Note: Just to avoid getting everyone worked up and then disappointed in the end, this is not a SQ baby. I, personally, am not into those kinds of stories, which makes it difficult for me to write. Aside from that, the point in making Regina pregnant was to test Emma and Regina against a situation that they didn't necessarily get into together, but need to work around to get to where we all want them to be. This is going to be slow burn as fuck, and a VERY long story. Please bear with me, especially since I'm trying to make every chapter at least 7500 words. CAPTAIN SWAN AND A BIT OF OUTLAW QUEEN PRESENT IN THIS CHAPTER – this is the chapter OQ goes down in flames, however.
CHAPTER TWO:
THE RIGHT THING TO DO
(AND ALL THE WRONG CHOICES)
Knowing what to expect because Emma's specialty after that night. If she had expected anything, it hadn't been Regina's sudden willingness to be nicer. Maybe that wasn't the word; Regina and nice didn't go hand in hand, and they never would. But she was off Emma's back about paperwork, letting her turn it in when finished it. Emma was catching up, for once, and within a week, she had a hefty stack of folders on her desk that were complete and ready to go back to the Mayor's office. She was even thinking about volunteering herself to help sort it all out. There was a lot, after all. But if Emma knew Regina, all the paperwork was going to be a blessing in disguise. An excuse to not deal with anything else.
Emma had promised herself from the beginning that she wasn't going to let Regina ignore what was happening. She hadn't brought it up to her again, and she wouldn't; not until she found a proper doctor for Regina to see. But this wasn't going to turn into some party of denial. Nine months was a long time to pretend like there wasn't a living thing growing in Regina's body. Emma had heard of a few women who hadn't known they were pregnant until they were in labor, and Emma wouldn't put it past Regina to try to claim that when the baby was finally pushing its way out of her uterus.
Emma had just gotten all of the files sorted out and packed up when her phone rang. Picking it up from her desk, she glanced at the ID and both brows flew up. "Looks like you're getting better at finding that Emma button," she said into the phone as a greeting, a smile pulling at her lips. The huff of laughter and disbelief came through the phone loud and clear.
"You doubt me, love. Told you I'd get used to your strange contraption."
"I'll believe you're used to it when I see you dialing a phone number instead of using the speed dial," Emma replied, and laughed at the confused silence on the other end. "That's what I thought."
"Ha ha," Killian drawled. "You're at the station, aye?"
"Yeah," Emma replied. She opened her mouth to tell him she was just about to leave, but faltered when she realized that wouldn't go over well. It was early. He was probably calling about a late lunch. "What's up?"
"Mind if I stop by?" Killian asked. "I've not seen you these past couple weeks. I promise to keep my hook to myself," he added, tone devious. It made Emma roll her eyes, but she was still smiling.
"I have to drop some stuff off at town hall, so we can't be long," Emma said. "But yeah. Come on over. I could use the company."
"Excellent," Killian replied. "I'll see you soon, love."
Emma hung up the phone, happy to realize she was looking forward to seeing him. It was a lot better than the constant guilt she felt towards him lately. She was trying. Maybe she wouldn'tbe touching Regina again anytime soon…Though it didn't make thoughts of a baby pushing its way out of her any easier.
She was finishing her cleanup of the station when Killian arrived, holding a single flower in his only hand. She wouldn't pretend to know what kind of flower it was; it was beautiful, and it was purple, and that was all she cared about. When he extended it to her, Emma took it with a smile, bringing it to her nose and sniffing once before taking a step forward and leaning up to meet him for a soft kiss. "Hey," she said when they parted, and he looked comfortable again.
"Hi love," Killian responded.
Thoughts of Regina and her pregnancy went out the window while she enjoyed company she had been rejecting for too long. Sometimes she forgot that she felt safe with Killian, and that on a certain level, he did make her happy. He was good to talk to, and he was a lot more understanding than she deserved. She was laughing most of the time they spoke, and her plans changed from stopping by town hall to leaving the station with Killian for dinner.
