Live as Regina

by Mac NorthSea

On the way to Neverland,Emma is troubled by the moments in the mines she and Regina had at moment of Regina's self-sacrifice that changed everything,even Emma herself.With understanding her upbringing gave her,the Savior decides to save not only Henry but his mother as well. Doing so will take her and her family through harrowing challenges of love,duty,conflict,and magic.

14. Chapter 14

Again, apologies for the delay, I have many obligations as the school year had started. I hope this chapter is OK, for I had trouble with it.

Enjoy.

Chapter 14.

It was a chilly morning. Although the Sun was brightly shining upon the earth, the winds from the inland were bringing the rainy clouds that promised cold and windy storm in the afternoon. And, with that in mind, Snow decided to take a long walk to clear her mind before the rains hit.

Pulling her coat tighter around her, Snow glanced down, watching the path carefully to avoid being tripped by an errant log or weed that had been pulled by the waves on the shore during the night. At the same time she let her mind wander. It had been a strange night for her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen.

Right after she had sent Henry to bed, he had come running to her, skipping in delight waving a piece of parchment in his hand happily. Giving it to her, he had hugged her and dashed off to change for bed. Smiling at his childish antics, Snow had watched him go upstairs. David had leaned over her shoulder to see what she had been holding. And, recognizing his daughter's messy handwriting he had leaned his head onto Snow' shoulder, holding her from behind, as they had read the message. It had been a short missive telling them that they would be home at the evening the next day, and that Emma and Regina both had been well, and that they had been missing Henry. Emma had added her greetings to her parents in the post scriptum.

Pleased to hear from her daughter after two days, Snow had felt elated. But, during the night that had changed. She had most confusing dreams of Emma, standing on a small pier watching them all leave on Jolly Roger, or going into a dark cave. With those, she also had dreamt of Regina dying in Emma's arms. After each instance, she would wake up with a gasp, waking David up each time. And her wonderful husband had done everything to try to sooth her, but it had not helped much.

And, now, she was walking on the beach, trying to shake off the feeling of impending doom. Even as she argued with herself that she had never had prophetic dreams and that her nightmares were only the consequence of her anxiety, something in her rebelled against the notion, convinced that her feeling was true.

"Mary Margaret!" someone called her from behind, interrupting her inner debate. Startled, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Neal walking briskly toward her. Waiting for him to catch up, she started walking again as he had reached her. Matching her stride, Neal pushed his hands into his pockets. "Are you OK?"

Snow looked at him with confusion, still stepping forward. "Yes, why do you ask?"

"I called you several times before you turned." He glanced toward her and shrugged, his gesture seeming out of place on his frame. It was a move of a child, the one Henry had been using before the curse had been broken. "You seemed… I don't know, worried…"

"There are many things to be worried about, Neal." Snow closed her eyes at her own sharp tone but the damage had been done, and she didn't feel like apologizing. With a minute shake of her head, she continued on. "Is there something you wanted?" she asked the man beside him. "I mean, there had to be a reason why you are chasing after me, and not spending the day with your son."

Neal stopped walking at the rebuke in Snow's voice. "He is with other children…" But when he saw Snow narrow her eyes he raised his hands in the air in front of him. "I wanted to ask you about Emma."

"What about her?"

"When is she coming back?"

"If you have been with Henry this morning you would know the answer to that question." Snow walked a few steps away from him, but then she stopped and turned. "You do know she is not coming back alone?" She saw him grimace at her words, as the pain passed through his eyes. "I hope you will not cause further strife in this family," came the warning.

"Why her?" Neal asked suddenly.

"Why not?" At the silence, Snow came closer to Neal, feeling compassion toward the man at his broken heart, but she could see Emma's point of view as well, especially after their talks on the ship. "As weird as it sounds, Regina always took Emma seriously. And one way or the other she never disregarded her. Yes, she considered her a threat for better part of two years, but you hadn't been here to see them together."

"So, it's over."

"Neal, it has been over for twelve years."

With those parting words, Snow turned away and continued walking down the beach, leaving the heartbroken man behind. In her mind, it was no one's fault, but the Fate that Emma and Regina were meant for each other. As she had heard Regina say once, it was all about balance.

She strolled over to the patch of solid ground leading to the village, deciding to join David, Phillip and Aurora at their home, for David had promised them to see their plans for the village, and perhaps give some ideas of improvement.

"Ah, Miss Blanchard," Rumplestiltskin spoke softly, when Snow nearly ran into him and Belle. "Something troubling you, dear?" he said, holding her arm as she slid a bit, startled by his voice.

Snow looked at him and Belle, surprised to see them there. She must have lost herself in her thoughts again, she concluded. "Thank you, Mister Gold" she replied softly. She smiled at the young woman by his side. "Belle," she said in the form of greeting.

