Posting this a day earlier as a favor. You know who you are, you're welcome :)
Enjoy!
After Emma's long absences, the discussion was due to continue the next day.
This time, Emma was smart enough to realize that going through this thing without any kind of help is simply delusional. Packed with two flasks of whiskey and bags under her eyes that would qualify as a raccoon she took a seat next to the table once again. Mind set on keeping her head down and letting Maggie do the work she also approached Leon, the arbitrator, prior to the meeting and apologized for her behavior.
"I was really upset but it is no excuse and I would like to apologize for the discomfort I might have caused you." She said honestly and he squeezed her arm in response.
"It's all good Emma, but thank you for apologizing. I understand how tough these things might be, even more to those who feel immensely and deeply betrayed in more than one way. If you feel like you need a break, please let me know and we'll make it happen. I want you to feel comfortable in this process, I'm an objective tool to use in attempt to avoid the unnecessary filth, emotional and physical cost that trials create."
Emma nodded, understanding that he is right, she does not want a trial and she will do her best to avoid it.
They were sitting, waiting for Regina and Lily to arrive, when Emma started consuming the alcohol she brought along.
"Emma" Maggie sighed but the blonde was having none of it.
"I have to. Trust me not to do anything stupid, I know how to hold my liquor, I've been doing it since I was fourteen." She stated bitterly and went for another gulp.
That's when Regina and Lily stepped through the door. Regina's eyes zeroed on Emma's flask in a matter of seconds. She pursed her lips, obviously trying to avoid chastising a grown up woman who isn't even her client.
Emma looked back at her, her gaze empty, and took another sip. She spotted her jaw clenching and unclenching at the sight while she took her seat, this time, right in front of Emma.
Confident in Maggie's knowledge of what Emma wants to get out of it, Emma turned to look outside the window, shutting herself out.
The next thing she heard was Leon announcing they would be taking a break.
Maggie excused herself to make a phone call, Leon and Lily opted on going to the bathroom.
It was the two of them, alone. Of course, Emma thought bitterly, why not causing her more discomfort. Still, she said she would be civil, even if just for her own good.
Automatically reaching for another sip, she heard Regina sigh in annoyance.
"Must you?" Regina inquired, obviously extremely uncomfortable seeing Emma drinking her liver to death. Not that Emma cared in the slightest. She is a celebrity, isn't that what they're expected of? The be fucked up?
"Why do you care?" still not making eye contact, her eyes focused on the brunette's fingers, tapping the desk with her long manicured fingers. Emma snickered.
"Got back in the closet?"
"Excuse me?"
Emma gestured her head towards Regina's hand.
"Long nails, ring." She stated calmly "It's either married to a man or the unfortunate case of lesbian bed death."
"I never said I was a lesbian" she replied with a tight voice.
Emma full out laughed at that one "Oh is that what you're going with?" she shook her head in disbelief "Alright then, happily married?"
She looked up for the first time to catch Regina slightly fidgeting under the investigation.
"I am, actually" she said in defiance, lifting her chin up.
"Good, good" Emma mumbled "Kids?"
"Two"
"Mmm" Emma made a non-committal voice "As pretty as you are?"
She could say a lot of things about Regina, but there's no denying that she is simply drop dead gorgeous, even with the wrinkles gracing the sides of her eyes and lips. Time has done her nothing but good, motherhood contributed probably, nonetheless Emma would probably be all over her if she hadn't despised her so fucking much.
"Adopted" Regina cleared her throat and Emma raised an eyebrow in question.
"Not that it's any of your business," Regina elaborated reluctantly "But I can't have children."
Emma examined her thoroughly, spotting every body movement; from the way her face crumbled and her body deflated to the slight shake of her tone.
"I'm sorry to hear that" she said honestly and Regina nodded her thanks.
The door opened, making the two of them jump and Leon, Maggie and a minute later Lily, walked in.
"Alright ladies, let's continue."
"Bye, thank you" Emma waved to Maggie as she stepped outside the building to the awaiting cab.
"You welcome Honey, see you tomorrow."
Emma stared at her making her way to the bright yellow vehicle.
"Have a drink with me" Emma jumped at the sultry voice in her ear. She turned to face Regina, a lot closer than the social protocol would normally allow.
"Why would I want to do that?" she asked, her heart still beating furiously in her chest from the earlier scare.
"You're going to drink anyway, might as well do it with a friend." Regina reasoned and Emma snorted.
"I hate you, remember?"
"No you don't" Regina determined, her eyes fiery.
After a short stare-off Emma relented. Rolling her eyes she huffed "Fine, but you're paying."
"What?" Emma asked harshly while downing another shot. Regina pursed her lips but said nothing. She shrugged and took another sip of her whiskey.
"Do you want to keep drinking in awkward silence or do you want to fill the gaps by actually talking, like a normal human being?" Regina inquired sarcastically.