He wasn't into a lot of spectacle. Emma wasn't, either. They were both happy relaxing on the docks with sandwiches between them, Emma smirking while he struggled to keep his from falling apart with one hand. He had known what a sandwich was, but the contents were different for him in this world. Emma had given him a whole history lesson on meats and cheeses of the modern world, and by the time she was done, he looked dizzy with confusion. But the sparkle of new knowledge was there in his eyes, and that was all Emma could ask for when it came down to it. It wasn't until they were tangled up together on the dock in a heated, spontaneous make-out session that she started to lose her interest again. She was trying; she really was. At most, this was helping her forget about the things that were causing her too much stress. But when it came down to it, the guilt was too strong, and when he reached up her shirt, she snatched his hand away and parted from the kiss.
She wasn't sure what she had been expecting from the rejection, but it wasn't the silence she was receiving. Part of her was thankful; she didn't want to talk about it. The other part wondered what he was thinking. She wasn't good at showing her physical desire for him when times like this happened upon them (perhaps because she didn't have said physical desire anymore), and she knew he wasn't stupid. He had to notice it. But if he did, he didn't say anything about it: he never did. He settled the hand she had yanked away on her hip, and pressed back into another deep kiss, which she accepted with gratitude enough to put forth effort enough to make up for what they wouldn'tbe doing. When it got dark enough that Emma couldn't see in front of her, she stood from the dock and straightened herself out, made her usual half promise to see him soon, and left.
When she got home to find Regina waiting for her in the parking lot, Emma cursed to herself. They were going to have to talk, but she wasn't prepared to do it that night. She wasn't sure Regina was here for the kind of talking that involved their relations; she probably wanted to know if Emma had found a doctor. But the blonde knew that the more she kept pretending like things weren't bothering her, the deeper she was going to spiral into insanity before she couldn't take it anymore. Shutting her car off, she stepped out at the same time that Regina stepped from her Mercedes. Circling the vehicle, Emma leaned against the passenger door, arms folded around herself. At least Regina looked a bit better than the past few times Emma had seen her.
"How are you feeling?" Emma asked before Regina could speak. Dark eyes narrowed on green, and Emma saw it coming before Regina could get her mouth open.
"Contrary to what you may believe, Miss Swan, your knowledge of my…condition…does not mean that I need you looking after my wellbeing," Regina said. "It will get quite annoying, quite fast."
"Alright then," Emma muttered. "No showing concern. Got it."
"Have you found a doctor?"
I swear this woman is bipolar, Emma thought to herself, just refraining from rolling her eyes. How did Regina expect her not to be concerned or considerate when she was the one that was arranging a doctor and a way out to Boston in the first place? Who the hell, in Regina's position, would prefer silent concern to someone trying to look out for them?
"I've got the numbers for two," Emma replied. "Pretty high end practices. I'm calling both tomorrow to check availability."
Regina nodded as Emma spoke, eyes averted just past the Savior's head. "Make an appointment for Monday," she said. Tomorrow was Friday, which meant Emma was going to have to go through hell to get everything sorted, and come up with a good enough excuse as to why she was going to Boston with Regina Mills. All of this was the exact reason she was so put off as of late; it shouldn't have been a race to cover everything up. But it had been since this started, she realized, and she wasn't sure she could keep it up. Not like this.
"Henry wants to see you tomorrow," Regina said after a drawn-out silence between them that began to feel awkward. "He is staying with a friend for the weekend. He requested your presence for dinner before he leaves." The look of distaste when she said it told Emma what the blonde was already thinking: Regina had no desire to have Emma over as a dinner guest. But what Henry wanted, he almost always got. Emma had half a mind to turn down the offer, just to save Regina the annoyance, but knew she would get lectured for being inconsiderate of their son's wishes.
"Sure," Emma said, arms hugging herself a bit tighter. "I'm almost finished with the rest of the paperwork I was behind on, so I have some free time." Regina looked a bit impressed with that, raising a brow. "What?" Emma asked "Things get done when you let me do them on my own time," she pointed out. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Six o'clock," was all Regina said as she turned to open her car door. "Don't be late."
"Regina," Emma said as Regina made to climb into her Mercedes. The brunette paused, turning to raise a brow at Emma again in question. "Why didn't you just call?"
Regina paused, frowning, looking like she was wondering the same thing. After a moment, she turned back to climb into the car. "Good night, Miss Swan." With that, she shut the door, turned over the engine, and pulled off into the night.
