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SQ :: SWAN QUEEN :: SQ

SQ :: SWAN QUEEN :: SQ

New York Methodist Hospital room 815...Brooklyn, New York...[Wednesday, February 12th..11:00 am]

Emma Swan was sitting up for the first time in her hospital bed days after being admitted. She felt disoriented and uncomfortable, and she was having a difficult time keeping up with everything that has happened in the past week. The doctor had explained everything to her before taking his leave but Emma was having a hard time wrapping her mind around it all.

The week she was supposedly in a coma. It was something that baffled the hospital staff but given the severity of Emma's concussion, it was something they listed as a possibility for the hospital staff and they were well prepared to keep Emma well and comfortable until she was ready to come back—if she came back; a grim reality that the fractious Mayor of New York refused to acknowledge. Regina was at the hospital every free moment she could spare, and that included Henry as well since he was no longer enrolled in school and until Regina managed to figure out how to handle that situation without exposing Henry to the cruel world called 'The Press', she often worked from her home office and the days she couldn't avoid being out in public Mayor Mills enlisted Henry's previous caretaker, Mary Margaret Blanchard, to keep an eye on him until Regina could weasel her way out of whatever ordeal she wanted no part in.

Between her job, her son and Emma—Regina felt like she was juggling three basket balls, and it was a matter of time before she dropped one.

Emma brought her knees up and rested her head on her crossed forearms, the throbbing behind her head was dull but it was still painful none the less and she didn't know what the hell happened, and the light from the massive skyline window was brutal against her sensitive eyes and with all the flowers spread all around her hospital room made it seem brighter and the smell was irritating her nose. The constant beeping from that damned machine behind her was killing her nerves one beep at a time and it was a matter of time before she unleashed hell on that annoying device, and it seemed to be beeping faster with each passing moment.

Emma felt the tips of her fingers spark deliciously with familiarity, just as she turned to shut the machine up once and for all—the door opened. Belle and Emma stared at each other for several beats before a brilliant smile broke out over Belle's face and she rushed into the room, gathering Emma into her arms, sobbing with relief. "You're awake! They weren't sure you would wake up but we knew you would wake up Emma, we knew you would! You're too young to die, and you're a fighter! We had faith! I'm so happy to see you Emma, you haven't a bloody idea how hard it is to work knowing you were here, and we couldn't help you."

As happy as she was to see the young brunette, and she was, Emma's body had been inactive for a little over a week and she was weak, tired and sensitive. The executive patted her assistants arm weakly when she pulled away to let Emma breath, offering the biggest smile she could muster, "I'm glad to see you too Belle, but uh...who is this 'we' you're talking about?"

Belle sat down in the chair next to Emma's bed, setting her massive red leather bag in her lap completely unaware of the lost look in her boss's eyes, "Besides myself and Johanna? The Mayor and her son, and your loyal clients and employee's. Mayor Mills has been hounding your nurses like clock work, she never misses a check up and she's been in your corner every chance she can get. I've always thought she's been a bit of a hard ass but I never thought it would be a good thing."

Emma's mind was reeling; lawsuits? Lawsuits for what? And what the hell was Regina defending her name for? They weren't friends, were they? Belle, still oblivious to Emma's confusion, kept talking animatedly, "And with the way she's been fending off rumors and lawsuits for you, I'd say she's proving to be a better friend than Ruby."

Santa raised her head slightly, looking over at Belle in confusion. "Ruby? How do you know Ruby? What does Ruby have to do with any of this?"

"What do you mean how do I know Ruby?" the younger woman finally caught onto Emma's expression and she gasped softly, "Emma...does any of this ring a bell to you?"

Emma bit her bottom lip and shook her head slowly, "Nope."

Belle slowly got out of her seat, her own eyes tearing up but she managed to keep them at bay—she was suddenly regretting sending the Mayor an overjoyed message of Emma being awake, though she was sure the hospital already informed the older woman—Belle would rather not be under the same fire the staff was going to be on the receiving end when Mayor Mills discovered this minor hiccup. That woman wanted no issues with Emma's recovery, and this would be considered quite the issue, no matter how natural it was.

"I'll be right back Emma."

