Silent Hearts

A/N: Ahoy all! So I've wanted to write a boss/employee fanfiction for a while, and this idea popped into my head about an hour ago and now here we are! I hope you all like it :D

On with the show then!

Chapter 1- Baby Steps

Deep breath in, deep breath out. This was the mantra Emma had been saying to herself for the past hour as she prepared herself for the day. After a long break from any kind of work, Emma had finally chosen to return to the real world and find employment once more. She had been lucky to score a job quickly and a big one at that.

While reading the paper one afternoon, an ad had just popped out at her, and Emma couldn't help but follow its lead. Insiders Magazine was a huge company, spanning all across the world making millions per issue. Emma had truly been shocked when she got the job of being the new head of security at the company's main headquarters right in the heart of New York City.

Of course Emma had spent several night lying awake trying to decide if this was the right decision and if she was truly ready to go back to work again. The same thoughts danced around her head as Emma lay upon her weight lifting bench, drenched in sweat.

She dropped the weight back in place with a loud clunk and sat up, stretching her limbs and flexing her muscles as she did. A large Labrador sat at the end of the bench watching her, his head lightly resting on the end while huge brown eyes watched her curiously.

"Don't give me that look." Emma whined at him, scooting forward to cup his face and nuzzle her nose against his head. He huffed into her chest and Emma sighed, hugging him close to her. "If I don't work I won't be able to buy the expensive dog food you like." She teased and grinned when he lightly butted his head against her chest and trotted off, Emma grinned after him.

Swinging her legs over the bench, Emma stiffly rose to her feet and headed out of the small room and into the bathroom. She groaned loudly at the warm liquid as it cascaded down upon her sore muscles. Emma rested her head against the tiles of the shower, contemplating her next move. She was due to be at work at nine, and last she checked it was only seven thirty.

Clambering out of the shower, Emma dressed in a smart pair of trousers and a form fitting white shirt that hugged at her curves. She looked herself over in the mirror, running her fingers through still slightly damp blonde hair. At twenty four years old, Emma had seen a lot and often wondered if it was visible in her appearance. Growing up had been rough, and her body still bore marks from difficult situations, one of which lurked just to the side of her right eye.

Emerald orbs zoned in on the pale scar, scrutinizing it. Her eyes drifted down the rest of her body, ensuring she looked professional but also threatening enough so people wouldn't mess about with her. She had a slim body with toned muscles all along. Her breasts were large enough to be noticeable but not too big to be in the way, an asset Emma had often been thankful for.

Grabbing her black leather jacket off the back of the door, Emma exited the bedroom and back into the living room where she spotted four paws dangling in the air. She smirked at the ridiculous creature and wandered over to him, a light smile on her face when she made eye contact with him.

"You are truly one of a kind Isaac." She muttered, squeezing one of the suspended paws. Emma trotted into the kitchen, grabbing a drink and shoving a piece of toast into the toaster as she looked over her instructions for the day. She was to arrive at the building and head over to the office of one of the co-owners of the company. Emma didn't know much about the company other than it was run by two sisters who had taken over after their mother retired.

Emma looked up at the clock and knew she couldn't stall much longer. Grabbing her keys and purse, along with the toast, she bid Isaac goodbye and swiftly left the apartment and headed down to the small car park located beneath the building.

She drove quickly, or as quickly as her pride and joy could go, across town. Emma had gotten a hold of the bug many years ago and never let herself part with it no matter what. Emma arrived at a huge building that seemed to go on for ever above her. She stared up at the huge banners hanging on the front of the building. From her angle Emma was unable to make out what it said, but she was sure there were two women on the front of it. The blonde assumed they were the owners of the magazine.

Heading inside, Emma was greeted by a very bored looking woman sat behind a large reception desk. She directed Emma to the floor her department was based in and the young woman quickly made her way towards the elevator. Her eyes looked over all the different people she passed on her way. Many were dressed smartly and talking on phones, while others were barking orders at frightened interns.

Striding into the elevator, Emma took a moment to repeat the same exercises from this morning. Deep breath in, deep breath out. She was told it was supposed to help calm you, but Emma was beginning to doubt this highly.

The doors glided open to reveal a large hallway with glass offices lining along it. Emma hopped out of the elevator and gingerly walked down the hall, looking for signs of life or directions for where she was supposed to be.

"Welcome!" Said an overly cheery voice making Emma spin around and grab the owner by the chest and slam them up against the wall. The stranger quickly put their hands up in surrender flapping wildly at Emma. "Whoa, whoa calm down there love I ain't gunna hurt you."

