Her lungs were burning, as though each labored breath of air she took meant inhaling a piece of burning coal. It was ninety degrees out and the blonde had talked herself into going for a run. She was regretting it now.
Just another mile. She could make it. Water and a cool shower were the only thing keep her going at the moment.
Sweat dripped down her body, seeping through her gray tank and making the fabric stick. She was uncomfortably hot, sticky, and out of breath as she went up one of Storybrooke's only hills.
Why am I even out here? She thought. Because you can't run more than five minutes without stopping. She reminded herself. But it's hot!
She was never going out in this type of heat again!
She reached the top huffing and panting, relieved to finally be able to begin her decline. The rest of her run would be easy- easier.
A bead of sweat ran down the side of her face and she took a moment to wipe the distracting drop away. That brief moment caused her to miss the rather large pot hole in the street. Suddenly it was if the ground had come up and swallowed her leg whole. With her current downward momentum the contact propelled her forward, causing her to painfully land on her right knee before skidding along on her side. She hissed in pain as she felt the pavement taking away skin.
"Shit..." she groaned. She laid on her side for a couple of seconds before needing to move. The heat of the pavement burnt like cinder, and a car was bound to come by.
A jolt of pain shot through her knee but she ignored it as she hobbled over to the grass to sit.
She wiped more sweat from her brow only to discover her palms were scraped and bloodied. The stinging sensation on top of her throbbing knee had her biting back tears.
"Fuck me..." she moaned. She dropped onto her back and stared up at the sky, draping her arm across her eyes to shield herself from the sun. She just needed to catch her breath and wait for the adrenaline to pass.
Then she'd move.
She heard a car stopped along the curb but didn't feel the energy to look at to who it was. Right now she just wanted to breathe and block out the pain, the heat, and her misery.
"Emma?!" She sat up quickly upon recognizing the voice.
Regina was hurrying out of her Mercedes and was quickly at her side.
"What happened?"
"Tripped." She mumbled, slightly embarrassed. Regina scrunched her brow and the pieces finally fell into place.
"Dammit. I told Leroy to fill that pot hole in last week!"
"Regina It's okay-"
"No it's not. You could have hit your head. You didn't hit your head right?"
"No-"
"Good." Regina relaxed a little more then gasped. "Your knee!"
It hurt. A lot. So she knew that when she looked down at it for the first time it wasn't going to be pretty. There was blood pooling down her leg and she didn't have the stomach to look any longer as it looked like the white of her bone was showing.
She had hit harder than she thought.
Regina fumbled through her purse for a package of Kleenex. It didn't seem sanitary but she wasn't going to complain. With a quick firm press to the gash on her knee the bleeding was slowed down for just a while.
"Keep the pressure on it." Emma did as Regina instructed." I'm going to take you to the hospital. Wrap your other arm around my neck." She did just that, hunching over to keep her other hand on her knee and felt a new wave of pain hit her as Regina lifted her up.
Yup. Something was not right with that knee.
She must have made a noise as Regina attempted to soothe her.
"You're okay." She hushed softly. Regina's hand tightened briefly around her waist as if to relay this message.
The smallest wave of butterflies met her with this act and she was acutely aware of Regina's body. The curve of her hip briefly against her, her intoxicating perfume, the soft hands gently holding on to her. But now was certainly not the time to get distracted.
"I don't know why you were even running in this heat. That alone is dangerous." Regina sighed.
"I misjudged..."
She didn't have the energy to fight Regina on the matter.
Regina pulled open the passenger door and paused. She assumed it was because she didn't want blood all over her car seat.
"Bending your knee is going to hurt... I'll move the seat back." Regina bent down still baring Emma's weight on her and moved the seat back. "Slowly sit." Regina cautioned.
The genuine care and worry in her voice had her momentarily staring. The woman beside her was far from the callous volatile Mayor that first greeted her to her town. She and her had been getting along better now that Henry intervened but she never imagined Regina willingly helping her.
"Emma?"
She blinked back her confusion. Regina was looking at her too intensely for her to contemplate the situation anymore.
"Can you get in?"
"Uh..yeah. Sorry..Just let me go. I can do it." Regina reluctantly removed herself and stood nearby to ensure her safety.
She grabbed the roof of the car and slowly slid down into the seat, highly attentive of not bending her knee at all. Right now it felt too swollen to do so, like her leg had been wrapped in layers of duct tape.
She sighed back into the leather material and Regina shut the door, hurrying over to her side.
"I can't help feeling responsible for this." Regina admitted as she started the car. "It is my job to ensure proper city maintenance and that pot hole is a serious hazard."
"Don't worry about it. You can't help my clumsiness..."
"Yes but if that hole had been filled you wouldn't have fallen."
"Maybe."
"Emma. You can't seriously say you don't blame me just a little?"
"No. Why should I? You didn't force me to run."
Regina shook her head in disbelief but dropped the subject. She could see that Regina was still bother by this and instinctively reached out to her.
The quick touch was meant to be reassuring but it somehow just ended up being inappropriate.
