It's really not a surprise that she's here – Regina Mills doesn't take kindly to being told to stay away from what she wants. Or, in this case, who she wants.
Emma is paler than she remembers. Skinnier, too. But the firm muscles are still evident under her tight blouse. Her hair, once so golden and full of volume, now hangs off her head in a shaggy yellow mess. Her eyes are ten shades darker than Regina last looked in them.
Yet somehow, she's still the most beautiful woman Regina has ever seen.
"Madame Mayor." Emma mocks, standing up to greet her guest.
"Miss Swan." Regina speaks confidently. She doesn't want Emma to see just how nervous she is.
Emma looks her over. "What do you want?"
She shrugs. "To see you."
Emma laughs then. It's nothing like Regina remembers. It's no longer sweet and doesn't make her head tilt slightly while her eyes brighten. No, it's croaky and forced and forces Regina's stomach into a knot.
"Why the hell would you do that?"
Regina's uneasiness grows with this question. She doesn't want to answer. She doesn't know the answer. "Because I…wanted to see how you were."
Emma steps towards her, and she subconsciously steps back. "You've forgotten about my superpower, Madame Mayor." Emma hisses, balling her fists. "Don't lie to me."
"Emma-" Regina starts, but gets cut off by Emma pushing her. She crashes into the stone wall of the underground dump Emma calls home. The blonde is holding her at the neck before she can regain her balance. For a moment, Regina thinks about being scared. That's the logical thing to do. But instead, she smiles. This fearsome woman whose eyes looked as if they might burn anyone who looked at them into ashes, was once a fine and delicate baby, barely surviving the curse.
Emma seems taken aback by the smile. She loosens her grip on Regina slightly. "What are you smirking about?"
"Emma, you've forgotten how to love well, I see." Regina's tone is soft and playful. "I came here because I missed you. Because after everything that's happened, I still love you, and I couldn't bear being away from you anymore."
Emma steps back. She's done it, then. Emma Swan is at a loss for words because of Regina Mills.
"If this is meant to make me want to go back to that town…" Emma steps towards her threateningly.
Regina shrugs. That was never part of her plan. Part of her late-night fantasy where she imagined saving Emma with true love's kiss and leading her back to town despite what anyone else might think, perhaps. But not a part of the plan that she constructed as she walked here from the diner while townsfolk tried to talk her out of visiting the witch in the mines.
"You're very stubborn." Emma says grimly. "Love is weakness, Madame Mayor, you should know better." She sighs. "Leave before I kill you."
With that she turns away. This is not the woman Regina fell in love with, but she still loves her anyway. And the thought of leaving without telling her that hurts her heart.
"Emma," She puts a hand on her shoulder. "I love you." She can feel Emma tense up, not used to hearing those words. Not even from her. She doesn't respond. Not until Regina makes to remove her hand.
Emma turns abruptly and pulls the other woman close, a sly smile on her lips. "Leave." She repeats.
"Why?" Regina holds her head high. She doesn't like to be bossed around, not even by her only love.
"Because," Emma shoves her away, making it clear she should leave now. "I love you too, Regina."