For the first time in weeks, Emma finally succumbed to ruby's constant nagging in which she should join her in their local bar. It was nearing their break from college and so far Emma was pretty much care free with all her work up to date and completed. Which was another reason ruby gave to the blonde for going for a celebratory drink. There was however one problem that Emma had, she couldn't stop thinking about what was happening in eighteen days time. Yes she had kept count from the moment she was told the date. Regina's wedding.
After a few drinks, ruby managed to pull Emma over to the dance floor only for her to protest once she was getting pervy looks from she could only assume were freshmen.

Approaching the bar she orders another drink, while waiting, Emma scans the venue for a seat.
"There is a couple of seats over there at that table if you're in search of a depressing hour" the barman points over to the table. " lot of people seem to be keeping their distance so I warn you"
Nodding with a smile, Emma takes her drink and looks over, sighing as she does then heads over.

Hearing footsteps approach and someone clearing their throat, Regina stops twirling the straw in her drink sighing. "If you want to take a chair please do so and move on"
Raises an eyebrow at Regina's depressive mood, she sits herself down on the spare chair instead. " how about company?"
Looking up hearing her voice, Regina gives her a weak smile. "not much company right now"
Sighing Emma bites her lip. "what has he done this time? Or your mother?"

Regina shakes her head. "it's nothing...it.." Rubbing her head she looks at her. "They are like a team!...take each other's sides. He may as well be her son it's pathetic"

Emma covers her mouth to stifle a laugh gaining a glare from the brunette. "I'm sorry..I'm...I've had a few" shaking her now empty glass. Regina smiles. "I think you need to slow down"

Emma puts her glass down pouting. "It's empty now anyway and I think I need air..it's hot in here and I'm pretty sure I'm coming down with something...again!"

Regina watches her a moment feeling bad for her then stands. "come on up you get" taking Emma's hands, Regina pulls her up off the chair and leads her outside. "Better?"

"Suppose..you don't have to stay..the 'king' will be waiting no doubt" taking a breath, Emma leans against the wall closing her eyes a second. Regina stands by the side of her also leaning against the wall. " like I'm going to leave you standing here like this..Miss Swan I thought you'd know me better by now"

Yawning, Emma looks over smiling." Your too kind...and very beautiful"

Regina looks at her not sure how to response, biting her lip realising what she said by the face she is receiving, Emma pushes herself off the wall."I think I need to go home..." . Knowing there is no way of going back to find ruby, Emma gets her phone out to see where she is. Looking at the phone Emma sighs. "great...she already went home with brad...guess she finally got it" putting her phone back Emma turns to Regina. "well..goodnight..make sure you tell the idiotic pair that it's what you want that counts..if they can't agree they clearly do not deserve you got it?" Coughing a little, Emma turns to leave only to have an arm link around hers and a hand clasping hers.

Regina gives a small smile."I'm not letting you walk home alone besides you can barely stand"

After a slight difficulty of getting Emma's keys off of her Regina manages to help her up to her room and into bed. "Thanks Regina" Emma gives a sleepy smile and hugs her pillow. Satisfied that everything is in order, Regina pulls the covers up for her and heads to the door. "Goodnight Emma"

"Wait.."

Looking over at her, Regina can't help but think back to the first time she had helped Emma and how vulnerable she was.

"Stay?...until I sleep...please?"

Regina walks back over and sits on the other side of the bed and copies her own actions from that night in hospital, stroking Emma's head."emma?...what did you mean they wouldn't deserve me?"

Emma yawns again and replies sleepily." Because you deserve the best...you should have everything you want..your kind..caring always thinking of others before yourself..your..".giving another yawn and closing eyes. "...amazing.." Staying put, Emma drifts off to sleep. Regina looks down on her a little teary and lays back still stroking her head until she is sure she is fully sleeping.

Squinting at the brightness of the light, Regina yawns frowning at her unclear surroundings. Freezing, Regina's eyes widen as the feeling of another person is next to her, pressed into her back. Peering over Regina sits up quick as the events of the previous night comes rushing back. Reaching over for her phone seeing a numerous amount of missed calls, she rubs her head wondering how she was going to get herself out of this one. Biting her lip, Regina looks over to the sleeping form and takes a breath whispering. "Emma?..I need to go.." Shaking her shoulder, Regina raises her voice a bit more. "hey...Emma?..wake up I need to go home!" Letting go of her shoulder, fear starts creeping on Regina's face. "Emma?!". Getting up quick panicking, Regina grabs her phone again calling for help. "Emma come on wake up now.."

