This story came after a friend asked for a one shot inspired by the image of the link below and ended up becoming a multichapter. She is slightly based on True Grit (2010 movie) and Bonnie Tyler's song Outing a Hero.
Emma was sitting at her desk in the small police station in the town of De la Vega, Texas, expecting Ruby to pick up their lunch when a 12-year-old boy ran through the large wooden doors and caught the sheriff's attention.
"Sheriff Swan! Sheriff Swan! There's a person approaching the entrance of the city!" He put his hands on his knee, catching his breath.
The blonde settled into her chair and looked closely at the boy in front of her. His face was red and sweat made a few strands of hair stick to his forehead.
"Easy boy. Why so much excitement? This person... did you see if it was a man or a woman?" She asked, adjusting her hat at the corner of the table.
"I couldn't tell, Sheriff. The person is wearing a cloak similar to the one you wear, a hat and a cloth covering part of the face.'' He answered as he looked around the room.
''All right, kid. Leave it for the time, I'll check it out shortly.'' Emma smiled and straightened up, crossing her legs on the table.
With a nod she dismissed the boy who nearly bumped into Ruby as he left. The brunette looked at the boy who was now running out of the police station and then to the sheriff with some curiosity putting the garrison with their lunch on the table.
''What happened to him?'' Ruby asked as she tidied up the small table they kept for meals in the corner of the room.
"He came to say that there is a person approaching the entrance of the city.'' Emma answered without worrying about the information as she walked to the small table.
"And what are you going to do about it?" Ruby asked, taking a bite of her chicken.
''For now, nothing. I can not forbid anyone to enter or leave the city.''
''This is true. The kid at least said it was a man or a woman?''
"He said he couldn't see it because he had a cloak, a hat, and a cloth over his face. Probably protecting from the weather.''
Ruby only nodded in agreement. After lunch ended, the sheriff told the brunette that she was going to go around the city and try to identify the stranger. She slipped her axillary holster into place, then tucked the guns into her overcoat and her hat. Emma picked up Andromeda and walked slowly through the city streets. Soon she identified the stranger described moments before by the boy, she motioned for the person to dismount from her horse and Emma did the same as she slowly approached noting that it was not an male outsider but a woman.
"Is there a problem, Sheriff?" The woman asked, removing the cloth that covered part of her face, leaving it tied around her neck.
''Hope not. What do you do for these lands?'' Emma stared at the stranger in front of her.
"I'm just looking for a place to rest for a few days before I go on a trip." The brunette smiled a little.
"And how can I know that you will not trouble me, Miss...?" The sheriff held her hand out to the stranger.
"Just do not try to get any fun with me. I just want my horse and I to rest for a few days.'' The brunette accepted the hand Emma held her tightly. ''Mills, Regina Mills.''
"Well, if that's the way it is, I think you can stay at the Rise of Wolfs Inn." Emma pointed to an establishment that was further down the street. "Get there, look for Mary, she'll accommodate you. There you will also find shelter and food for your horse.''
''Thank you, Sheriff...?'' Regina mimicked the gesture of moments ago by the blonde.
''What a mistake! Forgive me. Sheriff Emma Swan.''
Regina smiled and nodded briefly before back on her horse and taking the direction the blonde had indicated heading toward the inn as the sheriff headed to the opposite side.
(...)
Rise of Wolfs Inn. The name engraved on the wooden plaque indicated that Regina was in the right place. Dismounting from her horse a red-haired boy with round spectacles approached the stranger cautiously. It was rare for anyone to pass through the city yet a woman alone, something that was already causing a small uproar in the inhabitants of the place.
''Good afternoon, welcome! I'm Archie Hopper, can I help you?'' He held out his hand to her and smiled softly.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Hopper. Sheriff Swan told me to look for Mary when I got here.'' Regina smiled and took her bag that was attached to the animal by placing it on her shoulder.
"Mrs. Mary is right there at the soiree. I'll take care of your horse, miss.'' He pointed to the glass doors and then took the animal's reins.
''Thanks. Good-bye, Mr. Hopper.'' Regina nodded briefly at the man and headed for the entrance.
