I don't own any part of Once Upon A Time or any of their characters. I'm just a huge fan of Regina and Daniel and the actors who play them.
I wish I could own Lana and Noah…..
Regina sat at office just staring at the clock. It's nearly 7 o'clock and Regina found herself unable to sit there any long longer. Closing the file on her desk about new building codes for the renovations for the library, Regina put the files in her bag and signed here self out and decided to leave her car at the office parking lot and walk home. As she walked down Main Street, getting the occasional glare from her townspeople, she decided to stop at Granny's to grab a bite to eat and maybe a drink. Hell its Friday and I had a long and stressful week I deserve a drink. Regina told herself as she stepped into the dinner.
Everyone in the dinner stared at the mayor walking in the diner before they went back to their normal conversations. Ignoring everyone, Regina sat herself in one of the booths and waited for Ruby to take her order. "A Cesar Salad and Water with a lot of ice please Ms. Lucas." When Ruby left to place in her order Regina couldn't help herself, she had to have those documents done by the next morning so she decided to take it out and start right where she left off a t work. Is this m life? So engulfed in work I can't even enjoy my dinner before I get home and not feel pressured into doing my job? Being the mayor was difficult but it never frustrated Regina. She was the Evil Queen in her land; she can certainly be a mayor in this world. So what if everyone gave her a dirty look when she walked past, it's not like she isn't used to it by now.
She was interrupted by a voice she generally avoided outside her work place. "Regina fancy seeing you here tonight, it thought you were working late on that renovation on the library?" Sydney Glass said in his voice that only Regina could read through. Sydney has always had a thing for Regina, and she knew it. She absolutely hated the man but she took advantage of his feelings whenever she deemed appropriate for her but she understood the consequences of that, one of them would be asking inappropriate questions just to talk to her outside of the workplace.
"As you can see with your own eyes that is what I am finishing now Sydney." She said mater-of-factly not even bothering looking at him. He took it upon himself to sit opposite her as she finished signing the last page of the official document.
"So are you just here to grab dinner or are you staying for drink? You here alone, I could keep you company if you like?"
"My business is my business Sydney I do not need your accompaniment tonight so if you will excuse me I would like to enjoy my dinner in peace."
With that Sydney got up and instead of leaving, sat at the end of the bar just in case Regina changes her mind. Regina breathed a sigh of relief just as her salad came and was able to eat her dinner in peace. After finishing her meal and paying the bill she decided to take a seat at the other end of the bar and grab a quick drink before she headed home. She ordered an apple martini and with that order she saw Sydney get up and took a seat next to her.
"So you did decide to stay for a drink. Why don't you let me pay for that and we can sit a talk for a while."
God he was being particularly persistent tonight. Regina thought before moving in her chair so she could face him. "Leave me alone Sydney I am in no mood to entertain you nor will I ever be. You are my employee nothing more and this conversation is over. Goodnight Sydney."
"Regina come on don't be like that I was just trying to be friendly. It's just one drink."
" I said leave me alone or I swear I will fire you from the paper right here and now."
" Fine."
Swinging herself to face the bar she just rolled her eyes. It might have been a little extreme to say she would fire him but that was the first thing she could think of to get him off her back and out of Granny's. She heard the door being flung open as she finished her martini in one gulp. She could feel the alcohol go down her through and let out a huge sigh as her body relaxed. She could handle her alcohol but she could feel the effects of this drink beginning to hit her, not to say she was anywhere near her limit. She decided to get one more drink. Her day was stressful enough without the lingering Sydney Glass pressing his advantages again.
As she closed her eyes and took another deep breath, she heard the faint footsteps of a person coming up behind her. If this is Sydney again I am going to do worse than just fire his ass.
"Rough day at the office, Madame Mayor?" The man said.
She could not place the voice but she immediately knew it wasn't Sydney so she wasn't going to take out all her rage at this person behind her.
"Well, being the mayor of this town is hard enough without everyone interrupting them when they are trying to forget about work." She said in a venomous way. She was about to continue when she turned to see someone she hasn't seen in almost 4 decades, No this can't be.
Daniel took a seat next to her and she went in to otter shock but she put on her best face for the sake of not scaring him away.
" I'm sorry Madame Mayor I…" She cut him off and said, "No, no I'm sorry I just had a long day and had someone pestering me just a few minutes ago. I just took my frustration on the first person who spoke to me. " She said softly coming back from her stake of utter shock. "I don't think we been formally introduced, I'm Regina Mills." She continued.
