Author note: Hi guys! English is not my first language, I'm sorry for every mistakes. It's my first fic in this universe, but I'm doing my best. Please, let me know if you find mistakes, or something :) Thanx for reading :)
"Uhm...Ruby?"
"Yeah?"
"I didn't ask more coffee.." Emma gestured to the steaming mug the brunette had dropped in front of her.
"No, you didn't" she answered, with a smile.
"So why did you give it to me?"
"Because you two need to talk, Emma. The sooner the better."
Emma didn't need to turn around. she knew who ruby were talking about. She had seen Regina sitting in the last booth the moment she walked in the diner. She didn't meet her eyes, but these days it didn't happen often. Not because Emma didn't try, but Regina chose to completely ignore her.
"Ruby, we talked about it... She doesn't want to talk to me, I can't force her. I tried, really."
"Did you?"
Emma frowned with a questioning look on her face. "Of course I did! She doesn't even look at me! If she need to let me know something about Henry, she speaks with SNOW!" She was starting to lose her patience, because she did try. Really. A lot.
Ruby shook her head, putting her hand on Emma forearm. "You know I'm not a big fan of her, Emma, but look at her...I didn't see her like this since when we were in the Enchanted Forest."
"What do you mean?"
"Give her that coffee, Emma. Talk to her." Ruby pushed the mug into her hands, cheering her.
Emma took a deep breath. What did she have to lose? She spent two hours at her door, knocking relentlessly: giving a coffee wasn't the end of the world.
Emma reached Regina's table with few confident steps, the mug surely in her hand. She sat in front of the brunette, her face covered by a newspaper. Emma pushed the mug to her, waiting in silence.
"Sheriff Swan, I wasn't aware you were thinking about a career change."
"I'm not, Regina. I just want to talk..."
Regina didn't bother to wait. She placed some bills on the table, gathered her things and went straight to the exit. Near the counter, she turned to Ruby, like she was about saying something, but she just shook her haed before leaving the diner.
"GO!"
Emma jumped, following her.
"Regina, wait!" she grabber her by the elbow, but Regina freed herself immediately, like she was being burned.
"Don't touch me!" she hissed between her teeth. "Don't even try to come any closer. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever again". Her voice was barely above a whisper, but has the strenght of a scream.
"Regina, please...let me..."
"What, Emma? What?" the brunette was beyond angry and barely keeping control. She closed her hands into fists, repeatedly, forcing herself to stay grounded.
"Let me explain..." Emma begged, moving one hand toward her, but the queen took another step back, increasing the distance between them.
"There's nothing to say. Nothing I want to listen. Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do." she turned her heels, going away. Emma didn't see the tear, barely visible, running on her face.
"Ma?!" Henry's voice took her away from her thoughts.
"What, kid?" she patted the spot next to her on the couch, then brushed his hair from his face. He need an haircut, I should ask Regina...
"MA!" this time Henry made her jump on her seat, shooting in her ears. "It's the third time!" he complained, trying to keep her attention by grabbing her arm.
"You're right, I'm sorry...What were you saying?" Emma forced herself to stay focused, than she turned toward him, putting one elbow on the couch and looking him straight in the eyes.
"I said, for the third time, I don't want to go with Hook today."
Emma blinked a couple of time, a questioning look on her face. "What do you mean? I thought you liked it."
"I liked it BEFORE I had my memories back... Now he just complains about how his boat sucks and how difficult is been for him" Henry mocked Killian tragic look and his nostalgic voice "Abandon his beloved Jolly Roger."
Emma stifled her chuckle. Henry had a good point. Lately, this was the only subject with Hook, even if they're alone.
"And I don't like how he speaks about mom..." he added, looking at his hands.
Ok, this is not good. "What are you talking about, Henry?"
He was about adding something, but he stopped when they heard knowing on the door. Insistently. Henry hugged his mother, wrapping his arms around her neck. "I don't want to go, Ma. Please."
Emma soothed him, running circles on his back. "It's ok, Henry. I'll tell him you don't want to go, I promise. Do you have any other plans?"
The boy nodded, then he flew to his room.
The knocking on the door haven't stopped and Emma opened the door exasperated. And the grin Killian was sporting didn't help.
"What a wonderful surprise, luv. The mate is ready?" he had already one foot into the apartmen when Emma stopped him, keeping him at distance.
"He's not coming today. He's a little sick" Ok, that wasn't the truth, but she wasn't in the mood for giving him any other explainations. And these weren't his business, anyway.