"What is it, Snow?" the young woman asked, taking the pixie haired woman's arm and linking it with her own. The gentle countenance of the kind souled Belle pulled a smile from Snow. So, she let the woman lead her to the village, Rumplestiltskin by her other side. They were already on the fringes of it, when Snow answered.

"Just some dreams troubling me." But, but before she could go into it deeper, Rumplestiltskin froze.

As the women looked at him, he glanced down on his body, seeing the tiny swirls of mist forming around him. Recognizing the color and the taste of magic surrounding him, he looked at Snow. "Emma is summoning me," he spoke, disappearing in front of their eyes even before he said his last word.

However, when Snow looked at Belle in confusion, they heard the commotion coming from the village hall. Supposing that the answer was to be found in the biggest building of the village, Snow and Belle hurried toward the Hall, watching several people run out of it yelling of a monster and magic. Meeting with the children, Mulan and Red along the way, Snow rushed in, her feeling of dread increasing by the second.

Rumplestiltskin appeared in the village hall, the force of the transportation making him lose his grip on his cane, and it cluttered on the stone tiles of the floor as he grasped the picture in front of him. Too quickly for him to complain, a hand grabbed his arm and pulled him toward his daughter, lying down on the floor, pale and lifeless.

Taking a moment to gather himself, Rumplestiltskin listened to Emma explain to him the events that had led to the injury that his daughter was suffering from. When he heard the word manticore, he looked up and for the first time noticed the fearsome beast, lying dead on the floor, close to Regina, its head beside it. As the woman before him was fading fast, he jumped right into it, barking out orders he knew the servants of the house would listen. The ones that had stayed after Emma had appeared with the monster, and had not left running in fear.

"I need a cauldron with fresh cow milk!" he yelled as he lowered himself down with Emma's help. With relief he heard hurried footsteps go toward the kitchen, no doubt to fulfill his order. Grasping Regina's injured arm he saw the blistered skin on her forearm and the reddish tinge to her veins, making them stand out on her arm, and the color travelled up to her chest even as he watched. With renewed rush, he felt the pulse of the woman before him. "Emma, I need you to reach into her in order to save her."

At the blonde's confused look, he quickly explained the principles of taking one's heart, and without further objection Emma stuck her hand into the brunette's chest, ignoring the gasps of the crowd that had gathered quickly. Once she even had recognized her son's voice, but she ignored it, completely focused on Regina. As she felt the heart pulse in her hand, she looked up at the old man, waiting for further instruction.

In the meanwhile, he had taken a dagger and with great care not to touch the vile tail, he had cut it off from the carcass. In that moment, one of women had brought the cauldron with milk and at Rumplestiltskin's direction she had placed it into the hearth. It had been prepared for the fire early in the morning, the wood stacked, but there was no flame.

"Focus on her heart beat and with each pulse send out your healing magic from your hand around the heart. Before you do that, I need you to light this quickly." He gestured toward the hearth, holding the dagger in his hand. Emma just glanced upon the logs of wood and they burst into flames. Only moments after, she started focusing on the pulse of the heart in her hand. With care not to squish it, she timed her healing power with each beat, synchronizing almost perfectly her magic with Regina's heart's beats. With her other hand, she touched the drenched forehead, pushing back the wet tendrils of the dark hair, her movements so obviously tender and loving. Glancing up to the old man, she saw him cut the tail into very small bits, having pulled on his leather gloves first. As he dropped the flesh into the boiling milk, he turned to the woman still standing around in case he had needed something else.

"I need some of White Oleander I saw in the shrubbery back by the spring. Also, I would need some of Monkshood and White Snakeroot as well." At the woman's surprised look he raised his eyebrow in question. "Problem, dearie?"

"But, those are poisons!" the woman spoke, as she was confused.

Finally, one of the spectators decided to join them, surrendering the boy she had held in her arms to her husband. "Martha! Go, take them from the apothecary, while I find the Oleander," Snow spoke, her voice breaking the stalemate. At her Queen's voice, the woman snapped into action, while Snow left the building in order to bring the needed plant.

Emma was almost oblivious to the commotion around her, as she counted the thumps against her hand, her fear fueling her magic to the new heights. Suddenly, she saw the movement on the face that she had been looking into. The weak flutter of Regina's eye lids announced the next. The brunette opened her eyes slowly, her gaze unfocused. Emma leaned more forward, coming closer to Regina's face.

"Emma," Regina whispered with relief, her eyes clouded with pain. But, for a moment they cleared, and she saw where one of Emma's hands had been. "Emma, no," she complained weakly, afraid that one of her greatest fears was coming to reality. After all, her descent into darkness had started the same way.