The suspicious look Snow gave her when Emma descended the steps in black pants and a plunging black blouse was enough to send her into a silent panic. She wasn't meaning anything by dressing like that; she just knew that Regina wouldn't appreciate having invited Emma to dinner to have her show up in jeans and a tank top. Sure, it was dinner with their kid, but it was at Regina's house. Oddly enough, if it were the other way around, it wouldn't have been as large of a deal.
"Date with Killian?" Snow asked as Emma sat down in a chair in the kitchen to pull on a pair of black boots. And here it goes, Emma thought to herself as she turned to face her mother.
"Dinner at Regina's," she said. "Henry's wants me to come over before he goes to his friend's for the weekend." When Snow just stared at her, Emma shrugged. "I don't know. But I'm not going to say no."
"Why are you so dressed up?"
"Um, because it's Regina," Emma pointed out. "For once, I don't feel like listening to her complain that I showed up in a tank top to eat in her house."
She could tell Snow wasn't buying it, even though Emma wasn't lying. She supposed that was what happened when one lied so much: the truth didn't sound convincing. When had she become so dishonest? It was a habit she was going to have to break, and soon. Picking up her jacket, Emma pulled open the door. "Bye," she said to Snow, who nodded at her as she moved to shut the door behind Emma.
The surprised raise of Regina's brows when Emma followed Henry into the kitchen upon arrival wasn't lost on her. She would have smirked if the kid wasn't there when Regina's eyes dropped right to her chest, eyeing the plunge in Emma's shirt. The brunette was quick to catch herself, however, and lifted her eyes back to Emma as she finished filling plates with some of the best-looking lasagna Emma had ever seen. She hadn't gotten to try any back at the party that was thrown a couple of years ago, after Regina had saved Emma and Snow and brought them back to Storybrooke from the Enchanted Forest. She was excited to be trying it that night, even if it was something she had no intention to admit out loud.
"You're early," Regina said, turning to place the tray of leftover lasagna in the oven to stay warm.
"Not really," Emma said with a shrug. "It's ten to six." Okay, so she was early. She wasn't thinking about the time when she left the house. Besides, it was always better to be early when it came to Regina.
"Henry, set the table," Regina said as she took off the oven mitts attached to her hands and placed them in an open drawer. As Henry moved to pick up the full plates and take them into the dining room, Emma stepped up to the island in the center of the kitchen, taking a quick glance around. It wasn't the first time she had been in here, but she couldn't help feeling a bit overwhelmed by how nice it was. She had never gotten anything like this. She had done well for herself in Boston, but never like this.
"Can I help?" Emma asked after a moment, more to get her mind off her own misfortune than any sort of consideration. They might have an odd relationship, but Emma still had manners. Even if they were forced.
"Everything is finished," Regina replied. "Help Henry set the table, if you wish. Or pour the drinks."
Emma nodded, making her way to the glasses set out on the other end of the picked them up and carried them to the counter by the refrigerator. "What do you want?" she asked as she opened it, peering in to see the options. She was surprised to find it empty of wines and ciders. Must be pretty serious about keeping it, then, she thought as she reached for a pitcher of water for herself, and a jug of orange juice for Henry.
"Apple juice," Regina replied, a bit absent.
Emma retrieved the apple juice hidden in the back of the fridge and set it with the pitcher and the carton on the counter. She began filling the glasses, subtle as she watched Regina unwrap the apron from her waist to reveal a pair of black, cotton pants that sat comfortable as opposed to the intent to intimidate. Judging by how unwell Regina had looked that night at Emma's apartment, Emma wondered if those wool dress pants were a little too constricting lately, making her uncomfortable. It was too early in the pregnancy for Regina to be showing, but if she was anything like Emma had been, the bloating had already begun.
Once the glasses were poured with the appropriate contents, Emma picked them up and followed Regina into the dining room. It was alarming how natural all of this seemed to be coming to her. It didn't feel as awkward as she had expected it to. It wasn't perfect; Regina seemed withdrawn, like she had to retreat into herself just to handle having Emma in her house for any reason other than fucking her against a door. But it was still far less tense than Emma expected it to be, and as she set the glasses down in their respective places, she made note to get the hell out as soon as they were finished eating and she had spent adequate time with Henry. She would invite him over for a few days after he got back from his friends or something, but there was no way she was staying longer than she needed to.
