The Evil Queen's Chambers

Chapter Twelve

Emma was watching the last film with Regina and Henry. Henry was wedged between them and enjoying the last of his popcorn. All night Emma had been glancing at Regina who was laughing and smiling, at things that Henry was saying, and certain scenes in the film. Regina looked so contented when she had one arm around Henry, when she could pull him in close and laugh along with him. It brought Emma happiness to just sit there with them both and enjoy a movie. It was calming and took her mind off everything that was going on. It wasn't something they had ever done before, and honestly she was wondering why she had never done it before. It was obvious how much small gestures mean to Regina, because even when she wasn't laughing or smiling, Emma detected a spark in Regina's eye that suggested happiness. Even if it was just from being with Henry, the idea that Regina was feeling this way in Emma's company was enough. Regina was so beautiful in the moments where she didn't think anyone was watching her, Emma thought. Emma spent more time staring at Regina than she did at the movies, honestly, and realised it was probably obvious to everyone, and she should definitely stop being so obvious about it. She was surprising herself. She never readily handed out her feelings to anyone, normally she'd reveal one small slither of emotion when there was actually much more hidden below the surface, but with Regina, she just couldn't help but be obvious about it. She wasn't saying any words, but surely how she felt was obvious just by the way she looked at her?

Just as she thought this, she realised earlier on when Regina had asked her why she wanted to "make love" to that "version of her", she hadn't given a very good answer. She hadn't really been prepared for such a question, and had closed up instead of really telling her what it was. It's just that Emma knows she can't help but want all of Regina. Of course she wants her to be the best version of herself, because she deserves to prove to herself after all of those years, she can still be good. But Emma likes the dark, damaged Regina, too. She knows what it feels like to have no one, to feel alone in the world. This is something that no-one else understands. Only Regina will ever understand this. That's why she wanted the dark part of Regina, Emma guessed. Because behind all that was a misunderstood woman, a woman who cared too much and hurt too deep. There was so much to Regina, so much that Emma completely adored and idolised and it all came out in the Evil Queen's Chambers, because Regina's initiation had brought out the hope in Emma, the hope that runs deep; the hope that Regina is her true love. And this is what she needed to tell her. But she realised, even if she could get Regina alone, she might not want to hear it. And it was also a big deal for Emma. Expressing her emotions was never her strong point.

Emma got up, picked up the popcorn bowl and strolled over to the kitchen to re-fill it. Henry had pretty much eaten it all, obviously taking after her, and Emma realised how damn hungry she was. She actually fancied a grilled cheese but was pretty tired and couldn't be bothered making one. She was just pouring the last bag of popcorn in the bowl when Henry came in, whispering, "mom?" Emma turned around, and was slightly shocked to see him actually taking his eyes off the TV screen. "Hey kid, why are you whispering?" Henry leant in, and replied, "because I have a question about you and Regina." Emma picked up one of the un-popped popcorn kernels from the bowl and flicked it in the bin, nervous as she already knew that he could always sense when things were different between her and Regina.

"Okay," sighed Emma, continuing to whisper, "what is it?"

Henry sighed, "it's just, I've noticed that there's just something different between you guys, and I wanted to know...Did something bad happen in the Enchanted Forest, between you guys?"

Emma shook her head, "no, nothing bad, don't worry about us, we're fine with each other."

Henry, obviously unsatisfied with her closed response, answered, "well... did something good happen between you guys?" He was waiting patiently, as Emma was taking her time, trying to stay nonchalant, despite the fact panic was probably written all over her face.

"Umm, well something happened between us but it's not a big deal, don't worry about it okay?"

Henry shook his head, "fine Mom. But, I'm glad that you're both getting along. I, uh, like spending time with you guys, um, anyway..." Just as he said this he grabbed the popcorn bowl out of Emma's hands and mumbled, "thanks," to which he gestured to the popcorn he had already shoved in his mouth.

Emma frowned at him as he ran off with the popcorn and grabbed herself a drink, not sure if he was hinting at anything. He couldn't be, she thought, he's too young to get it. But then she remembered, her son was not only her son, but Regina's son, and he had also spent most of his life reading Prince and Princess love stories in the storybook. He's not too young to get it, reiterated Emma. He's just as perceptive as me, and probably knows there's more to it than I've made out. Emma knew she needed to find a way to tell her family what happened, because it wasn't going to stay hidden much longer. It just takes Snow to notice the difference between her and Regina before the questions start flooding in. It wasn't gonna be an easy thing to explain, either.