"It's helping you," Emma spoke firmly, making it clear that it was the only thing that mattered. "We are in the village hall," she added when she saw the dark eyes wander around, trying to see where they were. The pallor of Regina's face did not recede, but the redness of the veins had slowed down a bit, perhaps giving them enough time to do what was needed to save Regina.

Emma linked her eyes with Regina's, willing the strength and will to endure into the woman, hoping it would help. Weakly, the brunette reached for a hand that was not in her chest and sent out a pulse of her own magic, linking them the same way as they had been once before, using the magic itself to tell all the things she needed to share with Emma.

Immersed into Regina's mind and power, Emma gasped as the pain surrounded. But, before she instinctively pulled away from it, she willed herself to accept it as a way of taking it away from Regina. At the same moment, she sent out her healing and soothing magic, finally feeling some betterment.

Again surrounded by the memories, some hers, some Regina's, Emma found herself standing in a small meadow, near the apple orchards of Regina's childhood home. The woman herself showed to her, still wearing her black leather pants and white shirt with the vest. Placing her hand on Emma's tear tracked cheek, she looked into the green eyes with compassion and sympathy. "Thank you." Kissing the other cheek, she smiled sadly as she felt gentle arms hold her close to Emma. "But the poison will eat through your magic soon."

"How is it so immune to the magic, and acting so quickly?" Emma asked, unable to fight the dread that filled her at Regina's words.

"It is a magical potion, as manticores are magical beings. They are among the most deadly creatures of this world, apart from humans." She placed her other hand onto Emma's remaining cheek, fixing her head in place. "We don't have much time," she whispered gently, her words ominous. "I wanted to tell you so many things…" the brunette spoke with regret that she would not be able to share her life with the amazing woman in front of her. "But, you need to hear me say this," she said, her voice taking on the firmness she often displayed when speaking of the absolutes in her life. "I love you."

"I love you, too." Emma whispered back, letting her eyes close at the kiss that Regina initiated, feeling their tears mix on their cheeks. This time they were not assaulted by magic, feeling only their emotions in the kiss. The desperate merging of their lips signaled their goodbye, and Emma could not let that happen. She moved away, her face still close to Regina's. "You know that it doesn't count, right?" Emma tried to smile, her mouth twisting into disfigured line. "Given under duress, it is not valid."

Regina chuckled sadly. "It is only in case you don't get the proper confession, the unpressured one." At Emma's jaw clenching, Regina felt Emma's thoughts as they were her own. The angry retort of her giving up sparked a fire in the brown eyes. "I am fighting this with all that I have!"

"Are you?" Emma said back, her voice raspy from all the emotions and pain, but the sharp edge in it was undeniable. At those words Regina pushed herself away, her face turning into a scowl. But, the moment she stepped away her countenance changed, and the scowl disappeared, replaced by a sad grimace of pain.

"Do you really believe I would give up now?" Regina spoke after a moment. "After all of this…" she said brokenly, gesturing to the space between them. Slowly, she reached for the blonde's hand, willing Emma to trust her. "I want to live." The second she whispered those words, she found herself in the fierce embrace of the familiar strong arms. "With you, with Henry, even with all the extended family," she added softly while Emma held her face gently, cradling it in her hands. "I am trying the best I can to resist." Again, Emma looked into her eyes, and Regina saw the faith and trust in the green eyes. But, there was something else, some spark of understanding. Right after that, Emma's face sported a gentle victorious grin, barely hidden under all the strain clearly visible on her features. Focusing her attention on the Savior, Regina was suddenly overwhelmed by Emma's newest terrifying memories, including her dreams. At the startled gasp, Emma looked at the frozen brunette and saw compassion brewing in the depths of her chocolate eyes. "Oh, Emma."

"It doesn't matter now," Emma shrugged Regina's concern away, knowing what the other woman had learned. "Look beyond that," the blonde spoke out of nowhere, getting an idea. She took Regina's hands in hers. "See what I see when I look at you."

Regina did as Emma demanded, focusing on the picture of herself the Savior had in her head. The last time they had joined, Regina only glimpsed at just some of Emma's memories and only some of the feelings. At the time she had attributed it to the fact that she had been frightened to participate in merge, expecting death as a certain result of such union. But now, she could see everything, out in the open. Every event that had shaped Emma into the person she was, every instant she had thought of Regina, good and bad memories and thoughts. Her arguments with Henry on Regina's behalf, her internal debates, even the scathing remark Emma had made to Snow on the deck of Jolly Roger about killing the Charmings.

