I was listening Passenger's 'Let Her Go' for the umpteenth time and the plot just grew in my mind. So I thought that I can turn it into one shot, I hope you enjoy;)
And I don't own the characters.
It wasn't like Emma had bad luck. I was more like bad luck had Emma. She's stuck with it, or it's stuck with her since her parents abandoned her when she was still an infant. That situation started an avalanche of bad events for her. First orphanage, where kids constantly fought with one another, then foster families who gave her up as soon as they had their own child. It came to this, that in the end she began to run away, not wanting to wait for the new families to abandon her.
Such was her life for 18 years and she would like to be able to say that on her birthday something has changed, but she couldn't. The only thing that has changed was her 'dwelling-place'. Instead of the orphanage, she got she got the studio flat in the allocation in the least interesting area that existed in Boston. And then it was the first time when she was gratefull that she was quite good student, which enabled her the choice of profession.
She always knew that either she'll be a cop or she'll end up unemployed. She decided to take a chance and it paid off when she received a letter saying that she had been admitted to the police academy. And during every sleepless night, as she lay in bed in an empty apartment, her thoughts were returning to her first day of service, the one that changed her past life, but also made it even more muddled.
It was Christmas. Snow enveloped the entire city and wrapped it with white lid. With some relief she acknowledged news about the service, because she never quite knew how to properly spend Christmas. Especially when you are alone and you can't even afford a stupid so-called Christmas tree.
So there she was, with a badge, a gun and with a command to patrol the city. Of course, the Boston police had their cars and Emma received the keys to one of them, but decided to go on foot despite the heavy snowfall. She thought it would be much more interesting. And although she had to wait until the sun starts to set, she was right.
On the back of the building of one of the largest corporations there was a parking area. It was quite big, but there was one area excluded from the traffic, where there was a prohibition sign. And despite that, the black mercedes was parked there. The brunette woman, probably not much older than herself, was leaning against the car, reading some papers. Shaking her head in disapproval, Emma came closer.
"You know ma'am that this sign is here for some reason, right?" she said aloud, because the snow was falling more and more and the visibility has deteriorated.
"In that case, you should know, officer, that it is my mother's company. And this sign doesn't concern me" the brunette replied, giving the blonde a glare.
Emma was about to say that she don't give a damn about who's company it is, but she didn't get a chance to, because suddenly a quite big icicle broke away from the roof, just above the place where the brunette was standing.
"Watch out!" Emma responded instantly. She pushed another woman aside, shielding her with her own body. Unfortunately she was not fast enough to protect herself. She felt a stabbing pain in her right shoulder. It was so sudden that she let out a small groan and slumped to her knees.
"Oh my... hold on I'm calling the ambulance" she heard the brunette's concerned voice.
"No" and when she saw the other woman's surpised gaze she added "I can't go to the hospital, my boss is going to kill me" she said through clenched teeth, because her arm was going numb. So the other woman gently touched the icicle, what caused a loud hiss. "What the hell?!"
"I'm just proving my point officer. You have to go to the hospital. Now get into the car or I'll drag you" she added firmly as she opened the passenger door. Emma, feeling defeated, fulfilled this strange command. As soon as the car started to move, she felt something warm and sticky under her fingers, which she held around the wound.
'This service couldn't be any better' she thought.
"So now, tell me what's the deal with your boss?" she heard the question.
"What's the deal? Well, it's my first day of service and now what? I'm useless AND it's Christmas" she mumbled.
"I do not agree. You saved me, and that's a big merit" although the blonde wasn't looking, muttering something about the fact that it was normal thing to do, the other woman sent her a warm gaze. "I see what I can do about that"
"Whoa... I don't want to sound rude, but who do you think you are?"
"I'm almost sure I'm Regina Mills. And as far as I know, my mother's company recently gave a substantial sum to support the police" at this information the blonde forgot about the pain for a while and just stared at the other woman.
"THIS Mills? Like the most influential people in Boston?
"Well, according to what my mother always says I believe so Ms..." she paused, clearly waiting for the officer to speak.
