Impermanence

David takes no more than 45 minutes to bust into the Mayor's office as if he were chasing something or someone "Regina, everyone has their memories back! What happened? Do you know how the curse broke?"

Regina, slightly startled by the brash intrusion, is shooting daggers at the tall interim sheriff "Well, hello Charming, nice of you to bust in!" She smiles a semi-evil smirk in his direction "since you have your memories back, tell me, is that bump Mary Margret is growing yours?" She looks back at the papers on her desk fully amused.

"Regina, as much as it's a pleasure to be here, if you aren't going to answer my questions what did you call me here for?" He steps to the Mayor's desk unamused.

Regina stands and moves to close the door to her office, "Calm yourself Charming, all in good fun." The door clicks closed and she returns to her place behind her desk. "I did call you here for a serious matter though, dear. I know the memories have returned- that includes Emma and Henry's by the way."

"Yes, Snow told me she saw Emma at your house, which I have plenty of questions about as well. Snow was pretty upset about Emma's reaction to her..."

"The baby has certainly made her even more of a cry baby these days hasn't it?" Regina quips. "Well, she will be happy to know that Ms. Swan should recognize her when she sees her next." She finally sits, because this isn't going to be a quick conversation, clearly. "I didn't call you here to talk about Emma, though, I want to know what you have found on the pirate's whereabouts."

David takes a cue from Regina and sits in one of the two chairs offered in front of her desk. "There hasn't been any movement on his ship. No one has seen him in town. I haven't gone to visit him yet, because not long after hearing from you the curse broke and I was fielding several calls about...whatever happened."

Regina hums and worries her bottom lip.

"Why is Hook such a big concern for you? Plenty of people have been popping up since we got back to Storybrooke, and you haven't been quite so concerned with them?" David keeps his eyes on the woman, whatever she is planning he isn't going to miss any signals she may give.

"I'm not sure I can tell you the details of my inquiry, but I want to know where he is and..." she cuts off speaking her train of thought. "Look, David, Emma went back to Boston with Henry to get some of their things. She will be back tonight if you guys want to see her you can come by. She may be able to answer some of your questions." She stands, signalling that she means to escort the man out of her office. He steps past her as she opens the door for him.

"Thank you Regina, I know Snow will really appreciate it. I do too." He turns and stalks back out of City Hall.

Regina huffs out a breath and returns to her seat. Her mind is racing around how to deal with this situation. Regina wants nothing more than to take her ass to that boat right now and make the pirate pay for everything he has put Emma through. But, Emma would never forgive her for that, and David would arrest her without knowing all the details of what happened in Boston. With her memories back Emma should more than be able to take care of herself in this, but Regina doesn't quite know the hold Hook had over her to begin with. She sighs, frustrated, and runs her hands through her hair as she props her head on her hands. She has been working so hard to change, not give in to the darkness, but this whole situation is calling it from deep inside her. Henry! She wanted to be the woman that he wanted her to be and she will be damned if she is going to give up who she has been working so hard to become. Even if the thought makes her a little nauseated, she knows she will have to talk to Emma, and the Charmings, and come up with a plan....together.

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The drive back to Boston was long and quiet. Emma had inquired about Henry's lack of conversation but he said he was just processing everything, which was understandable because Emma was doing the same thing. Looking around the apartment gave them both mixed emotions but Henry didn't take long to head off to his room and start packing up as much as he could fit into his luggage. Emma took things a little slower. Memories, fake memories, invaded her senses at every corner of the home. Even if she had somehow let Killian make her into a weak and fragile woman here, Henry had friends and was doing well in school, and outside of Hook they had a good life. One where she wasn't facing a new threat every time they turned around. Part of her thought maybe...maybe it would be best if they just stayed. Henry comes into the kitchen dragging clearly over packed bags. "Ma, what are you waiting for?"

Emma's eyes bug out at the amount the boy has tried to pack, "Henry did you even leave anything in your room?"

"The bed's still there", he grins and moves to where his mom is standing with clear conviction in her eyes, "what's wrong ma?"

Emma puffs a deep breath out and moves to sit on the bar stool nearby, "Henry, didn't you like our life here? Do you really want to give that up?"

Henry's eyebrows hit his hairline "It was a fake, ma!" He puts his little hand on his mom's shoulder to show he was serious, "when I brought you back to Storybrooke it was fate, and so is everything that has happened since then, probably even the year we spent here. You know all of this and after this morning how could you want to walk away from all that?"

Emma scoffs, "it was a kiss...well two" her cheeks blush, "and anyway kid, Regina isn't exactly a walk in the park."

"No, mom, it was true loves kiss! That isn't just any kiss! I saw it! How could you just walk away from that?" Henry moves back over to his bags and crosses his arms over his chest.

