Hey guys! So here's the first part of a two-shot that I wrote during a sleepless night. I hope you'll enjoy it.

Also, thank you for the reviews on my other OS, you're awesome, seriously!

And I'd like to thank darkswanouat for beta-reading me!

I'll let you read now. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time, its characters or the storyline. It's all property of ABC.

Regina was sitting at the bar of the Rabbit Hole. She had been there for hours, starting with a glass of wine and continuing with shots of vodka. Henry was on a trip with school for two weeks, and her house felt empty without him. She was fine the first few days, she had time to break up with Robin since their relationship was doomed to fail. She had tried so hard to forgive him for choosing Zelena over her, but she couldn't. They were going to raise their child without her to play the evil step-mother. That's when she realised she didn't miss him; not as a lover anyway. She missed the company and nothing more. In a way, she would always love him because he had been good to her, better than most of the people she had met in her life. But he would stay a friend. Friend. Her mind drifted to Emma. She was her friend too. No, she was so much more. It could be the alcohol, but she found herself thinking about the Sheriff's arms, her long, toned legs, her golden hair and her deep green eyes. Emma had been there for her from day one, more times than Regina could recall, even if she had hated Emma at first.

She would be lying to herself if she dared say that she felt nothing for the Saviour. It was deep inside her, buried where she was sure nobody would look, but it was there nonetheless.

"Madam Mayor, we're going to close now."

She groaned when she heard the bartender's voice.

"Just one more then."

He looked at her with disbelief, it had been so long since he had seen the Queen drunk.

"I think that's enough for tonight, Your Majesty."

"Do not call me that."

Her voice was calm, cold and scary. Alcohol seemed to wake up her regal stance.

The man was saddened by the scene in front of him. He was used to seeing drunk people for whom life had been a bitch, but it was putting it to a whole new level when it was the Queen. Because she had been through so much already…

"I'm going to call a cab for you, Madam Mayor."

"I won't drive home if that's what is worrying you. I'll walk."

He smiled at her. "With those shoes and your six shots? I don't think that's a good idea."

"Great, because I didn't ask for your opinion. Now if you would excuse me."

She was angry because this peasant wouldn't let her go by herself, because he tried to help her. And Regina Mills didn't need help.

She took a few steps to the door but after a few seconds she lost her balance, trembled on her heels and fell to the ground. She let out a suppressed grunt and looked directly at the ground when the man came to help her. He made her sit on a chair and took her shoes off with her permission.

"You okay?"

"Of course I am, it's just a twisted ankle."

"So, what do you want me to do now?"

She didn't respond, still refusing to look at him.

"Kay. I'm gonna call someone to pick you up."

She nodded and waited for her taxi to arrive.

What she didn't expect was that her taxi appeared to be a police car, driven by none other than Emma Swan.

"Hey bud'. Who's the lucky guy tonight?"

He pointed her in the Mayor's direction and waited for Emma to react. She was surprised, to say the least. Apparently, the bartender hadn't been specific when describing the way-too-drunk lady who needed a knight in shining armor.

"Regina? What are you doing here?"

"Admiring the wonderful architecture of the building," she said with a smirk.

"Very clever, Madam Mayor."

"I know, Miss Swan."

They looked at each other for a few seconds.

"Ladies, I have a bed waiting for me."

"Yeah, sorry man. I'm gonna bring the Queen back to her castle."

To the man's great surprise, Regina didn't react this time. Like the fact that it was Emma saying it somehow made the name acceptable.

"Can you walk to the car or should I carry you?"

She was about to answer when the bartender did.

"She twisted her ankle when she tried to prove to me that she could walk in these hellish heels."

Emma chuckled and took a look at the ankle.

"Nothing bad, but we should put some ice on it."

She took both of Regina's shoes and gave them to the brunette.

"I'm going to carry you to the car. I don't want to hear any complaints. Okay?"

"Do I look like someone who follows orders, Miss Swan?"

The blonde smiled again.

"Not really, but you're in no position to give them right now."

And without waiting any more, she lifted Regina into her arms in a bridal style.

"See you later, man."