"Umm...Swan...Emma Swan"
"Well then Ms. Swan, this is the hospital" only now the blonde remembered about her "issue". The icicle in her shoulder was almost melted, but the pain has only increased. "I believe that you're able to get inside on your own. I'll make a quick call and see what can be done about your boss" and with that, the brunette reached for her mobile phone. Emma, surprised (but pleasantly), dragged herself to the hospital entrance.
The diagnosis was not so bad, however it wasn't for the best also. Nerve damage and injury, requiring thirteen stitches. But it didn't matter for Emma. She just wanted to know when she would be able to return to work. And when the answer was that the injury doesn't prevent her from work, and she should just be careful if it comes to the arm, she breathed a sigh of relief.
When she left the treatment room with a bandage and an arm sling, her eyes fell on the only person who was in the waiting room. To her delicate delight, it was Regina.
"This job is still yours" the brunette greeted her. "Oh and you have a 'vacation' for two days. It seems that police knows what to do with the heroes" and another mutter about not being anyone special came as an answer. "So how's your arm?"
"They gave me painkillers, so for now it's fine. Aren't you late by the way?"
"Excuse me?"
"Well, it's Christmas" Emma started, not exactly knowing what she wanted to say. "Don't you have something planned?"
"Oh, that..." Regina hesitated. "My mother invited me to some Christmas event with the people from her company, but to be honest I'm not sure, if I'll go. What about you?" maybe the waiting room in the hospital wasn't the best place to talk, but they seem not to mind that small detail.
"I don't know. Probably TV, couch and some ice cream" she said quietly.
"At Christmas?"
"Yeah... I'm kind of an orphan so I believe there's nothing much I can do today. For me Christmas is like any normal day"
"Oh, I'm so sorry..."
"Don't be" Emma cut in. "I'm kind of used to it. But I think that you have to go to that event. Nobody should be alone at Christmas" the blonde gave her a small smile, despite the urge to let the tears flow down her cheeks. And in that moment Regina took a while to look at the other woman. Although there was a smile on her lips, her eyes were sad. Hospital waiting room and her hand in a sling, have created an image that touched Regina deeply. She just wanted to hug the blonde and make her feel better. Suddenly she blinked when a thought occurred to her.
"Yes, you're right, nobody should be alone today..." it took another while before she raised her gaze to look at the blonde's eyes. "Which is why I'm taking you to my place" she said, getting up from a chair. "Would you like that?" Emma didn't respond right away. Instead she was just standing there in awestruck. For the first time she was invited somewhere...
"Emma?" Regina asked hesitantly, not quite sure if she was allowed to call the other woman by her name.
"I'd love to" she replied, and a smile lit up her eyes as well.
Regina's apartment was almost like luxury mansion for Emma. While the other woman was preparing dinner in the kitchen, the blonde got permission to look around. So she was wandering through the long hall. She admired shapes, colors, images and photographs. Those that attracted her attention depicted a smiling Regina. There was a picture of her childhood, of graduation, and one represented brunette with a woman with expressive facial features and unfriendly gaze, looking very haughty. They stood in front of a building. Emma concluded that it had to be the mother of Regina, and the building in the background the property of their corporation.
"I kind of joined the family business" at the sound the blonde slightly flinched and turned her head. Regina stood in the doorway leading to the living room.
"Don't get me wrong, but why do I get the feeling that if you hadn't done that, your mother would have turned you into the dust?" and this question made the brunette chuckle.
"I'm going to blame the painkillers for this outburst of honesty, but yes, you may be right. However I don't want to test that theory" she sent her a smile as the blonde nodded. "Oh and the dinner is ready" only now Regina remembered that this was the reason she come here.
When they entered the living room, Emma's gaze turned to the most beautiful Christmas tree she has ever seen. Not that she saw them a lot, but this one brought her not so small delight.
"Wow..." that was the only sound that the blonde was able to make. Regina looked at her with compassion. What must have been her life, if something so simple was able to impress her...
Maybe the lasagna was not exactly the Christmas dish, but for Emma it was the best dish ever. Even if she had to use hes left hand to eat it.
"What's so funny?" the blonde asked, noticing her amusement.
