A/N: Hey, so this begins a couple of months after the season 5 finale just without all the Jekyll and Hyde drama. It's slow-burn SQ and is rated mature for later chapters.
Emma's brow arched as she eyed the dark headed brunette walking towards her, each step of her heels clinking loudly against the tiled sheriff station floor.
"Regina, hey." She greeted, smiling warmly at the woman who returned her smile with a small one of her own. Emma reached out and took the coffee from her outstretched hand, thanking her profusely as she stood up to allow Regina to sit down on the comfortable seat as she perched down on the edge of the desk.
"Hello Emma." She nodded her thanks, eyes widening slightly as they always did whenever Emma did something nice for her, even though it happened pretty regularly nowadays. She sat down on the seat and smoothed down her skirt; waiting for the question she knew would be coming next.
"How are you feeling today?" Emma chewed on her bottom lip as she gazed apprehensively into russet eyes. It had been 2 months now since Robin Hood had died and the guilt still tore her up inside. She had been the one who wanted to go to the underworld to save her boyfriend, therefore it was her fault that Hades had come back to Storybrooke and killed Robin.
"Better." Regina answered, as she did every day when that question was asked. They had formed a little routine now, every weekday at lunchtime Regina would stop by at the station and bring Emma a coffee, (except on Fridays when she brought her cocoa as a treat.) Emma would give up her chair, ask her how she was feeling, offer her lunch and a bite of her bear claw (which Regina accepted once or twice, much to Emma's surprise and amusement), and then they would talk until it was way past an acceptable amount of time to spend on a lunch break.
"Really?" Emma asked in a disbelieving tone, clasping and unclasping her own hands anxiously.
"Really, Emma. You don't have to worry about me." Regina's red lips stretched into a smile and Emma visibly relaxed, her truth detector sensing that she was not being lied to. Time was a great healer and although Robin's death still weighed heavily on Regina's heart, each day a little of that weight was taken off, aided by the love and care shown to her by her family.
"Good 'cause I don't." Emma flashed the brunette a playful smile and Regina smirked, enjoying their usual banter.
"Oh be quiet Ms Swan, we both know that's not true." Regina rolled her eyes, and Emma grinned at the sound of her formal name being used.
"It's true!" Emma insisted with no conviction whatsoever. Reaching into a carrier bag, she pulled out a sandwich for herself and one for Regina, passing the latter to the brunette. "Snow made them for us, chicken salad." She said, answering Regina's unspoken question.
"Ah, I'll thank her later." Regina began to unwrap the sandwich tentatively, feeling a soft pang in her heart; her relationship with Snow had grown and improved drastically and the pixie-haired brunette really treated her like part of the family.
"Where's Henry?" Emma's words were scarcely coherent as they were spoken around a mouthful of sandwich. Regina wrinkled her nose, giving the blonde a disapproving look.
"With Violet." Regina answered after pointedly chewing and swallowing her delicate bite of sandwich. "They spend too much time together Emma, I know Henry is a good boy but I hardly think it's appropriate for a 13 year old to be kissing."
Emma laughed at Regina's affronted expression and Regina scowled, turning her head away.
Not wanting to offend the brunette, Emma quickly launched into an explanation. "Look Regina, you saw how innocent that kiss was when we came back from New York, I doubt anything will develop further than that for a while. Besides, Violet was raised in Camelot, they'll probably have to be wedded before the kid'll even get to second base."
"Second base? What are you referring to?" Regina arched a brow, her fears for Henry momentarily soothed by Emma's calmness. She was pretty sure the way girls were raised in Camelot was similar to the Enchanted Forest and she knew their Henry was such a little prince and a gentleman.
"You know, second base." Emma looked at her meaningfully.
"Repeating the phrase doesn't explain it, Emma." The brunette frowned, she hated being ignorant about subject matters, especially to Emma who used her lack of knowledge to mock her and more often than not, call her old.
"You seriously don't know what second base is?" Emma held back a sigh, hoping she really wouldn't have to explain the base system to the prim and proper Regina Mills.
"I'm afraid I don't..." Regina looked a little irritated, waiting impatiently for Emma to tell her.
"Oh."
"Would you care to explain, or?"
"Not really." Emma fidgeted awkwardly, finishing her sandwich and chucking the foil across the room and straight into the bin. Her face brightened. "Hey did you see that?"
"Emma." The blonde winced at Regina's severe tone.
"Second base is..." Fuck it, the blonde thought, placing her hands on her own boobs and squeezing. She had to hold back a laugh at Regina's expression, her eyes narrowed in alarm and then understanding.