Emma's mouth had fallen open at Henry's words. Somehow, it hadn't registered to her that true love's kiss is why her memories came back. Actually, she hadn't thought about the why of it at all. She was too busy overloading on information and emotion. She closes and opens her mouth a few times trying to take it all in. Shit, it had been true loves kiss! She had asked Regina if any of it was real. Obviously, it was if that was....shit! Somehow, this changes everything. Bringing herself back to the present she nods her head and takes off to her room to pack and process.

Emma's breath had been stolen from her the moment the Mayor of Storybrooke had opened her door the night Henry changed everything. Dark, mysterious, powerful, and sexy. Let's not forget being protective and angry. Emma had never wanted someone more, but was met with brute force from the beautiful woman, so Emma's natural instincts were to dish it right back. Even as angry as she was over the turnover Henry had eaten, in the closet after roughing Regina up, standing so close their breaths mingled, Emma found herself slightly intoxicated by the other woman. No matter how nasty Regina was to her, she couldn't bring herself to hate her, and even remained somewhat protective over her. Always inviting her to things, and trying to take her side (even when Regina made it hard). She loved Neal in a different way, he had known her since she was someone else. And he had come back into the picture after Emma had closed her heart off to the idea of Regina. By the time Regina showed the slightest hint of jealousy in Neverland, Emma had given up hope for her altogether. Regina had shown more than a few times that she had nothing but disinterest. How had they gone from all of that to true love? Or maybe...it has been there all along.

Emma had plenty of time to try to sort off of this on the long drive home...home...a confusing and comforting thought. So she took a deep breath and gathered herself and her things.

******************************************************

Regina was tempted to offer the two the comforts of going to Granny's for dinner, but the selfish part of her won out. She wanted her little family to herself until the Charming's show up. She is unpacking groceries when she hears her doorbell ring. Surely the damn Charmings didn't beat Emma and Henry back. Her heels click in rhythmic timing as she makes her way to the door. She breathes out in relief when she finds that it's Henry and Emma behind the door, loaded down with bags. Henry beams as he walks past her, clearly struggling with a heavy bag. "Hey mom!" He drags the luggage up the stairs and disappears.

Meanwhile, Emma is still standing on the other side of the threshold staring, eyes and mouth wide. Her green eyes travel from the beautifully pristine make-up and hair to a blue dress hugging all the right curves in all the right places, down to the strappy black heels that do something fabulous to toned legs. Regina clears her throat to bring Emma back to to planet earth and the blonde tries to hide her blush by walking quickly in and up the stairs to drop her own bag.

Alone in the guest room Emma fights her own mind. Knowing that the first kiss the two had shared was true loves kiss had changed things for Emma. Regina was not unattainable anymore. And she wasn't some stranger singing in a nightclub. Although it wasn't permission for Emma to lust after her, she couldn't help letting all the thoughts and feelings she had bottled up for a while now come to the surface. She needed to get herself under control! Just because no matter what she may be thinking or feeling, she wasn't entirely sure what the future held for the two women. Getting herself together she allowed herself to exit the room with the leash tightly held on her wondering mind.

Henry hadn't made it into the kitchen yet when Emma entered to see Regina laying out what appeared to be ingredients for dinner. Emma slows, feeling unsure of just how closely to approach the focused woman. "Regina, I think- I think we need to talk a bit more." She stops behind the bar, letting the piece of furniture be a barrier between them.

Regina hums, "and what do you want to talk about? I saw Henry's bag, surely we have a few minutes." She pulls pans from the bottom cabinets and Emma has to physically keep herself from looking at the woman's backside.

"Maybe we should talk later. Do you need or want any help?" Emma makes her way into the heart of the kitchen.

Regina stands to her full height and turns to face Emma square on. "I certainly don't NEED help Swan, but you may assist me, if- and only if- you spit it out." She pins Emma with one of those death glares that could intimidate the biggest, scariest villain.

Emma releases a harsh breath, "dammit, Regina!" She runs her hand through her long locks. "Seriously, there is too much to cover right now, but for starters...I came back here, but I can go back to the loft. Should I even be staying here now?" She crosses her arms in front of her chest. She doesn't know if she wants to go to keep herself under control, or if she wants to stay so that she can be closer to the other woman.

Regina didn't know what she was expecting. Her heart had sank when Emma said she wanted to talk more and she didn't know what to expect. She didn't want to lose either of the people she had just got back, and she didn't want to sit wondering what was on Emma's mind. As if sleeping wasn't difficult enough for her. "Emma, there's plenty of room for you here. I won't make you stay or anything if you don't want to, but you're more than welcome to stay if you'd like." Swallowing her desire to tell Emma she wants her here, she passes a cutting board and potatoes to Emma, "now, if you want to help I need these cut into quarters."

