Losing the Bet: The Deception
Ruby couldn't help it. She started laughing as she saw how bright red her friend's face was.
"It's not funny, Ruby! I have to have these photos taken! Oh my God, what am I going to do?! I mean...what the hell?" growled the blonde as she slapped her hand down on the Formica trying desperately not to give in to the panic roiling through her stomach.
She rolled her eyes and waited for her chortling friend to regroup.
"Seriously, you have to help me! There is no way I can have these photos taken. I mean, the only place that takes photos here is the Lens Booth, and that dude is creepy," the blonde shuddered remembering how the old man's eyes raked across her body last time she had met him on the street.
Ruby clamped her hand over her mouth as she tried to stifle the rest of her laugh. Oh this was so much better than she had imagined. Just wait until the blonde figured out just how Regina had out-maneuvered her.
Ruby dropped her hands and eyed her friend. "You know, Ems, maybe you should just do it, ya know? Could be fun, and do you really want to piss off the Evil Queen?"
The blonde spluttered in her cocoa, "She isn't the Evil Queen anymore, Rubes! And no, it won't be fun. I'm not gonna do it, and I'm not afraid of her!" She glared down at her cocoa.
Ruby snickered again, "then what is your plan, oh fearless one?"
"My plan?" the blonde scratched a fingernail across the Formica, worrying a small crack on the edge. Plan...what plan? Shit.
"Well, I was thinking..."
The brunette waited patiently, knowing where this was going, but already committed to a different course of action. After all, maybe Emma claimed to not fear the Evil Queen, but she did. Well not so much the Evil Queen, who rarely made an appearance anymore, but she did fear the Mayor. But only a little, 'cuz wolves weren't supposed to be afraid of anything; least of all a human mayor. Still she wasn't going to be stupid enough to go against the mayor.
"You know about this stuff, I mean...right? I just have to come up with a plan. Something better. Yeah, I have to offer her something better, something more exciting than the photos." Her voice trailed off as she looked towards the ceiling trying to think of something sexier and more exciting than…boudoir photos. She shuddered slightly.
Emma let her gaze drop, blushing slightly, then averted her eyes, but quickly brought them back to meet Ruby's. She took a deep breath, "I need your help to come up with something better. I figure between the two of us, we can come up with something that Regina wants more than the uh...photos," she finished lamely.
God this sucked.
The brunette quirked an eyebrow at the blonde, watching her fidget in her seat. She almost felt bad for her. Almost.
The bell rang over the door, and a gust of wind blew in with her girlfriend. Perfect timing. Finally.
She stood up quickly, and made her way over to her girlfriend bundled up against the dropping temperatures. She leaned in and rubbed her nose against the bright red tip of Belle's nose. "Hi baby, you are just in time," she smiled smugly, her eyes dancing with silent mirth. Belle threw her arms around the young wolf, and buried her cold face against her neck, causing her to squeal.
"Ruby! Belle! Not in here, and close that damn door!" yelled granny as she walked up behind the counter drying her hands on an old dish rag, and looking down her nose at the two girls. She tried to hide a smile. It did her heart good to see her Red wrapped up in the arms of the young librarian. Not that she would so readily admit it. Have to keep these kids on their toes.
Belle whipped off her hat, scarf, and gloves, allowing her girlfriend to help her out of her dark brown jacket. She waved at Emma who only grunted at her, then she wound her way around the stools to the back of the counter, and reached up and kissed Granny on the cheek.
"Good morning, Granny," she smiled.
Granny harrumphed at her, but gave her a little smile, and then swatted her with her dishrag. "Go on, with you now." She turned on her heel and headed back into the kitchen muttering under her breath about young pups and love.
Belle laughed and crossed the diner, grabbing her girlfriend's hand and sliding into the booth across from Emma, pulling Ruby down tight against her. She leaned back into the arm that wrapped itself around her shoulders.
"Hi Emma, how was game night?" She smiled gently and then laughed as the blonde's head hit the table with a loud thunk. She reached out and patted the golden hair as the blonde groaned in misery. Ruby quickly filled Belle in, although, like Ruby, she already knew the gist of it, thanks to their early phone call from the mayor.