However, what really took her by surprise was the fact that Emma had always been drawn to her, since the moment they had met, and that unresolved desire fueled most of Emma's outbursts in their war for Henry. Perhaps it was the very reason Emma had accepted the fact that they were bound by the magic of True Love much easier that the former Mayor. And now, that desire manifested itself differently. Regina smiled when she saw the memory of the main courtyard from Emma's perspective.

But, there was something beneath all of memories, thoughts and emotions. Emma was a very intuitive person and her 'feel' of Regina was buried deep under all the almost overwhelming feelings of love and faith, and the memories of them together. Knowing finally what she was looking for, Regina mentally reached for it, for the first time seeing and feeling herself from another's point of view.

She saw herself as someone who was kind and gentle, self-sacrificing and redeemed, with innate goodness that had been darkened by circumstances and choices. However, it wasn't all positive and good. She saw the edges of evil darkness swirl around the good. She saw the marks of her past on her soul. Regina was surprised by the amazingly real picture in front of her. When Emma had said that she had seen her, really seen her for who she had been and was, Regina realized that the Savior had been telling the absolute truth.

But, under all the aspects of herself she saw, she felt something different. She sensed power in herself, immeasurable might of magic, just out of her reach, locked and hidden safely away, inside of her. That amount of power was no doubt near Emma's, if not equal with hers. All she had to do was to concentrate and reach for it, now that she knew she had it. And that magic was different from her own, it was a part of her, not learned. The surprising find left her speechless, leaning against Emma, as she tried to comprehend the facts.

"You are the daughter of the Dark One. It is only natural to have some magic of your own." Emma's gentle voice drew Regina out of the stupor. When the dark eyes focused back on her face, Emma smiled with encouragement. "Use it." Bringing her close, she leaned her forehead on Regina's. "Help me heal you." The Savior directed her piercing and demanding gaze to Regina's face, her lips twitching in satisfaction when the brunette nodded. "I should go," she added softly, kissing Regina on the lips gently, before she stepped away.

But before she could break their meld, Regina called after Emma. "Emma, I …", she started, unable to formulate her thoughts. All the confusing questions and ideas swiveled in her mind. But when she finally managed to put her words in wanted order, Emma touched her cheek, grazing it with the soft pads of her fingers.

"I know." And, Emma did know how terrifying it was for the other woman to learn something like that. How confusing and troubling all the reaction thoughts were. She also knew that Regina had firmly decided to fight, this time with truly everything she had. And, of course, there was the unspoken devotion present.

Breaking their connection, Emma blinked and found herself in the reality, and it seemed only a moment had passed for everyone else. Pleased that she had not wasted much time, she looked down onto the woman on the floor. The woman was almost unconscious, slipping under, but with her renewed faith, Emma knew that Regina would do everything to survive. The Savior smiled when she sensed additional burst of magic fill Regina's body, the taste and feel of it different and new, but still as compatible to Emma's as Regina's learned magic had been, perhaps even more.

Rumplestiltskin saw something was happening with his daughter, but as Emma was smiling, he judged it was nothing to be concerned at the time. As Martha had brought him the needed ingredients, soon followed by Snow with the leaves of the Oleander, he prepared the brew to the best of his ability, but he knew soon it would all depend on Emma, as the only magic–able conscious person around.

Cutting the tongue out of the severed head of the beast, he started on the next step of the potion preparation. Regarding the gathered crowd, he minced the meat into the cauldron. The mass of people had thinned out after the first wave of interested parties dispersed, leaving only the family members and the closest friends. Presently, the people watched him with mild case of disgust and overpowering worry. His grandson watched his every move, glancing toward his mothers, terrified, while held in David's consoling arms. Neal was standing right beside him, his comforting palm on the boy's shoulder.

Moving away from the boiling cauldron, he lowered his head to Emma's, drawing her attention without touching her, as she was still distributing the power through Regina, by the subtle glow of her skin in the dimness of the village hall.

"Next part is very hard, even for experienced practitioners," Rumplestiltskin warned Emma softly, carefully hiding his mouth from others in the hall. The Savior looked up at the old man, not letting her attention to Regina's heartbeats lapse, nor her responding pulses stop. "You will have to continue what you are doing, and also do what I tell you with this potion."

Emma glanced toward the cauldron, nodding almost imperceptibly after a moment of deliberation. "Tell me," she said, mindful to keep her tone low.

"I have boiled all the ingredients needed but, it is highly poisonous. In order to change it, Miss Swan, you need to transform it magically in such way that it would gain certain properties, and lose the toxic effect without destroying its curative abilities." Rumplestiltskin quickly explained to the woman what she was to do, making it certain that the procedure would work. At last, Emma was ready to try.