Emma watched the brunette walk out of the room quickly, and as soon as the door closed—Emma reached under her dreadful light blue gown and ripped off the patches that were on her chest and pushed aside the blanket over her legs. She couldn't stay in this suffocating place anymore, she needed time for herself—and it was obvious she wouldn't get it laying in that bed watching people she didn't know walk in and out all damn day. The machine's beeping turned into something far worse...a drawn out whining sound and Emma waved her hand in it's general direction and it ceased immediately. Emma continued to ignore the throbbing pain at the base of her skull and snapped her fingers—when the white smoke cleared, she was wearing a pair of black soccer styled sweatpants, Nike running shoes and a comfortable hoodie with a white large Swan on the front that wore a crown on it's head.

Emma rolled her shoulders, wincing slightly as her bones popped for the first time in days. She shuffled towards the door and opened it with her head held high on a stiff neck...

Only to come face to face with none other than Regina Mills herself, and she did not look happy.

SQ :: SWAN QUEEN :: SQ

"Ms. Swan."

"Uh...Madam Mayor? Hi?"

To Emma, Regina looked drastically different than she remembered her. Her short hair had grown down to her shoulders and she found that she liked it that way, it gave Regina this look that Emma couldn't describe but she liked it—a lot, but it didn't change the fact that the Mayor's overly familiar look made her uncomfortable.

From the way Belle was talking about the Mayor, Emma assumed that they were friends but she couldn't remember and she felt guilty for not remembering. Regina took a step forward, forcing Emma to take a step back and they continued that dance until Regina was able to close the door soundly behind her.

"Was there somewhere you were planning on going Ms. Swan?"

Emma shook her head, still confused—and she was growing tired of feeling confused. "I um, I was just going out to get some fresh air."

"I'll ask your nurse to open a window, until then..." Regina looked at the unoccupied bed pointedly, "I suggest you rest your body before it collapses. You have been unconscious for days Emma, give it some time dear." Regina had arrived in time to hear Belle questioning Emma's doctor about her memory and she walked right past the duo, ignoring their calls for her to stop—and it was a good thing she did so, as Emma was about to make a run for it and who knew what kind of trouble the woman could get herself into in her condition. Idiot.

Emma held up a hand, smiling respectfully but Regina knew better than to trust that smile, "Now look here Madam Mayor...I'm under the impression that we're friends and all, but I'm not getting back in that bed and you can't make me."

The Mayor's eyebrows rose as if saying 'oh really?', and if Regina were being quite honest (and she usually was) she'd say Emma's mind reverted right back to her adolescent years with the whole runaway scheme she tried to pull and now the back talk. "Ms. Swan, I understand that all of this might be overwhelming and alarming to you but I assure you that I will make sure that you're well taken care of but not until you get back in that bed." Regina crossed her arms, using the same no nonsense tone she used with her son when he was being stubborn and grouchy.

Green eyes narrowed as the owner of them laughed incredulously, "I'm not a child Madam Mayor, I'm a grown woman perfectly capable of taking care of myself, but thank you."

Regina sighed deeply, reaching out to put a restraining hand on Emma's strong bicep to keep the blonde in place. "Emma, you think you're well but you're not. Your mind needs time to catch up and—"

"Do you not smell that?!" Emma spread her arms out, and the jerky movement startled the brunette but she held her ground. "There is a smell in this room that is driving me nuts and I need to get the hell out of here."

"Emma, I don't smell anything but hand sanitizer. Just get back in the bed so the doctor can make sure that you didn't put anymore unnecessary strain on your body...and your brain." the brunette added sarcastically but she was serious. The blonde tried to stare the woman down but Regina set her hands on her hips and she wasn't having it.

Emma rolled her eyes—ignoring how sore her eyes felt from such a simple action—she stuffed her hands in the front of her hoodie, "I just wanna go home."

Regina's expression softened when Emma began pouting, it was so odd seeing the normally composed woman pouting and giving her the best puppy eyes she could muster—it reminded her of Henry when he couldn't get his way. Though if the Mayor was being completely honest with herself, Emma's pouting and puppy eyes were just as effective as her sons, and it melted right through her defenses.

"I'll make you a deal Ms. Swan, you get back in that bed while I go get the doctor and if you let her do her job peacefully, I will have everything in this room removed if it bothers you so much."

