Confessions

Emma sat at Granny's diner, waiting for Regina to arrive.

The Sheriff had ensured she was on time, even going as far as to set two alarms on her phone.

She had to get this right.

Checking the clock above the service counter, Emma began to wring her hands. 11:57.

Ruby slowly approached the table and offered her friend a small smile. "Can I get you anything Ems?"

"Ah. No. I'm good, thanks Ruby." Emma turned her gaze to the diner entrance and waited.

The waitress hesitated before walking away, realizing she wasn't going to be chatting to the bubbly blond Sheriff today.

Emma continued worrying her hands beneath the table, checking the clock above Ruby's head once again. 11:59.

Regina would be here any moment now, walking through that door and bringing an inebriating scent of apple and cinnamon. Even being in the same room as Regina set Emma's magic ablaze, crashing against the restrains of her body and setting every cell burning.

Emma didn't need to look at the clock to know when it turned 12:00. The bell above the door and the silence that fell across the diner told her that the mayor had arrived. Dead on time.

Regina held Emma's gaze, unblinking, as she crossed the room and sat in the chair opposite her.

"Hi."

"What do you want Miss Swan."

"I- Well I-" Emma cleared her throat. "I just wanted to- erm."

"I'd like to hear it today, Miss Swan, whatever it is that you so desperately need to tell me. Make it quick."

"Right." Emma bowed her head and released the breath she didn't realize she was holding. "It was me."

Regina stared unmoving. "What?"

Emma hadn't considered the fact that Regina would have absolutely no idea what she was talking about and began to feel anxious all over again. "Well I guessed you wouldn't know who it was as there was no evidence that it could have been me and no one saw me, so you wouldn't have been told and well; Henry wouldn't say anything because I asked him not to so-"

"Miss Swan." Regina placed a hand on the table between them loud enough to attract the attention of the few customers in the diner. "I'm quite sure I have absolutely no idea to what you are referring. If you have quite finished wasting my time, I'll be leaving."

Regina rose from her seat with her head held high like the queen she once was. She wouldn't let Emma see how far from regal she felt.

There was only one thing Emma could possibly be admitting to and Regina would be lying if she said she hadn't hoped that maybe, just maybe, it had been Emma all along. Realistically though, this must have been some kind of sick, cruel joke. A joke that the Sherriff and the Charming's had concocted; their own way of getting back at her. Make her believe she was really part of their little family and then mock her when she was most vulnerable.

Regina's thoughts traveled back to last Friday night. Friday 14th February. The date had meant little to her ever since casting the dark curse. This year was no different as she left her office, far later than she had intended.

"What on earth?" Her stiletto knocked something small across the floor.

Crouching down to inspect it further, Regina raised an eyebrow. The parcel was wrapped in obnoxiously garish wrapping paper, soppy love hearts and teddy bears.

Checking that she was completely alone, Regina picked up the light and perfectly square package. It had obviously been wrapped with care and precision.

Regina considered waiting until she was at home before she opened the gift, but her curiosity got the better of her.

Ensuring her office door was locked behind her she leaned against the closed door and carefully slid her finger under the lose flap.

With the brash paper discarded on the floor, Regina stood with a dark blue velvet box cradled in her hands.

Slowly, as if the gift would vanish if she were not careful enough, Regina opened the box to reveal the most exquisite necklace she had ever seen. Hanging from a Tibetan silver chain were three lily shaped jewels, each a deeper shade of purple than the one hanging above it.

She had never before received such a beautiful and thoughtful gift and couldn't help the single tear that fell onto her flushed cheek. There was no note attached to the gift, and Regina instantly thought of Blonde hair and Green eyes. They hadn't discussed their relationship, but Regina knew it was becoming more than just a friendship. Late nights drinking at each other's houses, flirty text messages and emails throughout the day. There was no mistaking that they were more than 'just friends' but each was waiting for the other to make the first move.

Her attention was drawn back to the diner as she pulled the door open with such force; she genuinely believed it would fall from its hinges.

The deafening silence around her broken only by the sharp staccato of her steps on the concrete beneath her Jimmy Choo's.

Sha hadn't exactly meant to storm out of the building, but she hadn't expected the first move to happen so suddenly. Even if it had been two years since Hades had returned to the underworld and the Evil Queen had been permanently obliterated.

Inside the diner, Emma sat staring at the door. She hadn't moved, hadn't breathed, since Regina left.

Had that been a minute ago? An hour? She couldn't tell. She just knew that she had to follow her. Now.

"Regina?"

"Leave me alone Miss Swan."

"Regina, I'm not…" Her sentence faded as she watched Regina clench and unclench her fist, the distinctive crackle of magic in the air.

"What exactly do you think was going to happen, Emma? I open your gift and come crawling into your arms."

Usually the sound of her own name coming from Regina's lips was enough to drive Emma crazy. Today it sent a cold shiver down her spine. She'd fucked up and she knew it.

"I wanted to tell you-"

"Oh Jesus, a confession? I don't have time for this Miss Swan. I'm not sure what you think is going to happen here, but I can assure you now, I will not be declaring my feelings for the whole of Storybrooke to hear. Just please get back to whatever it is you do when you pretend to be working. I have real work to do." Regina turned and started back towards her office.

She wasn't even sure why she was snapping at Emma. Wasn't this what she wanted all along? Isn't this what the long evenings in front of the fire, sharing stories and memories, had been leading up to?

Emma caught Regina's wrist before she could leave, pulling the smaller woman towards her. "I made the first move Regina. Look at me." Emma placed her finder gently under Regina's chin.

"Emma. What are-"

Emma leaned forward, the warmth of their breaths mixing in the air between them. She had waited far too long for this. She could wait a few more minutes. She wouldn't push the woman in front of her. It had to be Regina's choice and so she waited.

And it was worth every agonizing moment as Regina moved forward, finally closing the gap between them. The kiss was slight and full of promise at first, saying everything that Regina was too afraid to say aloud.

Emma deepened the kiss, her hands sliding into Regina's silky hair, her tongue seeking entrance between Regina's lips.

If finding the courage to finally confess her feelings for Regina had lead her this far, Emma knew damn well that this would not be the last confession she gave.

Hope this wasn't too horrendous as first attempts go. Please, if you have any feedback, let me know! Come find me on tumblr if you'd like; Reginamme