The Only Exception (Swan Queen)

Chapter 4

The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turns into the torturers. ~Carl Jung.

#

Regina screamed in pain as the swarms of electricity shot through her body. It was a different type of pain than she'd ever felt. The hard-emotional pain was something she could cope with. Even having her heart ripped from her chest and squeezed was something she knew. But this was something else altogether.

She collapsed back on the table she was strapped to. "Where's my father?" he yelled once again.

Regina couldn't think straight. Her vision was blurred, and her heartbeat was slow. She could just about breathe and could feel the clothes clinging to her body with the layer of sweat that now covered her. "I killed him," she groaned.

Regina had tried her hardest. She thought she could hold out long enough for him to give up, but the man was persistent. It was clear this was the answer he was looking for, so that's what she gave him, hoping he would put an end to her torture.

Greg took a step back. "What?"

Regina groaned as she fought to keep her eyes open. "I killed him shortly after you left. I buried him at your old campsite," she managed to choke out. Her throat felt dry and raw from her screams. 

The man practically growled with anger. "You bitch!" he spat before turning up the voltage.

Tears fell quickly down Regina's cheek as black spots started blurring her vision. She let out another loud scream. She tried her best to fight the pain, but she couldn't stay awake. She collapsed against the steel as her vision blacked out entirely.

#

"Regina? Come on, Gina!" a soft voice called out. She felt a soft hand trail across her cheek.

Regina shuddered as she fought to open her eyes. She winced in pain as she became aware of her surroundings. She managed to open her eyes to see Emma's beautiful sea-green eyes staring back at her. She clenched her eyes shut and let out a low groan.

Emma's fingertips trailed across her cheek again causing her to shudder. "It's okay, Gina," she whispered as she unstrapped her hands and feet from the metal table she was still hooked to.

"Em-ma."

Regina felt a warm hand wrap around her own. "Hey, I'm here," Emma cooed. She tried to lift her head and winced. "Don't move," the blonde ordered. "I'm not sure how long you've been passed out."

Regina couldn't find the strength to respond. She felt her body becoming limp once again as her eyes drooped. She fought to remain conscious, focusing her gaze on Emma's eyes.

One of Emma's arms slowly wrapped around her waist, and with her other hand, lightly gripped the back of her neck, slowly bringing her up to a sitting position. Regina groaned as she leaned into the warm touch, her head drooping forward onto the other woman's shoulder.

"Everything's gonna be okay, Gina," Emma whispered softly as she shifted her arms to pick her up bridal style. Regina softened into the warm touch and couldn't stop herself from smiling at the new nickname she had presented her with. Gina. She could get used to the sound of that.

Regina continued to focus on Emma's face to try and keep herself awake. Her vision blurred as her eyes adjusted to the bright light as they left the warehouse. When her vision adapted slightly, she couldn't help but noticed that Emma's eyes were slightly red and puffy. 

"Emma! Is that Regina?" she heard Snow's voice call out.

Emma nodded as the rest of the Charming family approached them. "David, can you take her somewhere safe then come meet us so we can stop Greg and Tamara before they do anything else?" Emma asked in a hurry.

Regina shuddered slightly as Emma transferred her into the larger man's arms.

"David?" Emma called out as he began to walk away. He turned to face his daughter. "Keep her safe, please," she mumbled, her voice almost pleading.

Regina's breathing hitched slightly. David nodded. "Of course, Emma," he told her before continuing off. She felt her eyelids begin to droop again. She stopped flighting and everything went dark.

#

When Regina woke up, she was lying on top of the double bed in the Charming's apartment. She looked around and saw Emma sitting next to the bed on a small chair.

"Hey," Emma whispered.

Regina winced as she attempted to sit up. Emma reached out in an almost protective fashion, placing her hand gently on her shoulder. "Take it easy for a few minutes," she ordered softly.

After a few minutes adjusting to having control over her body again, Emma helped her sit up. "Did you get rid of Greg and Tamara?" Regina asked and the room went silent.

Emma shifted nervously. "Sort of."

"What do you mean sort of?" Regina asked, her voice slightly bitter as she crossed her arms.

Emma glanced around the room waiting for someone to help her but no one did. She bit her lower lip nervously which caught Regina off guard for a moment. "They took Henry and jumped through a portal," she mumbled hesitantly.

Regina's eyes widened. "Where'd they go?" she yelled urgently.

The door suddenly burst open and Hook walked through the door. "To Neverland, your Majesty," he muttered in a distasteful tone.

She groaned. "And how the hell are we getting there?" she snapped.

Hook chuckled. "On the Jolly Roger, of course," he smirked happily. "She sailed Neverland for many years."

Regina tried to stop herself from turning her nose up at the cocky pirate.

Emma let out a soft cough. "And with this," she whispered holding out her hand.

Regina turned to see a single magic bean lying on the palm of her hand. "Then let's go get our son."