Regina, Emma and Henry were 10 minutes before the end of the film when Mary Margaret and David stepped through the door with Neal in the pram. Picking up Neal to place him in his cot, Snow said hi to them and then realised Regina was there, too.

"Oh, hi, Regina, what a surprise..." Regina glanced over at her and smiled when Emma cut in, "I invited her to watch some movies with me and Henry, sorry about the mess."

Snow shook her head, "oh the mess isn't a problem, don't worry about it." Regina shuffled her skirt down as she stood up and picked up her coat, "I can go if it's a problem..."

"Oh no, of course it isn't a problem," rushed Snow, "I just didn't expect you to be-" Regina laughed and filled her sentence with, "not plotting revenge?". Snow opened her mouth to reply when Regina said, "it's okay, I would have expected that of me, too."

Snow slightly smiled and decided to change the subject, "sit down with Henry and watch the rest of the film, I'll make some drinks if anyone wants one?" Everyone started to nod when David said, "there are a few places losing power in the town. I think it might be the ice problem we have. I think we need to go and check it out, probably early tomorrow at the latest?" Emma smiled, "of course yeah, we'll just finish the last of the film and I'll get an early night."

When the last film had finished, Regina had mentioned that she didn't want to overstay her welcome, so made her way out of the house. Not before Henry had hugged her goodbye and she had thanked Emma again for the evening. Emma shut the door behind her, following her out. "It's really not a problem," stated Emma, "I think we should do it again sometime, I think Henry liked spending time with us both."

"Yes, I think we should. Thank you again Emma... for everything." They stayed there for a moment and neither one of them initiated a hug so Regina left. Both of them had wished they had.

*

"I haven't seen you and Hook together recently," David cut in. Him and Emma had nearly reached the towns border. It was actually the afternoon before they'd made their way out. They had been speaking the whole time. Emma had expected a specific topic change sooner or later. "Yeah, uh, we kind of cut off whatever it was we had. Let's just say it wasn't really working out."

David glanced at her with another question in his eyes, "well I hope there isn't anything I need to discuss with him..." Emma scowled and with a slight smirk laughed, "I can look after myself you know." David nodded, keeping his eyes on the road. "I know you can."

They reached the towns border to see a huge tonne of ice blocking the way. "What the hell," David said, moving is head to look at how high it towered. "Well there you go," Emma replied, realising what must have caused the power shortage.

"Whatever happened to these power lines happened after the snow monster," Emma sighed and looking at David added, "lets go find whoever did this."

Emma and David walked over to the ice with caution. Looking at its width, Emma stated, "this looks like this goes the whole way round." David scoffed, "so, once again we can't leave Storybrooke."

"It looks to me like whoever put up the wall wasn't looking to put out the lights, they were just looking to put up the wall," Emma exclaimed, being careful to avoid walking on any electricity lines.

"But why?" David replied. Before Emma could answer, for a brief second she saw a shadow moving in the ice. "I think I see something behind the wall," she whispered, "stay here." David nodded and Emma climbed in.

There was an immediate temperature drop as soon as she entered, making her rub her arms out of instinct. She took a few more steps forward to see a woman with plaited hair, stood in a long blue dress and who was visibly shaken; clear from the elongated hand she was holding out with blue magic sizzling out of it.

Emma was surprised, asked, "hey, who are you?" looking her up and down and immediately noticing the magic pulsating in her palm. "My name is Elsa," replied the stranger, her voice shaking.

"Okay, Elsa, it's okay," she said, gesturing to her hand, "I'm Emma. Do you have anything to do with this wall?"

Elsa nodded. "I'm looking for someone, my sister, this was hers."

Emma's eyes were drawn to the silver necklace in her other hand. It was in the shape of a snowflake. Out of intrigue she went to touch it, but Elsa retorted, so Emma took a step back.

Elsa shouted, "where is she?" and Emma was utterly confused. "I have no idea but if you want me to help you, you have to help me. What's her name?"

"Anna. Her name is Anna."