Regina was wearing a skin tight skirt that had rode up a little from sitting down. By accident she had just briefly slipped a portion of her fingertips beneath the fabric.
The brunette's head whipped towards the hand on her thigh and she retracted it instantly.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to." She was blushing bright red.
Way to go Swan.
Regina cleared her throat and gripped the wheel a little tighter. She wondered what Regina was thinking now because all she could think about was how amazing that brief contact had felt. How warm and firm her leg was.
She wasn't even thinking about the pain she was in. She stole a glance back at Regina and felt her embarrassment rise further. There was a small amount of blood on Regina's thigh where she had touched her. Regina was bound to notice it and recall what happened.
That suddenly paled in comparison to the streak of red along Regina's blazer.
"Sorry about your clothes I can pay you for them."
Regina looked down in confusion. Her eyes landed on her thigh first and a dark look washed over her face. It had her own pulse rushing but then she dragged her eyes to the stain on her side from where she had been leaning against her. Regina's eyes quickly returned to the road.
"There is no need."
The rest of the car ride Emma spent staring out the window too nervous to look anywhere else.
"Ma what did you do?"
"I tore my meniscus." Hours later she was heading into Regina's house with fresh stitches and a pair of crutches.
"How?"
"I fell running..."
She could tell Regina was grateful that she hadn't mentioned the pot hole. She sat down on Regina's couch and let out a strained breath. Everything hurt, her knee throbbed and the road rash on her side was really starting to burn now.
"Does that mean you can't come to my soccer game tomorrow?"
"Of course I can kid."
"Henry... do you think that's wise?" Regina budded in.
He looked over Emma before shaking his head in disappointment.
"There will be other games." Regina added.
"Yeah. Okay..."
"It's getting late Henry. Why don't you get ready for bed?"
Henry knew by now that was adult talk for let us speak in private.
"See ya Emma."
"Night kid."
Regina waited for Henry to go upstairs before speaking.
"Cider?" She asked.
" Jack Daniels please..."
Regina smirked and briefly left the room.
She hadn't been expecting Regina to actually return with a bottle of Jack. It was two thirds empty too.
"Whoa someone's been hitting the hard stuff." She teased.
"Hardly." Regina drawled.
She made a move for the bottle but Regina snatched it away.
"Firstly you are to spend the next week resting. I will inform David of your absence in the morning, unless you prefer telling your parents before I do. Also, you will be sleeping here tonight. I am not driving you home."
"Fine just pass me the bottle."
She was secretly excited to be spending the night over. It felt homey here, like she actually belonged.
Regina rolled her eyes but shoved the bottle towards her.
"Just no drunk crutch use..." Regina turned on her heels and was heading for the stairs. Her heart immediately sunk.
"Wait. You aren't going to join me?"
"No. Miss Swan I have some paperwork to attend to. I trust you will handle yourself."
Regina's heels clicked against the stairs and she just stared dumbly at the bottle. She couldn't understand why it hurt so much to have Regina walk away.
She lamely took a swig but quickly lost interest. It just wasn't the same.
Groaning she set the bottle down and laid down on the couch.
This day felt like it had dragged for an eternity and now that it was coming to an end she couldn't sleep. It was her brains fault, thinking about Regina.
Gah! Why couldn't she obsess about baseball or something….On second thought maybe she did need to drink.
Ten minutes later she had a pretty good buzz going and it was hard to keep her face from grinning at everything.
"I didn't expect you to drink so much of it!" Regina had somehow appeared and with two heads it seemed.
"Mmm." Was her reply to which Regina roughly took away the bottle.
"You're worse than a teen."
Regina grumbled while staring down at her. It was making her head swim.
"I have the guest room prepared for you, but I don't think you can make it up there… I'll bring you some blankets."
"Thanks." She didn't think she slurred but Regina's reaction said otherwise.
The brunette held up the bottle briefly examining the remaining contents and shook her head.
She didn't understand why Regina was acting so irked when she asked her if she wanted to drink.
"You should be elevating your knee."
"What... I am."
"Sitting on the couch is not elevating it."
Regina grabbed a pillow and put it beside her on the couch.
Emma didn't move.
Regina grabbed her ankles and picked them off the ground. It sent Emma twisting on her side to make up for the sudden grab.
"Fuck Regina that hurt." She grumbled but her knee was now elevated.
Regina considered apologizing but thought against it after telling herself it was for the best.
"Do you need anything?" She found herself asking.
"No." It was a mix between a whine and grumble but still managed to come out as...endearing.
"You are drunk."
"Maybe..." Emma hummed. "Don't you have paperwork?"
Truth was she didn't want to be up in her study knowing Emma was in her living room. She wanted her company and was regretting the decision she had made earlier.
"It can wait."
Emma studied her face for a moment before grinning stupidly. She could see in her expression that Emma was about to say something but that intention was broken the moment her eyes strayed to her lips. It was like the mere observation took away her ability to rationalize where she was.
The change in Emma's behavior was far from subtle. She assumed it was the alcohol making her so susceptible and it didn't matter how quickly Emma was able to school her expression because she saw it. Desire.
