I heard there were some technical difficulties so I had to re-post it. Sorry for the inconvenience!

"Remind me again why we thought this was a good idea?"

Not removing her gaze from the pair of vampires strolling through the store, Regina sighs. "You don't like it, leave."

Neal huffs out a breath "I wish, but no way in hell am I leaving Emma with those things."

"Do you think I would put her in danger?" Regina whips her gaze to the hunter. "Her safety matters to me just as much as it does to you. Now letting her run around here, thinking she'll become a hero by getting herself killed for me is dangerous. She's not leaving my side." Vampire and hunter glare another, both wanting to be the main protector for the frowning blonde.

"Why don't you just put me on a leash?" Emma steps between the two, "I can take care of myself."

Regina snorts, risking a glance out of the aisle. "Just because you can take care of yourself doesn't mean you make smart decisions. If you hadn't tried that stupid move to throw yourself out there-"

The blondes' stare turns icy. "Shut up, Regina!" The vampire freezes, baring her teeth. "Putting myself in danger to protect you is my job, you are not responsible for me or my actions." She steps towards the woman, eyes flashing. "Whatever choices I make are my business."

Regina holds her glare. "Killing yourself over me is not an option, not if I can help it."

"That's not your call."

"I'm making it mine."

Emma sighs, breaking their gaze. "Regina…stop." Her tone softens as she searches brown eyes. "I'm not going to stop fighting for your safety."

"I know. But this isn't your battle to fight." Regina desperately wished the huntress would just give up already; it would make finding her emotions towards her much easier.

Emma dips her head, glancing up at the vampire through thick lashes. "I know." She snorts. "I don't know why I always forget you can take care of yourself. You're just so…fragile sometimes." A light blush dusts both women's cheeks.

"Fragile? That's a bit extreme." Regina watches the huntress's cheek color redden further. "Broken maybe, or perhaps isolated." But neither could clearly describe the pain and sorrow the abandoned Queen feels.

Emma's head whips up, blue eyes wide. She softly curls her fingers through the brunettes' hand, squeezing it tightly. "Broken pieces can still make a whole, remember?" She whispers. Blinking rapidly to keep the tears from falling Regina gives her a watery smile. Emma returns it, squeezing her hand once more.

"Hey, I'd hate to be the moment breaker here but those guys are taking their sweet time walking around." Neal cuts in, face flushing when Regina frowns at him. "We need a distraction or something."

Regina pauses, looking out to see her former-guards round a corner. "Yes, it appears we do." She glances to Neal, a slow smile spreading across her face. "And I believe we've found it."

Neal's eyes grow wide. "…No! No way!" he looks to Emma. "Ems…?"

Emma shrugs. "Sorry Neal, if Regina thinks you're helpful who am I to say otherwise?"

"She listens to you! You-you could call her off or something!"

"Call off? I am not a dog." She glares at him, making the man shrink back slightly. "Now your task is simple." She grabs Neal by the collar of her shirt and drags him to the front of the aisle. "Your role is just a shopper. You're going to take our groceries to the front and make a fuss. Giving Emma and I time to sneak around the bastards and we all escape. Easy enough right?"

"Easy for you." He mutters. "What if I run into one of those things!? Your scent is on my clothes too!"

Regina sighs. "You'll be fine. My scent isn't as potent on you as it would be on Emma." She glances at the woman. "Just take our items and act casual." She hands him the basket.

Emma walks up to him, giving the shaken man an encouraging pat on the back. "You can do this Neal, I mean this is the easy part." She smiles and steps back next to Regina.

Neal huffs out a shaky breath and steps out of the aisle, glancing around for the vampire guards. Not seeing any threats he races down the walkway, griping the basket like a frightened child would a teddy bear.

The women watch as he makes his way towards the front of the store. "Are you sure this was a good plan?" Emma asks the brunette.

She shrugs. "I just wanted to get rid of him; he was getting on my nerves. Besides, he could use a bit of action." The brunette smirks devishly and turns to walk out of the aisle. "As long as we stay out of their path we'll be fine."

"So…he's about to make a fool of himself for nothing?" Regina grins. "Wow. You are ruthless. Funny but ruthless." Emma smirks. "So what is the plan exactly?"