"I already told you, you're not getting any more ammunition"
Regina rolled her eyes at that.
"I don't how many times I can say this but I guess I'll just have to say it again, I'm not here as Lily's attorney, I'm here as Regina."
"The one who tried to use me as a hump-board and then left me when she realized I actually wanted more?" Emma retorted and Regina gave her a piercing look.
Emma sighed "Fine, what do you want to know?"
Regina's posture relaxed after Emma's pathetic show of cooperation, as if she moved from being attacked to finally being allowed in.
"How are you doing?" she asks softly, her eyes all caring.
"Ask me something simpler" Emma downs her glass and waves towards the bartender, when she catches his attention she signals for a re-fill.
"Alright," Regina bites her lip and Emma's drunken body reacts to the sight. She wants to kiss her so bad but she holds it down, fuck she is not falling for the same honey-trap again.
"How's your music? Anything new?"
Emma hums "Not yet, but I'll have tons of new songs, traumas are excellent for writers. Except for the part where they ruin your soul." She says offhandedly.
"I'm sorry" Regina says after a charged silence.
"What for?" the alcohol makes her emotions dull and heightened at the same time and this weird contradiction makes her hand swim.
"For everything, for the flight, for what Lily did to you. I'm sorry you have to go through this, you don't deserve it." She locks Emma's gaze and her tone is so honest it makes Emma feel overwhelmed.
"I-" she clears her throat and scrambles off the chair "I need to go to the bathroom" she excuses and quickly moves away from this woman who seems to run head forward, knocking down all of her barriers and walls.
She is so engrossed in her attempt to get away that she misses the waitress to her right completely. It's a matter of seconds before there's ten shots worth of liquor on her hair, chest and legs.
"Ugh" she exclaims and the waitress eyes go round.
"I'm so sorry" she offers Emma a paper and Emma grabs it.
"It's okay, it's my fault" she dismisses while patting her soaked clothes. Realizing she might need more than a piece of paper she heads towards the toilet. She halts, fishes a twenty out of her pocket and hands it to the waitress.
"Hope it covers the cost" she gestures with her hand towards the empty shot glasses on the floor.
"S-sure" the waitress stutters, shocked by the act of kindness. It makes Emma sad to think how beasts like humans can be while drunk.
Emma sends her a small smile before shoving her way towards the bathrooms.
"Wait" the waitress calls and Emma turns. "Those bathrooms are stacked with people, I'll show you where the staff bathrooms are," she shrugs "that way you can actually clean up."
"Thank you" Emma says while following the girl to the other direction.
"Of course"
Emma is so in the moment that she fails to notice Regina's stare following her into the back part of the bar.
"Here's the sink" the girl gestures towards a marvel stand-alone sink when they enter the small room "No one's going to bother you, I'll make sure to tell the other employees."
"Thank you, that's really nice of you" Emma hopes her gratefulness passes through her tone and look.
"Forget about it" the girl dismisses "thank you for not going all crazy on me."
"Why would I?" Emma frowns "It wasn't your fault" she reasons and the girl makes a face.
"It doesn't stop people from blaming me, even if it was their fault."
"Well, people are assholes, don't mind them"
The girl laughs and scratches the back of her neck "Well I'll leave you to it"
"Thank you…?"
"Talia" she fills in.
"Talia" Emma nods and the girl leaves.
Emma doesn't bother locking the door. The moment she's alone she takes off her shirt and shoves it under the streaming water. She tries to rub off what must be the awful combination of vodka and tequila off her shirt.
The door opens and makes Emma jump.
"Emma-" Regina stops dead in her track, looking like a deer caught in the headlight. Her eyes jump all over Emma's defined body.
"The door please" Emma nudges and that seems to yank Regina out of her shock.
"Of course, I'm sorry" she steps inside the room and shuts the door after herself. She ignores Emma's coaxed eyebrows at the act.
"I saw what happened" she announces while locking the door.
"And?" Emma says and finally lets her shirt out of the water. She squeezes it tightly, making her muscles contract at the action. She smirks inwardly at Regina's apparent admiration for her physique. Not a lesbian my ass.
"I-" she clears her throat and licks her lips "I wanted to make sure you're okay." She excuses and it's so lame Emma has to stop herself from snorting.
Emma examines the shirt.
"Do I wear it know or do I wait a little?" she asks, partially herself and partially Regina, who looks like a functioning responsible adult.
"No" she says quickly and when Emma raises her eyebrow she elaborates "If you put it on while wet you're going to get sick."
"Mmm" Emma ponders that. Realizing it's probably true, she does her best attempt to hang it in the best way for it to dry quickly.
"So…" she drawls "what do we do now?"
Oops I did it (cliffhanger) again, didn't I? I guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter to know what happens (things happen). Please remember that you love me *makes an innocent face*