The night hadn't gone as awful as Emma expected. Henry babbled on all through dinner, saving Emma and Regina the trouble of having to keep up civility. When they were finished, he begged a reluctant Emma to stay for video games. She only caved after his friend called and told him that they would be by to get him later than planned. Once Regina finished cleaning up the kitchen and dining room, she entered the living room and looked horrified by the fact that Emma had made herself at home, boots kicked off in front of the coffee table and legs curled up on the couch next to her as she focused on the game with her controller. Emma herself wasn't lost on the fact that she had made herself at home, but what else could she do?
The blonde discovered that Regina was hiding her wine in her office after the brunette entered the living room with a bottle and a glass in her hand. Henry had gone upstairs to finish packing his weekend bag; Emma had learned that the alcohol didn't come out until Henry left the room. And when Emma leveled Regina with a stern glare, brown eyes gave a harsh roll.
"It isn't for me," Regina drawled. Pulling the cork free, she filled the glass, then handed it to Emma. "A host isn't gracious if she isn't offering post dinner relaxation."
By the time Henry's friend arrived to pick him up, Emma was relaxed against the couch with a pleasant buzz. She had the sneaking suspicion that Regina had done it on purpose to get her to stay, though she couldn't imagine why. She was always outright when she wanted to have sex; she never went as far as pouring alcohol down Emma's throat to ensure her company for the night. But she figured she was just being paranoid, because the conversation between the two was strained at best, and Emma found she needed that little bit of a buzz to keep from squirming and bolting.
"I should go," Emma said when Henry was finally out the door, swinging her legs from the couch to slip her feet back into her boots. As she stood, she was surprised when Regina advanced on her, arms settling around her hips to pull her in for a kiss. And as much as Emma's brain was screaming at her, she could never resist it when Regina was the one initiating the kissing; it was so rare, and Emma had some kind of obsession with the woman's lips. She found herself pressing deeper, her arms winding around Regina's neck so her fingers could bury in her hair, forcing her head to change angle to get deeper. She heard the growl of protest that Regina always let out when Emma tried to control a situation, but didn't let up on her hold. It wasn't until the former Queen was grabbing at Emma's shirt and attempting to yank it over her head that Emma pulled away and took a step back.
"Regina, I don't…" Sighing, Emma took a deep breath and tried again. "Maybe we should stop…"
She didn't know what she was expecting, but silence was not it. And the look on Regina's face was astonished; maybe even a bit hurt. She looked completely taken off guard, and Emma couldn't blame her. It wasn't like she had been hinting at a desire to put an end to this in the past. But things were on such different tracks that all she thought was maybe they were hurting everyone now.
"The pirate," Regina said when she regained her thoughts, her voice cold. "You love him."
"No," Emma said, pushing a hand through her loose hair. "I don't. At all. But I do like him, and he likes me…and I don't find that often." Shaking her head, she continued, "But that's not why. You're pregnant, Regina…with Robin's kid. Do you really think he's going to leave you after finding out? You should…you should focus on him…"
"Oh yes, I should focus on Robin Hood and his code of honor," Regina snarled, startling Emma. "Have you forgotten that Marian is pregnant as well? I think you and I both know that a child with the other woman isn't going to mean a thing to him."
Emma's head was shaking again. This buzz was throwing her thoughts off, but she refused to let the woman walk away from something that could be good for her. "If he loves you, Regina, he'll rethink leaving," she said. "He'll help both of you. That is possible, and it's the right –"
The sudden ring of the doorbell brought Emma to a pause, brows furrowing. Regina looked just as confused; she glanced towards the hallway leading to the foyer, then at Emma, almost suspicious; like Emma had invited someone over without Regina's knowledge. Which was ridiculous, but Emma wouldn't put it past Regina to start throwing accusations.
"Stay here," Regina snapped after a moment, then swept out of the room. Emma's curiosity got the better of her, however; she didn't leave the room, but she did inch towards the entryway, straining to hear anything she could from her position as the door opened, and voices sounded.
Shit! Emma thought, frantic, when Robin Hood's voice carried through the hall and reached Emma's ears. She should have expected this. She had way overstayed her welcome; how did she know that Robin didn't come over every night? It was like Graham all over again; waiting until Henry was asleep or gone so they could fuck like animals. She was ignoring the fact that it was Emma herself that had taken Graham's place, but it still occurred to her that the exact same thing could be happening between Regina and Robin.