Regina sobers, glancing down at their intertwined fingers. She slowly removes her hand from the blondes' warm grasp. "That was about it. We need to stay out of their line of sight or all hell will break loose." She frowns. "I have no clue where they are since they rounded that corner. They quite literally could be anywhere."

Emma frowns. "Okay. I guess we'll have to work with what we've got." She sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Since it looks like they went around that way," she points towards the frozen food section, "We'll just dodge them by going the opposite direction."

Regina nods. "There's a good chance we might make it out of here without being spotted." She was lying, but figured she shouldn't trigger the huntress anymore than need be.

"You think so?" Emma peeks around the corner, checking for any hulking, blood-sucking men.

Regina doesn't reply, silently stepping in front of her. She motions for Emma to follow, feeling as though she was leading them both into a death trap. The women cautiously make their way through the store, keeping any eye out for the vampires. Regina prays if they did have the misfortune of running into her former henchmen, Emma would be able to escape safely. But she knew the chances of the stubborn blonde leaving her side were slim.

Regina pauses mid-step thinking she had heard a footstep in the aisle to her left. Holding out a hand to stop the huntress from pressing further, she inhales the scent. Emma watches her with wide eyes, unconsciously sliding beside her, blue eyes scanning the area for danger.

Regina glances at her, frowning. "Do you even knowing what you're looking for?"

"Oversized, scary vampires'?"

The vampire rolls her eyes. "It's much more complicated than that. They could very well be anywhere, so you're not looking just for a physical body; you need to be able to catch a scent. Something a mortal doesn't acquire." She starts forward again, eyes bouncing between pitch black to their natural color. "Stay close."

Emma frowns. "I'm not five, Regina." She grumbles, stepping in front of the brunette only to be pulled back to the vampires' side. "What the hell! I can take care of myself."

"I don't doubt that. But you need to think before you act or one of these days your hardheadedness will be your undoing." The vampire looks to her with concerned brown eyes.

Emma stares back, feeling her skin flush. "I've managed to look after myself for a while now." She flicks her eyes away. "I'm only doing what I think will keep you safe."

"Exactly. That's the stupid part." Regina moves forward into another aisle, swiftly rounding corners in case their unknowing pursers had caught her scent. She tries to keep any thoughts of Emma and death out of her mind. Both come to a shuddering halt at the sight of the two massive figures heading in their direction.

Eye wide, Emma whispers. "Should we run?"

Regina shakes her head, frozen in fear. "No, it's too late for that. We'll have to fight our way through this." Her stomach drops at the image of the blonde in battle with one of these men.

The guards pause as well, heads swiftly jerking to attention when the pair falls into their line of sight. Emma observes their movements carefully, they obviously weren't mortal, anyone who was paying enough attention could see that. They moved too quickly, every motion was slightly blurred as if someone had pressed fast forward.

The larger of the two, a red-head with muscles bigger than Emma's head, tilts his head to the side in awe. "Regina…?" His deep tone emitting frightened wonderment.

The woman in question steps forward, placing herself slightly in front of Emma. "Hello boys." Her voice turns cool with a hint of authority.

Red-head narrows his eyes while the other takes a step back. "We-we thought you had-"

"Apparently I didn't. Sorry to disappoint." She smirks. "Have you boys missed me?"

The smaller of the pair speaks up. "Why would we? Turns out a democracy is just what we needed." He spits, brown hair seeming to tremble.

Regina swallows the lump in her throat. They really had just forgotten about her. Thrown her away into the wind like a bad dream. "Pity. I had so hoped we could still be friends." She sharply replies. She didn't need them, she didn't want them.

Brown-hair snarls, pointed teeth coming into view. Red-head holds out a meaty arm in blockage. "Easy Raphael, not yet." His head tilts further to the side, unsettling green eyes flashing. "Who's the mortal, 'Gina?"

The former Queen bristles at the nickname, blocking the vampires' view of Emma further. "No one of your concern." She snarls. "I suggest you be on your way."

Raphael snorts taking a step towards the women. An inhumane growl vibrates Regina's frame, making everyone flinch back. "Damn Regina, I just wanna look, I promise I won't break your new toy."