"Nothing dear. It's just nice of you when you're trying to use this fork properly, even if you're clearly right-handed" Regina explained, sending her a soft gaze as Emma blushed.
"Heyy, I hope that next time the prohibition sign will really mean to you the prohibition sign" she teased.
"Fair enough" the brunette said as she took a fork with her left hand. This time the blush on Emma's face was not caused by embarrassment at all.
Once the dinner was over, Regina started to clean up, though Emma insisted on helping her. When she didn't get the permission, she shook her head in amusement and walked closer to the Christmas tree.
"Wine?" after a few moments she heard a voice behind her. As she turned around she saw the brunette offering her a glass of red wine.
"Yes please" she smiled and reached for the glass. She wasn't aware that she started to use her right hand. When she saw her fingers touched the glass, she shuddered. She should have felt the slippery surface under her fingers, but it was nothing there.
"What's wrong?" the brunette asked instantly.
"I...I can't feel anything" she whispered in shock. Regina quickly put the glasses on the table and walked over to the blonde.
"Give me your hand" she asked and Emma did that. When her fingers touched the brunette's hand, she felt something like a weak pulse of heat that has passed through her body. Regina clasped their hands and gently squeezed. "Can you feel that?" it came out as a silent whisper. The room was dim. The only light sources were stars and lights on the Christmas tree. And it was the latter that illuminated the pale face of Emma. And it that moment, she seemed beautiful to Regina.
"Only a bit" came as an answer. Despite the fear she suddenly felt safe. Looking at this almost strange woman in front of her, she thought that she could look at that face forever.
"Try to squeeze" as she said she felt that the blonde's hand moved. It was not a firm grip, but enough to calm the two women. "I'm sorry" Regina suddenly said.
"For what?"
"It's my..."
"Oh don't" Emma cut in. "It was my decision. See?" she pointed at ther intertwined fingers. "It's just the matter of time when I'll be able to crush your hand with my strenght" she teased and the brunette finally smiled. "That's better, smile definitely suits you" and she gave her a warm grin. Regina felt her heart began to beat faster.
"Emma?" she started with her voice slightly trembling.
"Hm?" she kept her eyes on the other woman.
"Do you believe in coincidence?"
"No. I believe that everything happens for a reason. Even icicles digging into people" she tried to joke, although her breath was shaking because of the close distance between them. "Do you?"
"No. I believe that that sign was there for a reason, other than icicles" Regina replied and unconsciously her eyes fell on Emma's lips. It was the only thing that the blonde needed at that moment. She leaned forward and gently kissed another woman. It brief as if she was still afraid of rejection. But instead of rejection, she received a kiss back. It wasn't rough, but very passionate. She felt a tongue on her bottom lip and she quickly parted her lips to let it in. Her left hand wandered on Regina's waist as she pulled her closer. They both longed for the closeness and it wasn't about an alcohol at all. The full glasses were still on the table, but they didn't need them. They've already gained the courage to reach for what they both wanted. Suddenly the brunette broke the kiss.
"Shh" she whispered as she saw that Emma wanted to say something. Still with their hands clasped, she led her to the bedroom. It was a cozy room with a large bed. Three colors were mingled there, white, black and burgundy. Emma thought that this room reflects perfectly it's owner way of being.
Regina slightly pushed the blonde so she had to sat on the edge of the bed. She gently removed the sling and put it on a small bedside table. And all Emma could do was just to allow the other woman to do so, with her gaze directed at her. But seeing the hesitation on her face, she reached her hand towards the brunette.
"Come here" and so Regina did. She sat next to the blonde. "You're beautiful" the blonde whispered, looking into the most perfect brown eyes she's ever seen. It was crazy. This incredible force that was pushing her towards the other woman. The way she was trembling, though it wasn't cold inside the building. And it was also confusing, because she didn't even know if Regina was gay. And she for sure wasn't ready for a heartbreak.
The brunette just smiled. She wasn't used to this kind of compliments. For sure she received some from her 'dates' that her mother arranged for her, but nobody never said that in the way Emma just did. Sure, she knew somewhere deep inside that she liked girls in the way she probably wasn't allowed to, but it was really silly of her to have feelings for someone she has just met.