As she passed the door she took off her hat and looked around with some curiosity. Although small the place was extremely cozy: there were two armchairs near the small fireplace with a dark carpet between them, a small bookcase with some books and some pictures on the top of the fireplace; probably family photos and important names of the city. One particular photo caught her attention. It was the sheriff with a long-haired girl and a lady. They were leaning against a fence - the brunette was hugging the blonde from the side and they both had a big smile and the old lady looked at them with pride. Regina was taken from her thoughts when she heard a voice close to her.
''Hi. Can I help you, miss?'' Mary smiled slowly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't see you approach. You must be Mary, right?'' Regina smiled kindly at the woman in front of her.
The short-haired brunette smiled back and nodded.
"Sheriff Swan told me to look for you. I'm looking for a place to rest for a few days before I go on a trip.'' Regina replied looking curiously around.
''Of course, Miss...?'' Mary raised an eyebrow and smiled.
''Regina Mills.'' The outsider held out her hand to the woman standing in front of her.
''Mary Margareth Nolan. It will be a pleasure to have you with us. Will you stay for how many days?'' The short-haired brunette asked as she made her way to the small desk at the soiree.
''I didn't decide yet. My horse is very tired and I want him quite well before I get back at my travel.''
"I believe we have the ideal room for you, please." Mary said walking toward the stairs.
They climbed a small flight of stairs into a corridor with a few doors on either side. The walls were light blue and the doors were white with gold numbers. Mary walked to the end of the hall, opening the door to the last room.
The room was not large, but probably larger than the others. It had a double bed in the center with a nightstand on each side. On top of one of them was a plain lamp. An average wardrobe in the left corner and a large window on the right with a small balcony. The view overlooked the mountains to the north, and at this time of year they were completely exposed in their force covered with brownish and green tones of the vegetation. One could also see a stream that overlooked a beautiful waterfall and looking at the small town itself the view from the porch gave to the police station. The walls of the room were white and the floor was of wood. In front of the bed was a small dressing table, next door was a door where the brunette discovered to be the bathroom that had a comfortable bath, mirror and a shower for a quick bath.
Regina said she would have the room and they went downstairs to get the papers right. Mary showed her where the kitchen was, told her about the meal times, and said if she needed anything she would just call.
(...)
After the end of their makeshift Emma and Ruby went to the Jolly Rogers for some drinks as was usual, especially on weekends. They took Amarok and Andromeda to the stable and headed for the bar. When they arrived they went straight to the counter where Killian had already served them with a dose of Whiskey for each one then bringing a slice of fries with cheese and beer. The Whiskey was always their entrance, then the beer. The music echoed around the room and the tables scattered around the hall were some men and women drinking and chatting excitedly as the two of them chatted between a glass of beer and another. Emma looked around at the women in the parlor dressed in their ruffled skirts and their bodices highlighting their breasts, heels, heavy makeup, loud laughter, provocative gestures. In one corner a young man happily played an old piano while another had a banjo and a harmonica. A cheerful tune set the conversation in the hall.
"So... did you find out about this outsider that the boy told you earlier?" Ruby asked, holding the glass to her lips.
''Is a woman. She said she's only going to spend a few days here before she goes on a trip.'' Emma shrugged. "She wants her horse to rest before resuming her journey."
"And she's beautiful?" Ruby asked with a wicked grin.
''I didn't notice.'' Emma replied, glancing at the counter and asking Smee for another slice of cheese fries.
''Of course not! What an idea thought you had noticed the outsider.'' Ruby said in a false tone of annoyance, bringing her hand to her chest.
Emma just rolled her eyes and continued drinking her beer and talking to the brunette about other matters. They heard some comments about this outsider, but nothing to worry about. Some men said that she was a very beautiful woman and that she would stay for an indefinite time in Mary Margaret's inn, the women were annoyed by the fact that an outsider was in town and attracted men's attention. Emma was distracted by talking to Ruby when Ingrid stopped behind her and hugged her waist. This gesture caused the sheriff to take her hands directly to hers holster, being stopped by the blonde that enveloped her.
''Calm down, my dear, it's just me.'' Ingrid spoke with her lips brushing against the blonde's neck.