Emma was just about to reply, though she didn't really know what to say, when David shouted through the gap with his gun held up.

"Stay back!" yelled Emma, "it's okay!"

Elsa immediately feared him, and the ice cave shifted loudly and shut the gap, knocking Emma to the ground and flinging David across the floor on the other side.

Emma got up and wiped some ice off her jeans, "wow, ow!" she exclaimed. "You put on quite a show, are you gonna tell me what this is all about?"

Elsa's lips started to thin as she replied, "no, just that I'm very powerful and you and your people need to keep your distance."

"I think I can guarantee that if you wanna hit undo on that," Emma replied jokingly, her thumb pointing to the caves entrance.

"Not yet." Elsa stood, defensively, "bring me what I want and...I'll consider it."

"Your sister right? I can't really do that from in here." Emma frowned, while her radio buzzed and David's voice could be heard through the static crackling. "Emma! Emma!"

Emma realised Elsa probably didn't know what the device was, just as she asked "what is that?" Emma didn't know how to describe it so answered, "if you wanna melt that we can all talk."

Elsa pointed at the radio and demanded, "tell him to get Anna."

"Dad, can you hear me? I'm in here with Elsa, she's looking for her sister and thinks she's in this town because she found a necklace of hers in Gold's shop, she wants us to find her."

"I will go quickly and see what I can do," David replied hurriedly, anxious to get Emma out.

Emma put the radio down. She was starting to get really cold. It was coming to her in waves, so it wasn't too bad, but she suspected if she was in there much longer it would be.

*

Regina was hurriedly getting into her car with Henry in the passenger seat. She had reiterated to him many times that she wasn't happy with him coming along, because it was too dangerous. But he wasn't having it. David had rang up Henry telling him that Emma was trapped in the ice cave, and as he had been round at her house all day, she had immediately charged into action. She thought she could give her magical assistance, of course, that's the believable reason she used, as she wasn't willing to admit just how worried for Emma she was as soon as she heard of her entrapment.

"When we arrive at the wall, you have to stay in the car, Henry. It's too dangerous," Regina ordered as she headed to the town line.

"Yes, mom," sighed Henry, "honestly I kind of thought you would just leave me at home..."

"Well that's never worked," scoffed Regina, "you always find a way to do exactly what isn't safe, at least this way I can keep an eye on you."

Henry smirked and decided to ask her what he had asked Emma previously. "So, mom, what's happened between you and Emma?"

Regina, eyes set on the road, was completely unprepared for this question. He'd already asked her how she was feeling about Robinhood, offering what help he could give. But she hadn't really lied to him when she said she was getting over it, because she was. She didn't want to give into the darkness over a man. Especially someone who would risk losing her. Obviously, a part of her was still hurt. It was too early for her to be fully over it. So that's what she told Henry, roughly. But, if she let herself admit it, what was helping her the most was having Emma there. Realising that Emma's always been there. Realising that Emma's deep emotional feelings for her are real. This was something she could never have predicted. Regina had known from when she had first met her that she was attracted to Emma, behind her hate at first was a lot of sexual tension. She was sure too, that the feeling was mutual. There was multiple occasions of shared stares - intense eye contact - eye contact that could only have suggested that they were attracted to each other. Slight touches - here and there - but nothing more. Regina wasn't surprised at the attraction between them because she knew she'd had numerous sexual experiences with women, more so than men after Daniel. But she was also deeply aware of the emotional connection she had built with her son's other mother. Her support had never gone unnoticed, but she had tried to mostly put it to the back of her mind. Only because she never knew what she did to deserve it. She feared that the support Emma gave Regina was all saviour business. With Emma's role as saviour, Regina had easily forgotten what she was before, a damaged woman, just like herself. Someone who rarely spoke about their feelings. Rather who showed it in their actions. But who had been doing this all for her. Unknowingly, she had been telling herself that whatever it was between them wouldn't escalate, wouldn't move past friends or whatever it was. And because she hadn't let herself think it all through, she hadn't thought in detail about what she wanted. Who she wanted. And honestly, realising all this, while noticing how quickly her apparent 'true love', could discard her, it was like waking up from a long slumber. Love is a choice, she thought.

