AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hi there you guys! Just a quick intro... This is my first ever attempt at SwanQueen or indeed fanfiction in general so I'm so sorry if the story isn't what ye are used to. Anywho I really hope you enjoy it and please feel free to send me some comments xxx
As the Mayor lifted her blinds in her meticulous office a burst of sunlight filled the room, the beam highlighted every aspect, every nook and cranny as it trailed along the marble.
"Another glorious day in Storybrooke" huffed Regina.
Ever since she had rid herself of her evil side the goodness in her was blossoming and for once she liked the change. In the spirit of change she decided to do some redecorating to reflect her mood! However Snow's painting was still overkill as she yanked it off the wall...
"Seriously I may be good but I'm not that good" she placed the framed birds against the door as she was greeted with the morning mail, it slid before her black high boots.
"Bills, bills, pickaxe polishing, Granny's diner menu, Oh what's this? said Regina as she dropped the rest of the junk mail on the side table. She read aloud.
Dear Madame Mayor,
I would like to thank you for your continuous support to the arts.
This month's funding has guaranteed the funding to go ahead to build the town theatre. We wish your presence tomorrow at 8pm for a committee meeting to discuss the possibility of staging a local production.
We would love to see you attend but we understand that you are very busy.
Thank you again.
Elena Taylor
Regina sat at her desk and reread the letter. She had to admit she was very intrigued to see what this little town of hers was capable of. Henry was off to college in a month and she would be left to her own devices, nobody to care for, although her heart had begun to act differently since The Evil Queen left.
It was unknown territory for Regina to just accept her feelings and be okay in herself, unfortunately she wasn't expecting herself to allow herself to start to fall for someone who she thought never meant much to her.
She questioned her sanity and came to conclusion to push those feelings aside,telling herself she was just lonely, knowing Henry would be gone and accepting the loss of Robin.
But the way she looked at her when Killian left her at the altar... the need and want was there. She wanted to protect her from any further harm, but more than that, her heart broke for Emma Swan.
"Damn that blasted pirate!
Regina fumed as she cast herself back to the whole fiasco. Emma looked breathtaking in Snow's wedding gown, her green eyes aglow with happiness as David walked her down the aisle only to be cut short by Ruby rushing over to stop everything.
"He's not coming is he! screamed Emma
As she sank to the floor in a slobbering mess Regina didn't want to admit it but she knew they were having problems. In fact she witnessed something she would never have told Emma in the hopes that all would work itself out.
She wanted Emma to be happy, even if she wouldn't be. But that look of being so lost in Emma's eyes, the look of all hope draining from her pale skin, the water filling emerald eyes as her heart shattered in front of the crowd and looking up to catch Regina's eyes.
That jolt that struck Regina's heart remained and she knew her heart was trying to tell her everything she already knew.
It had been three months since this had happened and Regina was doing her damnedest not to give into her emotions. She wasn't ready and she damn well knew Emma didn't deserve someone like her, she deserved the best. Besides she didn't even know if the blonde felt anything for her, she might just see her as her friend that fights alongside her when she needs someone.
Regina had been driving herself demented thinking over all the moments they shared and never ever even realizing what was happening to her. She hated Emma Swan but now after all this time her heart finally spoke up. She couldn't tell her. She may be good now, but she was still afraid, afraid of being hurt by the one person she so deeply wanted to hurt so long ago.
"She'll never feel the same" Regina exhaled burying her head in her hands.
Just then a knock was heard at the Mayor's door.
"Come in" ushered Regina composing herself.
Sidney entered carrying a box of folders as he scurried over to greet the Mayor.
"Good morning Madame Mayor, what a lovely day it is" beamed Sidney as he struggled to hold the box.
"That it is indeed Sidney. Why on earth are you still holding that box? Here!
Regina moved some stuff aside on her desk and helped the man place the box out of his tired hands.
"There! Now dear, what can I help you with this morning? Regina sat back into her desk chair and crossed her legs.
"Well Madame Mayor, I've completed the clearing out of unwanted files and organized the rest in order and placed them in the box, I brought it here as fast as I could"
Sidney looked at the ground, he was like a school boy trying to hide a crush.
Regina smirked to herself, she had to admit the man's gestures and loyalty to her flattered her, She even enjoyed the attention, it took her mind off other feelings that were swimming around her brain.
"Will you be attending the town meeting tomorrow Sydney? murmured Regina as she rose from her chair to inspect a car door noise from her window.
Regina was lost in thought as the familiar blonde stepped from her yellow bug.
"Why yes Madame Mayor, you know I never miss them, I aspire to be just like you Mayor Mills" Regina cuts Sydney off as he takes a step towards the Brunette.
"Sorry hmm what was that? Sorry Sidney, I believe I have an important meeting with the Sheriff, so if you don't mind, I'll see you at the meeting"
Sydney sighed and smiled politely as he showed himself out.
Emma Swan walked through the doors and down the corridor to Regina's office.
"Morning Sidney" droned Emma.
She seemed unhappy this morning, as if she had awoken from a nightmare. Sidney rushed passed the blonde.
"Oh um okay, have a good day to you too". Emma shrugged.
Sidney squeezed his hands together. The blonde didn't used to bother him this much, however he didn't want to admit that he had noticed a certain change in his love's manner around her.
