Break a Leg

                                                                                                V.

                The steady mechanical whirring coming from the coffee machine was the only sound in the waiting area. Henry was asleep with his head in Snow’s lap where she was stroking his hair. Every so often he would wake, glance at the clock and reach for Emma’s hand and the reassuring squeeze, then back to sleep.

                Emma started to get really concerned at an hour past when she had been expelled from the operating room. What is taking so long?  She had just gotten to her feet to go investigate when the sliding door opened.

                Henry was the first to speak, “Is she ok? Is my Mom ok?”

                Dr. Whale nodded at Henry “She’s fine.” His eyes found Emma’s. “Mrs. Swan she woke up fine but she has been refusing anything for pain. It would be in her best interest to take something. The amount of damage is really substantial.”

                “Can we see her?” Henry’s voice cracked, “I want to see her!”

                “Yes of course, but I want to speak with Mrs. Swan first.” Dr. Whale reached for Emma’s arm and pulled her to her feet. “We will be right back.”

                Emma followed Dr. Whale down the hallway and into room 108. The irony, Emma thought, or maybe this is the assigned room for the mayor?  Emma heard a low groan as she moved closer to the bed. “Regina?” She moved to look down at her. “Hey, you ok?”

                At first glance Emma thought Regina was still sedated. She was moaning and her eyes, although opened, were not making good eye contact.

                “I don’t want anything!” Regina snarled. “Just leave me alone!” Her voice was agony. “God it hurts…” a choked sob.

                Emma was fierce, “I don’t care what she says – you give her something right now Doc. There is no reason for her to be in this state.”

                “We can’t.” The doctor was pleading. “She is fully aware and we cannot force her to take something against her will. The nurses don’t dare to try and I won’t either. Talk to her and as soon as you can convince her that we aren’t trying to kill her….”

                “Why does she think that?” Emma sputtered. “Who gave her that idea?”

                The doctor stammered “Not me!” She heard something as she was coming to about that she was supposed to be dead and now she won’t take anything.” He was apologetic, “Look I didn’t know anything about this plot and I certainly wouldn’t have been a part of it but her vitals are getting worse – her blood pressure is off the charts and if we can’t get her calm …” He trailed off.

 

                “Regina.” Emma tried to sound firm. “Regina, you have to take something for the pain.”            

                Regina closed her eyes and frantically shook her head but didn’t speak and Emma realized she wasn’t speaking to try to avoid making any noises betraying her pain.

                Emma’s hands seemed to reach out on their own, positioning themselves over Regina’s ankle. Why am I doing this? Who am I doing it for? She thought she felt some warmth on her palms and almost immediately Regina’s eyes snapped open.

                 “What are you doing Mrs. Swan?”  The voice was 100% and completely Mayor Mills.

                 Emma’s hands snapped back to her sides and her face flushed. “I, um, nothing.” 

                 “Well if you are done doing nothing I’d like to see my son.” Regina’s eyes scanned Emma’s reddened face, almost as if she was seeing it for the first time. “Maybe you could make yourself useful and go get him?”

                 “Sure, that is,” Emma struggled with her mission versus the mayor’s request. “but I think you should take something for pain first. I don’t think you want him seeing you hurting.”

                The mayor’s laugh surprised her. “Mrs. Swan I’m feeling absolutely fine. No pain at all.”