In a brief moment of consideration, the old man asked the gathered people to leave the hall telling them that Emma's concentration was to be completely undisturbed during the process, thus relieving Emma of the additional source of stress. After the grumbling crowd left the place, with a lot of dissatisfied comments and looks from Snow and Henry, Rumplestiltskin came to Emma and lowered himself by her side, kneeling down. Gently guiding Emma through the process, he was giving her the instructions and encouragement. He noticed that she had approached the task with such innate grate and acceptance that was so unusual for one Emma Swan. Her instinctual flow of magic and understanding what she needed to do showed the influence of the brunette on the floor in Emma's attitude toward the magic itself.

With relief they saw the purplish brown liquid turned into the gentle pink potion, signaling that what Rumplestiltskin had Emma do actually worked.

He removed the cauldron of the fire with utmost care, stirring the strange mix to cool it a bit down. When he judged it just properly warm he poured a portion of it in a cup and gave it to Emma to somehow make Regina drink it. As his part in Regina's healing was done, he grabbed for his cane and straightened up, wincing as his back cracked, after the time he had been suffered from the bending over the cauldron and kneeling.

"She needs to take a whole cup on every two hours until her body is completely healed," he said to Emma as she stopped sending the pulses through the brunette's heart. Slowly she pulled out her hand out of Regina's chest and leaned her palm against the shirt lapel over her heart. With the old man's help, she managed to provoke the unconscious woman's swallowing reflex, as she made the woman drink the whole cup, swallow at the time. "I will see to your room," he spoke gently, patting Emma's shoulder, in a way of announcing his leave.

But before he left the room he turned back to ask something. Glancing back he smiled at the scene in front of him, keeping his question unspoken. The young, often brash woman was having his daughter in her arms, holding her with such care and love. The gentle concerned smile the blonde Savior sported while cradling Regina's tortured body as she caressed the face of the unconscious woman brought on a slight burning sensation in Rumplestiltskin's eyes. The moment he had finished his part, he had ceased to exist for the blonde woman, her attention directed only to the woman in her arms. With a firm belief that Regina was in excellent hands, he went on out, going to search for the others who no doubt were waiting for any kind of an update.

"How is she?" came Belle's worried question, even before he had closed the door behind himself. At his startled look, she smiled with light chagrin, and she took his arm, leading him toward the Charmings and his son, the small group waiting on the small porch of the village hall, staying out of the hard autumn rain. He had seen the village Royals and the werewolf keep them company, the young shifter doing her best to animate his grandson, drawing his attention away from the dire situation of his mother.

Waiting with his answer to Belle until he reached all the interested parties, he inclined his head in greeting. But before he could even say a word, he was engulfed in such explosion of sound – when everyone present started talking at the same time.

"Hold it," David's booming voice suddenly was heard over the noise, startling everyone into the silence. Then he looked at Rumplestiltskin and gestured him with his hand to say what he wanted.

"Thank you." The former Dark One said, turning first to David. Then he looked into the young boy's face, leaning onto his cane. "Everything that could have been done, we did." Still looking at Henry, he addressed everyone else. "Now, we wait." With a soft pat on the boy's head, he moved away, going toward the village Royals. "They need privacy and commodities of a room," he spoke to Aurora, his tone making it clear that he would consider it a favor if she accommodated them. With an acknowledging nod, the princess smiled at others and went to arrange a room for the Savior and her True Love.

"Is she going to be alright?" Henry asked weakly, as he came to his grandfather.

"I don't know," the old man spoke honestly. The manticore poison had always been one of the most deadly ones in the nature and curing it had always been uncertain. "But, I know that your mother is not giving up that easily, and Emma is there to save her. And we all know Miss Swan is the Savior." Rumplestiltskin pulled the boy toward himself and lifted his head by his chin. "If there is anyone who could save Regina it's your mother."

The old man joined the people on the porch, sitting down on the bench where Snow left him and Belle a bit of space by moving slightly out of the way. Unusually tired, he leaned against Belle, his body sagging with exhaustion. Knowing that he had a little bit of time, he closed his eyes, trusting his love to wake him if he was needed. The others were silent in their vigil for the woman fighting for her life.

Emma glanced up as she heard soft steps coming in her direction. Seeing the princess walking toward her and the unconscious woman in her arms, she assumed that Aurora was there to lead her to a room. Carefully, she took the whole weight of the brunette onto her arms and shifted, managing to rise slowly, not jostling her precious cargo. Wincing as the circulation upped in her stiff legs, making her lower extremities tingle unpleasantly. But, she decided to ignore it, and with a small head move she gestured Aurora to go ahead.