The growl starts up again as Regina's eyes turn a purplish black. "You will do no such thing. You make one more move towards her and I'll rip out your throat." Her voice had become raspy, violent. It sent tremors down Emma's spine. For first time since they had met Regina actually seemed…dangerous. Deadly.

Raphael glances back at the red-head. "Hans…?" his glossy grey eyes widen, waiting. Hans meets his gaze and gives a small nod. His thin lips turn up in a sly smirk. "Okay, 'Gina, we'll play by your rules. But you do realize now that we've found you, alive, your little game is over?"

"Game? I hadn't realized we had been playing hide and seek." Regina sniffs, not relaxing her protective stance. "From what I can recall you imbeciles want to kill me. Personally, I prefer board games."

Hans rolls his eyes, flicking his gaze to Emma. "This the human you ditched the clan for?"

Regina stiffens. "No. Even so, what could possibly possess you to think I would tell?"

He shrugs. "No matter. You know 'Gina, I didn't wanna to believe it. That you were a mortal lover." He spits the words like it was rotten.

"There's a lot you don't about me, dear Hans." Regina struggles to keep her calm composer steady. "But from what you do know I thought you would've run by now." Her fingers twitch by her sides.

Raphael's eyes shift to them, unconcerned. "Yeah you would think..." he takes another step forward. "But we've got a little of our own since we had such a great teacher." Flames dance around his grey eyes as a fireball is conjured into his palm.

Emma's eyes widen as Regina stares bluntly at the flames. She paces backwards, gripping Emma's wrist tightly. "You need to go." She whispers.

Emma rips her eyes from the orange and red coloring. "Have you lost your mind? No way am I leaving you now."

"What's wrong 'Gina? Human pet doesn't like the light?" Raphael chuckles darkly, bending his fingers slightly around the fiery concoction. It burns brighter, illuminating dark shadows across his face. "We've been practicing, teach."

"So I can tell. But I'm afraid you don't know every trick." Regina replies coolly, pushing Emma back towards the end of the aisle before shooting a flame at the pair, it forms into a claw forcing the monsters to take a step back. The fire claw swipes furiously, causing them to stumble back further. The fireball Raphael was holding explodes from his grasp, pinballing through the shelves.

"Go!" Regina yells as they duck from the fire.

The women race past multiple confused shoppers, gasping for air. Emma grasps Regina's forearm tightly as they skirt around a corner, hiding behind shelves of knock-off toys a few paces from the emergency exit. Emma pulls them both to a stop, holding onto the wall for support.

"What….the hell…was that!?" she gasps more so from fright than adrenalin.

Regina watches her in mild concern, hoping she wouldn't fall over. "Old collogues?"

Emma shoots her a sour look through her pants. "No shit. They seem great, really friendly guys." She rests her head against the cool white tile as she waits for her breathing to return to normal. "They have magic too?"

"It appears so. I guess the lessons I gave them paid off…."

The blonde rolls her eyes. "Well aren't you generous…"

"I regret the decision now obviously."

"God Regina…did you teach your whole clan to do that?"

"No. I wasn't that generous." She checks around the shelf and finds the surrounding aisles empty.

Emma rolls her eyes as runs a slight shaky hand through her hair. "Well that's just great. Out of a whole clan of bloodsuckers we get stuck with the only two who know magic."

"Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Shut up."

"Noted."

They slump against the wall, listening to the others racing heart. Emma glances over at Regina and pauses at the sight before her. The woman looked terrified, ivory skin flushed, eyes closed, her usual air of confidence was visibly waning. That's what was most unsettling.

Emma reaches out for her, pulling her closer to her side. "Hey…we're going to be fine."

Regina doesn't even blink. "Don't even try that with me, Emma. Look at us, we're stuck, trapped." She lowers her gaze sadly. "They have magic."

"So do you!"

"Yes, but if I can recall they're extremely quick learners. Not to mention I have you to protect."

Emma fumes. "The hell you do! I'm fought my way through worst battles, sure they didn't have magic but-"

"You don't know what you're dealing with. Magic is the most deadly of weapons; most would rather have their throats ripped out than face it." She sighs, feeling her heart grow heavy. "It changes people, Emma." Her tone drops mournfully. "You may be strong but you will never be strong enough to overpower it."