Both women start on their respective tasks, Emma cutting potatoes, and Regina working her magic on the chicken breasts. "Oh, Emma I almost forgot to tell you, David came by the office today and he and Mary Margret wanted to come by tonight. I hope you don't mind, I told him it was okay for them to drop in after dinner." She speaks over her shoulder as Emma is behind her. She gets no response and after several long minutes she turns to observe the woman chopping away mindlessly. She tentatively lays a hand on the taller woman's shoulder. "Emma?" The blonde jumps at the touch and turns quickly on Regina, breathing deeply, eyes huge and wild. Regina lifts her hands in front of her, "hey! It's me! I spoke and you didn't respond and...are- are you okay?" She lowers her hand and watches as Emma's breathing slows.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry, what?" Emma works to regain her mental and physical composure. Regina repeats her statement and after some discussion the women continue their work.

A half an hour later a beautiful dinner of roasted chicken breast, potatoes, and salad had been served. The food was amazing which Henry and Emma were both sure to vocalize during the meal. Regina kept a watchful eye on Emma. The other woman seemed lost in thought most of the meal, but that could be expected with everything that has happened in the last 12 hours. Henry did a great job clearing the table and loading the dishwasher after dinner without having to be asked. They had barely finished cleaning up when the doorbell rang again.

Henry was allowed to stay for the adult conversation that was about to take place, because he knew more about the subject than most of them involved. The reunion was sappy and sweet enough to almost make Regina regret inviting Henry's grandparents over. But she knew they all needed this and that it would be the beginning of introducing Emma and Henry back into the world that Storybrooke was. Regina busied herself with plating up apple turnovers she had made earlier in the evening to give the family some time alone. But after keeping herself busy as long as she could and giving the family time to catch up a bit in private, she was ready to deal with the issue she was almost dreading bringing up.

"So, Emma, Snow, Henry...I hate to bring this night to a darker point but there is something that David and I are aware of that I think we need to discuss." She shuffles in her seat as David clears his throat from the obvious tension that has just sprung on the room. "Emma...Henry, this morning when Snow came by...she came to tell me that David noticed something new on his way to work." She wrings her hands. She really wishes she didn't have to be the one to break this news to them.

David could see her discomfort and steps in, "this morning on my way to work I saw Hook's ship in the docks. I haven't been by to check it out, but it's being watched round the clock and there hasn't been any activity. But, I have to say, I- I don't know why this is such an issue?" He looks around the room from one familiar face to another.

Emma has flown into oblivion and is staring off into the distance at nothing in particular. Henry looks around to the adults in the room and after seeing that Regina clearly didn't feel it was her place to say anything chimes in "he was with us in the other world, well...in Boston." He looks to Emma who still appears to be far away in thought. "He wasn't nice to Ma." Henry drops his head and Regina moves to where he is settled on the couch. She escorts the boy out of the room and, after comforting him and assuring him that everything will be alright, tells the boy it may be best if he isn't here for the remainder of the conversation. Henry doesn't fight her on it and heads up to his room.

Regina returns to the living room and no one has moved an inch. Snow has tears in her eyes, and David appears ready to combust. Emma is still staring off into the distance. Regina knows now not to touch the woman but she kneels beside her and asks if she's okay. Emma only nods in response keeping her eyes locked on some imaginary point across the room. Regina takes a deep breath and stands to return to her seat. "So when Emma first came to stay with me she was badly injured. Not by the pirate, but, by people looking for him. Dr. Whale can confirm this if you don't believe me. And...Emma, you may not appreciate me saying this, but I saw her several times in Boston and every week she seemed to have a new injury. Now, I don't think Emma is in the place to discuss the matter.." She gestures to the clearly disturbed woman, "I'm sure me and Henry have disclosed enough for you all to connect the dots. And I hope you understand now why I was not eager for people to know Emma was here, and why I want to know where the pirate is at all times."

David nods and stands abruptly, clearly very heated. Mary Margret stands and places her hands on his chest to calm the man. "Regina, we will talk more tomorrow at your office."

Snow steps slightly away from her husband and leans over Emma, "if it's okay with you, sweetie, I would like to come and see you tomorrow." She lightly kisses Emma on the crown of her head.

Emma turns to look at her parents. Her eyes hollow and distant. She attempts a smile at them. "Thank you." She speaks, and stands to hug both of her parents.

They walk the Charmings out and stand in awkward silence. "I'm sorry about all of that, about off of this Emma. I just. I want you safe and I know you can handle yourself, but you didn't know he was here and I just- I have learned that we handle things better...together."

Emma turns and gives Regina a cute smirkm "it's okay. Like I said, we still have a lot to talk about. But, I think driving wore me out and I really just want to get some sleep." Without thinking she moves to hug Regina and before she can stop herself she is folding into the other woman. Regina stiffens under her touch for a moment then melts into her hold. After several warm, comforting moments they break apart and both feel the loss deeply. Emma heads up the stairs and stops at the top step, watching as Regina systemically turns off the lights throughout the house and ensures the doors are locked. As Regina joins her on the stairs she can't help but lean in and brush her lips against the full warmth that is growing more familiar to her. Nothing more than a ghost of a kiss surprises the brunette before Emma turns into her guest room. "Goodnight, Regina.'"