Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters, I am just a fan with too much time on here hands.
Emma has been sitting at her desk for the past three hours. The long period of inactivity has begun to unnerve her, but there was really only so much that she could do. Playing paper basketball with the waste basket was fun until she realized that she was going to be the one cleaning up the mess. No good board games existed for only one player and playing tic tac toe alone was just depressing.
This was her punishment. Well, not really. Her actual punishment was the fact that she'd stooped to Regina's level and lost, so now she couldn't see the kid. And because she was sheriff of an extremely small town, the only action taking place outside of these four walls was the search for a lost cat. So she is forced to wallow alone in her regret.
She hits the desk in frustration as she checks the clock, 3:45. She knows that it is too early to start drinking, especially since she is on the job. But hell, its 5:00 somewhere and anything beats filling out the massive amount of paperwork that the mayor had her secretary drop off.
Her better senses lose the battle that she is fighting within herself and the need to not feel guilty prevails. Luckily for her, Graham kept a large bottle of Belvedere in the back cabinet for nights when it got really slow.
Emma slides to the cabinet, while still in her desk chair, to retrieve the vodka. Once it is in her possession, she rolls back into her office and begins guzzling the alcohol.
The burn increases as more of the clear liquid slides its way down her throat. This was not responsible, this definitely was not mature, but it least this was fun. And tonight she just really needed some fun.
By the time five o'clock rolled around she'd finished the contents of the bottle as well as depleting the small liquor supply she had in her own desk. Somewhere around the last drip of Belvedere and the first sip of rum, she had decided that the only sensible way to get the mayor to reinstate her access to the boy was by getting the kid the one thing that he didn't have, but would probably really want, a horse.
How could she get him a horse though? She didn't even know if they had animals in Storybrooke, this is a town where things came to die not to thrive. Since she couldn't locate an actual horse, she decided that she would draw him one. However, that quickly went south when she discovered or rediscovered rather, that she couldn't draw worth a lick.
Then it hit her, Mary Margret, who has lived in town since forever, was bound to know if it had any horses. So she dialed her roommate.
Hello?
Horses
Okay, horses who?
No, where are the horses? I need a horse!
Sorry, I thought this was a knock knock joke. Emma are you okay? You sound a bit…off.
I need a horses. Where are horses?
Why do you need a horse? Are you drunk?
Horses!
Fine, fine. There is a stable in town, you can find your horses there.
Thanks.
She throws on her jacket and grabs her keys, before departing from the sheriff's station. By the way her head is swimming, and the unsteadiness she feels in her stance, she knows that driving to the stables is out of the question. Even she is not that irresponsible. Still it is extremely cold tonight and her jacket offers little comfort against the harsh wind.
"Suck it up Swan," she encourages herself aloud. And it seems to do the trick, because immediately she stuffs her hands into her coat pockets and begins trotting down the road.
She is just passing Granny's when her conversation with herself starts up again.
"You know who does she think she is? I can keep the kid safe. I wouldn't hover like she does, but I could still protect him. And she is always going on about how reckless I am, but you know what? If I was so damn reckless how come I'm the sheriff and how come…" Emma's solo conversation is cut short by an interrupting voice.
"Ms. Swan, what on earth are you doing?"
She hears the voice. She knows she hears Regina's voice, but where is she? Emma looks all around, but still can't seem to find the direction of the voice.
"Down here Ms. Swan,"
She looks to the left to see the mayor's Mercedes pulled up next to the sidewalk with the passenger's window wound down.
"I was going for a walk. What are you going to try to stop me from doing that too?" she says slurring her words.
Regina stares at her for a moment before reaching a conclusion, "Are you inebriated?"
"How perceptive, Madam Mayor."
"Very well. Carry on," Regina says as she prepares to drive away
"No, mom. We can't leave her out her. She'll get sick and die," Henry says with concern in his voice.
"Henry, I am sure that the sheriff is sound enough to make it home in one piece," she dismisses
"Please, mom!" the child implores
"Fine. Get in the car Ms. Swan," Regina says in a no-nonsense kind of tone
"So you can kill me and dump my body in the forest. Nice try, I've seen that movie before so no thanks," Emma tells her
"You would rather stay out in the cold and risk catching pneumonia?"
"Emma, please get in the car," a small voice from the backseat says pleadingly
"Henry?"
"Ms. Swan," the voice in the front seat demands sternly
"Fine, I'll get in the damn car."