For a brief moment, she looked at Henry out of her peripheral vision. Like always when he asks a personal question, his face was glancing up at her innocently, encouraging her to give in. By now she was used to this. Aware from previous experience it was impossible to pull wool over her son's eyes, she realised she needed some explanation. She knew she couldn't explain all of that to him, but needed to ensure she didn't lie to him.

"Well, what me and Emma have is complicated. But we are getting along well, nothing bad has happened, so you needn't worry." Regina knew that keeping things from Henry just made him upset. Especially when it concerned her or Emma. But she didn't know how much she could - or should - reveal to him.

"I asked her that and she said the same thing. And mom, I know it has something to do with the Enchanted Forest because I know you have the storybook and no-one has read it since Emma and Hook came back."

Regina sighed. "If both of your mother's have told you not to worry, then you definitely have nothing to worry about, okay Henry?"

Henry nodded, "alright Mom."

Regina, aware of him being displeased, added, "I'm sorry Henry, we will discuss it with you soon." It was only right that they told him. That didn't mean anyone else needed to be told, though.

Henry's mood immediately started to lift and she could see him slightly smiling out of her peripheral. She looked ahead of her and noticed they were at the town line, explicitly clear by the large ice boulder.

Henry moved forward in his seat to try and see the full height of the boulder. "Let me help, mom," asked Henry.

Regina chuckled slightly, "sorry Henry, but I don't think there's anything you can do. Hopefully I can do something." She stopped her car and took the keys out of the ignition, "stay here."

She got out of the car and locked it, putting her keys in her pocket. Walking up to the ice block, she had wanted to start blasting magic at it just to see what she was contending with. But not knowing where Emma was inside, she decided to not to take the risk. She instead shouted her, so as to avoid hurting her.

*

Emma had been talking with Elsa again before she had heard Regina's voice.

"Is the snow monster something you made?" she had asked Elsa, to which she had replied, "I'll do anything to get what I want."

Emma could tell how deep Elsa's connection with her sister must be, and had answered, "sorry about your sister, you obviously care about her a lot."

It only came apparent to Emma that Elsa actually couldn't control her magic, when she noticed Elsa refrained from using it after she saw the fallen snowflake necklace. This was precious to her, and the fact she didn't make an effort to get it suggested that simply, she couldn't.

"What you said to David before wasn't a threat was it? It was a warning because you can't control what you're doing."

Elsa hadn't liked this, and had snapped back, "what makes you think you know me?"

Emma didn't know Elsa. But could sense something familiar in her. "Because I know me," she had replied, "I have powers too and I'm not controlling them, it looks as if you're the same way."

Elsa had then asked Emma questions about her magic. Honestly it was all kind of a blur to her because of how freezing she was. Her skin was ice cold to the touch and she couldn't feel her toes.

Elsa had said something about hurting people, Emma had said something about being lonely, and suddenly through the blur Regina's voice had broke through. She didn't know if she was hearing things or if she had actually heard her voice. As loud as she could, she shouted, "Regina?" but was so dizzy with cold she fell to the ground. She kept slipping in and out of consciousness, Elsa was moving her and talking to her and she could hear Regina every now and then. Suddenly, the radio static started to buzz once again and David's voice cut through.

"Elsa? Elsa? How's Emma?"

"She's freezing," Elsa replied, "turning blue."

"I just got here," David said, "Regina's here too. We need a way out."

Emma mustered all the energy she had to lean up when she heard that she wasn't imagining things, that Regina was actually there.

Elsa looked down at Emma due to her sudden movement, and replied to David, "But I need Anna."

Emma could hear Regina grr on the end of the static, and heard David's "it's okay Regina, look Elsa, I don't have her right now but I found a way to find her, and we will, but right now you're gonna have to do this on your own."

Elsa stammered, "I can't control this."

Regina grabbed the radio off David, "well you bett-" but before she could finish her sentence David took it back and whispered, "not helping" to her.

"I know how you feel Elsa, you're trapped. It's a battle you can't win, but it is exactly kind of battle you have to fight, or you'll die."

Regina was rolling her eyes on the other end, pacing back and forth, anxious to get Emma out whatever the collateral damage. But melting it down would endanger Emma, so it's not like she could do that.