"He seems good enough to me." Killian pointed his hook to the inside, when Henry was standing, putting something in his backpack, with his coat already on.
"Killian, I told you he's not coming. We'll talk about it another time..."
"When, Swan?" he took a step toward her, into her personal space, and put his hand on her waist. "Do you want keeping me company in this ride?"
Emma pushed him away with both hands. "Damn, Killian!" she had raised her voice enough for Henry to notice and now the boy were lookig at her with worried eyes. She dismissed his look with her hand, going outside.
"Is this a yes, Swan?" Killian was going to take another step toward and, but this time she was ready.
"Take another step and I swear I'll push you down the stairs, Hook"
The pirate seemed hurt when her said his name like a threat, but he had enough judgement and stayed quiet. "What is this about, Swan? The boy and I were good last time..."
"Henry doesn't want to come" she interrupted him, crossing the arms on her chest and glaring at him. Just like Regina would, she thought.
"Why?"
"It's not your business. He just dosn't, period."
"Is the queen, isn't she?" the look on his face went from hurt to indignant in an heartbeat.
"This is not about Regina"
"It's alwasy about her. The boy has a thing for her..."
Emma took a deep breath, the she counted to ten. "A thing? Killian, Regina is his mother."
"I thought you were."
"We both are" she said back, annoyed by the turn of the conversation. "And neither this is your business."
"It is if that...woman fills his head against me"
"Keep your voice down" Emma came closer, threatening. "Regina is his mother. Period."
"Those electric shocks weren't that strong..." he murmured under his breath, but Emma heard him anyway.
"What?"
"Nothing, luv..." the pirate tried to come closer, smiling. "Anyway..."
"I'm not gonna asking a third time. What were you talking about?"
Killian stayed silent, looking her in the eyes. But he found just a stern look on her face. "Mendell."
"And how can you know about that?"
"Come on, Swan, we moved on..."
Suddenly, something clicked in Emma's mind."O my god, you did it!" she looked at him with disgust on her face. "You knew what they're gonna do and did nothing!"
"Swan..."
"Get out."
"Emma..."
"Hook, I swear to god, if you come any closer you're gonna regret it. Get out. Now."
The pirate looked at her, hesitating. He seemed considering a last shot, but Emma's demeanor and her glaring were enough. Without another word, he turned around and went away, disappering into the stairs.
"Ma...?" Henry peeped through the door. The savior smiled at him, going with him inside.
"So, kid" he was ready: coat and scarf on, backpack on his shoulders. "What do you want to do?"
Henry seemed hesitant, fridgeting with the hem of his coat. "Well, I thought I could go to mom. She said she didn't have to work in the afteroon..."
Emma smiled. Regina did a really good job with Henry. She caressed his cheek, lifting his face. "Let's go, I'll take you there."
"Ehm..." Henry hesitated again. "There's a problem..."
"What?"
"I texted her today, but she didn't reply...While you're talking with Hook, I tried to call her, but she didn't answer at the landline and her cellphone sended me to voicemail..."
Emma frowned. Regina wouldn't ignore Henry texts. She seemed fine that morning, but they're in Storybrooke. Everything could have happened.
"Ok, Henry...that's the plan" she squatted to his eyelevel. "What do you say if I take you to the diner and then I check if Regina is at home? I'll call you the moment I see her, ok?"
The boy nodded enthusiastically and flew through the door. Emma shook her head, taking the bug keys and her coat.
The golden 108 on the withe door did never seem so intimidating to her like now. The Benz were in the driveway, so Regina were home. She rang the doorbell, waiting on the porch. Few minutes passed, then she rang again. Nothing. So she tried to call her, but the cellphone went straight to voice mail and the landline rang to nothing.
Damn, Regina. Pick up the phone!
Some noises from the second floor caught her attention. Ok, Henry gave her the key in case of emergency and right now there's an emergency. She opened the door and went into the mansion.
"Regina!" she called from the foyer, hoping the brunette would answer. She looked for her in the kitchen and in the hall, but she found both empty. The car's keyes were there, so was her coat. Regina was home, for sure.
Emma went to the study, cautious. "Regina..." she cracked the door open, scanning the room. She was going to close it again when some shining caught her eyes. One heel. One perfectly polished heel were on the floor, near the couch. Emma entered slowly. On the coffee table was a bottle, almost empy. Apple cyder.
