4
Regina spent most of the night tossing and turning. She got up a few times throughout the night and looked over Emma. Her injuries worried her and she wanted to make sure that nothing life threatening was going on. She couldn't use magic to try to heal and she couldn't get a doctor here. The pain medication kept the woman sleeping soundly as Regina checked her over. And alas, as the dim morning light filtered through the windows and set Emma's golden strands on fire Regina sat on the table next to the sleeping form, taking in her beauty. When Emma had mounted the yellow monstrosity she called her car to drive away, Regina felt her heart shatter in her chest. She couldn't bear to see the son she loved so much be swept to safety and away from her. It was then, maybe for the first time, that she admitted to herself that maybe the pain she felt in her chest was for more than just that little boy. She focused on holding back the curse as she fought back the sensation that she, herself, was being ripped in half. She had heard so much about the sacrifice of true love. No one noticed the sacrifice she had given. Unknowing, she had sent the two people she loved the most away from her, without the memories of her that she would have to harbor. That was her sacrifice. It was the only way she knew to show her love, even the love she didn't realize she had.
Here in front of her, breathing even and soft, with a peacefulness about her that Regina had not seen before, she felt her heart swell. Since before Emma had left she had longed to kiss the other woman's pale lips. To feel her strong arms wrap around her. Those tank-tops the muscular woman wore secretly drove the brunette wild. She missed the banter that had back and forth since the first time they met each other. She missed the annoying woman always showing up at the worst times just to get on her nerves. She missed Emma. She missed the Emma she had, and she longed for the Emma she didn't know she wanted until she had let her go.
She searches out the clock on the oven seeing the time nearing 6 a.m. She doesn't know what time Henry has to go to school here, but she is sure the boy would have to be up soon. The side of Emma's face that is away from her is swollen beyond recognition, and she knows from the bruising on her ribs that the pain she will feel when she wakes will be next to unbearable. Emma cannot get Henry to school today, and frankly, Regina doesn't want the boy to see his mother this way. She doubts she will be able to avoid it for long, but he needs to get to school and at least give her the day to figure out what to do about this mess. She cannot sit by and watch them go through this life this way anymore. Maybe she doesn't have a way to wake them up, but she will be damned if she lets them go just to live without a happy ending!
She pulls the cover as high as she can over Emma, and heads over to the old smokers apartment to retrieve Henry. She takes a deep breath to quell her nerves before she knocks on the door. She isn't ready to face, yet another love of her life, without them recognizing her. She closes her eyes and wills the sting of tears away and knocks.
The old lady looks a bit more refreshed after having a nights sleep, but still not entirely approachable. Regina asks for Henry and thanks the woman for her hospitality. "I don't know who you are, but take care of those two will ya?" The old woman speaks as she waves off the two.
Henry has just woken up. His dark tresses are sticking up in several different directions. Regina has to resist the urge to tame the boy's hair after scolding him for going off with a stranger, but thinks better of it. Oddly enough, though Regina was a bit of a morning person, her son is certainly not. He pads across the hall and enters his apartment. As soon as he crosses the threshold he turns on Regina "Who are you, and why is Ma still asleep? She always wakes me up and makes me breakfast!"
As if the boy had woken all at once, his voice was too loud for Regina's liking so she ushers the boy to his room while shushing him. Once inside with the door closed she kneels down to his level. Looking at the boy in the face was sending her spiraling. There was a large lump in her throat and her chest was breaking open. She wanted to throw her arms around the boy. It took everything in her to maintain her composure. "Henry, your Mom got hurt. She is okay but she needs to rest. I am her...friend, Reg-...Roni, and I am helping her feel better. She wanted me to make sure you made it to school this morning, okay?" Her voice betrays her and starts to crack.
"I want to see her, what happened?" Henry questions, searching the woman's face for answers.
Reluctantly, she reached out and held on to the boy's arms. "Henry, I am going to let her explain everything to you after you get home from school. She just needs to get a little sleep." She rubs the boy's arms as tears fill her eyes. She shuts them hard and takes a deep breath to regain her typical stoicism. "And you, need to get ready for school young man." She stands to exit the room sparing one final look at her little boy.