Emma searches the dejected dark brown eyes, wishing she could hear the thoughts that were running through the woman's mind. She knew that she was right, they were overpowered but she wasn't going to let their journey end here. She couldn't let Regina die or that human. They only had one option left. Run.

Huffing out a breath, Emma starts for the exit only to be yanked behind Regina, hitting the wall roughly. "Regina let me g-" she lets her voice trail off at the sight of a fireball rushing toward them. "Regina!" she screams, bracing herself for impact.

The sizzling sensation never came.

Emma cracks open an eye to see the flame catapult back towards the monsters. Eyes wide with wonder Emma straightens back to full height. Regina's arms were held out above them holding up some kind of protective bubble. The clear shield ripples when yet another fireball comes charging forward. Regina cringes from the impact; in that second Emma realizes the gesture was causing pain for the woman.

"Regina…" she mutters. The brunette doesn't respond, keeping her concentration on the shield. "Regina stop, we have to make a run for it." She whispers, placing a tentative on her shoulder.

"No…we don't know where Neal is. We….need….a escape car." She grits her teeth as one ball penetrates through her power, hitting her side.

Emma eyes flash. "We don't have time for that. You're getting weak…"

"I'll make it. I can feel myself healing already." She lies, swinging down a hand to toss a stream of power towards the persistent vampires. She was too weak for her healing powers to take action immediately.

"I don't care. You need to get out of here."

"And just-," she flinches as yet another shock of pain shoots through her. "What do you suggest we do? Ask them to politely stop trying to murder us?"

Emma sighs. "No…we-we can try to fight them off then run…"

Regina turns to glance back at the blonde. "That is a ridiculous-" both vampires seemed to have engaged into their powers at this point, sending violent tremors throughout the shield. Regina stumbles back into Emma, immediately throwing herself in front of the blonde protectively. Swing around to face the woman, she rests her hands against the tile above to stop herself from colliding into the huntress.

Green meets black with electrifying intensity, time seeming to slow around the two. The deadly magic ricocheting around them didn't seem to matter in that moment, nor the fact that Hans was becoming more frustrated by the second, the power in his palms beginning to glow a bloody red. Regina's breathing grows even as she stares at the blonde, feeling some of her strength returning to her. The shield expands around them, thickening.

Emma gazes at the vampire, eyes shinning brightly. She leans forward an inch, resting her forehead against the brunettes. "Regina…" their lips brush over gently as she speaks. "We need to go."

Blinking slowly, Regina moves one hand to gently cup Emma's cheek, wanting nothing more than to capture pink lips onto hers. But she was swiftly brought back into harsh reality when a burning erupts on her skin as Hans new powers collides against her side. Regina hisses in pain, slumping onto Emma's shoulder. The blonde automatically catches the woman, feeling panic welling up inside her.

"Can-can you walk?" she mutters into her ear, she knew if she had to carry the vampire it would slow them down immensely. Regina nods sluggishly, struggling to keep her head up. Emma grips her tightly, ready to scoop her into her arms. She realized escaping in one piece wasn't an option, the shield was already beginning to wane in power and Hans was only getting stronger. Emma clutches against her chest, cringing for the deadly power that was about to crash into them both.

"Hey! Over here!" A voice rings out towards the exit. Neal? Emma thinks, eyes' popping open to see it was, in fact, Neal griping a poacher's knife like it was his only lifeline. And by the lividly surprised expressions on the vampires' faces it very well could be.

"Hey over here! Stupid bloodsuckers!" Neal dances out the door, welding the knife in the air. The vampires exchange a glance before lunging after him.

Emma watches in terror as he races out of her sight the vampires chasing him at full speed. Seeing her chance, Emma tightens her hold on a still weak Regina and slips past slightly fearful pedestrians as she looks around for the Jeep. She spots in idling in a red zone as if Neal had parked in a rush.

The huntress starts forward mumbling into Regina's ear. "We're almost there, okay? You're going to be fine." She glances back to see if Neal had returned. A chill slides down her spine at seeing only the sea of traffic stretched out before her. Reaching the Jeep she carefully slides Regina into the back seat then revs the engine, ready to start circling in search for her partner.