Sidney's harbored feelings for the Mayor were the only thing making his life worth something, he longed for her to feel the same and he would stop at nothing to win her over. He refused to believe that Regina Mills actually had feelings for Emma Swan, he had to be imagining seeing the signs. She would be his.
Emma made her way to Regina's door and knocked. The Brunette straightened herself up and found herself pruning herself in the mirror.
"Come in" Regina sat at her desk and lowered her glasses pretending to be reading something.
"Good morning Madame Mayor, I wanted to talk to you about something, are you busy?
Her voice sounded different than usual, if Regina was mistaken her tone sounded like fear. Aware that things were a lot different between the too Regina had earned the blonde's trust and indeed friendship. Why should such a request bother her? Regina was finding it so difficult to keep eye contact with Emma for very long, she ruffled some papers and smiled up at Emma who got suddenly pale.
"Emma are you alright, come here, sit down" Emma did as she was told.
"He's back Regina... I mean Mayor Mills, I mean"
Regina placed her hand on the blonde's hand. Emma jumped at it's touch.
"I'm sorry are you alright Miss Swan? chuckled Regina.
Emma began to cry.
"Oh dear, what is it? Who's back?
Regina looked into Emma's gaze.
"Hook? Retorted Regina her eyes ablaze with anger.
"He called me last night, I tried to forget about it... but Regina he wants me back!
Regina's heart sunk.
"Emma... do you still love him? Regina looked at the ground. Emma sighed.
"I don't know Regina... I dunno how to explain it but I feel different since he left" Regina wanted to shout at the blonde.
"Yeah because that lying, cheating, bastard is gone from your life! Regina sighed.
"You feel different... as in good different?
Emma looks away from Regina's glare.
"I think I feel like me... as in who I always was but couldn't see... me"
Regina looked puzzled.
"Gosh I'm rambling! I dunno why I'm acting like this, he broke my heart, why should I care? I mean he lied to me Regina..."
Regina was in her own bubble thinking back to what she had witnessed the pirate do unaware that her thought process let the words slip from her brain aloud.
"And cheated"
Emma's eyes shot up.
"Cheated?
Regina stood up as the blonde grabbed her hand from hers.
"Oh Emma, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to tell you like this!
Emma stood up.
"Oh sure you didn't! Emma retorted.
"What's exactly is that supposed to mean Miss Swan?
"You can't stand to see me happy Regina! You are just sick and tired of always being alone, hell Robin left you twice, that's saying something"
Regina felt the cold words hit her heart as the tears began to form. Trying to fight back the stinging tears Regina choked out.
"That's not fair Emma... I'm telling you the truth, I never told you because I wanted you to be happy... to have what I don't"
A falling tear ran down the brunettes right cheek.
"Emma... I'm sorry"
Emma swallowed as she looked at the Mayor's guilt ridden face. Why wasn't she fighting back? Regina Mills just took her words and just like that let them absorb into her.
Regina stepped forward towards the blonde holding her hands, Emma looked down at the gesture.
"Regina... you knew all along he was going to leave me, why didn't you save me from this hell?
The blonde's tears cascaded down her face.
"Dear... you are the Savior, you don't need saving from me"
and with that Regina felt a surge run through her core as the blonde embraced her in her arms leaning her head on Regina's left shoulder.
Regina found herself stroking the blonde's curls as Emma's cries shook through her. She smelt like lavender and a hint of evergreen trees, probably from her jogging through the forest.
" I just want you to be happy. Say Miss Swan.. I have an idea that might be of some benefit to you."
Emma inhales and interrupts the Mayor.
"I know... I'm sorry for what I said about you and Robin, I didn't mean that... You are wonderful Regina, you must know that"
Regina smiled unable to stop it. She feels her stomach tighten and prays to god the blonde doesn't notice.
"Thank you Miss Swan... I'm so sorry I kept it from you, but let me finish dear. Our town has been given permission to stage a local play. I think it would be a great distraction for you"
Emma shrugged her shoulders and raised her arms in the air breaking the embrace.
"Look it's in the past, I need to move on. Trust you to change the subject... A play you say? I suppose I could do that.I guess...
What do you have in mind?
The brunette smirked.
"You'd be a great actress dear"
Emma sighed.
"And would you be joining me up there on stage?
Regina laughed.
"Not a chance Miss Swan, I am the Mayor..."
Emma stepped towards the Mayor again.
"It would make me feel safer if you were involved too, unless you are chicken and get stage fright"
Regina pushed by the blonde.
"I am your friend Emma, but I'm also the Mayor, I can't just decide to be in a play willy nilly, there will have to be auditions... look I'll tell you what I'll audition okay and whatever happens then I'll have to follow through"
Emma smiled.
"They'd be a fool not to cast the Mayor"
Regina chuckled.
"Or a fool to cast me!
Emma laughed. Regina smiled. That sound was music to her ears. How did everything seem to be okay with Emma Swan after what had just happened.
Her heart thumped in her chest trying not to draw attention to herself.
Emma was thinking the exact same thing, the woman knew my fiance cheated on me before my wedding and kept it from me but here I am brushing it aside still trusting her.
"Why do I feel so strange? Emma thought to herself. The blonde felt a slight surge of panic as she sensed the brunette looking at her.
"Um I better get going Regina, I gotta get to work"
Regina opened the office door.
"Good day Miss Swan"
Regina didn't wanna get her hopes up but for a split second she thought she saw the same look of longing in Emma's eyes. Bring on the town meeting she thought.