"Stop that." Regina demanded and Emma snickered wickedly at the embarrassed flush on Regina's olive cheeks and continued to grope at her own breasts.
"Is this Storybrooke Sheriff's department?" Emma almost jumped out of her skin as two burly men walked into the station, clothed in black suits. The man at the front was holding up a badge and Regina's face turned up into a smirk as Emma blushed beet red- karma, as his eyes flickered in shock to the hand Emma was rapidly withdrawing from her boob.
"Yes, it is. Sheriff Swan." Emma thrust out her hand for the man to shake which he eyed disdainfully for a moment before taking it and shaking it limply.
"You're the sheriff, ma'am?" He glanced back at the shorter man behind him who let out a small snort of amusement.
"Yes, I am. Is that a problem?" Emma's voice had hardened as she took a step forward, a dangerous glint in her green eyes.
"Not at all." Smirked the detective and Regina and Emma both felt instant distaste for him. "I'm Detective Gerard, this is Franks. We're here investigating a flurry of criminal activity that has been traced back to an individual said to be mayor of this... Storyland." At his words Emma stepped back, gaping slightly. Mayor? Criminal activity? Regina is in trouble? Emma's brain short circuited as it always did when Regina seemed under threat and she glanced back at the brunette who had stiffened, her features blank and unreadable.
"It's Storybrooke." Emma whispered and the two men frowned, perturbed by her instant change in demeanour.
"I take it you know this Mayor... Regina Mills, your boss?" The detective introduced as Franks now stepped forward, holding a grainy image of Regina. It was now clear why they didn't recognise the woman sitting stiffly in Emma's chair, clutching a half-eaten sandwich to her chest from the photograph. Emma looked down at it with a sinking heart, her face plastered with shock. It was a blurry image of The Evil Queen outside a building in New York, dressed in the same elaborate black dress she was wearing when Regina destroyed her. Well, when she believed she had anyway.
"Yes she knows her." Regina stood up slowly as she eyed the image scornfully. "Because that's me."
"What the hell Regina?" Emma turned incredulously to the brunette who stood tall. She looked deeply into russet hues, imploring her to poof herself the fuck out of that room. Regina was authoritative and power exuded off her in waves as she snatched the photograph, scanning it briefly. She had a great presence and to the two officers she seemed self-assured and confident. But Emma knew her better than that; Emma could tell that under the surface Regina was afraid.
Regina ignored Emma and turned to the first detective who had morphed into a professional, facial expression blank as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
Regina's dark eyes narrowed as they fell upon the metal cuffs. "What exactly am I being accused of here?"
"Regina Mills, I'm arresting you on suspicion of theft, assault, attempted murder and perverting the course of justice." Handcuffs were snapped harshly across thin wrists and Regina breathed out heavily after each offence was listed off.
"Hey there!" Emma barked, thrusting herself forward till she was toe to toe with the detective. "This is my town, I'm the Sheriff and I will deal with this."
Detective Gerald scoffed, giving Emma and the station a condescending appraisal. "With all due respect Sheriff, you don't exactly have the facilities to deal with a drunk driver, let alone a serial criminalist. The crimes were committed in New York and this is our case." The detective turned around, beginning to lead a complying Regina out of the station.
"Emma." Hearing her name being uttered softly, the blonde ran around the officer to gaze fearfully into expressive brown eyes. Ignoring the detective reading out her statutory rights, Regina reached out as far as she could with the handcuffs and Emma closed the distance, grasping her hand. "Emma in my desk in the study is an address book, find my lawyer and call him for me. His name is Robert Birch."
An overwhelmed Emma could only nod wordlessly at her request.
"And don't worry, everything will be okay. He's the best lawyer money can buy." Regina smirked slightly and Emma could tell the comment was made only to make her feel better. Regina was being strong for her.
"Look after Henry for me." Regina squeezed Emma's hand gently and Emma had to swallow back all emotion as she softly replied.
"Always."
The detectives led Regina outside to their waiting car and shoved her unceremoniously into the back seat.
Unlocking the door to her shared apartment with Killian, Emma was swallowing back tears. She had phoned the lawyer and then she had to go and explain to her family what had happened. Henry had been inconsolable, breaking down in tears and then insisting he was going with Emma to New York. Emma had to make him promise he wouldn't by making an oath she would protect his mom and sort everything out. Snow had also been tearful and racked with guilt for suggesting Regina split from the evil queen in the first place. Emma had to get out of there quickly; she couldn't allow herself to break down when she had a job to do. She was the Saviour, and Regina, the mother of her son, her best friend, needed her.