"Sorry." Emma muttered, releasing her death grip and stepping back, trying to shake off the adrenaline.

"Bit jumpy are you?" They asked, frowning at her with an amused look.

"You could say that."

"Killian Jones, nice to meet you." He hesitantly offered a hand to her, grinning. Emma lightly shook it trying to give a warm smile.

"Emma Swan." She replied, releasing his hand while he looked at her excitedly.

"Swan? The new chief?" Emma nodded, raising her eyebrows when he grabbed her arms and led her down the hall.

"Yeah that's me." She said in confusion, unsure of where she was being led.

"Fantastic! We've been waiting for you." They entered a lounge like room with sofa in the centre. Various people lurked in the room, some drinking coffee and eating breakfast type foods while others chatted lightly with one another. "Listen up everyone! This is Emma Swan our new head of department."

"Hello." Emma gave a small wave as everyone was suddenly in front of her, shaking her hand.

"I'm Philip." Said one man energetically, a donut brandished in one hand, and Emma's own in the other. "This is my partner Mulan." He gestured to an Asian woman next to him who gave a curt nod.

"I'm August." Another man introduce, shaking her hand and smiling. "Nice to have you on the team."

"Last guy was a right wanker." Muttered Killian next to her, winking. "We've been looking forward to someone new."

"I hope I live up to your standards then." She grinned.

After being introduced to everyone, Emma let herself be led into the centre of the room where she and few overs now sat.

"Here is your ear piece." Killian said, offering her the small devise and pointing to his own. "I'm your second in command so to say so all your commands go through me."

"Second in command huh?" Emma asked, an amused look on her face as she attached the ear piece on.

"You say the word and I get it done." He pointed to a small button on the side of the ear piece. "This one will connect you directly to me, while this one connects you to everyone. You can either ask for someone through the main chat and they'll connect with you or you can talk with everyone at once and we'll all hear it."

"Sounds easy enough." The others all nodded.

"While Killian was holding the fort till we got you, he brought these in." Said Neal, another one of the guys.

"The last head of department was ancient and didn't understand technology." Mulan grumbled next to her. "Do you know how to use a computer?"

"Sure."

"Then I like you already, last guy could barely use a phone let alone anything else, it was a nightmare!" Emma chuckled lightly as the others continued to talk about the workings of the office. Sometime later, a young woman appeared at the door. She was very pretty, clad in all sorts of different shades of red. She smiled at everyone before approaching Emma.

"You're Emma right?" She asked, her voice was sweet.

"That's me."

"I'm Ruby, Miss Mills' assistant, she wishes to talk to you." Ruby said, coxing Emma to talk to you. She glanced back at the others who encouraged her to go.

"Come back here when the devils done with you." Said Killian but quickly back tracked when Mulan elbowed him. "I mean Miss Mills." Emma opened her mouth to say something but was pulled along by Ruby, her words never coming out.

They took the lift up to the highest floor, which was very glamorous. White furniture sat all around the floor, with stylish paintings and pictures on the walls. While the area looked expensive and professional, it seemed to lack any kind of warmth to it.

Ruby led Emma right to the back of the floor where a large wall of windows sat, all of which were tinted so you couldn't see in. Emma assumed this was Miss Mills' office. It looked rather threating to her.

"This is my station." Ruby said, gesturing to again a very red desk, sat just outside the foreboding office. "I am Miss Mills personal assistant, so when she needs you, you'll nearly always get the message from me."

"Sounds good… shall I?" Emma pointed to the office and Ruby nodded. She began to walk towards the office but halted and looked back at Ruby who was watching her nervously. "The devil?" she asked apprehensively.

"You'll see." Ruby replied and gave her an encouraging thumbs up. Emma huffed and approached the door, knocking lightly. She waited until a silky smooth voice called to her.

"Come in Miss Swan." The voice said. Emma shuddered and pushed open the double doors, her eyes immediately landing on a woman sat behind a large desk. Power seemed to radiate off her as she stared at Emma intensely. Closing the door, Emma shook away her nervousness, not allowing herself to feel threatened by this woman. She had dealt with powerful people before, they were all the same.

"You wished to see me?" Miss Mills nodded slowly and rose from her high backed leather chair, gesturing to a seat in front of her.

"Yes, please have a seat Miss Swan." Emma nodded at her but did not sit.

"I'd rather stand if you don't mind." The other woman raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow. It was clear people didn't often question or not follow her commands. Emma looked at her challengingly, not wishing to back down. When it came to figures of authority, Emma had often found herself at their mercy far too many times. She did not wish to be someone's pawn.