Before she could pull out a yell freezes her in place. She glances in the rearview mirror to see Neal running as quickly as possible towards the Jeep with two frighteningly pissed vampires shooting magic behind him.

"Shit." Emma mumbles, glancing at a pale Regina she stumbles out the car wielding a pair of knives. At the sight of Neal tripping onto the concrete, the vampires gaining on him at a rapid speed, Emma was beginning to understand Regina's doubts in the store. But the vampire was the exact reason Emma refused to give up.

Not knowing what else to do, Emma flings the knives with all her might praying Neal wouldn't get to his feet. A odd stroke of luck keeps Neal pinned to the ground giving the blades clear access to glide straight into Raphael's chest.

The vampire freezes then hits the ground with a sick thud, thick blood creating a puddle on the sidewalk. His partner freezes as well, gazing down at him in awe before ripping out the knife embedded into his arm. With a quick narrowed-eyed glance at Emma then Neal, Hans bares his teeth and disappears back into the staring crowd. A faint ear-splitting cry pierces the air around them.

Shifting her eyes between the vampire and terrified audience, Emma helps Neal to his feet quickly scanning for any scraps. "You okay?" he nods. "Thank you, that was incredibly stupid but brave." She wraps him in a hug.

He wraps his arms around her waist. "The things I do for you, Emma Swan." He whispers into her hair.

Releasing her grip Emma gives him a small smile. "You didn't just do it for me this time, you did if for Regina." Her partners face flushes. "Why?"

Neal sighs, face turning red. "I-I know how much she means to you, Ems. Though I don't like it, I knew you would never forgive yourself if she died back there." He smiles. "Besides I figured I should be the hero for once."

Emma grins back. "I think you earned that title today." She hugs him again. "Thanks." She mumbles. They embrace silently momentarily until Emma pulls back and looks to the vampire. "We need to get out of here before he recovers and before any of these people call the cops." She may not have known that vampires could perform magic but she was aware that one could be temporarily killed by a pierced heart. And once the undead returns again, it returned pissed.

Neal nods, taking them back to the Jeep. He nods the backseat where Emma now was cradling Regina against her. "What happened?"

"She was protecting me and got hit with their magic." Emma replies quietly, gazing down at the now unconscious woman. "She saved us both."

"How the hell did they know how to do that stuff?"

"The magic? Regina taught them, I guess she figured it would be a good thing to have in battle."

Neal sighs, pulling out into the street. "She was right. What are we going to do, I mean, they have our scents now, they could literally track us anywhere." His voice cracks in fear.

"I think we should wait until we find a safer area to rest. Did you get the groceries?" Emma pushes Regina's hair back gently, not liking how cold her skin was. She'd begun to grow use to the vampires ever changing temperatures. Neal nods, passing back some bags. Emma riles through a few and pulls out a bottle of water. "Regina?" she whispers. The brunette doesn't move. "Regina wake up…" she hoped Neal wouldn't be able to detect the shakiness in her voice. Emma sighs, figuring they'd have to wait until she came around.

No perhaps not. Regina had begun to stir beneath Emma's hands, whimpering quietly. Her eyes flutter open, the first sight coming into view being a beautiful blonde angel. If Regina thought she was granted the entrance to heaven one day, she prayed this is what it would look like. But she knew any means of her meeting another fate besides eternal damnation were saddeningly slim. The only angel she would ever encounter was staring down at her in concern. In the moment, that was strangely enough for her.

"Emma…?" she whispers.

Emma's eyes brighten at the sound of her voice. "Thank God, I had no idea what I was going to do if you didn't wake."

The brunette was coming into the slow realization that she was snuggled in the huntress arms. Blinking up at her, Regina feels her lips turn up in a small smile. "I'm fine, I would've awoken eventually." She glances around to see they were in the Jeep; she meets Neal's eyes in the rearview mirror. "What happened?"

"You got hurt." Emma voices portrayed clear concern, "Neal distracted the vampires long enough for me to get you in here before you passed out."

Regina's eyebrows rise. "That was brave of you." Neal doesn't reply. "What about Hans and Raphael?"

"I killed Raphael with a knife." Regina's eyes widen. "And Hans ran off."

"You killed…him?" She struggles to sit up though being in the blondes arms was the safest place she could imagine. "You do realize he'll come back?"