"Swan." Killian stood up from the sofa, his arms open for her which she allowed herself to walk into, sighing contentedly as he wrapped them tightly around her. She needed this, someone to be strong for her, even for just a moment, after she had just been strong for everyone else. She was a little surprised Killian had caught on to her emotional state so quickly, he was usually pretty oblivious.
"I missed you." He whispered in her ear. It should have been comforting but his voice was all wrong- gravelly and full of innuendo. The arms that had wrapped around her had slipped down to grab her ass through her tight jeans and she shoved him away, suddenly repulsed.
"What the hell Killian? Can't you see there's something wrong?" Emma shook her head and stormed to her bedroom, grabbing a suitcase and beginning to shove a random array of clothes inside. A bewildered Hook followed her, standing in the doorway and watching with wide eyes.
"Of course I did love, I was trying to make you feel better."
"By wetting your dick, nice." Emma snapped and Hook smirked, angling his hips up in a provocative manner.
"That's the best way to make you feel better; we both know how talented I am in that department."
Angered and disgusted, Emma grabbed her jacket and shrugged it on, shoving past Hook to get her car keys.
"Where the hell are you going Swan? I know you women can be a bit emotional but surely this is a bit over the top isn't it?"
"I don't know when I'll be back. Don't call me." Slamming the door in his face, Emma stood outside the apartment and took a deep breath. Surely Hook would follow her, apologise for the stupid things he said and ask what was wrong like a normal, decent boyfriend- hell, decent human-being would. Seconds later, Emma heard the sound of the TV being switched on and she turned away from Hook and towards her bug, towards Regina.
Emma had stopped at Hardee's on her way. She knew exactly what had motivated that particular choice in road trip snacking and she felt a sinking feeling in her stomach as she drove, thinking over the last time she was on her way to New York. Yes, it was also a tumultuous journey as Henry had run off, but she had Regina. Regina, who always had a plan and was always fighting alongside Emma. The blonde slammed her foot on the acceleration pedal as she dwelled on their current situation; The Evil Queen was loose in New York. A woman identical to Regina with all the same genetic information and therefore the same fingerprint. A ruthless and merciless woman who would kill without hesitation, who would try her hardest to get to Storybrooke and kill Snow and maybe even use magic openly in New York. And what defence could Regina have for herself with all that evidence stacked up against her? Emma sighed and drummed her fingers against the steering wheel. It had been a nagging concern to everyone when the Storybrooke town line was suddenly crossable for the first time, they believed it would only lead to trouble with the outside world and they were right. Regina offered to put a spell on the line and lift it whenever anyone wanted to leave but the townspeople had voted against that, not trusting her to lift it when needed. Fucking idiots Emma thought vehemently.
Emma's hotel room was modest and plain. She shoved her suitcase in a corner and didn't even give herself the opportunity to use the bathroom before she was making phone calls. First she phoned Regina's lawyer who assured her he was doing everything in his power to get her out as soon as possible. Emma garnered every ounce of information out of him and then asked for all the prison information and was on the phone to them before the lawyer could even say goodbye. The woman on the phone to her was friendly, and said she could come and visit Regina for a 5 minute appointment. The words had barely registered in her head and she was out of the door, jumping back into the bug.
The lawyer had told Emma that they hadn't enough evidence to keep Regina in prison, just a couple of eye witness accounts and the grainy photograph that had been taken off an iPhone. As the image didn't actually implicate Regina in any way because The Evil Queen wasn't actually doing anything illegal, just standing looking fierce; it meant that Regina would probably be out in 24 hours if they couldn't find anything more concrete. But Emma didn't care if it was just till tomorrow she would have to wait; she had to see her immediately.
Sitting in the waiting room of the prison, Emma's weariness caught up with her. She had a long, long day and she felt emotionally and physically drained. Biting her lip, she gazed around the prison centre. This prison was entirely unlike the one she was placed at in Phoenix, but a flurry of painful memories began overwhelming her all the same. Flashbacks of finding out she was pregnant by the man that had abandoned her raced through her mind. And then there was giving up Henry, hoping he would get his best chance but not knowing if he truly would. Emma wasn't religious but she took that opportunity to thank God for giving him Regina, the woman who loved more fiercely than anyone Emma had ever met and who would give up her life in a heartbeat to protect Henry.
"Emma Swan to see Regina Mills?"