He nodded and opened the door for the two women.

"Miss Swan, I do not like to be carried. Let me go. "

"I said no complaints. Damn it, Regina!"

The Queen was actually complaining to annoy the blonde. She felt good in her arms. After the first few steps, she rested her head on Emma's shoulder, humming at her scent and enjoying her strength and the comfort it was providing.

"These two, I swear…" the bartender added with a smile.

After putting up a very small fight, Regina was seated in the car and Emma was driving to Mifflin Street.

"Anyway, how come it's your night shift the very night I decide to get drunk as hell?"

"Fate?"

"Bullshit."

Emma smiled, she had rarely heard the Mayor swear. It was nice to see her guard down from time to time.

"Why did you get drunk on my shift?"

"Fate?"

And Emma laughed, because she was cute when she was childish

She parked the car in front of the mansion and turned towards Regina.

"Your keys, please?"

"Excuse me?"

"You know, to open the door before I take you to your house?"

She shrugged and gave her the keys. She watched Emma walk towards the house, her perfect body hidden by the darkness of the night. Was it really a good idea to let Emma carry her and take care of her? Would she be able to hold back her feelings with all the alcohol in her system? She wasn't sure. But before she could think more about it, she heard a knock on the window.

"Ready to go, Your Majesty?"

She sighed and put an arm around Emma's shoulders.

"You know I can walk, right? I don't need your help."

"I know that perfectly well. But would you please let me be a nice person for one night?

The Queen grunted and put her nose in the blonde's neck while she carried her.

"Did this kind of trick work on someone?"

"I guess it just did on you."

"Only because I don't want you to feel disheartened."

Emma smiled as she passed through the front door.

"How nice of you. Be careful, Ma'am, someone could think that you care about me."

"If only you knew," she thought. But she didn't answer, afraid that the alcohol would speak for her.

She closed her eyes, waiting for Emma to put her on the couch, but she didn't. She started climbing the stairs and entered Regina's bedroom.

"What the hell are you doing, Miss Swan?"

"Taking you to bed?"

"May I ask for how long you wanted to bed me?"

Emma was blushing furiously, the situation was awkward, but it made Regina smile, or grin, or whatever. Emma delicately put her on the bed and watched the beautiful woman in front of her. Her hair was slightly undone, her cheeks were pink because of the earlier shots, and her eyes were glazed over as she stared ahead of her.

"Hum… I'm going to… Bring you some ice. For your ankle. Don't move."

"Like I could."

Emma smiled at her and made her way to the kitchen. Seeing the Mayor like this was saddening her in a way she failed to understand. She seemed so vulnerable and fragile. She put her sassy mask on to hide it, but to Emma it was clear; there was something broken inside the woman.

She took an ice pack and a glass of water from the kitchen and came back to the bedroom. Against the Sheriff's advice, Regina had moved and changed into her pajamas. She was now dressed in purple silk and was comfier than Emma had ever seen her before.

"You're stubborn, Madam Mayor."

The brunette smirked and sat a little higher on the bed, her injured leg flat on the mattress.

"I couldn't very well stay in my work outfit to sleep, now, could I?"

Emma nodded in agreement and sat at the end of the bed.

"I'm going to take care of your ankle, and you. You must drink."

"I thought that I had enough to drink tonight."

"Regina…" the blonde sighed and handed her the glass.

She tentatively put her hands on Regina's foot, letting her fingers massage the twisted articulation slowly.

Emma's fingers were cold on her hot skin, and Regina couldn't stop the shiver that ran through her body.

"Did I… Did I hurt you?"

Regina shook her head. "Your hands are just cold."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

She took back her hands and Regina immediately missed the contact. But Emma was just rubbing them against her jeans to warm them before putting them back on Regina's ankle.

"Okay, so tell me if it hurts."