They sat silently watching the blonde thunk her head against the table. Belle glanced up at Ruby, a look of pity crossing her features. Ruby shook her head slightly. They were not crossing the mayor.
"Ok we'll help," the werewolf said as she stood quickly, pulling her girlfriend up with her. " Let's find some place more private. We can brainstorm there. Come up with something."
The blonde head jerked up and hope lit across Emma's face. "Really? Oh my god that would be great!" She stood quickly too, gulping down the rest of her cocoa. "Wait where are we going," she asked as Ruby helped Belle bundle back up. She scooped up her hat and gloves, pulling some bills out of her pocket and putting them on the table.
"To our place. I have a plan."
At that moment granny appeared with Emma's breakfast. She eyed the trio as they were quickly putting on mittens and scarfs readying to brave the cold air. Oh no you didn't! You did not order food and are now leaving without it. Hmmmpph. Serves you right with what's about to happen next. She snickered at the thought. While she didn't know the particulars, she knew the Mayor had been up to something the last month, what with how often she had sought her out. She snickered again. Oh Emma had no idea. She quickly stifled the laugh and growled out at Emma, "So I suppose you will be wanting this to go then?"
"Oh shit. I'm sorry Granny. Um...no, just um...give it to Leroy." and with that Emma hurried out the door to catch up to her friends.
Granny growled and dropped the plate in front of Leroy, and stalked off back to the kitchen.
Across town, the mayor stood leaning against her kitchen counter, slowly sipping a mug of fresh coffee. She hummed to herself, planning the rest of the day. After breakfast, she would go fetch Henry. She had promised him they would go to the park so he could go sledding with Hansel and Gretel. Then she had a few hours of work ahead of her, but she would do that from home, and then…the diner. She finished her coffee and turned to the sink, turning on the water and idly washing the blue ceramic. She chuckled as she through of where Emma probably was at this moment. If everything had gone to plan, she would have just arrived at Ruby and Belle's, and would be faced with her friends' deception. She put the mug in the drying rack and dried her hands, then ambled out into the hallway grabbing winter gear. She slipped into the coat, pulling her dark hair out the back. She glanced up at the mirror and smirked at herself. Yes, today was going to be a good day.
Across town...
"What?! I thought you were going to help me, Ruby!" she yelled at the brunette who was holding up clothes hanger with a garment on it. Not that it even qualified as a garment. It looked more like lace held together with... smaller pieces of lace.
"This is not helping! We were supposed to come up with something else that would en-entice, Regina," spit out the blonde.
The brunette shrugged lightly still holding the garment in front of her. "Look, Ems, it's no big deal. I mean, let's face it, what Regina wants, Regina gets." She held out the bits of lace to the blonde.
The blonde stormed across the room away from Ruby to stand in front of Belle. "Really, Belle? What's with the equipment?" She gestured wildly at the room that had been transformed into a small studio. She eyed the red velvet fainting couch with trepidation and the giant lights framing it. She glared at the librarian-turned-photographer who gripped her camera in her hand. Expensive camera at that.
"You know I took those photography classes last year, and I set up a dark room here. I'm actually really good, Emma. Come on, it won't be so bad, "she intoned softly.
The blonde ran her hand through her hair in exasperation. She absolutely could not believe that her friends had agreed to "help" her, only to find out that they were actually helping Regina.
"Look, Regina called early this morning and told us about the bet. She knew you would come to us and try to get us to help you weasel your way out of it. So she decided to beat you to the punch." The brunette shrugged, and Bell murmured, "She is very convincing, Emma," She shuddered at the memory of the voice on the other end of the phone so early in the morning. That was not the voice anyone wanted to hear before their morning coffee.
The blonde growled at her, and Ruby handed the lingerie off to Belle and raised both hands placating towards the pissed off blonde.
"Come one. Can you really blame us? I mean, she used the Evil Queen voice," the brunette's voice dropped to a whisper, and she hastily scanned the room, as if afraid the mayor would suddenly jump out at her. Belle stepped up behind her, her arm brushing the brunette's in silent support.