"Of course." Miss Mills replied, running her hands down her tight red dress. Emma couldn't help but glance at the other woman. She was truly breathing taking to look at. Deep chocolate eyes seemed to bore into her soul. Dark brunette hair sat in soft waves, lightly brushing her shoulders. Her body was difficult not to stare at. She had a generous sized chest area, with a slim build and delicate skin. Emma snapped her eyes back up to look at the other woman face, forcing herself to remain professional.

"What did you wish to discuss?" Emma asked, her voice deeper than before making the older woman smirk.

"I merely wished to get know you a little better and for you to know me." She said smoothly, her eyes raking over Emma like a predator eyeing its prey. "I am Regina Mills, co-owner of Insiders Magazine alongside my sister. I am thirty years old and like apples." She gestured to a basket of apples on her desk. "Your turn."

"I am Emma Swan, I'm your new head of security and I'm twenty four years old with a dog called Isaac." Emma said slowly, unsure of the point of this exercise. Regina seemed to pick up on Emma's confusion and smirked.

"It's merely a simple way for us to move on from being strangers, since we're to be working together so closely from now on."

"Closely?"

"Indeed. You're to be a part of my personal staff; you're to report to me and me alone." She said firmly. "You belong to me here and no one else." Emma stiffened at the claim of ownership but forced her face to remain neutral.

"I understand." She said coldly.

"I was given a personality report from your previous place of employment; I must say it was an interesting read."

"A personality report?" Emma asked, her eyes darting down to a crisp piece of paper upon the desk that Regina was looking over.

"Yes, just something to help me decide if you're the best pick for this company." Regina looked up at Emma, resting her head upon her laced fingers, her elbows propped against the desk. "They described you as very loyal and obedient, as well as brave and reliable."

"How sweet of them." Emma muttered.

"However they also mentioned how these qualities only seem to be put in place when you trust someone." She tilted her head at Emma, a calculating look on her face. "Are you an untrusting person Miss Swan?"

"I've had enough experience to know it's something that must earned." Regina smirked at her and looked back down at the paper.

"They also described you as defiant and rather… hot head at time." She continued to smile sweetly at Emma who frowned at her. "Miss Swan there is something you must understand, inside and out I have all the power over you. You belong to me now."

"I understand." Emma said tightly.

"Are you having problems with being put in someone else's control dear?" She asked, an amused look on her face.

"No."

"Don't lie." She lightly scolded. "I can tell you are." Regina rose from her chair and walked around to the front of the desk, raising herself up to perch on the edge, her legs crossing over one another to reveal tanned thighs. "Everyone around here falls over themselves to give me what I want, but it's clear I'm going to have to earn that privilege from you."

"Maybe."

"Oh Miss Swan I do love a challenge, and it's clear you're going to be just that for me." She smiled wickedly at Emma who opened her mouth to speak, only to snap it shut instantly when the door banged open. Both women looked to see another woman striding into the room. She had long ginger hair which was slightly wavier than Regina's. She wore a smart suit of green, with an odd broach on her blazer. She smiled toothily at both of them, but there was no warmth in the smile.

"Sister dear I didn't know you had company." She drawled, her startling eyes taking Emma in.

"You know full well I do." Regina hissed, her tone much colder than before.

"Who knows." The other woman shrugged, looking back at Emma.

"Miss Swan this is my sister and co-owner of the company, Zelena." Regina grumbled, looking at Emma intensely who was now shaking Zelena's hand.

"Pleasure." She gushed, making Emma smirk.

"Like wise." The blonde noticed Regina shift in annoyance on the desk.

"Do you have a reason for interrupting us Zelena, if not then please remove yourself." Zelena smiled teasingly at Regina.

"I just needed to drop off this week's draft of the magazine." She said lightly, handing Regina an envelope which Regina snatched away. Emma suppressed a chuckled at their childish behaviour.

"If that's all." Regina flicked her wrist at Zelena who smirked at her before turning on her heel and gliding from the office. The two women watched her go, an awkward silence falling between them. "Anyway, I think that's all for today."

"Of course." Emma began to move away from the desk but looked back when Regina spoke once more.

"Oh and Emma, I expect you to be here whenever I call." The blonde nodded and left, not looking back.

Killian was right, she's a devil.

A/N: So that's chapter one! I hope you like it. I really love strong Emma and strong Regina and the complicated relationship the two have when written like this. I find it entertaining having them always butting heads at every opportunity. Don't worry though, it's not a story unless it has Swan Queen in it so have no fear, it will be here. Please review and tell me what you think and follow for more, I have more chapters already planned so please tell if you want more. I keep starting new stories but I don't care, I love writing them! Till next time Kids.