The young princess did not speak, not willing to interrupt the silence. She had seen Emma place her hand into the former Queen's chest and she had seen the glow that magic had all over the blonde Savior. Although now the glow was absent, she did not want to risk breaking Emma's focus. And as she turned she blinked in surprise. The cauldron moved on its own behind the blonde woman, following them. Obviously, Emma was using magic to take it with her. Turning back to leading them to the room she had had prepared for Emma, Aurora took the stairs to the upper level, closely followed by the Savior.

"I hope it is satisfying," Aurora spoke, as she opened the door of the room. She went in and stepped aside, letting the blonde pass freely. Emma entered and smiled at the simple room having only a wide single's bed and a night table beside it. The room itself was bare.

Emma walked to the bed, and gently she lowered Regina down, placing her head onto the one pillow on the bed. Then she turned to Aurora and with kind smile she placed her hand onto the princess's shoulder, ignoring the cauldron that passed beside them and lowered itself on the floor right next to the bed. "Thank you, it is perfect." With a tired smile she winked at the young woman, giving her a polite dismissal. Aurora replied with a smile of her own and left, closing the door behind her.

Emma turned to the bed, and with sluggish movements she took off her boots. With gentle touch she divested Regina out of her leather boots and vest, hesitating at the pants. After several moments spent on deliberation what she was to do in the situation, she shrugged her shoulders and unlaced the pants, easing them over Regina's hips with magic, afterwards covering her with the quilt that was on the bed. Deciding that it was enough she came to her side of the bed and threw another glance around the room, checking it out. And as she turned around, she realized that she had left their things in their camp site in a hurry to get Regina to Rumplestiltskin. Jumping into her boots again, she closed her eyes, not really thinking about the consequences of transporting while exhausted.

Within a blink of an eye, she was back in the clearing. It was undisturbed, apart from the rain that still was falling down on Emma really hard. It only took her moments to locate the things that they had left behind and gathering them quickly, Emma closed her eyes again, letting the image of Regina fill her mind. In a flash, she was back, dripping wet on the wooden boards of the floor. Again, it only took a moment to come back, but the time that she had been gone had made mark on Regina. Cold and alone, Regina was gripping the pillow and sheets, whimpering.

Emma peeled off her wet clothes in a second and rushed toward the other woman, quickly throwing on a t-shirt and underwear she had in her pack. She dove in bed, covering herself with the soft quilt, and she took the suffering woman into her arms, holding her close. It only took a minute or two, but Regina calmed down. Unwilling to let her out of her arms, Emma settled herself to lean on the headboard of the bed, half sitting up, with Regina leaned against her. The blonde woman closed her eyes, letting her exhaustion overwhelm her, but the worry did not let her sink into sleep. So she only rested, waiting for the time for another dose of the potion. While her hand absently drew lines over Regina's back, Emma kept her eyes closed.

On every two hours she would rise and take a cup of the pinkish liquid and bring it back to bed. With care, she would pour it down Regina's throat, watching for any sign of improvement or further trouble. Only after the seventh cup, the brunette's breathing eased and the blistered skin reduced. Deciding to try healing one more time, Emma took Regina's injured arm and held it in both of her hands, sending a strong wave of healing magic through the limb in her hold. At her glee, the skin turned into the healthy layer, the signs of painful wound disappearing without a trace. It was a moment Emma could finally relax as the cure had worked and Regina was well, only asleep.

However, until she saw the chocolate eyes look into her own, she would not rest, for she did not want to miss the first waking moment of the woman in her arms. As the peace at the thought of Regina's healed condition enveloped Emma's mind, the blonde woman kept herself calm and motionless, holding the brunette's body close, with the head tucked in her neck. She could feel the steady heart beat pounding so close to her own heart. And with the soothing rhythm of Regina's breathing, she let her mind wander.

At first, her thoughts went back to the beginning of their adventure, the first turbulent ride on the pirate ship. All the talks and emotional exchanges she had with the woman in her arms passed through her memory, bringing a soft smile on her lips. It had only been a week, or ten days, if that, but the things that had happened to them would have to be enough for a lifetime. However, Emma knew deep down that the Fates were not that generous and that something would happen, if not soon, then in the future. It was the curse of the True Love, she thought, smiling at her own inside voice, the need to save each other often, overcoming the impossible odds again and again.

It was then that she remembered seeing two women in the crowd when she had been preoccupied with Regina. It was only a glimpse of the women's faces, but Emma was sure that it had been Ruby and Belle with her family. And, if that was true, then the girls had brought them the means to find way home for them. Otherwise, they would not be here, or the whole population of Storybrooke would be in the vicinity. Sure in her conclusion Emma sighed, wary of the implications.