"Ingrid, don't do this again. I could have hurt you.'' Emma closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of the older woman's lips sliding down her neck.
"Come on, you've had enough for today and we still have a lot to do.'' Ingrid put her hands up to the sheriff's waist and squeezed lightly as she bit her neck and made her sigh.
Without realizing it, Regina entered the place, automatically looking at that unusual scene. She definitely did not expect something like that in a small town and in the middle of nowhere. Emma had her head resting on the blonde's shoulder and her eyes closed while the brunette next to him had a funny smile on her lips. She approached the three slowly, her eyes fixed on the sheriff who seemed so comfortable with those caresses. Something was bothering her and she didn't know exactly why. It was none of her business. She was just passing. She had more important matters to deal with, she had no time to waste on such nonsense, but when she realized she was on the counter beside them.
With a brief nod she asked the man behind the counter for a dose of Whiskey and sat down next to the women. Her hat slightly sloping partially covering her face, leather pants, her black shirt with a few buttons open and her boots. Above her shirt she wore a leather overcoat that ran halfway down her thighs. Ruby moved her eyes toward the brunette and could not help but smile. So this is the outsider... Emma thinks she fools me by saying she didn't notice her. I'm going to have some fun. She thought looking at the brunette who returned the smile and raising her glass a little toward her. Ruby smiled openly, picking up her glass and then getting up; an act that caught the attention of her friend. Her gaze followed her assistant and landed on Regina next. Emma almost lost her balance being caught by Ingrid who still kept her hands on her waist and noticed in the brunette's eyes a mixture of anger and something else she could not identify.
''Good night, Sheriff.'' Regina said in a tone that made Emma shiver. ''Good night, Miss. Mrs.'' She said looking from Ruby to Ingrid.
"Good evening Miss Mills.'' Emma shifted her gaze to the women around her.
"My pleasure, Miss Mills. I'm Ruby Lucas.'' Ruby leaned toward Regina and kissed her on the cheek.
A kiss a little too long for Emma's taste.
Ingrid noticed something wrong and just pulled Emma up the stairs telling Killian to put the girl's bill into the account that she would later hit. As they reached the bar upstairs Ingrid opened the door to her room, shoving the sheriff in and attacking her lips hard. With no delicacy, she pressed the body of the younger woman against the wall, biting down and biting her cheek, opening the buttons of her shirt, making a path to the sheriff's breasts, sucking one while massaging the other. Emma gasped as she felt the older woman's mouth on her breast and couldn't stop a low moan that escaped her lips. She then pulled Ingrid up through her hair, making her stop and pushing the older blonde to the small dressing table in the room, placing her there with an impulse and taking her hands between the layers of the woman's dress until she reached her sex, both moaning with the and then the sheriff slid two fingers through the other woman's wet sex.
(...)
Ruby and Regina engaged in a lively conversation at the bar as the two of them climbed up to the bedrooms. Regina couldn't stop herself from following them with her eyes, and the sheriff's assistant didn't let it go unnoticed. Laughing weakly and shaking her head.
''It's nothing serious. It's just sex.'' Ruby said as she took another sip of her beer.
''What?'' Regina turned her attention to the brunette in front of her.
"I saw the way you look at Emma and the way you were looking at both now. I am saying that there is only sex between them. No feelings. So go on.''
"I don't... I..." Regina was gaping at the brunette's boldness. "I don't know what you're thinking, miss, but I can assure you I don't have this kind of interest in the sheriff."
Regina left some notes on the counter and left; returning to the inn and heading to her room where she threw her clothes in a corner and then collapsed on the bed. A few minutes later Mary knocked on her door and announced that she would be serving dinner soon.
The atmosphere at dinner was very light. There were few people at the inn, and the brunette was introduced to David Nolan, Mary's husband, and Tinker, their daughter. After dinner the brunette went up to her room taking advantage of taking a long shower and falling on the bed then falling asleep almost immediately.
These are links to the original fanarts that inspired the story.
post/132888249020/swan-queen-western-au-aka-the-reluctant-savior
/PinkRabbitPro/status/663088823228764160