A/N: This is very different from anything else I've ever written. First of all, this is the first story I've ever written in present tense. I never do this, but in this story, it feels right.

Secondly, it's 100% from Emma's perspective. Her short term memory has been wiped, and the reader only knows what she knows.

It's an idea I've been toying with for a while, and I hope you like it. Oh, and it's Swan Queen, as if I even need to say that anymore! Enjoy!

Chapter One

The first time she wakes up, it's blackness. There are people around her, noises, voices, pain. Her body is on fire and she can't escape the blackness. Her eyes won't open, won't listen, so she strains her ears to hear. There is a pathetic low whimper, and she thinks perhaps she made the sound, but she can't be sure. She feels like she's not a part of herself.

Emma.

A familiar voice. Who said that? She can't tell if she's dreaming.

Emma, I'm right here. You're going to be okay.

It's Regina. She's sure it's Regina. She tries to say her name, but all that escapes her throat is a squeak. Her voice is betraying her. Her mouth won't form the words.

Don't try to talk, Emma. I'm right here. Just relax.

Someone lifts her arm. It burns like the flesh is being melted off. Someone is crying. She thinks it might be her.

Don't cry, Emma. I know it hurts. It'll be over soon, I promise.

Regina is close to her now. Her voice is right next to her ear. She tries to reach out, but she can't seem to find her arms. Where is that arm? Someone is still holding it. She doesn't have the strength to pull back.

She's fading.

The second time she wakes up, it's blackness again. And pain. But the pain is less, thankfully.

She thinks she's in a car. It's a vehicle of some sort, and the road is rough. Every bump in the road surges through her like a lightning bolt. The pain is more, again.

Someone is holding her, she's sure of this. She is cradled in someone's arms. Who is that? Someone has a hold of her, her head is resting on someone's skin. There's an arm around her back and a hand holding her head.

She tries to talk but she can't find her voice.

She finds her hands. One is resting against someone's body, touching soft clothing. She can't move her fingers.

She can't see, so she listens again: a heartbeat, steady, against her ear. Her head is on someone's chest. She doesn't know why it's so soothing. The pain is less, when she focuses on the heartbeat.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

Regina. She's sure. She tries to call out. She whimpers instead.

Emma, I've got you. Shh, it's okay.

Regina.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

Emma's crying now. Regina is pulling her closer.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

She's fading again.

The third time she wakes up, it's blackness again. The pain is less. Much less. But present. She can find her fingers and her toes. She can't open her eyes.

She's in a bed, under blankets. It's warm and soft and enveloping. But it's not her bed. Panic surges through her, as she wonders where she is.

She still can't see, so she listens.

Someone is breathing beside her, slow and rhythmic. She holds her breath, to make sure it's not herself she hears. She holds her breath, and the breathing continues. Someone is there.

She lifts a hand, and she can control it. She reaches out in the blackness, though she still is lying still on her back. She reaches her hand towards the sound of the breathing, and she stops when she feels soft hair. And a cheek. Someone is there. Someone stirs under her light touch.

Emma.

It's Regina.

Emma's not sure why she's relieved, but she is.

Shh, don't try to talk.

She hadn't realized she was until that moment. A string of staccato rr-rr-rr's were escaping her lips, unbeknownst to her. She thought maybe she was trying to say Regina, but she was stuck on that first syllable.

She stops trying.

Regina pulls her into her arms, and her head falls lightly onto Regina's chest.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

She missed that sound. How long had it been since she was in the car? It felt like moments ago and years ago all at the same time.

Regina.

It slips out of her mouth as she relaxes to the sound of Regina's heartbeat. She still has a voice after all. She can't feel her mouth but she recognizes her own voice in the air around her.

Shh, Emma. It's okay. I'm right here. Everything's okay. Go back to sleep.

She thought she was asleep. Isn't this a dream? What's happening?

She's getting agitated.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

If this is real, then that is really Regina's heart. And Regina's voice. And she is really enveloped in blackness. Her eyes won't open. She reaches for them. There's something there.

It feels like gauze.

It's covering both her eyes.

Regina's hand pulls Emma's away from her face, and holds it.

It's okay, Emma. You're hurt. I'm healing you. You're okay.

She doesn't feel okay. She feels her throat tightening and her heart racing. It's a panic attack. It's a panic attack and she's in blackness and barely has control over her own voice.

Regina's hand is on her head now, covering her ear. Her other ear is on Regina's chest.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

It's all she can hear. It calms her. Her throat opens, slowly. Her heart rate returns to normal. She's okay.

She doesn't fade this time. This time, she just goes back to sleep.

The fourth time is different.

The blackness is there.

The pain is less.

