This came out a lot less M-rated then I intended, but I'm rating it that way just in case. Can I get away with this at T?

Part III: Breathless

Everyone has a breaking point, even Saviors of prophecy. Regina knew it had to come eventually, that her beloved couldn't keep up the charade forever. Even Emma knew it was inevitable- how could she keep up the act of being cold and standoffish to the one person she trusted completely?

It was storming that night, so tumultuously as rain slammed against the roofing above and the violent rumble of thunder reverberated constantly through the air, that Regina was already awake when Emma came climbing through the window. In any other circumstance, she would voice concern or reprimand about being more regarding of her safety in such a fierce storm, or getting the rest she would need to supervise damage control in the morning. But it wasn't Emma and Regina, close friends, or Sheriff and Mayor, together on these nights, and to speak in any way was verboten.

Except, there was something different about this night, as lightening crashed, highlighting Emma's pale, damp face as she clumsily knelt beside the bed. The sudden illumination drew Regina's attention to her eyes. Her breath caught in her throat at the raw, vulnerable emotion evident in their wounded green, their usual spark dulled by heartache.

Regina couldn't help herself, she whispered her lover's name. "Emma?"

The only thing that left Emma was a soft whimper and again Regina broke their routine, where Emma always made the first move, and let herself give in to her instinct. She stripped the unresisting blonde of her wet clothes, leaving her in a damp tank and her underwear. She drew Emma down to join her on the bed, wrapping her in both her embrace and the warm blankets. Emma relaxed immediately in her arms, her whole body going slack with relief at Regina's touch. Regina responded to her trembling by stroking her back with one hand, using the other to cradle her head as it fell to the brunette's shoulder.

Emma's shaking continued, more subtle but still there, and Regina pressed kisses to her temple, cradling close to her the one person that came close to being as precious to her as Henry. Emma was constantly murmuring, a steady mantra of, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," and Regina responded with constant reassurances and caresses until finally, Emma came to her breaking point.

She shuddered with deep, soul-shaking sobs. Regina whispered consolingly, stroking and soothing, and Emma felt she had never loved Regina Mills more than in those moments, her anchor in a sea of pent-up pain. Slowly and steadily, Emma calmed, raising her head to regard her bed-mate with shy, uncertain eyes. She had nothing to worry about, however, as Regina's smile was warm and full, affection radiating with every gesture and expression.

Emma's face relaxed, her gaze falling to focus on Regina's smiling mouth. Regina's hand came to rest against the back of her neck, gently encouraging the blonde closer. She cupped the side of Emma's face, stroking her cheek with her thumb as their lips met, coming together softly.

Emma's lips were cold and chapped, but Regina delighted in the contact, gentler and more delicate than any other physical intimacy they had ever shared. Emma sighed contently, shifting to settle against her more comfortably. Regina let her hands begin to roam, sliding her hands up Emma's back, relishing in the ripple of lean, supple muscle.

Then, Emma's tongue met hers, and Regina lost all ability to think at all.

The kisses were sweet, Regina so wonderfully warm and soft as their bodies fit together, hips and breasts and curves. This was how it should have been from the beginning, how she knew it would be if she had just allowed herself to give in. As their touches and kisses picked up in intensity, Emma's fingers beginning to unfasten the delicate little buttons belonging to Regina's silken pajama top, there was no denying where they were headed.

Regina's attention was caught by the tremble in her lover's fingers and with as close as they were pressed, chest to chest, she could feel Emma's thundering heartbeat, far too elevated for a body just starting to awaken to arousal. "Emma. Emma, are you alright?"

For a long, pregnant pause, as Emma sighed and dropped her head to Regina's shoulder, the queen feared she wouldn't get a response. But then Emma shifted and let out a long, shuddering breath. "I'm nervous," she murmured, self-deprecation is thick in her voice. "And I don't get why. It's not like we haven't done this before."

Regina hummed with understanding. She felt it too, that things were different this time, and changing things were always frightening. She threaded her fingers through Emma's hair, gently tilting the other woman's head up to face her. "If this isn't what you want tonight, Emma, it's the same as always. No expectations. Do what you need to, darling."

For a long moment, Emma stared at her, seemingly dumbstruck. Then, to Regina's horror, hazel-green eyes began to glisten again with tears, but before she could speak, Emma was suddenly smiling, widely, brilliantly, with a level of positive feeling Regina hadn't seen from her for months. Beyond that, there was a soft adoration in her eyes, bordering on reverence. Regina had to smother the instinctive urge to look away, feeling the heat of an light blush fill her cheeks.

Emma leaned down, pressed a lingering kiss to her neck, and whispered against the shell of her ear. "Do you have any idea how amazing you are, Regina Mills? You've been here this whole time...been there for me...I'm so sorry I haven't appreciated that like I should have, appreciated you. I want that to change now."

"Emma," Regina breathed in response as soft lips began trailing down her neck and Regina sighed, content to run her fingers lovingly through golden hair and tilt her head to the side, granting Emma better access. "Emma."

Emma made her way down to her throat, lips parting to press open-mouthed against her fluttering pulse. A pleasurable shiver rang through Regina as a teasing tongue flicked out to taste her skin, reveling in her closeness, her warmth and the ministrations of that wonderful mouth. Emma's hands went to the edges of the open pajama top and paused. "Is it okay?" she asked softly, because if she was honest, she had never truly asked before. Regina's consent and desire had always been evident in her body language and enthusiastic responses, but Emma was heavily, guiltily aware that she hadn't been treating Regina as well as she should. She had meant what she said, she intended for that to change.

