disclaimer: I do not own anything at all. i wish. urgh.
A/N: This is not betaed to any mistakes are my own.

Emma closes the door right into Snow's face, not caring about the reply she and Regina both are about to hear. There is a brief protesting sound that strangely sounds like Emma's name, but then there are footsteps and Snow White is gone. The blonde lets out a sigh with her forehead still resting against the cool front door. She remains like that for a while longer, seemingly frozen. Slapping her mother has felt good, but hardly did anything to rid herself off of all her pent up frustration regarding her parents. The cooling surface helps her to ground herself, to get her emotions back in line. All the while she feels Regina behind herself, motionless just the same. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to relax her tensed back muscles Emma turns around. "Well, that went well." The reply she gets is something Emma has not expected at all.

"I'm sorry."

The blonde tilts her head in question, confused. "Sorry? What are you sorry for?"

"You fought with your mother because of me. I'm sorry. Maybe you should have just gone home with them..." Regina's voice is quiet, almost fragile, as she speaks. Nothing like the mayor Emma has loved to argue with.

Taking another step closer Emma shakes her head. Her arms loop around Regina's waist to hold her gently. "I argued with my mother because she is an ignorant brat sometimes and I cannot deal with that." The blonde's voice is soothing, nothing like it has been just a minute ago. "It's not you who should be sorry, but Mary Margaret... Snow, I guess. She is acting out of line, even though I do have to admit that the news were quite a lot to take in." With a careful smile Emma pulls Regina even closer, lets their lips briefly touch. "Besides, I am home."

A lump forms in Regina's throat, her emotions building up. It's hard to keep her tears at bay, but succeeds in the end. "You mean here?" It makes the brunette proud when her voice does not audibly crack and so she leans in, kissing along Emma's jawline.

"Wherever you and Henry are." Now a single tear does escape Regina's eyelids, but Emma kisses it away tasting the salt on her lips afterwards. "Don't cry, 'Gina."

Regina is at a loss at what to say. No one has ever quite loved her like that. Maybe not even Daniel, she isn't sure. Right now she cannot think of him, her thoughts all filled by a certain blonde in her arms. So instead of using words the brunette presses her lips against Emma's again pouring all her gratefulness and love into it hoping that it comes close to what she is feeling. "Storybrooke will be enraged," Regina says after several minutes of comfortable silence, her head resting on the blonde's shoulder. They still haven't moved away from the front door, just content right there.

"Yep."

"Your mother will most likely convince them that you are under some sort of curse."

"Yep."

Regina raises an eyebrow. "And that doesn't bother you?"

"Nope."

"Exactly how does that not bother you?!" Regina exclaims, but is softly shushed by Emma reminding her of Henry upstairs. "But, seriously. Emma, this is a worrying prospect."

"Yep."

"Emma!"

The blonde chuckles and kisses the tip of Regina's nose. "Sorry, but... honestly? I know that this is the most likely future, but I've got you. I'm safe with you. If anyone can protect me it is you. And should they have the audacity to come after you I will show them what their Savior is capable of."

"You shouldn't take that so lightly, darling." Regina's head feels heavy so she lowers it back onto Emma's shoulder again inhaling her scent eagerly. Leather. Coffee. Possibly strawberries. And definitely cinnamon. Maybe she will start liking cinnamon after all.

Tightening her arms around Regina Emma replies calmly, "I'm not. But I trust you, 'Gina. As long as you keep proving to them that you have changed they have no ground to go against you."

"I have done enough to be sentenced to death. I have been. And maybe I should be. If they wanted they could do so in a heartbeat." The former queen gently kisses Emma's neck as she feels the blonde tense.

"They won't. I won't let them do it, and you know that. You're still Henry's mom and you have raised him well. You have changed. You deserve this second chance, not death." A shiver runs through Emma's body when she thinks about losing Regina. It's not an option. It has never been. Not even when their have still been at each other's throats constantly. "And maybe, for once, you could not complain about how I plan to save your life, all right?" It an attempt to lighten the mood and judging by Regina's chuckle it works.

Lifting her head Regina kisses the corner of Emma's mouth with a smile; one that reaches her eyes. She moves from Emma's embrace before taking the blonde's hand, lacing their fingers. Regina leads the way silently, thinking that maybe it is more comfortable snuggled up on the couch than in front of the door. Once there, Regina sits kicking her shoes off of her feet so she can lift them onto the couch.

Emma seems amused. Despite everything, despite knowing this vulnerable and tender Regina... a relaxed Regina is something she has rarely seen. Her eyebrows g up to her hairline when the brunette parts her legs slightly, petting the space newly created with her palm indicating for Emma to sit. "As you wish, my queen." The blonde gets rid of her own boots before settling down between Regina's legs, her back snuggly pressed against Regina's front. Closing her eyes Emma finally allows herself to relax, forces her muscles to loosen with the help of several deep breaths. Arms encircle her waist, Regina's right hand sneaking under her shirt to caress bare skin. "If I were a cat, I'd be purring."

"Well, dear, I'm rather glad you are not a cat."

"You think you're so funny, do you?" Emma asks chuckling trying to get a glimpse of the other woman by turning her head.

"You're laughing." Regina points out matter of factly. "So I'd say, yes."

"Remind me again why I love you?" Emma asks while she shifts around so she is lying on her stomach, chin resting on Regina's chest.

Shaking her head Regina's face is suddenly rather serious. "I have not a single clue as to why you would ever love me. Why anyone would for that matter."

All humor is gone from Emma's face, replaced by honesty and seriousness. "Because, despite everything, you have the biggest heart in any human I have ever met. Even though most people in your life have only ever hurt you and put you down and have turned into this strong, intelligent, sarcastic woman. You're not perfect, far from it. But no one is. I'm not. Not even Snow White is perfect, no matter what everyone else says." Emma pauses for a moment trying to find appropriate words. "I don't want perfect. I want you. Just you."

"You're insane."

"Maybe. I don't mind." Emma smiles and then leans in for a tender peck onto Regina's lips.

A/N: If you have any wishes as what you wanna see happen, let me know guys. Since I am going as I write and have nothing particuarly planned out I will take everything into consideration ;)