Emma slides in next to the mayor,
"Talk about awkward," the blonde says as she puts on her seat belt
"My how nice, you smell like a distillery," Regina says with a look of disgust on her face
"Well maybe it's your upper lip. Did you ever think of that?"
"It's lovely to see that you are still able to maintain your charm even in instances such as this."
"I…I'm not going to respond to that. Mostly because I'm not sure if that was a compliment or an insult."
"Let me clear that up for you then. It was an insult."
"Emma where were you going?" Henry asks from the backseat
"To the stables" she replies
"For heaven sakes why?" Regina asks incredulously
"I was going to get Henry… a horse," Emma answers staring down at her boots
"And how did you suppose you would accomplish that?"
"I was going to borrow it and ….and…"
"You were elected as the upholder of the law for this town, yet you were going to break it in order to illegally procure a horse?"
"I wasn't going to break it, last time I checked Mayor, borrowing wasn't against the law."
There is silence for a while, before Regina finally breaks it by say, "We're here."
"This doesn't look like my…no this is definitely not my house," Emma says
"I said that I wasn't going to let your reckless behavior result in an illness, so how could I keep my promise if I deposited you at Ms. Blanchard's? God only knows what sort of toxins are infesting that box that she calls a home. I honestly wonder what creature would be depraved enough to reside there"
"Me, I am living in the box that she calls home," the blonde angrily reminds
"Well, how lucky for you that we have a spare guest room. I trust that you can make it into the house without any assistance?" Regina says exiting the vehicle.
Emma sits in the car wondering how exactly she ended up stuck with the one person in town that she didn't want to be stuck with.
"It's okay Emma, I'll help you into the house," Henry tells her after he slides out of the backseat.
"Thanks kid."
Even though she has to spend the night at the mayoral mansion at least Henry was here.
She wraps her arm around his shoulders, and they walk into the house. Emma can already smell something delicious coming from the kitchen. Henry leaves her side to go upstairs and rid himself of his jacket and book bag before returning and leading her to the kitchen.
"What's for dinner mom?" Henry asks as he collects the placemats to begin setting the table.
"I'd thought we would have black bean soup. It's quick, simple, and easy," Regina says as she stands over the stove.
Emma stands swaying in the door way, watching the family interact. They had a routine. They knew how to exist together. They knew each other.
Regina pauses chopping the celery and looks up to see Emma staring intensely at her.
"Henry, why don't you go take Ms. Swan to wash up. Dinner will be ready soon," she says before resuming her chopping.
"Come on Emma," he tells her just as he finishes setting the table.
"I don't need to wash up," the blonde declares
"You do if you plan on joining us at the dinner table."
"But I don't…ugh whatever you'll just get your way eventually. Lead the way kid," she says in defeat
"I am so pleased that you reached that realization on your own," the brunette replies somewhat smugly
Henry and Emma disappear upstairs and by the time that they have returned, dinner has been served. Regina takes her seat at the head of the table and Henry takes the seat on the right of his adopted mother, Emma occupies the empty chair on the left of her.
"Well, this is quaint," Regina sarcastically comments
"This is bullshit," Emma says under her breath as she cools her soup
"I'm sorry Ms. Swan, I don't understand mumbling. So if you have something that you would like to say, please speak up."
The blonde doesn't reply instead she stares at the brunette coolly.
"Emma how was your day at the station?" Henry asks hoping to serve as a buffer between his two mothers.
"It was a little dull to be honest. The most exciting thing that happened was when Pongo scared Mrs. Higgins cat into a tree."
"Since it was so dull, you should have had no trouble completing the paperwork I assigned you. I will be expecting it first thing in the morning."
"No...Yea I totally completed. It was so easy. You know nothing excites me more than paperwork. Yay paperwork!"
"Are you mocking me Ms. Swan?"
"No…I"
"Henry go to you room please."
"But mom," he protests
"Now, Henry!"
"But, Emma just got here."
"Kid, do what you mom says."
Henry shrugs out of his chair and throws his napkin onto the table. When he leaves their conversation is resumed.
"I did not require your assistance to send my son to his room."
"It looked like you did."
"Contrary to popular belief Ms. Swan I am a good parent and I do know what is best for Henry."
"I…"
"Furthermore, I do not appreciate being ridiculed in my own home."
"Sorry…?"
"Especially when I showed you kindness and offered you, in your intoxicated state, a home cooked meal and a warm bed."