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When she gets back from dropping Henry off at school, Emma is awake, but is still rooted in her spot on the couch. "Hey, how are you feeling?" She makes her way to the side of the couch to assess the woman more fully now that she is alert.
"Hard to say, I feel like I was hit by a train, though." Emma pushes herself to sit up and grunts with the exertion.
Regina hums in response. "Emma....what happened."
Emma takes a deep breath and drops her head back onto the armrest of the couch. She knew this was coming, but honestly she didn't know exactly. "Well, I was watching you as you know.." a smirk crosses her lips "and these three guys walked up to me and basically demanded I get up. One had a gun, he didn't point it at me but he flashed it at me to let me know he had it. I didn't want anything to happen during your performance so I let them lead me outside..." Emma's eyes grow distant as she relives the events. "They dragged me once out of the door down the alley. They said Killian owed them some money and they needed to send a message." She drops her gaze to her lap and bites down on her lip. "I was the message. One of them held my arms and I couldn't move and the other two were hitting my face. My legs gave out and the man behind me dropped me and they started kicking me." Tears are flowing down her cheeks. "Next thing I know you were there, trying to pick me up." She shifts her watery eyes to the brunette who cannot break her gaze.
Regina tries to take it all in. She is fuming. She wants to plant a fireball so far up the pirates a- "Roni" Emma breaks her train of thought. She shakes her head to clear the fog of potentially murderous thoughts. "Is Henry still at Mrs. Summer's? That old bag is going to kill me." Emma moves to get up and clutches her head.
Regina moves to her and lightly pushes her back down into the sofa "no, Emma don't move too much!" she sighs exasperated. "I got Henry from her earlier, and sent him to school, everything is fine you need to relax." She takes her seat back on the table.
Emma's mouth falls slightly open and confusion shadows her features "She...she just let you take Henry? She's never even met you!" Emma was clearly getting herself worked up again and Regina internally swoons at the protective nature of Henry's other mother.
"Actually, she met me last night Emma. I must have been making a bit of ruckus getting you in here and she opened her door either from curiosity or annoyance. Either way, I guess since I had brought you back she figured I wasn't the one who had kicked your ass." Regina chuckles lightly. Of course, the situation isn't humorous but the look of Emma's jaw on the floor is. "I went over this morning and got him and told him you were hurt and needed rest. I told him that you two would talk about it when he got home today. He told me to be back at the bus stop at 3 to get him."
Emma's eyebrows are nearly in her hairline, well on the non-swollen side and she almost looks like she's seen a ghost. "Thank...you..." She sounds skeptical or thoroughly confused.
Regina bites her bottom lip. "Emma, I know a doctor that I think should look you over, but he is back in Storybrooke." Emma stares at her blankly. 'These painkillers are really doing a number on her.' Regina thinks. "If you want, when Henry gets home I could take you guys there and have the doctor come to my home and make sure you are okay. The drive is a little far, but if you want I would bring you back home late tonight or if you two want to stay the night I have plenty of space for you to stay. I'm not a doctor, but some of your bruising and swelling look really bad."
"Ice" Emma is jolted from her trans-like state. "Ice is good for swelling." She leans forward as if to get up but is immediately stopped by Regina again. The brunette gets up to put some ice from the freezer in a rag for Emma to hold against her face where the swelling is the worst. "Why are you doing all of this, Roni?" Emma's questioning look strikes Regina as she hands her the makeshift ice pack.
Regina opens and closes her mouth a few times, dumbfounded. "What do you mean? Wouldn't you help someone if they needed it?" She sits back down waiting for the response.
Emma looks back to her skeptically, "I- I don't know. I mean, I am practically a stranger and you are offering to take me to your hometown? You got me home last night, and then my son to school this morning. No, Roni, people don't do this kind of thing unless they want something."
Regina's heart breaks all over again. It's a wonder the damn thing hasn't voluntarily jumped out of her chest at this point. But then, she does want something from Emma. She wants her to remember. "Emma, in the short time I have known you I have come to believe that you are a good person. I also know you didn't deserve what happened to you last night and Henry is just a boy who got lost in it all. You deserve to be okay, and all I want is to make sure you aren't seriously injured and that Henry and you are safe." Red rimmed eyes look back at Regina. She can't possibly know what is going on in Ms. Swan's head, but she hopes that the stubborn woman is at least considering taking her up on the offer. "Besides, I make a fantastic lasagna and I can't possibly eat it all by myself." She flashes a wide beautiful smile at the other woman, who finally, smiles back.