Emma eyed Regina suspiciously, trying to detect any source of deception but she found none but the blonde wasn't satisfied with that deal, not yet. "Get my release forms today, and I'll sit through a CT Scan if she wants me to."

Regina fought back a smile, leave it to Emma to sweeten the deal and make it harder concurrently—nonetheless, if it got her back in the bed, Regina would take what she could get. Mayor Mills watched Emma climb back in the bed though she made a show of keeping her shoes on and crossing her arms impatiently. Regina gave Emma one last warning before stalking out of the room. Figures. The one true friend she had managed to find and she ends up in a coma one month later, and wakes up with amnesia. Typical Regina Mills luck.

Regina didn't have to travel far from Emma's room thankfully because Emma's doctor, Dr. Smith, and Belle were coming down the hallway.

The tall doctor cleared her throat, nodding politely at Regina in hopes to soften the womans frown, but no such luck—and not for the first time Dr. Smith wished she had a patient with less hostile friends. "Good morning Mayor Mills."

"Dr. Smith." Regina tucked her hands into the pockets of her trench coat haughtily, "Would you please explain to me that Ms. Swan's amnesia wasn't mentioned to over the phone? I believe that is something of importance to warn friends and family, is it not?"

Dr. Smith started to answer but heavy breathing and footsteps behind them caught the attention of the three woman standing just in front of Emma's door—Johanna came to a stop, her purse hanging on the crook of her elbow.

The elderly woman took a deep breath, "I got here as fast I could with the traffic. How is she? Is she alright? Is she still awake?"

Belle set a calming hand on Johanna's shoulder with a kind smile, but it was Regina who spoke. "Breathe Johanna. Emma is very much awake but I believe the good doctor here forgot to inform us of something very important over the phone. Dr. Smith?"

The doctor willed herself not to give the Mayor of New York a dirty look, lest she commit career suicide—she was sure the Mayor had more class than that, but she'd rather not take the chance. She has seen Regina Mills in action during election year.

"Yes of course, I was just about to explain that Ms. Swan seemed perfectly fine when I ran a check up on her right before the call was made to you all. But we've also prepared for this when she first slipped into the coma, it was explained that Ms. Swan would more than likely suffer severe but short term memory loss."

"More than likely?" Regina huffed as Belle wrapped a comforting arm around Johanna, "I recall your exact words of Emma losing her memory being 'slime to none'. You also stated it was a miracle that Emma managed to survive the accident with minimum damage yet—"

"My staff and I are doing our best to keep Ms. Swan as comfortable as possible Madam Mayor." Dr. Smith cut the brunette off as politely as she could manage and Belle bit her bottom lip to hide her smile, looking between the doctor and the Mayor as Johanna was. "It was a small oversight on our part, yes, and for that we apologize and we have been more than accommodating to your demands for Ms. Swan. But as I've said her memory loss is not permanent but it's undetermined how long it will take for it to come back to her. While I do normal suggest familiar faces, smells and environments; I strongly suggest keeping her relaxed. She survived a traumatic experience yes but we don't know what happened between the time she was hit and the time they got her out of the wreck."

Dr. Smith took in the solemn expressions of the women in front of her, wishing there was more she could say or do but at this point...the rest of the healing process was up to Emma. "Ms. Swan is free to go as soon when I prepare her release forms, now if you ladies will excuse me I would like to do a second check up on my patient."

Mayor Mills stepped aside and allowed the doctor access to Emma's room and following in after her without a word.

Belle pulled away from Johanna and took Regina's spot in front of the door, looking down the hall expectantly but she wasn't surprised that the face she was looking for wasn't there. The brunette looked at the older woman curiously, "No Ruby today?"

Johanna's shoulders slumped slightly and Belle noticed right away, "Ruby is...Ruby wants to be here, Ms. French but it's far more complicated than I can explain. Please try to understand."

Belle's jaw set and she shook her head in disappointment, "I'm sorry Johanna but I don't exactly see Ruby as best friend of the year right now. Mayor Mills, of all people, has been here in Emma's corner far more than Ruby has."