Emma was still struggling with consciousness. Elsa looked down at her while she replied to David through the radio, "no, I won't, I'll survive, but Emma-"

"Survival isn't enough, you have to live."

Elsa moved the radio further to her face, "where did you hear that?"

"You know where." David replied.

Emma glanced up at Elsa as her face started to glow at what David had said, "Anna? You knew her?"

"Yeah, I did. She helped me once, a long time ago, become who I am. She saved my life and yours. And now I need you to save Emma's. I didn't know much about Anna, but she wouldn't want you to live alone in an ice cave, which is where you'll be if you don't melt that ice. Now do it!"

Elsa stopped leaning down over Emma and walked over up to the ice block, throwing up both of her hands.

Emma managed to sit up and lean on her knees. She looked up to see blue magic radiating out of Elsa's hands and a hole forming in the ice. In it she could see David and Regina's face emerge. Regina's face was stricken with worry and frustration, David's with anticipation. Elsa ran to help Emma stand, hurrying her out of the hole.

The first thing Emma knew was that she was warm in someone's arms. And they weren't David's. She could tell it was Regina from the sweet smell of her as she nuzzled into her neck. "You're freezing," Regina exclaimed, "are you okay Emma?" Emma merely nodded and mumbled yes into her neck. Regina noticed David looking at them both with mild surprise for a brief second. "Let's get you warm," he stated, throwing a blanket over her, "and get you inside." Regina nodded as David stayed behind to talk to Elsa.

Emma put both of her arms around Regina as she couldn't walk straight on her own. "Trust you to go into there unprepared," exclaimed Regina, but with mostly worry rather than anger. Honestly, Emma needed some normality after nearly freezing to death. She chuckled and then Regina added, "I was worried."

Closer to Regina's car they got, the clearer Henry's image was. He was pointing to the door, and Regina realised he would want to get out as soon as he saw the state Emma was in. She unlocked the door and he immediately came running out, shouting, "mom!"

After hugging Emma he helped Regina get her into the car.

*

She was sat up in the corner of her bed, with a hot fan blowing on her from the corner of the room and a hot cocoa in hand. Emma had made her way upstairs, still cold and shattered. When she'd got home, Snow, David and Henry had been fussing over her and Regina was simply glaring at her, with worry or anger, honestly Emma didn't even know. Emma had asked Elsa if she was okay, and David had revealed Bo-Peep's staff, which had eventually shown Anna's heartbeat, thus showing she was alive. After the power came back on and Henry had made her a hot cocoa with cinnamon, she'd told them all thanks, and made her way to her room. It wasn't until Henry had left her bedroom that Regina had emerged, smiling as she walked in and propping herself up on the edge of Emma's bed.

"Feeling any better?" Regina asked.

Emma shuffled herself into a ball, replying, "yeah, a little. The kid made me the usual."

"Hot cocoa with cinnamon." Regina smiled. "Is it okay if I come over there?" She asked, gesturing to the other side of Emma's bed.

"Sure," replied Emma, "but I'm gonna end up collapsing on you, I'm shattered."

"That's not a problem," smiled Regina, sitting herself down next to Emma.

"It felt like I was in there for hours," Emma scoffed.

"You were," Regina replied, "it's coming up to 9 now and you were down there at what time?"

"Afternoon-ish," Emma nodded, "how was your day?"

"Mostly spent worrying about you," Regina laughed, nudging Emma slightly.

"You worry about me?" Emma asked jokingly, nudging her back, "since when?"

"I always worry about you, Emma." Regina replied plainly.

"Look-" began Emma.

"No, wait," Regina began, "I was worried about you, because I care about you too, Emma."

"You don't have to-" Emma cut in.

"No, but I want to," Regina replied, putting her hand onto Emma's knee. "I was worried about you today. Especially because I couldn't help you. But most of all, because with magic you never know what could happen. That means that danger is at every turn, and there is always the possibility that something really bad could happen. And I wouldn't want something bad to happen to you. Least of all before I tell you what you deserve to know. And what I, myself, have only just begun to realise."

This put the fear of God into Emma, honestly because it could go many ways. And Regina was pretty unreadable right now, except for the tears in her eyes that had already started dripping onto her cheek.