"Mmm...Henry does love lasagna..." She holds the ice pack to her face and closes her eyes. Hook was supposed to be gone for a whole week. So technically he shouldn't be home until Wednesday or maybe Thursday. If he comes home and she isn't there he will lose his mind and he may actually kill her. But on the other hand she has been so drawn to Roni and how could she pass up the chance to get to know this beautiful and sweet woman a little better? Maybe the repercussions with Killian would be worth it, if he caught her. But if she doesn't stay away from home for more than a day she shouldn't get caught, and in the worst case scenario she can say she had a job that was out of town. "I think I am going to need your help getting some stuff together." She smirks at the expectant brunette.
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Regina is known for loving apples, but she doesn't love knowing her face is as red as one as she is standing in Emma and Killian's bedroom, where she should not be, in Emma's underwear drawer, where she should not be, getting out personal items for Emma to wear, which she should not be doing. She sighs in apprehension before placing her hand in the drawer and withdrawing a few items without even really looking at them and dropping them in the bag. Her face burns with the blood rush and she exhales hard as she closes the forbidden drawer.
She takes the bag to the couch where Emma is and sets it next to the sleeping form. Packing Henry's bag is something she is far more comfortable with. The clock on the stove reads 1:53 and she doesn't have a lot of time until Henry gets home from school. While the swelling on Emma's face has receded slightly, the sight of the woman may still prove to be quite a shock for Henry. Regina chews her bottom lip with worry about the boy's reaction. She wishes she could heal Emma and keep Henry from having to see her like this. Along with, of course, easing the pain from Emma. She hadn't gotten Emma to eat all day and only gave her one more pill earlier. The blonde will need to eat something to take any more medicine. The fact that she hasn't eaten is a testament to how much pain she must be in. Anyone who has spent any kind of time around Ms. Swan knows that one of her favorite things to do is eat! She has been sleeping for a while now and Regina wants her to have the chance to clean up and be alert when Henry gets home so she gently shakes the woman. Receiving no response she shakes her harder but not quite hard enough to hurt her.
After several failed attempts to wake Emma, Regina feels the smallest amount of panic bubbles up in her. She looks down on the still woman and once again is lost in her features. 'dammit Regina now is not the time to think about how much you want to kiss her!' Regina releases her breath in exasperation before promptly sitting down on the table next to the couch and beginning to stroke the blonde hair. "I hate this Emma, and I can't even tell you why I hate it or what it is I hate. I wish you would come back to me. It's so hard sitting here lost by myself and you don't even..." She can't speak the words anymore as she gets choked up. She cautiously leans forward and places an innocent kiss on the woman's forehead as a tear falls from her eye. Emma begins to stir under her.
"Roni?" The groggy sleep-ridden voice breaks from Emma's throat.
Regina smiles down onto the barely cracked eyes "you are a hard woman to wake, Emma."
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Henry was much easier to convince than Emma had been. Actually there was no need for convincing. To him, he was going on a trip somewhere new with his mom and she would get to ha ve a doctor look at her. He was pretty upset with his mom's appearance, but handled himself well and Regina couldn't have been prouder in that moment. Henry knew reacting in a more than minimal way would have emotional consequences for Emma and had kept it together very well. Her little boy was growing up and handling himself like a young man. In turn he also kept Emma from feeling any more guilt and turmoil from the whole ordeal.
Any other time Regina would have been against the boy sitting in the front seat, but fortunately for him, Emma really needed the room to spread out in the back. So they find themselves travelling down the highway, Emma with her eyes closed stretched as much as possible across the back seat, and Henry in the passenger side with a game system in his hands. Regina couldn't help herself from glancing over to the boy several times along the trip. She longed for the boy and couldn't help but strike up a conversation. "Henry tell me about school, or anything."
"School's fine." He quips."
"Well, what is your favorite subject?" Regina pries.
"Mmm...I like reading okay." Henry focused on his game.