" I know who you are Ms. Mills, everyone knows who you are but my name is Gabriel Stephenson." He said with a smile. Gabriel couldn't put a finger on it but he couldn't help but felt like he knew Regina. Of course he knew her, she was the mayor, he knew her reputation as being a hard ass and strict mayor but the woman in front of him felt nothing like that. She mirrored his smile and in that moment he knew she couldn't be all those things that everyone said about her.
"So Mr. Stephenson, why have I never seen you around before? "
"Well I live on the outskirts of town near the stables, I'm one of the stable workers and it takes most of my time and I like the seclusion and the peacefulness of the stables it's almost like another world inside of Storybook that no one really knows about."
Of course he would work in the stables Regina thought. The one place she refused to go after Daniel's death. But how is he here I don't remember brining him here with the curse? Regina thought long and hard and came to the conclusion that only one man could bring him here without her knowing, Gold.
Coming back from her inner thoughts Regina couldn't help but smile at her true loves eyes that at the moment were staring at her with a shine that she hasn't seen in forever. "The stables in Storybrooke are indeed far enough in the outskirts of town. Most people probably don't even know they exist. I myself haven't even been able to go down there in such a long time. Being mayor and a single mom does take a big chunk out of my time. I miss going down there terribly though."
"Wait a minute your telling me the Mayor of Storybrooke rides horses? Which one is yours?" Gabriel asked with an enthusiasm and curiosity the Regina could only giggle at.
"My horse is a pure black stallion, its name is Nightshade. I get monthly check ups on him in the mail. I really should go and see him soon." Regina replied.
" I know which horse you're talking about. Only people with extensive amount of training can handle him, I was always told that his owner expected the best but I never knew who owned him until now."
Regina and Gabriel continued their conversation about the stables until Regina ran out of questions she could think of without reviling anything about their past life. She actually had caught herself daydreaming about their lives before her mother took everything away. She also had to stop herself from calling him real name instead of his name here.
Looking at her clock and noticing how much time has passed since she met Gabriel she decided to end their little reunion and start walking home. "Thank you for keeping me company Gabriel but it thinks its time for me to get home. My son should be coming home soon from Sherriff Swan's house and I would like to see him before he settles down for bed. It was great to have a normal conversation with someone who does not continually put me in a bad mood." She stands from her bar stool and begin to pull out her wallet so she could pay for the drinks she bought but Gabriel put his hand on her arm and Regina immediately felt butterflies fill her entire body."
"I got this Madame Mayor." Gabriel said while putting the money under her glass for Ruby to grab. Regina bushed at the gesture Gabriel and gave him a smile that only Daniel could make her do.
" Thank you Gabriel but you really don't have to."
" It's my pleasure Mayor, what type of gentleman would I be if I did not pay of a beautiful woman's drinks that I have been with for the past two hours."
Regina didn't show it but she was melting because of the word that came out of his mouth. " Well thank you and you can call me Regina."
"Well Regina, I would love to walk you home, it's too dark to walk home alone."
How could she resist him after Gabriel paid for her drinks and the sound of her name rolling of his tongue was like a lure she could not say no to. "We'll since you did pay for my drinks and I do enjoy your company yes you can certainly walk me home." Regina smiled as Gabriel stood from his stool and began to walk out with Regina opening the door for her as they both walked out of Granny's.
While walking down Main Street they talked about their love for horses until Regina fumbled on the uneven cracked sidewalk. She would have fell face fist on the ground if Gabriel didn't catch her. Holding her in his arms for more than he should have but Regina didn't mind. She couldn't help but feel safe and free in Gabriel's arms. She was intoxicated not by the alcohol but the just by the smell of him. When Gabriel reluctantly let her go she looked up into his blue eyes and got lost in them.
"Regina, are you alright?" Gabriel broke the silence that felt like forever.
Taking a deep breath Regina regained herself and said. "Yes, thank you for catching me; you're like my savior all around tonight. First thing Monday morning though I am going to write up a plan to fix these sidewalks though."
Before they began their walk again Gabriel her arm and placed it under his drawing her closer to him. Looking down at her he gave a genuine smile and said, "So you won't fall again."
