Title: The Bet
Pairing: Regina Mills/Emma Swan
Spoilers: there's no curse in this story, which makes it slightly A/U – at least
This is a fanfiction - I don't own "Once Upon A Time" or any of the characters.
"Once upon a time" and all its content belongs to Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz and ABC.
A/N: This is going to be a short story. This is Part I of III. So there will be two more.
I'm writing "The Bet" for Ana and her friend Lu – I guess they know why ;)
Hope the two of you enjoy this little piece as much as I enjoy writing it.
Much love,
Raven
The Bet
by Raven
Regina Mills was sitting at Granny's, reading a newspaper, when Emma Swan entered the diner.
A growl of annoyance escaped the mayor's lips, but unfortunately the blonde took that as an invitation to slide into the booth, facing the brunette curiously.
„Miss Swan, leave me alone." Regina did not even bother to put the newspaper down. Why had the Sheriff to show up anytime she wanted some peace and quiet? She should have stayed in her office for lunch break, definitely.
"It's good to see you too, Regina."
The mayor dropped the newspaper, giving the blonde a death glare, "I don't remember inviting you to join me."
"In fact you did. Your body language was quite obvious", the Sheriff responded with a provoking smile.
"Miss Swan, are you delusional?" Regina's eyes sparkled furiously.
Emma raised her arms in defense, "I just thought you could use some company since you're always sitting by yourself."
"Has it ever come to your mind that I want it that way?" The mayor countered harshly.
"Well, then…If you prefer being lonely, so be it. Have a nice day, Mayor Mills." Emma made an attempt to get up, but the brunette grabbed her arm and held her back, "What makes you think that I am lonely?"
"For one – you're always alone, except for the times when Henry is with you. And second - you never date. I get that the people in Storybrooke aren't really your friends, but seriously. I've been here for a year now and you had not one date. How's that even possible? Sure, you are not the easiest person, but still…you're a beautiful woman."
When Emma finally realized what she had just said, she shut up immediately, which caused Regina to laugh bitterly.
"As you said yourself, Miss Swan. People here are not exactly my friends." Regina took the newspaper, about to start reading again.
"I bet I could find someone, who would be willing to go on a date with you", Emma replied quickly, eager not to lose the mayor's attention.
"Now you've completely lost your mind. Why would you think I would go on a date with someone you, of all people, would pick for me?" The brunette put the newspaper down again, highly motivated to make that bet going to happen, because that would solve her biggest problem – getting rid of Henry's biological mother. Getting rid of Emma Swan. Since her son had found her Regina's life had been one big nightmare, but maybe luck would be on her side now.
"Well, then…tell me whom you want to date and I'll make it happen", Emma stated, absolutely sincere and convinced that she would succeed. That was until she heard the mayor's answer.
"Hm…make it either Doctor Whale…or David Nolan." An evil smile appeared on Regina's face and Emma's eyes widened in disbelief, "Don't tell me you have a thing for David…that's just…ewww…and Whale, seriously?!"
"I don't like either one of them…those two idiots. But you said you are up for a bet…and I'm just making sure that you won't win", the mayor stated the obvious, "Because if you l lose…you'll leave Storybrooke, Miss Swan. And you'll never come back."
Emma sighed in frustration. She had thought of a somehow more funny bet than this. Of course Regina had chosen the two men, who truly hated the mayor, who would never agree to go on a date with the brunette, "We'll see about that. But if I win…you have to spend a whole day with me. And you have to be nice."
Regina was taken aback by the blonde's response. She had expected to hear something like if Emma would win she would have to give up her attempts to get rid of the blonde, but no. Emma wanted to spend a day with her. Why the hell would she want that? Did it matter? There was no chance Emma could win this bet, she would make sure about it, "Fine. You have two days, Miss Swan."
Regina had called Sidney Glass the second she had returned to her office and had instructed him to follow Emma Swan for the next two days – nonstop. And to report everything to her, even the smallest of details.
Emma had called Ruby the second she had returned to the station, because she would need her friend's help and advice if she wanted to win this damn bet.
Asking David was no option, especially because he was her best friend Mary Margaret's fiancé and Emma would not jeopardize with her friends happiness.
Whale on the other hand - well, she did not care about him at all, she just needed to talk him into going on a date with Regina. How difficult could that be?
Right that moment Ruby entered the station, grinning wide, "So, did you finally find the courage to ask Regina out?"
"Not exactly." Emma dropped her head, not able to face the leggy brunette.
"What's that supposed to mean, Em?"
When Emma had been done with her explanation she had to admit that her plan did not sound so convincing anymore and Ruby just sat there, glaring at the blonde in disbelief.
"Ruby, could you please say something?"
"You are an idiot. You've lost your mind. How on earth could you agree to that, Emma?" The leggy brunette simply was aghast that her friend had agreed to that bet with the mayor, because it was more as if Emma had made a deal with the devil, "You could as well have promised Regina your immortal soul."
"Funny. Could you get serious now and say something useful?" Emma groaned in frustration.