"That, love, Emma, is a choice." She wiped the tears away, and continued. "I don't want to choose to love anyone who would discard me. I don't care what's fated; what's destiny. I want to be wanted, accepted, sometimes even understood. And what dawned upon me, is that you have always stood by me. You have backed my corner when I frankly have not deserved to be backed. You might not always understand me, but you accept me. You believed in me. And...so it seems, have wanted me. For a while. And still do. Emma, if I said that to love you is a choice, I would be both lying and telling the truth. Telling the truth, because I have not yet fully recovered from the love that has broken me in the past, or let myself fully understand how I feel about you. But lying, because, I think it's possible that I may already love you, Emma."

She looked over to Emma, who had put her cocoa on the bed-side table and who was sobbing as she watched Regina's every movement. Regina reached out her hand to wipe her tears and continued.

"You've always brought out the good in me, just like Henry, in so many ways. I cannot thank you enough for what you have gave me, and what you continue to give me, everyday. When I read that excerpt in the storybook, yes, I was emotional, and confused. Frankly, I still am, at you liking me in my darkest, darkest moments. But what got to me the most, was that past me, blinded by hate, was so taken with you that she had, for a brief moment, felt something again. So yes, love is a choice, and destiny has never benefitted me, but Emma, I think this has all led up to this, to me and you. I don't know what can come of this, if whatever this is can be told to anyone yet, or acted upon. I just realised that you needed to know this, that I needed to be honest with you, and most of all, to myself."

Emma's face was damp with tears. "Not to be funny here," Emma reached out her arm and placed her hand on Regina's, "but I kinda just melted."

Regina laughed, "is now really a time for joking around, Miss Swan?"

"Jokes aside, I mean it. You don't realise how much it means to hear that. How much I never knew I needed to hear that until now. Nobody has ever said anything like that to me before."

Regina moved her hand so her fingers were interlocked with Emma's. "It's okay, dear. You don't need to say anything. You just needed to have listened."

"Thanks Regina, for being honest with me. Honestly I kinda thought I'd just been seeing something in you because I wanted to see it, you know? But you weren't the only one who had something to say actually, and you definitely deserve to hear what I have to say."

Regina shuffled up to Emma so they were shoulder-to-shoulder. "Go on."

Emma began, "well, when you asked me why I wanted to 'make love' to the 'evil' you, I didn't do the question much justice. I wanted that part of you, because I see so much in you. Behind all the layers is someone who is just misunderstood, who feels deeply and then hurts too deep because of it. And then who puts walls up to conceal it. And then who doesn't let anyone in out of fear. I get you, because I know me. We do similar things, and so, the connection between us is different, it's special. When I looked into the Queen's eyes, I just saw you. I saw you, the woman I have grown to love, in your darkest, darkest moments. I didn't see a monster. I saw that light, that light when I look at you right now, in those eyes. And it filled me with this hope Regina, the hope I've known that I've had for a while. That you're my true love. It sounds really soppy but god, that's just what it is. Like you, I don't know what this can be, if this can work. But damn, do I want it. I want you."

Teary eyed, it hadn't actually taken much thought, Regina leant over and kissed Emma soft at first, but then hard on the lips, putting one hand in her hair and the other on her lower waist. It wasn't wet or sloppy, it wasn't that kind of kiss. It was just passionate. Emma sniffled and was shaking all over. Not even from the lasting cold. Just from the whole conversation they just had and the fact that Regina fucking Mills had just kissed her. A passionate, needy kiss. But not for sex, just intimacy. Being close to someone you deeply crave. Emma craved Regina in every way. But not sexually, right now. What she wanted right now was to hug Regina and feel like everything she felt wasn't stupid, and it was returned. And honestly after her little speech earlier on she figured it wasn't stupid, and it was returned. And that was enough for now, they could sort out what happened next at a better time.

Emma had shuffled out of the blanket and put both of her legs over Regina, who was leaning against the bed, face glowing. Emma nuzzled into her neck. They just stayed like that. Half hugging and just enjoying the warmth of each other. It had been a while since Emma had sat like this in bed with someone. Even Regina hadn't sat like this in bed with Robinhood that often. What was so strikingly obvious to them both, was how right it felt. They hadn't even been like that for more than a minute before there was a creak in the entrance of Emma's room.

"Mom?" a voice asked, directed at both Emma and Regina.

*