"Regina!" Emma almost shrieked, but the other woman seemed deeply asleep on the fancy couch. The cyder had helped, for sure. The blonde came closer, squatting. She hesitated, before wake her up: the pencil skirt was up, almost mid-thight, exposing part of the garter, while her shirt was wrinkled and almost open. Emma had never seen her like this...so disheveled, but she braced herself and put one hand on her shoulder.
"Regina..."she called midvoice, shooking her gently. "Regina..."
The queen blinked several times, closing tightly her eyes when the light hit them. She masseged her eyes for erasing the sleep and, maybe, soothing the pressure from her mounting headache.
Emma didn't pushed furter, waiting in silence. When Regina opened her eyes again, she zeroed on the blonde and suddenly tried to sit up, but the dizzyness stopped her.
"Easy, tiger" Emma smiled, coming closer and helping her to sit.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Regina pushed the blonde hands away, even if her sight were blurry and her mouvements incertain.
"Henry tried to reach you and he was worried..." Emma stepped back, giving her some space for putting herself together.
"Henry is with that pirate, he have no reason for needing me" Emma noted how her words were slurred. We didnt sleep off all the cyder, your majesty.
"Henry is not with Hook...They're not gonna see each other for a while."
Even slightly drunk, Regina managed to arch perfectly one eyebrow. Emma couldn't help herself from smiling: how that woman could be so regal even drunk, she'll never know.
"What do you say if I help you? Go upstair, take a shower and some aspirin, so I can bring Henry here when you're ready."
Regina blinked again, honesly puzzled. Than she frowned again. "So you can spend the night with you handless boyfriend?"
For a moment, Emma didn't say anything. Was this the usual-Regina-sass or there was something else? jealousy, maybe? Please!
"He's not my boyfriend, he never was and never will be. Get up, now"
Regina snorted in a very unladylike manner and she didn't move. "I dont need your help, I never did and never will need." she mocked her words without even a blink.
Ok, maybe she's not so drunk.
"Regina, really, I dont know how can I say it...I'm sorry for Robin, I didn't know..."
"You would have done the same thing" Regina voice was flat, almost clinical. She tried to get up, swaying a little too much, incertain about her balance. Emma followed every move, ready to catch her.
"Even if you knew she was Marian, you would have done the same thing" Regina repeted. "It's what you heroes do." she managed somehow to make it seems an insult. "You save people from villains like me."
She tried some steps, with the arms open at her sides, catching balance. Emma stood up, following her.
"Regina, let me..."
"What? Help me? I don't think so..." she kept walking, without facing her. "If you don't mind, miss Swan, I would like you leave my home. Henry can come for dinner, if he likes"
"You know what, Regina? you're right!" Emma surpassed her, so she could face her. "If I knew, I would have done the same thing, because she didn't deserve to die. It wouldn't be fair."
"Life is not fair, Sheriff" Regina challenged her, even if her eyes were glossy. "Neither Daniel deserved to die, but here we are" she chuckled darkly. "Now, if you please..."
"Regina...I..." Emma tried to keep her there, but the brunette walked out of her range, almost falling.
"You what? Your family stripped me from my happy ending, again..."
"Come on, Regina...I spoke with Snow, she said you and Robin barely stood each other in the Enchanted Forest and now, out of nowhere, he's you happy ending?" she regretted her words the moment they flew out of her lips. Good, Emma, really.
Regina didn't say anything. She shook her head, heading to the staircase
"No, wait, I'm sorry...I didn't mean..."
"That's your problem, miss Swan. You never think about consequences...I had a choise" Regina's voice cracked a bit, but she stubbornly kept the tears at bay. "For once in my life I had a choise. Like I chose to run with Daniel, before your mother took him away..."
"Don't..."
Regina held up one hand, silencing her. "Don't you want to talk, miss Swan, do you? Let's talk. For all my life, I have been forced to choose something I never wantend" the brunette came closer, just a breath away from Emma face. "I spent my life paying the price of choises I didn't make. With Robin I could choose to try. Will he be my happy ending? I don't know. And now, thanks to you, I'll never know.
Emma bit her lower lip, trying to find something to say. But Regina raw honesty made her speechless.
"Good" the brunette nodded, satisfied. "I see you're out of argument. Now, if you don't mind, I have a dinner to make for Henry. You can tell him to let me know if he want to spend the night here."
Without other words, Regina headed again to the staircase.
This time, Emma didn't tried to stop her.