Emma opened her eyes and stood up, walking towards the security officer while dragging her fingers through tousled blonde waves. The man emptied her pockets and frisked her, before leading the way with a blank expression. "Follow me ma'am."
The first thing that struck Emma was how small Regina looked. The woman who was usually larger than life was sat down, eyes downcast in an unbecoming outfit of orange scrubs. She still looked beautiful, Emma thought as she sat opposite her, staring through the glass wall dividing them and picking up the phone that allowed them to talk.
Regina looked up and Emma almost rolled her eyes when she saw Regina's hair was perfectly in place and her make-up free complexion was radiant. The brunette smiled slightly when she saw Emma and she picked up the phone.
"Really Regina? In prison and you still look better than me?"
Regina smirked in response. "Emma I could be caught in an avalanche and I'd still look better than you."
Emma laughed, happy to see Regina was still up for their usual banter. "Take that back or I'll leave you here to rot, Mills."
Regina scoffed. "Last I was aware; it was my lawyer doing all the work to get me out of here, not you, Swan."
"Oh yeah? Well who called him, hmm?" Emma feigned insult, narrowing her eyes at the brunette.
"Well I guess I must thank you for that. Whilst making a phone call isn't too difficult for the majority of people, I accept it must have been quite the challenge for you." The brunette snarked with a slight smirk and Emma could only grin widely in response. Regina was such a bitch, but the blonde could tell she was merely teasing her and her fondness for Emma laced her words.
"Emma." Regina said seriously after a beat, and Emma sobered at hearing her tone of voice. "Until I'm out of here," Regina glanced around to ensure no-one was listening. "Please, don't go after her alone. That would be incredibly dangerous and stupid."
Emma gnawed on her bottom lip. She had in fact planned to go after The Evil Queen straight away but Regina's russet eyes were gazing into hers with a sudden intensity, imploring and pleading with her to listen and Emma felt a sudden chill go up her spine. How could she say no when Regina was looking at her like that?
"Okay Regina. I'll wait for you, we'll do this together." She nodded slowly and observed as Regina visibly relaxed.
"Good." Regina mused. "Things always work out better when we work together." Emma nodded in agreement and watched as Regina looked desolately down at her hands- the first indication that she was struggling with everything that was happening.
"Henry is worried about you, and Snow feels terrible about her plan backfiring this way." Emma said after a moment of them just watching each-other in silent contemplation.
"Tell Snow not to feel that way. She gave me an option which I decided to take, we all knew there would be risks, and she can't blame herself for this." Emma nodded; she had basically told Snow the same thing earlier that day.
"And just tell Henry I love him, and our family will be reunited soon." They smiled together at her words, they really were a family and it meant so much to both of them.
"I couldn't find Zelena, but Snow said she would tell her what's going on." Emma continued, and Regina offered her a half-smile.
"Good," she answered. "We may need her help, dealing with this… this new threat." Regina grimaced, exhaling heavily.
"Times up, say goodbye." The security guard grunted out the words and Emma's eyes softened as they locked on Regina's.
"Try to get some sleep tonight 'Gina." Her lips curved into a tentative smile.
Regina nodded. "You too. And Emma, thank you. For everything, for being here."
"Of course." Emma answered without a beat. "It's what we do for each other, right?"
"Right." Regina said with a smile that reached her eyes.
Emma put the phone down and the connection was severed.
All Emma could think about on her drive back to the hotel was a hot shower and throwing herself into bed. She was exhausted and emotionally drained, so much so that she barely paid attention to the room numbers as she searched for her hotel room and walked past her door twice. She fumbled in her bag for the room key, quickly shooting off a series of texts to Snow and Henry to let them know Regina was okay. She ignored the message from Killian that read 'where the hell are you Swan'- he obviously didn't have the common sense to ask her parents, or Henry and knowing Hook, he probably couldn't be bothered to ask even if he did.
Emma shoved the card key in the slot and pushed open the door. The sight that greeted her on the other side was enough to give someone a heart attack. In fact, Emma would swear that if she had eaten a second bear claw that morning she would be dead on the floor.
She let out a strangled gasp, dropping her phone onto the ground as she found herself face to face with The Evil Queen, whose black eyes were shimmering with supremacy, and whose plump, blood-red lips were turned up into a salacious smirk.
"Hello, Emma Swan." She purred.
If this interests you and is something you think I should continue, please leave a review. Also, let me know if you have any ideas as I have a rough outline of how I want this to go, but am open to suggestions.