When Regina stepped aside to let Robin in, Emma cursed under her breath and reeled away from the entryway, out of sight of the foyer. This wasn't good. What the hell was Regina doing, bringing him in here while Henry was gone? Sure, they were trying to come off as civil as possible to the outside world, but they weren't friends. There was no excuse for Emma to be in Regina's living room, buzzed from some very expensive wine and Henry nowhere in sight. She held her breath and shut her eyes as she heard footsteps down the hallway, waiting for them to enter the room and for the questioning to start.
It never happened.
With a deep breath, Emma opened her eyes, gazing at the empty living room entry in trepidation. When she heard nothing, she inched forward again, peeking around the corner and down the hallway to find Regina opening the door to her study, Robin close behind her. She stepped aside to let him in first, turning her head to look towards the living room when he had disappeared from Emma's sight. The look she gave Emma screamed STAY PUT, but there was that hint of fear and resignation that made Emma's stomach twist into knots.
Regina was going to tell Robin. With Emma in the next room.
She should run. Get the hell out of there before the explosion, before she got caught in Regina's living room just after Regina broke the news about being pregnant. This whole situation just screamed affair, and Emma didn't want anything to do with the fallout. Should have thought of that before you got yourself into this in the first place, the voice in the back of her head whispered through the haze of alcohol. You gave into selfishness, and now look where it got you.
Taking a slow breath, Emma stepped into the hallway, movements cautious as she neared the study. She was getting the hell out of there. She was getting the hell out before she got wrapped up in something she didn't belong in, that was none of her business, that –
The sound of a sudden aggressive tone from the study brought Emma to a halt. The door was cracked, and while Emma didn't step too close, she could still hear snippets of conversation from the other side.
"Do you think I planned for –"
"-did this on purpose! You knew I was leaving, knew I made my choice –"
"This wasn't even supposed to be possible!"
" – not my responsibility –"
When she heard movement towards the door, Emma turned and fled back to the living room. She was livid; how could he talk to someone like that!? Someone that was carrying his child, that he had started a sexual relationship with knowing what could happen. This was opposite of what Emma had expected, and it infuriated her that he would just abandon Regina with accusations and no consideration. It reminded her too much of being in prison, learning she was facing a pregnancy that she would be going through alone. Regina didn't deserve that. No one deserved that.
Emma looked around the corner to see Robin heading for the front door, and it took everything in Emma not to storm after him and punch him in the face. When the front door slammed, Emma flinched, her eyes closing as her hands balled into tight fists. She had no idea how long she stood like that, but it couldn't have been long. Regina was storming from her a few moments later, all but running into the living room. The anger rolling off her was suffocating.
"Fuck the doctor," Regina snarled. "Call a clinic. Make an appointment. I want in tomorrow."
Emma's eyes widened, her mouth gaping open. "I…Regina, are you…"
"Tomorrow," Regina repeated, still snarling. "Get out."
"Are you –"
"GET OUT!"
Sucking in a breath, Emma moved around Regina and headed towards the front door. She had never seen Regina like this, and she had seen her angry before. This was different; the anger was apparent, but she was pouring pain along with it. Her eyes looked haunted; her form rigid, as if to battle off physical pain. And if she was in the mindset to want a clinic…
Emma wasn't sure it was her place to tell Regina whether or not she should get an abortion. But she hoped beyond all hope that, whatever decision she settled on, she wouldn't regret it later.
She got up early the next morning despite being up half of the night researching clinics online. She didn't understand why she was so intent on being helpful, though there was the deep part of her that knew it was because she understood how it felt. Maybe not the specific situation Regina was in, but she knew how it felt to lack support during the roughest of times. No matter how lucky Emma was in recent times, she had to go through a lot of hell to get there, and she wasn't going to make Regina to deal with all of this on her own.
It wasn't until the appointment was made, and Emma was getting ready to go get Regina, that Snow knocked on Emma's bedroom door. The blonde had known from the start that this was going to be a difficult conversation to have. She wasn't going to lie this time, but she wasn't going to reveal any of Regina's business, either. Remind Snow that Emma was an adult, and get out. Simple as that.
