her old apartment.
A moment later, her face dropped, causing her heart to pound in her chest so much that Regina could feel it.
"What is it?" Regina asked, Emma's sudden change in mood grabbing her attention.
"They're looking for me. The Agency. They're looking for me. They know I was turned and they're looking to exterminate me for treason. That's why they trashed my apartment and took my computer," Emma said.
"How do you know? Who sent you the letter?"
"A friend of mine at The Agency. She's probably the only one there who I can trust. She's a hunter like me. She said all hunters were given explicit orders to bring me into the office for extermination. I can't call her because I'm sure they are tapping her phone since they know we are friends. The good thing is, it doesn't appear they know about you, so we're probably safe here for a little longer. But I can't leave the apartment now that I know they are looking for me, and I definitely can't be seen with you either, or we'll both be in jeopardy. I need to leave…" Emma started to say, being cut off by Regina immediately.
"WE…We need to leave…" Regina said, slight anger in her voice at the idea of Emma going anywhere without her.
"We need to leave Boston as soon as possible. Probably within the next day or two. Sooner rather than later," Emma said, panic in her voice.
"I know exactly where we can go, we just need a car to get there," Regina said, trying to calm Emma down.
"I have a car, but I doubt it's still running. I'm sure The Agency probably cut the brake lines or something by now. I wouldn't be surprised if they already set it on fire and pushed it into the Boston Harbor." Emma pouted slightly. "I really liked that car too."
"Give me tomorrow night and I'll get us a car. We'll leave the night after tomorrow. We'll pack up all the blood we have into a cooler and I'll stop at The Blood Moon one last time to grab some more, and tell Graham what's going on. You should probably tell Mary Margaret and David as well. And you need to get you a new phone too, just in case they start tracking your phone," Regina said, grabbing a pen and paper, starting a list of things they needed to do the following night to prepare to leave Boston.
They eventually made it to bed just after sunrise, knowing if they didn't they would both get sick, and they couldn't afford to have them both be sick when they leave. Emma checked the front door three times before she finally settled into bed with Regina, both of their stomachs in knots, worrying about their safety now that they know The Agency is looking for Emma.
They woke up the next night and immediately went to work. After drinking a little blood, Regina left the apartment to obtain a car and to let Graham know what was going on. Emma stayed behind to pack up what she could, including freezing their collection of blood so it would stay fresh during their journey the following night, as well as Regina's clothes and the collection of Regina's favorite books. By the time Regina returned, everything was packed and ready to go, leaving only the task of loading the frozen blood packets in the cooler the following night. They nervously went to bed that morning, anxious about what the future would hold for them.
Emma woke up before sunset, her body screaming at her to go back to sleep, even though her mind was racing with "what-ifs" .
"Go back to sleep, my love," Regina whispered, sensing Emma's anxiety.
"I can't. My mind keeps racing," Emma said, fear and panic in her voice.
"Let me fix that," Regina whispered, sleep still in her voice. She grabbed Emma by the shirt and she pulled the blonde in for a deep and crushing kiss. Emma melted into Regina's lips, her mind slowly relaxing, her terrified thoughts finally fading away as she focused on Regina's lips and tongue. "Better?" Regina asked after a few minutes, pulling away just far enough to speak.
"Much. Thank you," Emma whispered, her mind still fuzzy.
"Don't ever thank me for kissing you." Regina smiled. She pulled Emma into her arms, twirling a lock of her hair in her fingers as they both quickly fell asleep again.
They were both awake moments before sunset, staying huddled together in bed for a few more minutes until it was safe for them to get up, silently savoring their last moments in that bed, knowing they would likely never return to it. They heated up a good amount of blood, sharing one last meal in the apartment together before washing their mugs and packing them away, pouring the rest of the warm blood into travel mugs to drink on their drive.
The vintage black Mercedes Regina procured was parked in the parking lot, with a full tank of gas, ready for their journey. Emma didn't ask where Regina had acquired the car, although she figured after all this time, Regina probably already owned the car and had it tucked away in storage. They loaded the car quickly, making only two trips back and forth from upstairs before they were ready to leave. They left quietly in the middle of the night, letting only a few people know they were leaving, and none knowing, including Emma, where they were headed. Emma sighed as they passed the "Now Leaving Boston" sign. She really liked living in Boston. But even though she had to leave, she was with Regina, and that's all that mattered in the end.
They drove for hours, and even though Emma offered to take over, Regina refused and insisted on driving the entire time. A little over four hours later, they had made it to the state of Maine and passed by a small sign that said "Welcome To Storybrooke." They drove through the small town slowly until they found a small dirt road, leading them deep into the forest on the edge of the small town.
Hidden deep within the forest was a small cabin. By the looks of it, no one had been to that cabin in decades, based on the amount of vines that were growing up all four walls.
"What is this place?" Emma asked as Regina parked the car next to the cabin, turning off the engine.
"This is my place. I used to come here occasionally to get away and escape from the world. I haven't been here in years," Regina explained, pulling a set of keys out of her pocket, walking toward the small front porch. Emma followed as Regina unlocked the door, the hinges creaking slightly when it opened.
The cabin was small, a little larger than Regina's studio apartment. It was one large room, just like the apartment, with another large four poster bed situated in the corner. Sheets covered the furniture, including a small television against the wall, along with a huge bookcase, filled with books.
"No one knows about this place. We'll be safe here," Regina said, pulling the dusty sheet off the couch. "There's a generator out back that should have enough fuel to last the day. Tomorrow I'll go into town and arrange for the electricity and water to be turned back on. We can set up cable and internet too if you want."
"No rush with the cable and internet. Power might be good for the fridge. And water too. To soak in the tub. There is a tub here, right?" Emma asked, helping Regina uncover all the furniture, tossing the dirty and dusty sheets in the corner of the room to be dealt with later.
"Of course." Regina smiled, grabbing Emma's hand and leading her to the bathroom, where an antique claw tub took up most of the room. "This is my sanctuary. Of course I would have all the luxuries I can."
"I'm beginning to like it here already." Emma smiled, kissing Regina sweetly. After their kiss ended, Regina went out back to start the generator, relieved to hear the soft purr as the engine started right away.
Hooking up the refrigerator to the small generator, she quickly unpacked their coolers, ensuring their blood didn't spoil while Emma brought the rest of the bags inside, piling them in the corner before helping Regina make the bed with fresh sheets and hang the heavy curtains around the bed, just like Regina had back in Boston. They warmed up what was left in their travel mugs and had one last snack before they felt the upcoming sunrise.
Curling up together for the first time in their new home, Emma could finally relax for the first time in over twenty-four hours. She had never even heard of this small town of Storybrooke, and even so, they were in the middle of the woods in a town in the middle of nowhere Maine. She was certain no one was going to find her here. Now, all they had to do was hunker down and wait for everything to blow over, or for everyone she knew in The Agency to die before they could return to Boston, even if that took another thirty years. What's thirty years when you have an eternity? She fell asleep in Regina's arms, sleeping better than she had since she found out The Agency was looking for her.