A/N: Here's the first chapter of a fanfic I wrote way back in season 2 and forgot about. I'll post chapter one and let me know how you like the story. Since it's old (season wise) I'm not sure how people will like it. Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think!
Ever since Mary Margaret and I got back from the enchanted forest Regina had been acting strangely. We were beat so the welcome home party was put off until the next night. I wasn't sure why but I couldn't sleep. I was beyond exhausted but my mind wouldn't shutdown. Seeing that Mary Margaret was dead to the world, it was easy to sneak out. I decided to go down to the harbor and walk along the shore. The night was clear and I could see each star and the full moon. It was peaceful and I was surprised when I saw a figure sitting on a bench. As I got closer, I realized it was Regina.
"Regina?" She looked my way but said nothing. "What are you doing out here? It's late."
"I came out here to think. I didn't realize I had a curfew." Her snarky tone annoyed me. Though, I can't say that I didn't miss it sometimes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm just…"
"You want to see Henry." Regina watched from the corner of her eye as I sat beside her. "I'll see what I can do. You saved us and believed in Henry at the well. How are you by the way? Taking in that much magic, it must have taken a toll on you."
"It did. My body hurts from the vast amount of energy. And yes, I'd like to see Henry more. I miss him but your parents won't let me near him."
"I'm sorry Regina. Henry told me that you're trying to change and be a better person. That you're trying to redeem yourself for all the stuff you've done in your past. When it comes to my parents, remember that they know you as Regina, the Evil Queen…"
"And you?" Regina watched as I leaned back on the bench; draping one arm behind me.
"I know you as Regina, the Mayor of Storybrooke. The woman who had me thrown in jail and got me kicked out of Granny's. The woman who's tree I picked apples from."
Regina scoffed at my comment. "Picked, right. Is that what they call it when you use a chainsaw and cut a branch off a tree?"
I gave her a sheepish smile. "I also see you as the woman who raised my son as her own for the first ten years of his life. You protected him and loved him. If you're trying to be a better person, then maybe seeing Henry would help keep you on that path." We sat in silence watching the waves crash against the shore. It was a comfortable and peaceful silence. "Tomorrow there's going to be a welcome home party, I want you to come." Regina looked at me and I could tell she was surprised. "Here's a chance to prove you're trying to change. Come to the party and please bring some home-cooked food." Regina chuckled. "No apple turnovers. For the love of God, no apple turnovers."
Regina laughed softly. It was good to see her smile again. That was one thing I missed while I was gone. When I wasn't running for my life, I thought a lot about Regina and how I felt about her. I've come to the conclusion that I have feelings for the woman but I don't know how to tell her. And I'm sure she doesn't feel the same way about me. "So you missed home cooked meals?" Regina leaned back and looked over the water again.
"You have no idea. I hate cooking anything other than hotdogs or hamburgers over a fire. I'm sure since you were Queen that you ate good food. Not the crap I had to choke down."
Regina smirked at the disgusted look on my face. "We did eat well. Roasted swan was one of my favorites." A mischievous smirk played at Regina's lips. "In that case, I'll make lasagna and a red velvet cake." My eyes grew and a big dorky grin came across my face. Regina raised an eyebrow and looked my way. "What?"
"I love red velvet cake." The thought of Regina's cooking was making me hungry.
Regina smirked and shook her head. "Henry is definitely your son." She considers me his mother also? The idea warmed my heart.
"He's your son too Regina. You raised him and he's a good kid. I'm forever in your debt." She glanced down and the corner of her mouth curved upwards a second. I chuckled and looked back at the water.
"What are you laughing at?" Regina looked at me with a crease in her brow.
"Us and our story. It could be one hell of a lifetime movie." Regina raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "I give birth to a son in prison and you adopt him. Ten years later, he comes to find me and brings me back. We meet, we fight, we get along and then whatever happens next." Regina's silence made me nervous.
"What would happen next in this movie of ours?" Regina shifted to face me.
