Several servants and maids were rushing about the castle, hastily making preparations as they anticipated The Queen's arrival back at the grounds.

Based upon her actions when she left, it was to be expected that The Queen may not be in the best of moods upon her return - for they knew, she almost never was after a visit with her sister!

Moments after her carriage pulled onto the grounds, the doors to the main entrance of the castle flew wide open, and The Queen came bursting through hastily.

Claudias quickly caught up behind her before the doors of the castle closed behind them. Sensing the immediate tension, the surrounding servants made themselves scarce.

"Claudias," The Queen beckoned, "Have Red draw my bath," she spoke through pained eyes, holding her chest with one hand, "it has been a strenuous day..."

"Of course My Queen," Claudias started, "I must warn you, the prisoner, Ms Swan -"

The Queen stopped dead in her tracks, grabbing her guard by the neck bringing him close to her face, "What?! What has happened to her?!!" Her eyes like hot spikes, burning holes right through his, as she spoke.

"No, your majesty please..!" He pleaded, "She is fine! I only wanted to warn you Ms Swan is already there in your bedchamber."

The Queen relaxed her expression now, releasing Claudias from her grasp, "Go on.."

"We received word at the gate once we got back, she was found unconscious on the floor of your Spell Room. She was then taken back to your room right away to rest until your return" Claudias explained.

"I see." The Queen was deep in thought. Releasing her guard, Regina put her fingertips to her lips looking away, "Thank you for your report Claudias." The Queen replied, as she turned back to him, and adjusted his collar. "Never mind what I said about Red."

"Shall I have her come later then?"

"That won't be necessary," The Queen explained, "...I will draw the bath myself."

"As you wish." Claudias took to his knee, lowering his head just before taking his leave.

Regina watched him go just for a moment, before turning the corner to the doors of her bedchamber.

The Queen Pressed her hands against the hard grain of the wooden doors and paused, putting her ear to the door. Closing her eyes, Regina envisioned what she might find when she entered the room; Emma's beautiful golden blonde hair; flowing freely across her bed. The soft, milky white skin of her face; enveloped by the plush, feathery-fluff of her pillows... A slow smile crept across Regina's face as these visions flowed through her mind, until suddenly her eyes snapped open with a searing pain across her chest.

"No."

Shaking the thought from her head, The Queen maintained a solemn look about her face now, as she straitened her posture and threw her shoulders back.

Taking a deep breath in, Regina once again pressed her powerful hands against the heavy wooden doors to her chambers and let herself in, addressing Emma as she did so.

"Hello Ms Swan." The Queen cooed with a sweet, sultry smile, whilst making direct eye contact with Emma as she walked in. For a moment, it almost made Emma feel weak, slightly powerless; as if Regina were a lioness trying to lure in her prey just before making the deadly strike.

Startled by Regina's entrance, Emma quickly stood up from the bed where she sat, and faced her direction, "Regina..!"

Not yet quite sure how to feel, Emma had a confused look on her face. Keeping her eyes trained on The Queen, she watched as Regina made her way over to her bathing quarters. Facing Emma's direction, The Queen bent down to turn her bath water on. Emma watched as the hot water poured into the white tub; puffs of steam floating up into the air. After a moment or two, Regina glanced back toward Emma, catching Emma's eyes staring back at her, watching her hands move methodically around the tub as she bent over it, testing the heat of the water.

Regina smiled. Dipping her fingers into the water, She gently ran her wet fingertips over her cleavage spilling out and over the top of her dress. Emma swallowed hard, as she watched droplets of warm water trickle down and around the top of her plump breasts...

"Do you see something that interests you, Ms Swan?" The Queen asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I, uh... I.."

Regina turned off the water and slowly approached Emma, "Are you suddenly unsure of your wants...?"

Emma, suddenly forgetting why she was even in the room to begin with, was completely mesmerized by The Queen's beauty.

"...and your , Ms Swan, what of those..?" Finishing her question to Emma, Regina's face was mere inches from the blonde's

Emma was captivated by Regina as she always was. Her scent, her beauty, even the electric heat radiating from The Queen's body could be felt by her.