When the woman she was holding was well and recovered there would be a talk of going home, a talk Emma dreaded for the reason, because she knew how her mother and father felt about this place, even though it was ravaged by time and the curse. With no beans left, if her parents decided to stay behind, she would be the one who would have to move through Realms to see them again. The thought of distance and of something happening to the beans, like it had happened when Regina had scorched the field of them caused a painful pang in her chest. And, it wasn't only her parents that liked this place, Henry did as well. But, she did not belong here, this wasn't her world. And the same was true for Regina. Even though the former Queen would easily adapt to being in the Enchanted Forest, she did not feel comfortable here, where painful memories resided on every corner of the Realm.

And, in all honesty, even though she could follow and even excel at the pace this adventure had put her through, she missed the time she had been able to sit down on a couch or a lounge chair and relax, watching TV or listening to music. She missed electricity and the noise of the civilization. All the information of magic and the realm was wearing on her nerves, always expecting something new and dangerous around the corner. With heavy sigh, she leaned her head back and focused on the flickering flame of candles she had lit on one of her trips to the cauldron. The night had fallen and the village was quiet. Not really wanting to fall asleep, Emma kept her eyes open, while her left hand was unconsciously gliding up and down Regina's back, tenderly holding her close. Her other hand was above and beyond her head, used as a cushion. It was a somewhat uncomfortable position Emma regarded knowing that the light twinge of her arm would keep her annoyed enough to keep her awake.

The first thing she felt as she sluggishly came awake was the incredible warmth, opposed to the coldness that had enveloped her as the poison had passed through her blood. It was comforting and safe, like a cocoon. Then came the scent of Emma, so strong and yet so soothing. Most likely, Regina thought, the Savior kept her close, holding her in the gentle embrace. That thought was extremely satisfying and pleasing to the older woman, filling her with warmth of affection and love toward her personal hero. And her assumption was proven when she recognized the feeling of a hand on her back. Next on the list of things she became aware of was the soft thumping under her ear and the light breathing over her head. Apart from Emma's breath and heart beat she could hear nothing else. But, then the other sounds came. The flicker of the wick of the candle, the creaking of the outer boards under the wind, the soft murmur of rain were the sounds that created the soft symphony.

Deciding to announce her wakefulness to Emma, Regina placed her arms around the woman, keeping her close, while she burrowed deeper into the shoulder. With a chuckling murmur, Emma only unfolded her free arm and placed it on Regina's head, treading her fingers through the soft strands of hair.

"I thought you would take more time before moving…" Emma whispered softly, as she guided Regina's head up. At the furrowed brows Emma smiled and kissed the burrows, flattening them out. "Your breathing changed."

Regina grinned in acknowledgement and lifted her head a bit, inviting Emma closer. The request did not pass unnoticed and Emma lowered her lips onto Regina's, initiating a gentle greeting. The soft kiss soon escalated as the magic levels in the women increased, and as the passion rose, threatening to overcome them. As Emma lowered her hand to go under Regina's shirt, wanting to feel the skin, the brunette gasped. Still in tune with her every sound, Emma pulled up and looked at the woman, worry flooding her features.

"You OK?" Emma asked, breathing heavily as her eyes glowed in the darkness of the poorly lit room. She looked down into the purple-pink eyes and frowned. That was new. It was logical that as Regina had come in touch with her natural magic that her signature would change, but Emma was not used to seeing the difference just yet.

Regina lifted her hand to Emma's face and with caressing fingers, she assuaged the worry. She smiled and nodded, pulling the other woman down on top of her, starting another kiss. "I love you," she murmured, placing gentle kisses along Emma's jaw. Coming to her earlobe, she kissed under it, and whispered one more time. "I love you."

Emma embraced her firmly and lowered her head next to Regina's. "I love you too."

They fell silent, for there was no need to say anything else.

Lying there, in Emma's firm hold, Regina looked up and saw the other woman watching her tenderly. But, as she had learned to read every look and every change in shade of the green eyes, Regina knew something was wrong. Perhaps, not outright wrong but something was troubling Emma. Lifting herself on her elbow, she gently pushed the unruly curls of Emma's face, leaving her hand on the cheek, directing Emma's eyes toward her. As she could see almost nothing in the weak light of the candles, Regina summoned several balls of light above them.

And as the light fell on Emma, Regina gasped at the exhausted face in front of her, bruised under eyes, and slightly gaunt. She knew that the dreams had been torturing Emma, but this level of damage was not caused only by nightmares. "What happened to you?" she murmured, but apparently loud enough for Emma to hear her and frown. It must have been that the poison had damaged her brain as she had known that approach wouldn't have worked on Emma.

"How long was I out?" she asked, not knowing any other way to make Emma talk.