"I am serious. There's no way to win that bet…and you know it. Why would you do that, Emma? What's going on in that head of yours, seriously?"
"I don't know…I saw it as my chance to…to get Regina to give ME a chance I guess…and if I don't win this bet leaving is the best option anyway…because I could never face her again", Emma dropped her head, feeling slightly embarrassed.
"What about Henry?" Ruby wanted to know, "He came all the way to Boston to find you…and you fought so hard to make a life here, to get a chance to see him from time to time. Are you ready to give that up? Because Henry will never forgive you if you just leave."
"Regina and I have been fighting for a year now…a year. And I'm exhausted. All that arguing…as much as I enjoyed it at times…I can't do it anymore. And the ongoing battle is not good for Henry either. Everyone knows it…" Emma stated quickly and Ruby nodded in understanding.
"I know, Em. I know how hard it's been for you, especially since you have feelings for Regina, but I think this is a lost case. You might win the bet…because wonders do happen after all…but winning the mayor's heart…in case she has one…I think that's truly impossible."
"Good for me that I have to concentrate on winning the bet for now", the blonde countered and gave Ruby a small smile, but it never reached her eyes.
Two days of promising pretty much everything that had come to Emma's mind later, she was not even close to winning the bet.
She had tried to bribe Doctor Whale, at some point she had even tried to blackmail him, but he had not given in, not even an inch and Emma knew she was running out of time.
What the hell should she do?
In a couple of hours she would need to face Regina and then she would have to leave town. Forever.
But Emma was not giving up yet.
She knew that Whale simply refused to do her a favor, because he was an asshole and he enjoyed seeing her so desperate.
And yet she was standing in front of the hospital once again, ready for the next round.
"Miss Swan. Are you a masochist?" The arrogant voice of the doctor had her out of her thoughts immediately.
"No, but you seem to be quite a sadist", Emma fired back.
"Maybe you're right."
"So, I'm not going to give you a big speech today, Whale. Just tell me your conditions. Just tell me what I need to do…to get you to go on a date with Mayor Mills." Emma knew that this would backfire at her within a minute, but she had no other option left.
"That's quite a tempting offer, Emma and I'm really sorry to disappoint you, but there is absolutely nothing you could probably do…to make me go out with that bitch. And that is my last word."
Whale had left without another word and Emma knew it was over. She could as well start packing already, but that was when she bumped into Mary Margaret and David.
"Emma, what's wrong?"
The blonde was startled by Mary Margaret's question, simply because she was not used to people sensing that fast that she was not doing well. But since Emma had not much time left she told her best friend and her fiancé what was going on (she only hid the fact that David had been her second choice), just to earn some laughter from David.
"Please, don't take this personal, Emma. I know that you really like Regina…God knows why, but nevermind…but I can't blame Whale for saying 'No'. No sane person would consider going on a date with Regina Mills." David still could not stop laughing and Emma realized that there was no point in asking him for help.
"So, what happens if you lose the bet?" Mary Margaret wanted to know.
"I have to leave Storybrooke."
"What?! Why on earth did you agree to that?" The teacher could not believe it.
"If I don't win it's better if I leave anyway." Emma dropped her head and left without another word.
There was no way to win after all.
Emma was on her way to the Mayor's office the next day, ready to tell Regina that she would leave town the next morning, when Mary Margaret stopped her, "Maybe I can get Whale to do it."
"Thanks for the offer, but that would be against the rules. And it's too late anyway. My two days are over."
That said Emma headed inside, ready to face the brunette for the last time.
Regina was smirking triumphantly.
Emma Swan had failed.
She would finally get rid of the infuriating blonde. If she would have known that it would be that easy she would have made up a bet with Emma months ago.
But Regina had to admit that she was still wondering why Emma had wanted to spend a day with her. Sidney had reported to her that the blonde had moved heaven and hell to get Whale to agree to a date with her and Regina did not understand why. Why was it so important to Emma to win?
She could have asked for the mayor to back off if she would win, but no. She had wanted a day with Regina. But why?
That was when someone knocked at the door and Regina knew exactly, who it would be, "Come in, Miss Swan."
Emma entered her office, looking pretty much devastated and for one second Regina felt sorry for the blonde, but she recovered quickly, "So?"
"Don't act like you wouldn't know, Regina. I know that Sidney was spying on me the last two days. I just came to give you my badge and let you know that I'll go home now. To pack. Just make sure you'll find a new Sheriff quickly. I'll leave first thing in the morning." Emma stepped forward to hand the badge to Regina, but the mayor refused to take it.
"Keep it. Till tomorrow at least." The brunette countered dryly, "Oh, and Miss Swan…I would be free tomorrow. In case you still want to spend a day with me…before you leave."
Emma was startled by the comment, could not believe that Regina Mills was offering her some sort of a chance. It had to be a joke, right?
"Now why would you do that, Regina?"
"Because I'm curious, Miss Swan. I have to admit that I'm dying to know what you had in mind for me…"