Emma suddenly stood up. With a smug smile she took off her belt, at which she wore a gun and put it next to the sling. She also took off her red jacket, remaining only in a white tank top. She still wasn't able to use her right hand, nevertheless she was grateful that the painkillers were still working. Regina watched her carefully, as soon as the blonde moved closer again. Without warning, Emma pushed her so she would lay down on the bed. As soon as she did, the blonde sat astride her. The brunette tentatively embraced her waist.
"Kiss me" Emma whispered. The brunette looked at the woman towering over her with a warm gaze. She grabbed the front of her white top with one hand and gently pulled until their lips crushed in a tender kiss. Soon their tongues started to explore each other and their kisses become more and more passionate. Emma, hesitating, tried to move her injured arm. When she succeeded to her own surprise, she propped herself up with her left hand. The right hand she slowly slipped under Regina's blouse.
"You're beautiful" another whisper reached Regina's ears as their lips parted. She only took a moment to look into the green orbs of blonde before she leaned to capture her lips.
That night was their night, all about the closeness and tenderness. They made love as if they were old lovers, who knew each other thoughts, feelings and desires...
Sunlight burst into the bedroom, revealing to the world one of the most beautiful views, the feeling between two people. Two women were lying under the sheet, their bodies tangled together. Emma was the first one to wake up, because her arm began to hurt. With a smile on her face she discovered that she was still in that bedroom. To her delight, she felt someone's bare legs tangled with her own. Her left hand rested on someone's bare waist. And with another warm feeling, she reassured that all of this, together with a dark hair near her face, belonged to Regina.
"Morning" she said lightly as she saw the other woman slowly waking up.
"Morning" the brunette replied with a wide grin. Right now, she felt like a naughty teenager and it was one of the greatest feelings she's ever have. "That was amazing" she added quietly, feeling a bit shy.
"You were amazing" she assured her and gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek as the brunette blushed.
But suddenly the idyll was gone. They heard the sound of the key in the door. Regina immediately looked at her watch. It was almost half past eleven.
"Shit, It has to be my mother" she said with horror in her voice. Emma felt sick. She jumped out of bed and began to dress up. Regina reached for her robe. At this moment the door opened.
"Regina? Are you there? You weren't at the event. Some of my friends were really disappointed and so was I. So are you going to tell me what..." she paused as she walked into the bedroom. Regina's just ended to tie her robe and Emma was sitting on the bed wearing her top and pants, trying to put her shoes on with her left hand. Her right hand ached so much that she was unable to move it.
"Mother, I can explain..." Regina started, but the older woman slapped her on the cheek.
"Hey!" Emma jumped to her feet.
"How dare you..." she continued, still looking at her daughter. "I despise you"
"Be careful what you say" blonde said through clenched teeth.
"You dare to speak? You vile little slut..."
"Mother!"
"Get out of my face. Right now" the older woman said to Emma.
"What if I'm not going to?"
"Emma don't..." Regina whispered, sending her sad gaze.
"What then? Watch me" brunette's mother saw a gun still placed where Emma put it the previous night. She quickly walked over and grabbed it with an awful smile. Emma thought that she will aim the gun at her, but instead, the woman pointed it at her daughter. The blonde paled.
"Are you out of your mind?!" she cried.
"I'll say it one last time. Get out of here and never try to show near my daughter ever again" her voice was full of hate. The blonde looked at Regina. She was also pale as a ghost. Her eyes were begging. So Emma had no choice. She quickly took the rest of her stuff. She had to use also her right hand, so her face contorted a huge grimace.
"My gun" she said in a husky tone. The woman smiled triumphantly and threw a gun to her.
"Next time I'll aim at you and I won't hesitate to pull the trigger" blonde inored her and looked at Regina. She didn't move even a bit, still looking at Emma.
"Goodbye..." she whispered, feeling the tears began to run down her cheeks and then she almost ran out of the apartment.
And although it's been two years since then, that situation still haunted Emma in her dreams. That one night she fell in love and she wasn't strong enough to keep it, she just let her go...
I have to admit that this story is longer than I've previously planned. And for now it doesn't have happy ending. So my question to you is, would you like another chapter?