Regina quickly concluded that she wasn't going to get far with the boy. She was unsure if he was really so enveloped in his game or if he was mentally battling what his mom was going through, but either way his wall was build and he wasn't going to bring it down any time soon.
Both passengers ended up falling asleep on the drive to Storybrooke and woke when the black car slowed and bumped slightly at the end of the driveway. Henry's eyes were as big as saucers as he took in the mansion at 108 Mifflin Street. His mouth hung open in awe at the large regal home before him. "Henry, close your mouth, honey, or you'll catch flies in there." She couldn't help it. it was a reflex as something Regina had been accustomed to saying to Henry. There simply was nothing she could do to drown the awkwardness of the moment, so she let it pass as if it had never happened.
She helped Emma out of the car and into the house. The trip from Emma's couch to her backseat had been so painful for Emma that it had drawn tears from her eyes. It made Regina even more sure of her decision to bring them here. It was something she had been internally struggling with since she initially brought it up to Emma. There was no way she could let anyone see them or know they were there. It was hard enough managing keeping herself from acting like she knew the two! Snow would cry like a baby and anyone else would be so dim whited that they would give themselves away immediately. She was already preparing the speech she would have to give Whale when he got there so he didn't screw it all up. She retreated to the car to bring in the pairs bags and checked the street to see what kind of activity was going on and if anyone would have seen and noticed what was going on at her home.
Returning to the living room with Emma somewhat settled on the couch she could see Henry bursting at the seams to get a tour of the house...as if he shouldn't already know it like the back of his hand. Regina contemplated whether or not to show him what would be his old room. How would she explain to him having a room set up for a boy his age, that he no doubt would love...since it was his? This would require some thinking on her feet as she took the boy and showed him around to the kitchen, lower level restroom, the upper level restroom, the room she intended for Emma and finally his room. The boy's eyes lit up as he took in all that made up his guest quarters. "Roni, why do you have a boy's room?" He looks up to her in question.
Regina was reeling. She had never heard Henry call her anything but Mom except the very rare Evil Queen, but never, her name. Of course, this wasn't her actual name, but that didn't change the sting. Swallowing the lump in her throat she replied "Um, well, Henry." She cleared her throat and willed the tears back wherever the hell they came from. "I used to have a little boy in my life, but he is no longer and I didn't want to change his room." In spite of her best efforts to conceal her emotions the boy was still attuned to the clear turmoil the woman was going through. He felt incredibly sad for her. He couldn't imagine having his mom taken away from him, or him from her. He tentatively stepped over to the woman and slowly wrapped his arms around her hips. He was careful and didn't squeeze her tight, but Regina could help it as she held the boy against her and let the gate to her sadness break open. She pulled his head tighter against her chest and dropped her face to his head and inhaled the scent of the boy only for a moment. Almost as soon as she had chosen to indulge in the feel of the boy she broke away from him for fear of overwhelming him. She takes a step back and clears her throat. "Well then... I will let you get settled. I need to get your mom more comfortable and start dinner." She righted herself as she exited the room closing the door. Before the door closed fully she could already see Henry exploring his own bookshelves and it brought a warm smile to her face.
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Emma being her usual hard-headed self refused to move off of the couch until after dinner. Really, she just wanted to be around Regina as much as possible, and she was disappointed the beautiful brunette seemed adamant that she remained in her place on the couch. She had been informed that the doctor was on his way so it came as no surprise to her when the doorbell rang shortly after Roni had left to begin dinner in the kitchen. "Emma, I will answer the door. DO NOT MOVE!" she heard called as she could hear the woman moving through the house. Her heart warmed at the stern concern in the woman's tone and she let a brief smirk grace her lips.
Regina had to step onto the porch to fill Whale in on the circumstances of her situation and ensure that he would swear to secrecy for everyone involved. He was slightly stunned as she ultimately blindsided him. He composed himself and entered the home, putting effort into acting as objectively as possible. As he entered the living area, he too, was affected by the transformation in the Emma Swan that was before him. The woman before him had not spoken, but the obvious physical damage and the hollow look in her eyes was nothing that he was used to seeing in the savior. He clears his throat and approaches the blonde. "Good evening, miss. I am going to look you over if that is alright with you." He sets his bag on the floor and kneels beside her to begin his examination.