"Yes, Regina I took my Vampire 101 class." Emma smirks then sobers. "How do you feel?"

Weak. "Okay. I can feel the wounds healing." It was slow-going process but Regina could feel her strength increasing.

Emma watches her carefully. "You're still weak." Regina pauses. "You need to eat." She gathers up her hair and tosses it to one side then exposed her neck toward the brunette. "Here."

Regina blinks at her bluntness but couldn't stop her mouth from watering. "I couldn't, you're weak as well."

"But I'm not injured. We have food now but you need to eat before you pass out again." Deep blue eyes cloud over with mild fear. "I don't want you hurt."

Regina sighs, feeling herself sinking deeper and deeper. "No." She holds up a hand seeing the blonde open her mouth in protest. "I want you to eat first before I take anything." Unable to stop herself, she reaches out to softly stroke Emma's cheek. The blonde pauses then nods shyly. "Right now I'm too tired." She confesses quietly.

"Okay. But if you need it just…go for it." She inward cringes, feeling childish.

Regina nods, and slumps down in her seat. Before she closed her eyes as caught sight of Neal's frown in the mirror, they lock eyes momentarily before darkness encloses over her.

Regina slowly woke in a drape of darkness. Blinking around, she grows accustomed to her new surroundings; a single dirty yellow streetlamp hovers over them. She could feel the Jeep slowing to a stop. Sitting up, a small building rolls into view surrounded by little stations scattered around. It took her a moment to realize she was at a gas station.

Glancing to her right her heart lifts when she sees the angel is still there. Emma smiles at her blue eyes shining brighter than the twinkle of stars overhead.

"I see you're up. I'm glad you don't drool in your sleep." She smirks, scooting over to give Regina room to stretch.

She rolls her eyes. "Hilarious." She replies sourly, feeling her muscles pop as she pulls her arms over her head. "How long was I asleep?"

Emma tears her eyes from the strip of skin peeking behind the brunettes clothing. "Long enough for us to run low on gas." She nods out the window, confirming Regina's analysis. "Neal didn't want to stop in the city so we're basically running on air."

Neal rolls his eyes good naturedly. "Sorry for not wanting to run into more of our NightWorld friends." He flicks his eyes to Regina. "How're you feeling?"

"Good." Regina replies in mild shock. "Thank you."

He nods and slides out the Jeep. Both women watch him trudge up the rocky hill and walk inside the small store. Emma glances to Regina. "Are you hungry yet?"

"A little." She admits. "But I don't want to-"

Emma holds up a hand, already twisting her hair out of the way. "I ate and you're no longer tired. So eat." She leans towards the woman.

Regina licks her lips, flicking her gaze from blue eyes to cream skin. She hesitates a second before attaching her lips onto soft flesh, sucking lightly. After a moment she leans into the blonde, nipping at her skin, wanting to taste more of her. Regina sucks deeply at Emma's neck, straightening herself up against the woman; she crawls forward forcing the blonde backwards until she hits the window. The vampire releases a low growl, feeling she strength increasing but not wanting to let go of her prey just yet. Regina lifts a hand, sliding it up Emma's chest, raking her nails through the thin fabric, nearly ripping the shirt apart. The hand comes to a brief stop to caress her cheek, the tempo of lips moving over heated skin increasing.

Emma was utterly bewildered by this sudden behavior but she couldn't say she wanted it to come to an end. She grips the back of the seat, nails embedding themselves into the foam, swallowing down a loud moan. Her head tilts back, making the vampire growl hungrily, unsure whether she should pull away or not Emma places one hand gingerly on Regina's back, ready to yank the woman away if need be. An incredibly wet tongue slides down her neck causing a delicious shiver to spread across her body. Unable to restrain herself any longer Emma releases a long, low moan feeling heat flourish between her thighs, wanting it to be extinguished immediately.

Regina's hand moves from her cheek to rest against the cold window, lips sucking and nipping down the blondes' overly heated skin. Her fingers curl into claws as they slide down the glass creating three long scratches on the pane. She had ceased in feeding long ago, now only wanting to feel the human squirm beneath her, feel her power radiate over someone. Teeth scraping against Emma's neck a deep growl rumbles in her throat, her electrifyingly blue eyes slowly open. Breathing harsh in arousal and power, she pulls away from the huntress wanting to see what she had done, how far had she unhinged the little mortal.