"...irresistible." Emma whispered, so close to Regina's lips, The Queen could feel the word vibrate against them.

"Mmm..." Regina murmured quietly.

"Irresistible indeed, Ms Swan.."

Emma could take no more. She yearned for Regina's touch, she wanted it, she needed it!

Grabbing The Queen by her hips, Emma forcefully pulled Regina into her, their bodies crashing into one as they embraced fully for a kiss.

Regina hungered for her, everything in her mind was telling her "No! Stay away! This is dangerous..."

However, her body was moving her in the opposite direction, as if she has no control at all.

Emma 's hands dipped below Regina's curvy waist, just under the small of her back, roughly grabbing at The Queen's ass. Emma's hard, firm squeeze ran shivers up Regina's spine, sending her reeling, as she softly bit her bottom lip with delight.

The Queen started to feel a small searing pain in her chest. Closing her eyes to concentrate the pain away, she took her breath in deeply, exhaled slowly and opened her eyes making direct eye contact with the beautiful blonde in front of her.

Emma could see hints of bright purple speckled through the iris's of Regina's bright, beautifully-wild eyes.

The Queen roughly tugged at the waistline of Emma's pants, when suddenly, Emma grabbed Regina by the back of her neck pulling her in quickly for a long kiss.

Using her hand to massage the back of her head as they kissed, Emma licked the bottom of Regina's lip slowly, causing her to smile. As The Queen's lips separated upon her smile, Emma slid her tongue slowly into her soft, wet mouth. At the same time, Emma moved her hands all over The Queen's body..

Out of nowhere, The Queen stopped short, "." Was all she said, their two faces inches apart. With Emma's back against the wall, The Queen held her two pointer fingers under the blonde's chin, holding her face up to hers.

"Regina.." Emma began, "..what is it? What's wrong?!"

The Queen felt like there was a lightning bolt in her chest. The pain was surreal, "We can't keep doing this," She replied, "me and you."

"What?" Emma asked, "What are you talking about? Why not?"

The Queen turned away from her, walking a few steps away toward her bed. "It's too painful.." she said quietly, practically whispering to herself.

Emma, now more confused than ever, did not know how to react. She felt sorrow, and anger and confusion all at once. There were so many questions and not enough answers.

"Too painful..?" Emma replied, "... ??!" Emma rushed over to Regina, now letting her rage take over, "you want to talk about Regina? Let's talk!"

"There's nothing to discuss." Regina quipped. "Oh I beg to differ!" Emma countered, "I went to your Spell Room. I saw your 'collection' Regina.."

"Excuse me? You did what?" Regina turned to face Emma.

"I said, I saw your 'collection'" Emma replied, "Regina, I know about the hearts!"

Emma's voice was raised, shaking now.

Regina, caught off guard by this new information, did not know how to respond.

"Tell me Regina," Emma said through her teeth, "When were you going to tell me about MY heart?!"

"What?!" Regina replied, "I don't have your heart, Ms Swan. You are sadly mistaken!"

"Liar!!" Emma yelled, "don't lie to me Regina! I saw it! I saw the box!"

Emma screamed, grabbing The Queen and slamming her against the wall, her fist held against her throat, "Don't you fucking lie to me. The box had my name on it."

The two women stood there for a few minutes, at a sort of face off. The Queen, for the first time threatened; her back against the wall. Emma; the one with all the power, at least for the moment.

"Emma.. if you just let me explain.."

"Is why I feel this.. this way about you?" Emma asked.

"What are you talking about?" Regina replied.

"The Way I feel.." Emma started, "You.. is this.. God damnit Regina! My fucking heart.."

Emma, tear stricken, backed away from The Queen to collect herself before she spoke.

"Regina.."

"Please Ms Swan, if you'll just let me explain.. you'll see, I.."

"That box with my name.." Emma continued; she was not going to allow The Queen to take her questions off course this time, no. "...is that the reason why I feel the way I do about you?"

Regina looked back at Emma blankly for a moment before asking, "What exactly do you mean?"

Emma turned back to face Regina,

"Is that the reason why I feel like Im in love with you?"