It hit her too, oddly enough, like a blast of hot air emerging from a burning building.
Emma licked her lips and quickly broke away from looking at her. The blonde's cheeks were lightly tinted now and she was suddenly brought back to the moment earlier in the car when Emma's hand had accidentally gone too far up her thigh.
She had felt something for the blonde then too.
"Actually...I do need something." Emma said rather mumbled.
"What's that?"
"I need to go to the bathroom. "
Oh. The thought hadn't crossed her mind.
"Alright... I'll help you then."
She hesitated unsure of how to grab for the blonde. Thankfully Emma took the lead. In a wide swing of her arm, Emma slung it over her shoulder, in a far from graceful manner. The alcohol on Emma's breath met her and she was reminded of her further impairment. A Drunk, crippled savior.
She felt somewhat responsible for her Injury though and if that meant being her caretaker for the evening then so be it. They were off to a good start considering Emma's inebriation but the moment they had to make a turn down the hall disaster ensued. Emma's foot didn't properly make the turn and hooked beneath the nearby table. She fell forward but since she was attached to Regina she just ended up bringing the lamp down. It shattered and lay broken across the floor.
"Sorry..."
Emma attempted to steady herself by groping anything and everything that was Regina.
"Emma." She sputtered. The blonde had grabbed her boob rather forcefully. Emma instantly released the force of her grip but the hand stayed.
"Can't you just poof me there..." Emma was completely unaware of where her hand actually lay.
"Yes...but I don't think that's a good idea."
Her breath hitched as Emma's hand moved a little lower.
"Please." She whined.
"Fine. But if you end up sick don't say I didn't warn you."
She whisked them away to the bathroom door in a cloud of purple smoke.
Emma's faced twisted the moment they stilled.
"Ugh..." She groaned.
Regina thought she was about to canvass the floor with her dinner but Emma's nausea quickly passed.
"Thanks..." Emma let go of Regina and hobbled into the bathroom.
Several seconds passed before Emma called out to her.
"I can't go with you standing there." She whined.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Regardless she went down the hall several feet.
She resisted the urge to barge in there after several minutes had passed. What could possibly be taking her so long?
"Do you require assistance?" She gritted out after her patience was reaching an end.
"No I just...uh."
Regina moved in front of the door where she heard Emma's heavy movements.
"Im...stuck." Emma finally conceded.
"Stuck?"
"Yea I couldn't get my pants up, I almost lost my balance and now my sleeve is caught on you're stupid cabinet..."
"I'm coming in."
"Wait don't!" It was too late though.
She had already pushed back the door and now saw the scene Emma was trying to save herself from.
The savior was caught with her sweatpants halfway up, revealing a scantily clad rear, her arm was indeed hooked on the cabinet, and she was holding the waistband of her pants with the other.
"I'm too drunk to do this…" Emma sighed in defeat.
Regina didn't know what to think but it was hard to hold in the laughter bubbling up in her chest. She let it out and Emma whined.
"Not funny…"
Emma sat down on the seat of the toilet and after taking a look at herself in the mirror smiled.
"Ok...maybe it is a little funny. But can you just help me…"
Regina's laughter stopped and she moved to her side. She looked over the caught sleeve and easily freed it.
"How…." Emma shook her head and quickly fumbled with pulling up her pants.
Regina didn't know why she didn't look away and she wished she had because seeing Emma dress was oddly arousing. Even though she wished she was taking them off.
She quickly stopped herself from that line of thinking and took a small step back.
Emma stumbled over to the sink and washed her hands.
"Since you're already on the second floor Emma you might as well sleep in the guest room tonight."
"Yeah okay."
Emma dried her hands and caught her gaze. Why did she have to have such green eyes? She found herself struggling not to get lost in them. Wait what?
"Can you poof me again…"Emma said.
"It's just down the hall you can walk."
"Alright I just hope there aren't any lamps in that hall."
Ugh. Dammit. Wordlessly she slid an arm around Emma's waist and they moved.
Once more she was reminded of Emma's inebriation but this time she could smell the subtle scent of lilacs. Her shampoo she noted.
"So when can I learn to poof…"
Emma's face was leaning in very close to hers and she was certain the blonde had no idea of the proximity.
"If I find the time maybe I'll teach you."
"Then I can play pranks on Mary Margaret… "Emma smiled. "And visit you more."
Her words warmed her, and even though she couldn't be sure it was the alcohol talking she still took it to heart.
"We can discuss lessons later…"
Emma stared at her while they walked. She could feel her green eyes practically boring into her. She ignored it until she finally got annoyed by it. The expression that met her stole the breath from her chest and not for the first time that night. Adoration for her reflecting in those entrancing orbs. She directed her gaze away from it while Emma drunkenly continued to stare.
Finally they reached the guest room and she helped Emma into bed. Emma let out a sigh of relief and thanked her. She said goodnight and paused in the doorway. Emma smiled at her and that's when she knew she was falling badly for the blonde.
"G'night Regina'"
"Good night Emma…"
She shut the door behind her and briefly leaned against it in the hall. What the hell was happening?