I turned to give her my full attention. "We raise Henry together? I would like that Regina. If he is what makes you a better person, then I'd love for you to see him. I always knew you are good person. You just…can't show it very well because of your past." Regina sat there quietly and looked away. My stomach dropped when I felt sadness wash over her. "Regina, I'm…"
"Thank you Emma. That means a lot to me." Regina was being sincere. I'm not sure if it was me being slightly delusional from lack of sleep over the past few weeks or the hypnotic late hour, but I cupped Regina's cheek and leaned towards her. My lips were a whisper away from hers when my phone rang. Startled, I jumped back too far and fell off the bench.
"Ow…" When I fell, my back hit a rock. "Can you help? I can't move." Regina stood and offered me a hand. I was surprised when she pulled me to my feet with ease. "Thanks."
"Your phone." Regina pointed towards my pocket and I fumbled for it. Why the hell is Mary Margaret calling me at…one in the morning?
"H-hey…" I cleared my throat and tried to calm down. I almost kissed Regina. What the hell had gotten into me?
"Emma where are you?!" Regina chuckled silently at Mary Margaret's frantic voice. I held the phone away from my ear and turned down the volume.
"I'm by the pear. I couldn't sleep." As I spoke, I couldn't help but watch as Regina looked over the water. The light from the full moon danced across her face. Her hands were shoved in her pockets and she looked like she was starting to shiver.
"Why are you there?" Thankfully Mary Margaret started to calm down.
Regina raised an eyebrow and gave me a devilish smirk. "You're trying to make nice and kiss their enemy." Regina's voice was low and playful. I was glad Mary Margaret couldn't hear. My face started to burn from embarrassment. Regina's voice was a low and sexy purr. I had to turn away. As I walked, I could feel Regina's eyes watching me.
"I couldn't sleep so I went for a walk." When I turned back to Regina, she was shivering. I took off my scarf and gave it to her. She smiled softly and took it. "I'll be home in awhile."
"Emma….something is eating at you. What is it?" I could tell Mary Margaret was worried.
I figure I may as well get this over with now. "I'm letting Henry stay with Regina some…"
"YOU'RE WHAT?!" Regina whipped around and looked at me. The phone was arm's length from my ear. I sighed as Regina quirked an eyebrow.
"I'm letting Henry stay with Regina. And before you argue, she's not going to hurt him. She loves him and he makes her a better person." Regina smiled softly. Mary Margaret was quiet. "I'll be home soon." We said our goodbyes and I shoved the phone back in my pocket.
"She fell into the mothering role rather quickly." Regina watched me skeptically.
I shrugged. "She and David are trying to be parents it's just…hard since I grew up being sent from foster home to foster home. I mean, Storybrooke is the first place I feel like I'm home. You know my record; I've never stayed in a place longer than a few years."
"I do know your record. I see that you're not leaving Storybrooke so we need to be civil for Henry's sake. I promise I won't try to kill you again. Henry would never forgive me. Now your parents on the other hand…" Regina was starting to joke and I playfully glared at her. "Henry doesn't want me to use magic and other than at the well I've not. It's been hard since I've used it for so many years."
"If I can help in anyway let me know." We fell into a silence again. "I guess I better get home before they send the cavalry after me."
Regina chuckled. "Yes, the last thing you want them to know is you're here with me. Let me give you a ride home." We were quiet the whole ride home. When I got out of the car, I turned and leaned in.
"Thank you for the ride. And I don't care what they think. I'll see you at the party tonight? It's at six." Regina smiled with a nod. I smiled sheepishly before closing the door. Regina didn't drive off until I was in the building. When I walked through the door, Mary Margaret and David met me in the living room. "Really guys?"
"Were you with someone?" Dare I tell them the truth?
"No. Why?" It was a good thing I could lie myself out of any situation; unless it was to Regina. I couldn't lie to that woman.
"It's just, you snuck out…" Mary Margaret's voice trailed off.
"I didn't sneak out. I couldn't sleep. Though now I'm exhausted so I'm going to bed." After I said goodnight I walked towards my room and collapsed on my bed. The last thing I thought about was the fact that I almost kissed Regina. She didn't kill me afterwards so that must be a good thing. Maybe she felt the same way?