"No one refuses Regina, Emma. She made us promise. Look it won't be so bad. We will be totally professional about this."
The blonde sighed and walked across the room, dropping down onto the velvet couch, at least it was soft. "So Belle's role I get. She's the photographer, but what about you, Ruby?"
"Oh well, my job was to procure the lingerie. Um...all of it," the brunette shuffled her feet suddenly worried about what Emma would do when she discovered just how many pieces there were.
"Wait. How did you even have time to find any? This all happened last night, and its only like 8am?"
"Well..." the brunette shuffled again," I may have had some of the pieces already in your size. The mayor might have ordered it a month ago from me," the brunette nervously replied. She waited for the inevitable explosion.
"What?! What do you mean she ordered it form you?!"
"Uh...well, you remember a couple months ago, when I invited you to that party...you know, the toy party? The one you didn't come to?" groused Ruby. The blonde nodded and she continued, "Well the mayor heard about it, and called me about a month ago and placed this order."
Emma sat there, her mouth open slightly. The mayor had been planning this. For at least a month. That explained her sudden interest in poker, a game she had always turned her nose down at despite Emma's love of it. But how did she get so damn good at it last night? She kept losing every time we played until last night.
The blonde groaned when it suddenly hit her. She'd been played. She'd been played by a master. She had been hustled, sucked in, led to believe that Regina couldn't win, only to be trumped in the end. When it mattered. The question was of course, who the hell had taught Regina to play. She quickly ran through the possibilities in her hand. Not Ruby or Belle. Ruby was too impatient, and Belle couldn't keep a poker face to save her life. No it had to be someone sharp with enough wit to handle the mayor.
Granny. It had to be.
She recalled Archie telling her that he had seen Regina and Granny chatting quite a bit at the diner lately. She groaned again. There really was no point in fighting it. There would be hell to pay if she welched on this bet. And without Ruby and Belle backing her up, she really didn't have the guts to go against Regina.
She looked around the room, taking in the professional light stands, white screen for backdrop, and the expensive cameras. She chuckled to herself. Regina had obviously spared no expense. She sighed. She might as well get this over with. Then she was going to have a little chat with Granny. Well maybe not a little chat. Granny could be intimidating. Plus the woman had a freaking crossbow.
She got up and tossed off her leather jacket and bent down pulling her boots off. She stood and held out her hand to Ruby. "Alright, give it here."
Ruby handed over the bits of lace and a robe and pointed her to the bathroom to change. Emma glanced at the scraps of cloth and tried to figure out what it was. It was hard to tell with all the lace. Are these garters? Wait what part is this supposed to cover? She groaned as she trudged into the bathroom.
The brunette walked into the little kitchen and grabbed 3 shot glasses and the bottle of tequila. They were all going to need it.
Eight hours later, the mayor was happily ensconced in a booth at granny's enjoying a slice of apple humming to herself. Henry was off at Hansel and Gretel's, not doubt loading up on junk food. She flicked her eyes down at the cell phone clutched in her left hand re-reading the text Belle had sent her.
All done. Photos came out great. Be there in 20 minutes.
She smiled, and then her head jerked up when she heard the tinkling bell. They are early. Her grin slid off her face as she saw Snow enter laughing with Charming. They dusted the snow off their jackets and made their way to the counter.
Regina's brow wrinkled for a moment and a bemused smile slid across her face. Oh this is just too perfect. Four O'Clock. Right on the dot. Punctual and boring as always. She chuckled under her breathe, as she slid out of her booth, abandoning her pie for something much sweeter. Revenge.
She sidled up to Snow, peering in front of her and briefly nodding to Charming who was talking to Granny on Snow's other side. She then turned the full weight of her gaze on Snow, who fidgeted briefly and then met her gaze head on.
"Snow."
Her wife's mother was dressed in a simple dress with a peach cardigan. She may have never forsaken Mary-Margaret's wardrobe, but she was still all Snow White as evidenced by her clipped reply, "Regina."