Regina doesn't give Emma a chance to reply, instead she removes her napkin from her lap and swiftly exits the room. She can hear a door slam somewhere down the hall and can only assume that the brunette has retreated to her study.
Fuck. Emma thought. She knew that she had probably come off as ungrateful the one time Regina did go out of her way to make her feel welcomed. Maybe their difficult relationship wasn't only the mayor's fault.
Emma leaves the dining room and makes her way down the corridor. Something about getting into a fight with your arch enemy/boss quickly sobers you up. When she makes it to the door she knocks several times, before Regina finally beckons her to enter.
The brunette is perched on a black sofa nursing what appears to be a glass of apple cider. Emma stares mesmerized into the blazing fire that is lighting the mayor's dark features.
"Regina look I'm…" she begins unsure of where she is headed
"No need for apologies Ms. Swan" she says in a soft tone
"Yes, there is, I know that tonight you've been nothing, but kind to me and I have behaved like a child."
"So pretty much the same as always then?"
"I deserved that. Listen I think…can't we just find some way to co-exist with one another?" Emma says making her way over to join the other woman on the sofa.
"What did you have in mind?"
"I don't know, but anything has to be better than constantly being at war with one another."
"You need to offer a little more than shrugged shoulders and I don't know if you want me to consider you proposal."
"So that means that you're considering it?"
"Perhaps, but first I need a few guarantees."
"Okay…"
"If you cannot behave like a responsible adult and town official, do not intake any alcoholic beverage. Especially if you are doing so while you are still on the taxpayer's dime."
"Done."
Regina stares at her, before standing up to pour herself another glass of cider.
"Also, if my son is going to be with you, could you at least make sure he consumes something other than junk food."
"Wait there is something to eat other than junk food?"
"Ms. Swan."
"Fine. Leaves, plants, veggies. I got you. Is that all that you require for the time being your majesty?"
"I suppose so, but I reserve the right to amend any of the previously stated assurances at any time and I can also make additions."
"Fine. Now it's my turn."
"Excuse me?"
"For a truce to work it has to be mutually beneficial to both parties. You haven't heard my required benefits yet."
"You misunderstand. This is not a negotiation."
"No, it's an agreement. So just listen. I want to be invited over for dinner at least once every week."
"That's absurd. I will not have your company forced on me."
"It's not about you or me. It's about the kid seeing that we can get along well enough to eat a meal together."
"And there is the added benefit that you get a free meal out of this."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Emma says with a smirk
"I'm sure you don't. Fine, what's next."
"You have to call me Emma."
"Ms. Swan…"
"Emma."
"Calling you by your first name suggestions a level of familiarity that I am not comfortable with."
"I'm spending the night at your house. We share a kid. I think we're already way past familiar."
"Nevertheless, I am still not comfortable with it at this time."
"Will you at least try?"
"Try to what, dear?"
"Try to become comfortable with it."
"Alright."
"Thank you."
"Is that all or would you like to throw free room and board in there as well?"
"If you're offering…"
"Very funny Ms. Swan. I suppose I should show you to your room," Regina says heading towards the door.
"Wait," Emma practically leaps from the couch to stop her by placing a hand on the older woman's arm and turning her around.
"What do you think you're doing Ms. Swan?"
"I'm…I…" she stutters as she rapidly blinks trying to process the nearness of the brunette.
She had initially only wanted a hand shake to seal their agreement, but being this close had quickly altered her intentions. Emma is overwhelmed by the sudden urge to lean in, she just needs it. She needs to know the taste, the feel of the other woman.
"Stop," Regina says reading Emma's body language. Although, her call to halt doesn't sound convincing in the least bit.
Emma doesn't buy it either, instead she pulls the brunette's face closer with the tips of her fingers. She inhales the expensive perfume coming off of her in waves. She takes comfort in the warmth and energy generating between the two bodies. She goes in slowly, anticipating the pleasure her lips are about to receive. It isn't until she is about an inch away from achieving her goal that it hits her.
An agonizing nausea, most likely stemming from drinking on an empty stomach. Instead of travelling the distance to the other woman's mouth, she leans her head down and begins to violently retch.
"Ms. Swan!"
A/N: This is my very first swan queen fanfiction and my second fanfiction ever. I'm really liking Emma and Regina as a potential couple and how they fit together so I just had to write something. Please let me know what you all think. If it sucks lol I need to know! Also, I am freakin horrible at grammar and punctuation so please excuse that.