Heartstrings

Chapter 4: Anything Could Happen

" Her mind barely registering Emma's careful and soft touches on her leg."

The next morning, Emma woken to the smell of pancakes. She smiled to herself thinking it must be Henry cooking but then she remembered that Henry's too young to be cooking alone and Regina would surely slay her if Henry got injured in any way, remembering the long conversation she had to endure when Henry got a scraped knee under her supervision.

She quickly ran down the stairs towards the kitchen but abruptly stopped at the kitchen entrance when she saw not only Henry, but Regina too was there. Regina was at the stove, flipping pancakes while Henry was standing next to her with a plate ready.

"Regina! What are you doing here?"

Both brunettes turned at her voice. "Morning Ma" greeted Henry while he brings the full plate to the counter joining with a plate of scrambled eggs, sausages and cut fruits.

"I believed I live here Miss Swan" Regina quirk a brow at her.

"Yes, I know that. What I meant was, how did you get down here? And why are you cooking?"

"To answer your unnecessary questions, I came down through the stairs like normal people and I need to feed my son, so I'm cooking." She answered sassily with a smirk.

"Well you don't have to get all smarty pants on me madam mayor. Duhh. You know what I mean."

"I injured my leg, I'm not incapable. Now, coffee is at the counter next to you" was Regina's way of ending the topic and silent invitation for breakfast.

With a cup of coffee in one hand, Emma joined mother and son at the counter.

...

After sending Henry to school, Emma came back to the mansion. Letting herself in using Regina's key. She was about to head the second level to check on Regina but saw the brunette still in the kitchen, leaning to grab something but what it is was blocking Emma's view.

"Hey, what are you still doing here? You should be resting." Said the blonde while walking towards Regina.

Regina ignored her. She was now standing on her good foot. Slowly putting her injured cast leg on the floor. Hands on the counter, bracing herself to get to her crutches that Henry left beside the refrigerator.

Just as she tried taking a step, she fell with a pained cry. But before she reached the floor, Emma leaped and grabbed her shirt from behind, yanking her toward the blonde herself and quickly secured Regina in her arms.

"Shit! That was close! Are you okay?" she asked while still keeping a secure hold on the brunette. But the only answer she got from Regina was silence.

Slowly loosening her hold, Emma stepped around to face Regina but still kept her hold on Regina's waist. But Regina was facing the floor, both hands in a tight ball at her side.

"Hey... Hey... Regina...?" Emma squeezed the brunette waist which startle Regina into looking at Emma. She was taken aback by the tears running down Regina's cheek and without realizing, she wiped the tears using he thumb.

"Come on. Let me help you to the sofa okay?" and Regina only nodded her head. So Emma carried her bridal-style into the living room and gently set her down on the sofa.

She then quickly stacked some pillows on the other end of the sofa and helped her injured leg on it before heading to the kitchen for the crutches, Regina's meds and some water.

Done with everything, Emma sat on the floor next to Regina's sofa.

"I need you to listen to me and don't be a hardass or whatever shit. Don't do that again. If you need help getting anything, let me know! Don't fucking try perform such act again! You're lucky I was quick back there. What were you thinking?!" said Emma with a serious tone and red face.