They eyed each other briefly, and then Regina smiled, much like the lazy cat who had finally gotten the damned canary. Snow's startled gaze narrowed swiftly. What is she up to? She looks so...smug. As usual.
Snow felt a small shiver up her spine, but she straightened to hide it. Whatever Regina was up to, she was ready. She turned on the stool to fully face her nemesis. While they may have called a truce for the sake of Emma and Henry, there still wasn't any love lost here. She gave a bored little sigh.
"How are you, Regina?"
"Oh fine, dear, fine," purred the mayor as she idly fingered the napkin dispenser in front of her, basking in the slight wariness in Snow's eyes.
"I'm just waiting for Emma to get back with Belle and Ruby. They have a," she hesitated briefly, drawing Snow in, "package for me," she finished. Her voice dropping slightly on the word "package." She smirked slightly as Snow's eyebrows crawled up her forehead.
Typical. She never could contain her curiosity, sneered the mayor to herself. But this time it was going to work to her advantage.
Charming chose that moment to slide off his stool and make his way down the counter to say hello to the dwarves, smiling briefly at Regina, who returned it. She really did like Charming. Well, sort of. At least she didn't want to skewer him on the spot, every time she saw him, unlike some people. She turned her dark gaze back to Snow.
The bell over the door rang.
Emma, Ruby, and Belle shuffled in, Belle clutching an envelope in her hands. Both Snow and Regina turned around at the sound of the bell, Regina's eyes lighting up at the sight of her wife, and then her eyes darkening briefly as they noticed the envelope clutched in Belle's mittened hands. What delectable timing. I will have to make sure to tip Ruby well this week.
Snow didn't miss the smirk that played about Regina's lips as she eyed the envelope. Oh yes, our illustrious mayor is definitely up to something.
The mayor sauntered over to the group, and cupped Emma's cold cheek in her hand, leaning in and placing a delicate kiss on her cold lips. "Hello, my love," she whispered.
Emma sighed and leaned in to the touch. No matter what, this woman could make her come undone with a simple touch. She closed her eyes briefly and hummed in contentment. She opened them gasped slightly as she saw her mother in her peripheral vision. Oh couldn't be good.
"Um, hi, mo-I mean Snow," she cringed slightly still not entirely used to calling her "mother." Snow met her green eyes and gave her a soft smile, her eyes briefly shadowed by sadness. She understood how hard it was still for Emma. Emma smiled at Regina and made her way over to Snow, pulling off her hat and mittens, cupping her hands to her mouth and blowing on them. She leaned slightly into her mother's side, enjoying the brief connection as her mother slipped her arms around her and gave her a hug.
Regina turned to Belle and imperiously held out her hand, "You have something for me, dear?"
Belle hesitated, her eyes flashing to Snow and Emma, then down the diner to Charming. Her eyes darted back up to Regina's when she hear the "ahem," coming from the mayor and saw her wiggle her fingers at her.
She sighed and slipped the envelope into her hands, then grabbed Ruby's hand and pulled her down towards Charming hoping to get out of the way of whatever the mayor had planned next. Ruby tripped behind her, accidentally bumping Emma's elbow as she went by. Emma laughed as she watched Belle haul Ruby down the counter to where her father was in deep conversation with Doc and Leroy.
She gave her mother another quick hug and then ambled down to greet her father.
Regina turned, eyes following the blonde as she hugged her father and laughed with Doc and Leroy. Well, laughed with Doc and punched Leroy lightly in the arm for whatever comment he had just made. She smiled as she watched Emma laugh and joke with her friends. Glad that the blonde didn't seem to perturbed with her.
She slowly opened the envelope, and gently slid the first photo out. Black and White. She smiled softly, as her gaze lovingly roamed the figure lounging on the couch, in garters and little else, one toned pale arm gracefully dropped down the edge of the couch. She slid the photo back into the envelope and slid her gaze up to Snow who was chatting with Granny. She raised the envelope and tapped it against her lips. Should she still? It was just too...delicious to not.
Snow glanced up at Regina as she walked up beside her and ordered a coffee and another piece of pie. Regina set the envelope down on the counter between them, one finger tapping gently on the envelope as Granny wandered off to get her order.