Regain rolled back her shoulders so that her top fell from her torso and she reached up to link her arms around Emma's neck. "Yes, darling, yes."

Regina lifted her hips without hesitation for her bottoms to be drawn down and off, their bodies quick to again entwine, pressing close, warming each other with their heat. Hands quested and explored every enticing inch of skin exposed, Regina wrapping a leg around Emma's waist and reveling in the growl she earned from her Savior as she rolled her hips up to meet the downward buck of Emma's.

Emma reared up as Regina pushed at her tank, fumbling out of the garment in her eagerness. Regina stroked the nearly exposed skin with gentle, butterfly touches to Emma's shoulders, back and hips, both stirring and soothing as they lazily kissed, languidly tasting and savoring, reveling in smoldering sensuality.

It took some time, but Emma finally drew enough strength to leave Regina's lips, shifting her attention to exploring. She teased her tongue down between Regina's breasts, turning her head to nuzzle a pebbled nipple and then closing her lips around it. She gently suckled and paid the other aureola the same worshipful attention, taking in every reaction with pleasure as Regina moved restlessly against her, fingers tangled in her hair, nails digging into her scalp.

Emma found herself nearly shaking from the intensity of the feelings roaring through her, but it was an intensity she welcomed with open arms, kissing her way down Regina's body until she reached silken thighs that parted for her without hesitation. "Yes?" she asked again.

Regina met her eyes over the lithe line of her own body, her own gaze dark and full as she gave Emma the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. "Yes, Emma. Absolutely yes."

Emma grinned in reply, lowering her head until her nose brushed the soft triangle of curls shielding Regina's sex. She ran her tongue along the outer lips, humming contently as Regina's taste filled her senses. She delved between the folds, Regina arching against her mouth as she teased and caressed. "Oh! Oh, God, yes."

Emma chuckled as she worked a finger inside her lover. "You call me an idiot enough I didn't think you'd be so quick to deify me."

Regina couldn't help but snark back. "And I don't suppose, oh, Emma...you have anything better to do with that mouth of yours. Oh!"

As it turns out, Emma did.

Regina's first climax caught them both by surprise, unexpectedly taking Regina by storm in a wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure. Her hands flailed as she struggled to find an anchor, finding her needed purchase by clutching hard at Emma's shoulders, finding comfort in the corded muscle she found there.

Emma soothingly caressed her hip, gently questioning once Regina had begun to calm, "Think you could go again, beautiful?" With Regina's dazed nod, Emma flashed a quick grin and dipped her head back down.

Praise, prayer, pleading, Regina wasn't certain what it was she was giving, crying out to the ceiling. Her voice climbing higher and higher as her ecstasy did the same. Emma's talented fingers worked steadily with her to bring her to the edge and over. The blonde began the journey back up her body, trailing hot, wet kisses as she went, and slid strong arms around her writhing lover once she reached her destination.

A touch of Emma's thumb to her clit, her tongue grazing against a sensitive breast, and Regina came apart spectacularly in her arms.

xxx

Regina Mills was a beautiful woman. Emma had always known it, but for a long time, there had been too much lying between them for her to openly acknowledge it. Not just Regina's physical attractiveness, but also the beauty of her heart and soul. Lying next to her now, watching her sleep peacefully, Emma had never seen a more breathtaking sight.

The serenity of the moment couldn't last however, as feeling the weight of Emma's appreciative stare, Regina's nose twitched, her eyes slowly blinking open. "Have you been watching me sleep, Miss Swan?" she purred, lips curving into a languid smile. Regina's voice was sensual enough under ordinary circumstances, but raspy with sleep, Emma shivered at the sound.

The Savior shrugged sheepishly, brushing away the dark curls falling in Regina's face. "Yeah, guess I was."

"That's borderline stalking, dear."

"Maybe you should call the cops."

"Mm, perhaps I could get the Sheriff to handle the matter for me personally," Regina countered, looping her arms around Emma's neck as the blonde leaned over her.

Emma chuckled. "I'm sure we could work something out."

"I do love your diligence to civil service."

And I love you, a little voice whispered in the back of Emma's mind, but she ignored it for now as Regina pulled her down into a kiss. Regina nipped at her bottom lip, earning a soft moan from the Sheriff. Emma took the implied invitation and deepened their kiss.

"Jesus," Emma groaned after they had parted. With their foreheads pressed together, Regina's vision was full of her lover's eyes, dark with both arousal and wonder. "I don't think that can ever get old."

"That's good," Regina murmured, brushing her fingers down Emma's cheek. "Because it will have to be put on hold for a time."

Emma sighed. "We gotta talk, huh?"

"Only if you want to."

"Tell me something,"

"Anything."

Emma hesitated, licking her lips before she haltingly continued. "Am I a monster, Regina?"

It seemed impossible for Regina's dark eyes to further soften, but somehow they did. "You listen to me, Emma Swan." She laid her hand, palm-down, against Emma's breastbone, wherein lay an incredible heart. The world outside this bedroom may say it must be flawed now in some way, but Regina knew better. For now, it may be conflicted, but she knew firsthand Emma's limitless capacity for love, devotion, and goodness. That hadn't changed.

"This heart right here, it might be a little bruised right now, but it's still here. You love and you worry. That's not the sign of a monster. I've known plenty of monsters in my lifetime, dearest, and you are anything but."

No, there was nothing monstrous in the strong, steady muscle beating beneath the warmth of her skin. "But if you want to talk, darling, you know I'll listen."

Placing her hand over Regina's, their fingers entwining, Emma began to speak.