But it's different.

She's alone.

She sits up in the bed, her hands reaching for her face. She feels the bandages over her eyes. Touching them hurts, so she stops.

She feels either side of the bed, to be sure she's alone. She is.

"Regina!"

She realizes she can now speak. She has control over her voice.

And in an instant, Regina is back. She hears her heels clicking against a hard floor. She's moving quickly, practically running, to Emma.

She sits on the bed, her hands moving to either side of Emma's face. So soft.

"Hey," she says. The sound of her voice makes Emma want to melt.

"What happened?" Emma asks, one hand absently moving to the bandages on her eyes again.

Regina catches the hand and stops it. She puts it back on Emma's lap, with the other. She puts her hand back on Emma's face. She's stroking Emma's hair.

"You were hurt," Regina says. Emma thinks she said that before.

"I can't see."

"I know. I'm healing you, Emma, but it's taking time."

Emma wants to cry. Her lip is quivering.

"Don't cry, Emma. I know you're scared."

She is scared. She doesn't cry. She falls forward, before she even realizes what's happening, into Regina's arms. She feels safe here. And that confuses her.

"You're healing me?" Emma asks softly.

"Yes, dear," Regina replies. Her voice is soothing. Without her sight, Emma's ears are hyper alert. Regina's voice hits her in a way it never has before. Her hand is stroking Emma's hair now. Emma melts into her.

"Why am I not in a hospital?" she asks.

"We're not in Storybrooke."

Emma wants to ask where they are, but she's exhausted.

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

She thinks maybe she can just stay here for a while, and recoup her energy. How long will it take to heal?

"Your injuries are extensive, Emma. Healing is going to be a process, even with magic," Regina answers the unasked question, and momentarily Emma wonders if she actually spoke it out loud.

She wants to know where she is. She wants to know what happened. She wants to know when she will be able to see again. She doesn't ask, she just breathes in Regina's scent, and it relaxes her.

"You need to have a bath. Will you let me help you?"

Emma nods, even though she's not entirely sure what Regina is asking her. Her head is foggy, but she wants Regina's help, with whatever it is.

Regina lets her go, and Emma panics.

"I'm just going to get the bath ready," Regina assures her. Her hand is on Emma's face again.

"Don't leave me alone, it's so dark." Emma doesn't want to tell Regina she's been afraid of the dark since she was seven and they'd throw her in a closet and lock the door and leave her there for what was probably hours but felt like days and she would scream and cry and the darkness would envelop her.

Shut up, Emma! You're not getting out until you shut the hell up!

That's his voice. Where the hell is she?

"I'll be good," Emma whimpers.

"Emma?"

Regina's voice pulls her back from the memory. She's not seven. She's not in the closet. She's here – wherever here is – with Regina.

"Please don't leave me alone."

Regina helps her up to her feet. She's shaky but Regina supports her, and leads her across the room, and helps her into a chair. She can hear water and smell lavender and chamomile. She thinks Regina might be saying something, but the fog is back. Maybe walking wasn't a good idea. She feels dizzy. If she could see, she's sure the room would be spinning.

But Regina helps her up again, and she can feel Regina's hands, removing her clothing.

Oh, a bath.

Now she understands. She wonders if she should be embarrassed to be naked as Regina leads her a few steps over and guides her into the warm water, but she can't see and she's still not sure if this is a dream, and she's not embarrassed.

"I didn't… know… what…" Emma's not quite sure what she's trying to say.

"Your head's still a little fuzzy, isn't it?" Regina asks. Emma can feel her running a soft cloth over her neck and shoulders. She's not sure if this is supposed to feel good, but it does, and she relaxes. "It's alright, dear. You'll be better soon."

Regina dips the cloth under the water and doesn't shy away from running it over Emma's breast before reaching her abdomen. She wonders if she has done this before. How long was she unconscious? Was Regina bathing her then?

It occurs to her that when Regina was Queen, she likely had people to bathe her. That must be why this is coming no naturally to her. Emma thinks again that maybe she should be embarrassed, but she's not. Perhaps she's too out of it for embarrassment.

When she's done, Regina helps Emma stand, and wraps her in a towel. It's soft and it feels good and warm and safe. Regina dresses her and leads her back to the bed, guiding her under the warm blankets.

"Stay with me?"

"Of course, dear." Regina climbs in next to her. "It's nighttime."

Emma has no concept of time.

She feels the panic setting in again.

Regina pulls her close. "Do you trust me, Emma?"

Emma nods, her head on Regina's chest again.

"Good girl. Don't be scared. Everything will be fine."

Thu-thump. Thu-thump.

Everything will be fine.

She sleeps again.

TBC