A smirk forms upon her features at the sight of a frazzled, lustful blonde panting back at her. She slides a pink tongue over her lips watching Emma pull herself together. "Did I take too much?" she asks innocently.

Emma glances at her in disbelief. "You're kidding right? What the fuck was that about?"

Regina shrugs, leaning back. "I suppose I got carried away. My apologies."

"Carried away." Emma snorts. She straightens in her seat, rubbing her neck. "I figured you were hungry but damn Regina…." She huffs out a breath.

"If I can recall correctly I believe your words were 'Go for it'." She smirks. "And from the sounds you were making I would say you were rather enjoying it."

Emma flushes. "Kind of hard not to." She dips her head in embarrassment. "I'm guessing you've recovered?"

Regina nods. "I'm feeling good." Amazing was slightly more accurate. She sighs flicking her eyes out to Neal who was still inside the store, looking troubled. Regina's eyes narrow. "I think I'll go with Neal." She turns to open the door.

Emma watches her in confusion. "Why?"

"I'd like to thank him." Without any further explanation she closes the door behind her and heads inside. Neither the cashier nor Neal looks up when the tinkle of the bell rings out Regina's entrance inside the cramped building. She appears beside a frowning Neal, who is staring mournfully down at a bag of chips.

"Hello." She quietly addresses him.

His eyes snap up to hers, frown deepening. "Hi." He replies coldly. "Why are you here?"

"I-wanted to thank you personally for risking your life for me." Regina stammers, feeling embarrassed. "I know it wasn't for me exactly. You did it for-"

"Emma. Yeah, and I hope you realize that everything I do is for her. So when you happened to get saved thank her." He begins to walk away, glancing down at the chips.

Regina blinks, a bit taken back but his bluntness. "Alright. I can understand that-"

"I bet. I know what you're up to. Save that bull about coming to thank me, we both know what you want to talk about." Neal whirls on her, making the vampire stumble back. "You're not acting this way to mess with me anymore, you care about her." Kind brown eyes turn stormy as his words slow. "You care about Emma just as much as I do."

Regina freezes, blinking rapidly. Had she been so obvious? Of course she was, in his eyes at least, when two people share the same emotion they can spot it miles away. She dips her head knowing better than to lie.

"Yes, I do."

Neal glares at her. "You're not winning this; you won't take her away from me-"

"Why would I do that?" Neal pauses in confusion. "You care for her and she cares for you, I may not like you but Emma certainly does." Regina thinks over her words, not wanting to unveil any information Emma might not want shared from there talk some nights ago. "I don't want her to be unhappy."

"You think I make her happy?"

Regina rolls her eyes. "Are you blind? Of course you do, you're her closest friend. And if I know anything about friendship." The vampire was fairly certain she didn't. "It's that you should hold onto it for as long as you can." Her lips turn up into a small smile. "I'm not going to fight you for her, Neal. She's not some cheap prize to be won at a child's fair. Her safety means the world to me and I will do everything in my power to keep her out of harms way."

Neal nods. "I get that but what about the whole reason you met us? That guy, won't this get in the way of your relationship?"

Regina shakes her head, feeling her heart skip a beat at the mention of him. "My feelings toward him are less…..intense than what I feel for Emma. I hate this as much as you do, the last thing I need to another human to worry over." She huffs out a breath. "But luckily for you, I don't think a future with her is very likely."

Despite himself the hunter was curious. "Why?"

"She…doesn't believe in love." Her tone drops, unsure if she should've conveyed this. "Not at the moment anyway. And I'm sure you'll agree that the last person to get her to believe is a monster."

Neal sighs, taking in the new information. "I don't like it but if it's going to come down to this, I say we put our differences aside for this trip and focus on the one thing we can agree on."

Regina nods, extending out a hand. "For Emma." She proposes softly.

"For Emma."

Their eyes and hands meet in a silent treaty. Neither liked the mutual truce they had come to and definitely not because of the reason they were brought to work together. But was it really their fault they'd fallen in love with the same woman?