"It's complicated but Ruby means well...it's just that, she's, well, she's in a difficult position right now. But I know more than anyone if Ruby could find a way to be here, she would be here."

Belle had no idea what to do with that cryptic answer but she knew an excuse when she heard one. Just then her cell phone began to ring and Belle sighed yet again as she fished her phone out of her purse, work stopped for no one. "I'm just disappointed with her Johanna, that's all. Please excuse me."

Johanna watched the brunette walk towards the vending machines, talking into her phone quietly. The older woman could understand Belle's anger towards Ruby but she could see how destroyed Ruby was being bound to Santa's home knowing she was failing her duties everyday—she'd understand that Ruby was trying her hardest to escape but Emma's magic was old, and it was strong and it was airtight. It was rare that the blonde left any loop holes. Johanna walked into Emma's room,noting the genuine surprise on Emma's face when she saw her.

"Johanna! I was wondering when you'd get here. Ready to take me home? Doc just said I was free to go as soon as you sign my papers. I can't be alone or something, I don't know. But I have you at home, so it's all good now Doc, so lets get those papers printed."

Johanna coughed softly into her handkerchief, looking at the doctor and the Mayor then back to Emma nervously. "About that Emma..." Johanna loved Emma like she was her own daughter—she'd been around the blonde long enough to know what was best for her, and her next words were going to be hard for both herself and for Ruby but this was about a sense of duty to make sure that somehow, someway that Emma keeps her promise to the little boy and his mother and Emma's well being overall. "I'm afraid that I won't be able to sign your release forms. I'm going back to the station for a family emergency."

Emma blinked, confused and sat up a little more. "What? Johanna what...?" Emma trailed off, knowing she couldn't say much more with the two mortals in the room but her eyes said it all for Johanna. Emma knew she was lying but she didn't know why and it broke Johanna's heart to turn away from Emma when the woman clearly needed her so very much but Emma had a responsibility to uphold—amnesia or not, Johanna was going to make sure Emma made that boy's wish come true. Because as much as she could see that Emma needed her, Johanna could tell that Regina needed Emma more. Whether either of them knew it or not. The older woman was grateful that she and Emma were not alone in the room, she wasn't sure if she could do this is they were alone.

Johanna forced a smile, "Perhaps the Mayor can sign your forms, Emma." the short redhead couldn't bring herself to look at the brunette, she was feeling guilty enough already. She looked at Dr. Smith who was looking entirely uncomfortable and wishing she was anywhere but in room 815. This is not how Johanna planned for this visit to go but it was something that had to be done. She turned away and walked out of the room just as the tears began to fall.

Emma looked at Regina then back to the spot where Johanna just was, mouth agape. Johanna was handing her over to the Mayor of New York? Regina Mills of all people? What the hell was she missing? Did Regina know about Emma—The blonde looked at Regina a little more closely but the woman was giving nothing away and Emma felt that she knew more when she was in the damn coma.

Belle was still on the phone by the vending machines when she saw the older woman power walking down the hall towards the elevators, shoulders shaking but she stayed put.

"Hm, I will go draw up your release papers now Ms. Swan, I will be back shortly." Dr. Smith looked between Regina and Emma one last time before slipping out the room almost desperately.

Emma crossed her arms again, once again pouting and regardless of the reason why—Regina still found it endearing on the younger woman. She sat on the edge of Emma's bed and took one of Emma's hands in her own, forcing her to uncross her arms. "Emma..."

"You can sign my release papers Madam Mayor but you don't have to babysit me, I can take care of myself."

Regina raised an eyebrow, "Emma, we're friends and friends don't allow each other to be alone with memory loss." Emma laughed lightly, involuntarily though Regina smiled anyway, happy that she could get the Wall Street executive to smile. "Emma, you may not remember much of anything pertaining our friendship and I assure you that while we may not have been knitting buddies, we were well on our way."

"I'm sure we were Madam Mayor," Emma took her hand back gently and Regina instantly missed the warmth and softness of Emma's skin against her own. "But I know you have a son and you're the Mayor and stuff...I won't burden you with this. I'll be fine, trust me. I have a feeling that this isn't the first time I've lost my memory."