Having sent a vague text to Daniel, Regina goes with Emma to the hospital. As they wheel her through for treatment, Regina spots ruby in the corridor having sent her a message too.

"What the hell happened?...why again.."

Seeing the sheer panic in Ruby's face, Regina grabs her arm to calm her. "She'll be okay..I've told them what they need to know okay?"

Nodding ruby walks up the corridor nearer to the emergency door fiddling with her hands. Looking down a moment, Regina's head bolts up hearing her name called by the entrance.

"Regina? Where the hell have you been?! You've been gone all night! And your mothers worrying herself crazy at home!"

Regina looks at Daniel not in the mood for a fight." I..I. was at the bar and I helped a..friend home but now she's sick..I.." Not knowing what else she can say, Regina waits for his response only to see him look over her shoulder at ruby."Hold on is that?...please don't tell me you were with that blonde student of yours..why would you want to be friends with...that?!"

"Daniel!" Regina glares at him for insulting Emma also making ruby look at her outburst. "You're making a scene and now is not the time!"

"Regina your coming home now or so help me god I will..."

Seeing the anger in his face, Regina sighs and looks over to ruby who looks slightly shocked. Turning back to Daniel Regina nods. "Okay...let's go.." Following Daniel out Regina looks over at ruby one last time receiving an understanding nod.

Sitting at the dining room table after having showered and changed, Regina stares at her phone for any news. Seeing Daniel approach she looks up. Daniel smiles picking up her phone and replacing it with a wedding book. "here this will cheer you up mark down what you want for the last few bits...then I'll show it to your mother and the wedding planner we've only got just over two weeks"

"Okay.." Watching him head to the kitchen, Regina realises." I still need my phone" glaring a moment, Daniel puts her phone down next to the book. Resting her head on her hand, Regina looks mindlessly through the book not really caring about place settings or flowers.

After being informed of how she is, ruby walks into the room Emma is staying in and over to a half awake Emma." Again?" Questioned the blonde seeing her friend nod. "Why?"

Ruby shrugs a little. "The doctor said something about your immune system but he's gona come explain in a minute..."

Sighing, Emma attempts sitting up. "this is ridiculous..I mean..wait"

Looking over at her friend, Emma looks puzzled."Regina?"

"Had to go home...she brought you in...looking like she was in last night's clothes.." Ruby answers raising an eyebrow at Emma. Emma shakes her head. "Don't I was drunk she helped that's all.."

"Don't? You mean talk about your little crush you've got on a certain professor?"

"Ruby.."

"If it's any consolation...she looked scared and really didn't want to leave..I'll let her know in a bit"

"Thanks"

Both women stopped talking seeing the doctor walk in and explain Emma's condition informing her that she is going to have medication from now on and the spells of not waking up will be down to her sticking to her meds.

Grabbing the car keys, Regina looks through to the kitchen at her mother and Daniel. " I need to pop out.."

Daniel walks up to her. "Let me guess to see this little friend of yours?" Regina looks over at the disappointed look she is receiving from her mother then back at him. "yes..she's okay but I would like to see for myself"

Giving a laugh, Daniel takes her arm. "Do you really think they will let you in to see her your just a friend..not family...or a partner"

Taking her arm back Regina glares. "I got a call from her friend ruby...she has seen her so I'm sure I can ..oh and don't bother waiting for me with dinner"

Strolling out the house, Regina can't help but smile to herself at how she behaved with Daniel and goes to the hospital.

Looking over from her bed, Emma smiles as Regina enters the room to reassure her she's okay.

"One of these days Miss Swan you're going to give me a heart attack"

"Well it'll will keep your life exciting besides how else can I get your attention? After the next seventeen days you're going to be married and I'll probably never see you again"

Sitting on the chair Regina smiles. "Highly unlikely..so what is happening with you?"

"Nothing major just..medication from now on..watch my diet..sleep..exercise usual..I'm sure ill manage..sorry if I scared you"

"That you did..I'm just glad I actually stayed..otherwise.."

"I'd be haunting your ass about now?"

Hitting Emma's arm at the comment, Regina drops her smile and strokes her hand soothingly. "So your keeping count of the days till...". Emma nods. "of course..your my friend and I want to see how my dresses turn out" Emma bites her lip hiding the real fact that she can't get Regina out of her head.
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Author's note: hope you guys are still following the story. Even I want to bang their heads together! let me know what you think :)