Regina giggled and they continued down Main Street continuing their walk to Regina's mansion .Gabriel has never felt this connected to a woman ever. He felt like he was spellbound to this woman. Her giggle was like the sound of angles to him but he could not let her know that so he just held her arm tight and enjoyed the walk. They finished their walk in silence but when they approached Regina's front door Gabriel had to break the silence. But not letting go of her arm just yet.
"You have a beautiful home Regina. I hope to see you soon and possibly in the stables. I would love to see the mayor of Storybook ride. "He didn't want to let her go just yet but he knew he had to. But seeing her smile turn into a small frown he turned to her and looked down to find out what was behind those brown orbs of hers.
"Thank you, being mayor does have some perks. And thank you for walking me home. You have been such a gentleman all night, something that is almost nonexistent in this town." She said brining her eyes from his stare down to his lips and then back to his eyes.
Now Gabriel never took anything too far on a first date, if this would consider being a first date but he could not help himself. He felt drawn to Regina and all he wanted to do at this very moment was to kiss this woman he just met. Don't think me a saint just yet." Closed the distance between them and brought up his hand to cup her face and gently kissed her.
Regina could not believe it. Gabriel took a chance a kissed her. It only took her a millisecond to kiss him back. He brought his other hand around the small of her back to flush her body right to his as he deepened the kiss. The kiss wasn't lustful and hungry but sensual and passionate. They gently slowed down their kiss and parted but they were still had their foreheads pressed together. Regina opened her eyes to find Gabriel staring down at her with those eyes that she fell in love with. Regina wanted nothing more than to start their relationship exactly where they left off but she knew better to press her advantage with him.
" So brave my savior." Regina whispered to him as they broke apart. "Goodnight Da…Gabriel." She almost slipped but she knew that he didn't pick it up because he was still had that look in his eyes, too preoccupied with what just transpired between the two of them.
" Goodnight Regina." He replied as she began turning around to open her front door but before she could react he grabbed her hand turning her to face him a stole one more quick kiss before releasing her.
" Sorry I just couldn't resist. Sweet dreams Regina." With that he left her porch and stated to walk back to his home on the other side of town. Regina just stood there watching Gabriel walking off her property until she could not see him anyone effectively waking her up from her state of shock. In all her wildest dreams she could never imagine seeing her beloved Daniel again and to mention kissing him. Not knowing to either one of them was a small boy watching from his window the entire scene. Henry's mouth hit the floor when she saw this strange man kiss his adopted mother. He did not know whether to feel happy or angry at what he just witnessed. The anger he had melted away when he saw a glimmer of happiness in his mother's face when she turned for the door. He knew that she was the Evil Queen and all but if she found someone maybe she would lighten up a bit and maybe be able to mend her blackened heart. It would make breaking the cure a whole lot easier.
She fumbles with her keys as she unlocked her front door. After shutting the door once inside she allowed herself to lean on the door and looked up at the ceiling. Could she have a second chance with Daniel in this world? Can Gabriel fall for her just like Daniel fell for her all those years ago? She made it her vow to get to Gold first thing in the morning but for now she just let a smile creep its way to her mouth as she began ascending the stairs into her sons room.
Henry scrambled in his room onto his bed when he heard his mother's heals clicking up the stairs. As if on cue Henry heard the knock on his door and allowed his mother access into his room. " Hello Henry how was your Day with Ms. Swan?"
Henry didn't know who to answer since his mother never asked about his birth mother because he knows it made her blood boil when he even mentioned her name.
"Umm…. It… was good. We went to the arcade and played games before going to Granny's for an early dinner." He deliberately did not tell her about the secret operation cobra conversation for obvious reasons even though that's all they talked about during dinner.
"Well I'm glad you had fun spending time with Ms. Swan but can you at least call me if you get home before me Henry. I know I was a little late coming home tonight but I don't like you being home alone."
Snuggling down into his bed and giving his mother his big puppy dog eyes, she gave up scolding him.
" I will form now on mom I promise." She bent down and kissed him on the forehead and tucked him in before walking toward the door and shutting the lights off.
"Goodnight Henry. I love you."
Goodnight mom, love you too."
With that her heart melted. She hadn't heard Henry say that in a long time. Closing the door and heading to her own room to settle down for the night she reflected on the whirlwind of a day that was placed in front of her today. That night she dreamt of her past life with Daniel, how much he loved her.