Regina wasn't sure how to address that last comment, so she didn't but she wasn't going to let Emma out of her sight until she was positive the blonde was a hundred percent. "You won't burden me at all, in fact I'm sure Henry would love to have you over—he's been asking about you a lot lately."

"Madam—"

"Regina."

Emma paused, staring at the brunette strangely, as if she had grown a second head. This was not the Regina Mills she knew...but then again, Emma was almost a year behind time in her mind but it was still strange to her. "Um, okay...Regina, um...I, I well...the doctor said a familiar environment would help jog my memory. How is me being at your house helping me?"

"Your...ahem, Johanna seems to believe otherwise. I'm just as confused as you are dear, however I am willing to try my best to help you any way I can if you're willing."

Emma shrugged, unsure—if anything she was just more vexed than she was before. "Belle mentioned Ruby earlier...do you know her?"

"You don't remember her?" Regina tried to keep her amusement at bay, but it was hard since she wasn't exactly trying.

"No, no I do but Belle mentioned her and I was wondering if you knew anything about it? Where is she?"

Mayor Mills straightened her coat and stared out the window, her politician mask falling perfectly and Emma was sure that wasn't a good thing. "Ms. Lucas was currently acting as your lover and bodyguard though I am only aware that one of those titles is true?" guarded brown eyes met green and Emma shrugged nonchalantly.

"Ruby and I broke up hundreds of years ago. There is nothing there."

Regina barely reacted at Emma's exaggeration nodding. "Good. The invitation to my home extends to you, not your mutts Ms. Swan. Be sure to remember that."

Emma nodded dumbly, unable to generate any other response. Regina knew. She had to have known that Emma was Santa...it made sense. Johanna trusting the Mayor as her new handler, Regina seemingly unphased when Emma mentioned that she and Ruby have been apart for hundreds of years and now Regina was calling Ruby a dog. It all made sense but Emma wasn't foolish enough to let her guard down completely nor was she going to ask the woman outright. She was going to play her cards carefully.

"Of course Regina, would you happen to know where Ruby is now?"

"According to Belle, your pet has been holed up inside of your home for the past two weeks."

That was so unlike Ruby, Emma pondered, she knew Ruby would be right by her side at this very moment and the fact that she wasn't...Emma hummed quietly, nodding to herself unaware that Regina was watching her like a hawk from the corner of her eye. Just then Dr. Smith came breezing in holding a thin red folder, and wearing a bright smile. Regina stood and took the folder the doctor handed to her, the release forms sitting on top.

"Inside that folder is general information on how to spot signs of PTSD and how to handle them accordingly, and a list of recommended therapists if you need them Ms. Swan." Dr. Smith ignored the glare from Emma, and gestured for the Mayor to sign the papers. "Just sign on the dotted line at the bottom near the red 'X' on the following three pages, Madam Mayor and Ms. Swan is free to go."

Regina took Dr. Smith's offered pen, eyes searching Emma's questioningly as Emma was doing the same to her. The more she observed the way the two women interacted with each other Dr. Smith was sure that those headlines in the tabloids were true...there was something going on between the Mayor and the Wall Street Wolf, though it was none of her business...but she was positive that the chemistry Regina and Emma shared wasn't something a journalist couldn't just make up. She could feel it just by looking at them look at each other.

Finally Emma nodded her consent and Regina signed the papers and handing them over to the Doctor who wished them well. Regina released the breath she didn't realize she was holding. Emma was hers.

SQ :: SWAN QUEEN :: SQ

SQ :: SWAN QUEEN :: SQ

So, a little explanation on why I went left field in this chapter...actually, I'm not even in the field anymore to be perfectly honest.

A guest over on FF asked me a good question...Santa status aside, would Emma even be doing any of the things she is doing willingly if she had never gave her word to Henry? It was a good question, and considering I'm putting the Santa Status aside...it's a damn good question. So I decided to do this.

The story is on track, it's just a little longer...and it's slowing things down a bit, and I'm giving Emma and Regina more, a hell of a lot more, time together. It's sudden considering how long they've known each other and whatever but I put that on Johanna, and given the fact that Regina holds onto anything or anyone that genuinely wants her for her, no matter what it is they want...friendship or more...she holds on tight. So really, this all works well for me.

All mistakes are my own.

See y'all next chapter, lol.