"Hmmmm," she murmured lost in thought. She threw out the bait, knowing Snow couldn't resist.
"Is that the package you were waiting for?"
She stifled a chuckle and threw a casual glance Snow's way, "yes, it is," she hesitated again and then murmured, "Photos."
"Photos?" She felt more than heard Snow twist around on her stool and drop her glance to the envelope.
"Yes, photos." Regina turned towards her, "of a rather personal nature. Belle took them. She is quite the budding photographer."
"Personal?" questioned the diminutive brunette, her fingers tightening perceptively on the counter, her brow scrunched.
"Yes, well perhaps not so much personal, as private," replied the mayor, "Emma helped her with them." She dropped her voice slightly on Emma's name, knowing Snow wouldn't miss it.
"Emma? Emma helped Belle take some private photos?" Snow felt her breathe hitch slightly. What on earth.
Regina spared her nemesis a glance and then turned to fully face her, one sculpted brow raised slightly, "well," she smirked," not so much helped her as...posed for. At my behest."
She raised the coffee to her lips that Granny placed in front of her, and chuckled at the gasp she heard from her side. She smiled sweetly at Snow, and went in for the kill, "Ruby, was kind enough to provide the clothing for the little photo shoot."
"Ru-Ruby?" Snow's eyes darted across the room to Ruby, taking in the white, leather skirt inches above her knee, the tight red blouse that showed way too much cleavage.
"Is something wrong, Snow dear? You look awfully pale. Perhaps you are coming down with something?" the brunette enquired helpfully.
"Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggg," groaned Snow, her heart pounding in her chest. .god. Photos of a private nature...Emma posing...Ruby providing the...oh my god!
Snow glanced down at the envelope, feeling the old familiar rage start to churn in her chest. How dare she! Her little girl! Her head shot up when she heard the familiar blonde's laugh from across the room. She gaze ran over the tight jeans, worn beaten red leather, and she groaned and felt sick to her stomach when she imagined how exactly Emma had posed for the photos. She violently shook her head and glanced up glaring at Regina. "Y-you!" she stuttered, barely able to get the words out, "You! Mmm-my little girl!"
"Yes, your little girl," smirked the mayor, "who I regularly besmirch in our bed, and who posed for these delightfully sexy photos. They really are something," she laughed as Snow inarticulately snarled at her.
She scooped up the envelope and leaned in towards Snow, her other hand coming down on her wrist holding her in place. "What can I say, my dear Snow? Should I tell you how it pleasures me to have her in my bed? How she pleasures me? She does have a wicked tongue," husked the brunette.
She laughed as she straightened suddenly, basking in the wild look in Snow's eyes, her pale sweaty skin as she mumbled and snarled, impotent in her rage.
The mayor laughed. Ah yes, such sweet, sweet revenge.
She reached up and patted Snow on the cheek much as she did when Snow was a little girl. "Have a nice night, dear. I know I intend to." And with that she spun around on her Jimmy Choos and sauntered across the room, slipping an arm around her wife's waist whispering in her ear.
The two turned and made their way to the door, past a fuming, queasy Snow. They put on their hats and scarfs and gloves, and then slipped through the door out into the night and gently falling snow. They ambled down the sidewalk hand in hand, until Emma stopped and pulled Regina to her, slipping both arms around her waist. "I figured it out, you know. Granny must have been teaching you. You planned this."
Regina chuckled lightly and rubbed her nose against Emma's, dropping a light kiss on it. "Mmmmm, you are my clever wife, aren't you," she murmured as she brushed her lips against the blonde's. "But you have to admit, losing that bet wasn't so bad." She pulled back and looked up into green eyes, "and I fully intend to show you just how much I appreciate you not welching, once we are home," she promised.
Emma smiled and then chuckled, stepping back and grabbing her wife's hand again, "Such an elaborate set up, all for a few photos."
Regina smirked as she ambled along beside her wife thinking about the look of horror and then rage on Snow's face.
Oh it was never about the photos.