"Sixteen, seventeen hours…" Emma answered softly, glad that Regina had moved away from the topic of her. But, she knew the woman above her, and Regina was nothing if not tenacious.

"Did you have another of your nightmares?" Regina asked softly, holding Emma's gaze.

"You need to sleep to have dreams…" The reply came. And, Emma was too tired to avoid the subject, and she did not want to argue with Regina. So, she surrendered, knowing that she was safe and that it would not be seen as a weakness. However it was hard to go against a lifetime of practice of keeping one to oneself. "I think I overdid it with the magic," she spoke, tiredly blinking. The chocolate eyes filled with renewed worry, but Emma smirked in response. "I will be fine."

"What did you do?" Regina asked gently, needing to know if Emma would indeed be fine after some rest.

"Fought off the manticore and ogres, transported you, me, manticore and Gold to the village hall, was healing you for an hour at least continuously, linked with you, transformed the potion, went back to the camp site to pick the things I had forgotten behind, came here and waited for you to wake. Then I healed your arm, after the potion worked." Emma knew that Regina would want every detail and that she would needle it out of the reluctant blonde any way possible, so she just said it all at once, shortening the process considerably, and leaving Regina gob smacked.

"And I assume, you haven't had anything to eat in the meanwhile?" the brunette asked after she had regained some of her composure back. At the younger woman's nod, her temper flared and she moved to leave the warmth of the bed, but strong arms kept her in place.

"I know you only want the best for me and that you are about to go find me some food," Emma started softly, blocking Regina only with her strength knowing that any further use of magic would set Regina off. "But, it is four in the morning, and I can wait till breakfast." She released the woman but looked her into the eyes, trying to enforce her point. "Alright?"

It was indeed pointless to go into the kitchens before there was anyone there, Regina concluded, acquiescing. And, Emma needed sleep more that food. With gentle moves, she placed herself back in the previous position, leaning on her elbow above Emma. With the devilish smirk, she placed her palm on Emma's chest, right in between her breasts making Emma gasp in surprise. Lowering her head down, Regina kissed the woman below her right on the expectant lips, grinning as she felt the hands climbing up her back, in the teasing caress. But, before Emma could instigate anything further, Regina sent out a pulse of power throughout her palm on the woman's breast bone, making the Savior groan in surprise. Startled with the sudden energy filling her body, Emma looked up at the smirking face of the former Queen. "That is not funny." Emma groused flipping Regina over, coming on top of her, holding both of her hands in the firm but gentle grip. "That is not funny at all," she said again, her tone sinking into the lower register.

Although it was the position that had brought on very hard memories for Regina, she knew that she was absolutely safe, even though Emma's eyes glinted dangerously and her voice made her hair stand on its end. She was only to show discomfort and Emma would cease immediately. But, she did not mind the play, not for the moment. Regina let Emma keep her hands above her head, as she slowly wiggled out one of her legs, using it as a leverage, as she bucked, dislodging Emma of her, laughing as they rolled in the bed. It was a great way of breaking the tension that Emma had been feeling, first brought on by her dreams, then by Regina's wound.

"I have an idea," Regina spoke suddenly.

"Uh, should I be scared?" Emma replied as she played with the brunette's fingers. But, as no answer came, she looked up at Regina's grin. At her inquisitive eyebrow lift, Regina's grin only grew wider. "What do you have in mind?"

"A massage." Regina rose to her knees, gesturing Emma to lie on her belly. "You need to relax, and to get some rest. And I will be here to keep the dreams away." When Emma opened her mouth to retort declining the offer, Regina placed her finger over the enticing lips. "You need to sleep. And this will make it easier. Trust me." When Emma nodded, Regina smiled encouragingly, letting Emma assume the position. She lowered herself on the small of Emma's back, pulling up the t-shirt Emma had on. After she had divested Emma out of the clothes, with surprisingly little complaint from the blonde, Regina warmed up her hands and got to work. She had been right to make Emma do this, Regina thought as she used her skill to dissolve the knots in Emma's shoulders and neck. From time to time, Emma would flinch in pain, but not once did she move away from Regina's hands. Soon, Regina got no reaction from the blonde even as she was breaking what must have been painful build up in Emma's lower back. With smile, Regina realized that the Savior was soundly asleep, having surrendered herself completely to Regina's mercy.

Finishing up with the massage, Regina used magic to put the shirt back on Emma, and lowering herself by the sleeping woman, she covered them both with the soft and warm quilt. As she settled, Emma moved in her sleep, throwing her arm over Regina's middle pulling her closer. With the soft murmur of the brunette's name, Emma burrowed into the pillow right beside Regina's head. Enjoying the soft affirmation of their connection, Regina closed her eyes, falling into a light slumber.