Regina stands vigilant the whole time, and Whale examines without her speaking, which is making Regina even more nervous. She sees the pain run across Emma's face as Whale pushes on various areas in her abdomen and face and she is ready to blow a fuse by the time he finishes the exam and stands fully upright again. "well...?" Regina holds back the agitation she feels brewing inside due to the lack of feedback thus far.
"Well, she has three broken ribs, two on her left and one on the right. Without an x-ray it would be hard to know for sure if she has a fractured jaw or not but I am willing to bet she at least has a hairline fracture and minor damage to her eye socket." He replaces his stethoscope around his neck. "The good news is that none of this is entirely threatening as long as she continues to take it easy. The bad news is there is really nothing I can do about any of it except give something for pain." He turns to direct his attention to Emma. "You really should be in a hospital, you know. Keep alternating ice and heat on your face and ribs. It will help with the swelling and soreness." He makes his way back over to the foyer and Regina follows to let him out. She thanks him as he steps out and she reminds him again of the importance of his discretion.
She doesn't walk back into the room with Emma. She bypasses it completely and goes straight into the kitchen. The anger welling inside of her makes her itch to crush the stupid pirates heart or throw a fireball right at his styled head. She tries to focus her attention on dinner and soon she is lost in the actions and calms her writhing nerves.
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Emma is trying to take in her surroundings as best she can without getting off the couch. From where she lays the woman has very black and white tastes that's all sharp corners and edges. This isn't what she would have imagined from the woman that remembers meeting in the nightclub, but really it's just further proof that she doesn't know the woman at all. So why does she feel such familiarity radiating from the woman. It is this thought she is lost in as she hears the now more familiar click clack of heels as the brunette makes her way closer. She has been smelling the food cooking for some time now, but the sensation is getting stronger with each passing moment. The footfalls come to a stop somewhere behind her before she hears the husky voice that makes her skin become goose flesh "Emma, I have set places at the table for Henry and I, but I am conflicted on what to do for you. I don't usually care for people eating in my living room or my beds, but given your situation I do not feel it's wise to have you eat anywhere else."
Emma is annoyed that the woman is somewhere behind her and out of sight but calls back. "I am not an invalid Roni, help me to the damn table and I will eat with you two and afterwards I will go straight to bed so that I wont be a concern for you anymore."
How is it that Miss Swan knows just how to rub Regina the wrong way without even knowing Regina is Regina! "If you want to eat in pain, fine by me."
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The one good thing about the lack of memory is that both Emma and Henry seemed to enjoy Regina's lasagna like it was the first time they had ever had it all over again. Henry requested some be saved so he could have it for breakfast and Emma went for seconds. Regina was happy to see the two eating. In a lapse of judgement on her part Regina had sent Henry to bathe after the meal as she would have before...While he was doing so she fought to get Emma up the stairs. Not because she had to help the woman much but because Emma was trying to do it all on her own despite the pain she was obviously in. Once upstairs Regina directed Emma to her bedroom as her ensuite bathroom had a garden tub big enough for Emma to lay more or less instead of trying to stand and wash. Henry came in to tell them both goodnight and for the second time today gave Regina a hug. 'Be still my heart' is all she could think. She starts the water at a suitable temperature for the blonde and sets towels next to the tub. "Okay Emma, everything should be ready for you. Let me know if you need anything." She speaks passively as she exits the room. She needs to clean up from dinner and the knowledge that the kitchen is still a mess is driving her crazy.
Regina makes it to the bottom of the stairs and remembers that the pain medicine for Emma is still in the living room. As she goes to grab it she hears her name, well Roni, being called faintly and it sends a panic in her as well as an annoyance. As she steps into her room and sets the pills on her nightstand she calls "Yes, Emma?"
There is a moment of pause that makes her nervous still before she hears Emma meekly say "I- I can't get my shirt off. It hurts." She can hear the pain emanating in the blondes voice.