When the former queen nodded, Emma resumed her massage. Fighting to hold back any noise, Regina let her mind drift. She thought about the Sheriff, being so nice and careful with her, when anybody else would have given her the ice pack before going far away from her. She thought about the concerned look Emma had and her reaction when Regina had shivered under her touch. She thought about how she was not bothered by Emma calling her "Majesty." Her former life didn't seem like something to be afraid of with Emma, because she had never known her like that. Of course, she knew how evil she was back then, but she had learned to appreciate Regina Mills for her, not for anything else. Because everyone had always wanted her for something, she couldn't feel cared about by anyone, anyone except Emma Swan. She felt like a teenage girl again, when Daniel was alive and loved her… Tears started rolling down her cheeks without her realising. But she didn't need to notice, someone noticed for her. Emma wasn't stupid, she had seen the Mayor's mind wander. She didn't interrupt though; she looked like she needed it. But as soon as the tears were flowing, there was no way she could hold back anymore. She had stopped her massage, put ice on it, and came to sit next to the Queen. Slowly and carefully, she had taken her in her arms, holding the brunette to protect her from her demons. She said nothing; she didn't need to. The quiet sobs turned into a violent rush of tears, and she was shaking. Regina put her head on Emma's shoulder, and the blonde held her tighter, because she couldn't bear the thought of Regina suffering.

Eventually, after a few minutes of sad silence, Regina spoke. It was barely audible, her voice still weak from the crying.

"I'm sorry."

Emma looked at her with a frown. "For what?"

"For all of that. Crying in your arms, keeping you from sleeping, and being a bitch about it."

"Actually, you were almost nice tonight."

A weak smile came across Regina's face. Emma was trying to comfort her.

"You should sleep, Regina. You look like you need it."

"I was thinking about Daniel and how alone I was since he left."

"Regina…"

The brunette was looking at her hands, she didn't want to meet Emma's gaze.

"He was good with me, I felt loved. Now, I…"

"Hey, stop. You're loved Regina. Henry loves you so much."

She turned her head and stared at Emma.

"It's not the same thing, and you know it."

"I do. But still, you're not alone. You have…"

"Don't. Don't say Robin, please."

The blonde smiled but it didn't reach her eyes.

"I wasn't going to."

She chuckled when she saw Regina's reaction.

"I was going to say that you had me."

And the tears were flowing again. Emma didn't know it, but it was painful to hear her say that she was there for Regina. Because it meant that Regina couldn't push her away, she had no right to do so. It meant that she had to live with her feelings for Emma without her knowing, and it hurt. It hurt so much.

"Don't say that, please. It's painful."

"What are you talking about?"

"How am I supposed to hold back my feelings if you are here for me? How am I supposed to forget about them if you show up every time to remind me of them? How…"

But she couldn't continue. She cried harder, still in the blonde's arms.

Emma couldn't believe what the Mayor had said. Feelings? For her?

The Sheriff knew how hard it was to hide her feelings because she had done it for months now. She loved Regina so much that it was painful. But she said nothing. It was easier that way, she didn't want the Mayor to hate her. She could live with a friendship if it meant that she would see Regina smile and be happy. And now the Mayor was having feelings for her? There was no way she could deal with this right now.

"Regina, you drank too much. You have to sleep now."

"You hate me, don't you?"

Emma gave her a sad smile and put her hand on her cheek. "Regina, I could never hate you. It would be so much easier if I could."

They looked at each other, brown eyes lost in the Sheriff's green ones. There were so many unsaid things…

"Time to sleep, Your Majesty."

She kissed Regina's forehead and let her go. She helped her get under the covers and refilled the glass of water. When she was about to leave, Regina opened her eyes.

"Would you… Can you please stay tonight? With me?"

She looked so vulnerable, so small. Emma nodded and took her boots and jeans off, borrowing a pair of Regina's pajamas before slipping into the bed with her. She took the brunette in her arms once more, protecting her. Her nose was in Regina's hair and she smelt like the Rabbit Hole but with a hint of apple and caramel. She felt her smile grow; she couldn't help but enjoy the close proximity between her and Regina. Regina wasn't crying anymore and after a few seconds, Emma heard the calm breathing of the brunette and decided it was time for her to sleep too.

That's it for the first part, hope you enjoyed it. Second part's coming as soon as I can!

See you guys and thanks for reading.

Xoxo, SQF.