'Shit!!!!' Regina is not prepared for this, she IS NOT prepared for this! She bites hard on her bottom lip. "M- Okay, Emma. I'm...I'm coming in." The breath releases from her chest in relief that the woman is still fully clothes bar her shoes that are setting off to the side. Emma is standing next to the tub with a pink tinge covering her cheeks. The Emma that Regina used to know would have been embarrassed about not being able to do this herself. She slowly approaches the other woman attempting to convey understanding and even humility. "Okay I am going to hold the sleeve of your arm and you pull your arm to you, okay?" Emma nods her head in response, unable to meet the woman's eyes. It works with minimal wincing from Emma and Regina switches to the other arm. The shirt lays bunched around Emma's neck still covering her chest and Regina bites the inside of her cheek hard as she steps closer into the other woman's space and lifts the shirt over her head.
Regina averts her gaze as much as possible from the woman's toned abs and strong arms and shoulders. "Do you want me to unclasp your bra? You- you can hold it in place but I don't think you should try to twist or reach back to the clasp." Still unable to reach her gaze Emma nods and raises her arms to hold the cups in place as Regina moves behind her to undo the garment. Chills run down Emma's spine by the feeling of the woman's presence behind her. Regina's throat constricts at the sight of the bunched muscles in the woman's shoulders and the sleek curve of her spine abruptly interrupted in a splay of blue and purple bruising. She manages the clasp with expert precision further causing Emma to shudder. She steps away quickly and towards the door. "Are you okay from here?" She asks over her shoulder.
Emma doesn't want to ask for any more help. But when she got dressed last night she was not thinking of how easily the clothes would come off but how good she would look in them. So, despite her not wanting to she has to say "Roni I- my jeans are tight and I am not sure I will be able to pull them off. If you give me a pain pill I can wait until it kicks in and probably manage."
Regina turns back around and steps to the blonde "oh, nonsense the water will have gone cold." It is only after she has approached the woman that she realizes that in order for Emma to undo her own pants she would have to drop her bra. Regina's mouth runs dry as the realization hits her that she will have to do it. She takes a deep settling breath and looks to Emma for permission, who nods. Slowly she reaches for the button at the top of her jeans. Emma jumps back slightly at the contact. "I'm sorry, I know my fingers are cold, I will try to be quick." Successfully undoing the button she hurries with the zipper. Moving any slower than lightning speed would cause the heat in her belly to grow and she cannot afford that now. She lowers herself onto her knees and wraps her fingers around the top of the jeans and then makes a vital mistake.
First of all, it is beyond out of character for the Evil Queen to be on her knees for ANYONE! But here she finds herself trying to help her friend, whom she has deep feelings for...and of course, finds herself in this position. Which would be fine, because she is just trying to help and do the right thing. So why? Why did she have to look up into Emma's verdant eyes while in this position. Furthermore, why was Emma Swan looking back down into hers with such adoration. Electricity shoots through her body ending in the most sensitive area. She squeezes her thighs together at the sensation and swallows hard, trying to regain focus on the task at hand.
She couldn't do this quickly. These jeans were as tight as they looked and a bit of a challenge to get down the woman's muscular thighs, and she couldn't risk jolting Emma as the whole point of her doing this was to keep her out of as much pain as possible. After a few moments and plenty of discomfort she achieves the goal and walks briskly to the door. "I'm going to bring you a pill and a glass of water for you to take before you get in." She announces as she leaves the room praying that Emma doesn't remove any more garments before she gets back.
With Emma bathed and her medicine doing its job, Regina shows Emma to the guest room. Standing next to the bed Regina asks if Emma needs help laying down to which she replies that she doesn't. Regina turns to leave when Emma catches her hand "Roni, there isn't much I can do right now except thank you for all that you have done for me, for us...do you think- would it be okay if I gave you a hug?" Pink creeps up Emma's neck and cheeks and it's the most adorable thing Regina has ever seen. She squares herself in front of the woman and stands on her tip-toes to carefully wrap her arms around the woman's shoulders. Emma's arms snake around Regina's waist. Regina inhales the smell of her own shampoo in the other woman's hair mixed with something that is inexplicably Emma. She closes her eyes as her heart breaks and soars at the same time. They never showed physical affection before. It was like an unwritten rule in their relationship. So the feeling of Emma pressed against her is something that is so foreign yet so right she is taken aback by the sensation. The subtle heat of the woman pressed to her is immediately missed as she steps back away, giving her a shy smile.
She briskly makes her way to the door before she chooses not to leave at all "Goodnight, Emma."