"Come in," Emma called as she finished tying her hair up. The door opened, and Snow poked her head inside. Her hopeful look faded to disappointment when she realized Emma was getting ready to leave. Emma swore she gave her that look on purpose sometimes, just to guilt Emma for having a life, or for not being focused on having parents alone. She knew, though, that she was going to have to start making more of an effort soon. She had been looking for her parents for her whole life. This was what she wanted, and now she needed to prove it.
"You're not going to be here for breakfast?" Snow asked, timid. Emma bit back a sigh and glanced at the time.
"Is it ready? I can spare about fifteen minutes."
Snow looked ecstatic.
Regina looked terrible when she got into Emma's Bug. The blonde was positive that she hadn't slept since throwing Emma out: there were heavy bags under her red eyes, eyes that kept drifting closed after she sat down. She didn't say anything to Emma; just folded her jacket around herself and sunk down into the seat.
"We've got a long drive," Emma said, keeping her voice quiet as she pulled onto the road. "Try to get some sleep." Regina didn't reply, but she did listen to Emma; she was asleep before they even got out of Storybrooke. Emma was thankful; she wasn't sure she could sit through a long car ride with a conscious Regina, attempting to entertain each other while resisting the urge to throttle. Emma didn't do small talk during car rides, anyway; get in and get there. That was all.
Regina didn't stir until they reached the border of Massachusetts. Emma held her breath, waiting for any kind of reaction from the woman. She at least looked a little better when Emma glanced at her out of the corner of her eye; her eyes weren't red anymore, though the bags were still present. She looked a lot calmer, though not put together. She was still wrapped up in her jacket and slumped down in the front seat, like she was hiding from the world. When all she did was stare out the window, Emma tried her luck.
"The clinic is private," she said. "No one is allowed in when a procedure is happening. You have some space."
"No clinic," Regina said, her voice heavy. "Doctor." Emma blinked. Wasn't that the whole reason they were coming out here, was for a clinic appointment?
"Um," Emma said dumbly. "I…okay. I'm….not sure I can get you into anything today, though. You aren't scheduled for a doctor."
"Hotel, then," Regina said, sounding tired all over again. "Try to get me in on Monday."
"What about Henry?"
"I already talked to his friend's parents," Regina responded. "They're willing to keep him as long as they need to. I told them Tuesday, in case anything happened."
"Did you tell them what's going on?" Emma asked, hesitant. Regina snorted.
"Of course not, idiot."
Well, it sounded like Regina had planned that one out well enough. Maybe she was doing more work than Emma was giving her credit for.
As she continued into Boston, Emma wondered what all of this meant. Had Regina reconsidered the abortion? Or was she just going for a general check in for her health before making that decision? Emma couldn't believe how much she hoped for the former option. It wasn't her baby, but for the first time since this situation came to light, Emma was wondering if it would be good for Regina. It was a different path, and maybe it could push her in the direction she had always been fighting to get to. And maybe Emma could help. Maybe –
Holy shit, stop, Emma scolded herself. She shouldn't be thinking about this at all. She might be helping Regina with the logistics, but she had no say in anything else, no right to be making her own opinion. What Regina did with that kid was between her and Robin. Or, from the sound of it, it was between Regina and herself. She swore there that she wouldn't think about it any further than she needed to anymore, and shut her brain off until they were in the parking lot of a semi decent looking hotel. Nice enough to keep Regina quiet, but not too heavy on Emma's budget. She was surprised when Regina shoved her card at the receptionist, forcing her way past Emma's handful of cash.
Once they were checked in, Regina locked herself in the bathroom, and Emma went about calling doctors she had gotten the numbers of several days prior. It was already midafternoon, but she somehow managed to get Regina an appointment with one of her top choices for that day. It was a good fifteen-minute drive, and the appointment was in thirty minutes, so Emma knocked on the bathroom door once she had hung up the phone.
"Go away," came Regina's strangled voice. Concern immediately kicked Emma in the gut.
"Are you okay?" she called through the door.
"Go. Away."
"Regina, let me in."
There was silence on the other side, and she knew Regina was ignoring her at this point. "Regina, you have an appointment at five," she called through the door. "We have to go. Do you want some water?" No response. Sighing, Emma made her way out to the vending machine anyway, returning with two bottles of water. Regina was seated on the edge of one of the beds, one hand pressed to her stomach and her eyes closed. At least she had come out of the bathroom, Emma thought. She had started to wonder if she was going to have to force her way in.
"Hey," Emma said as she sat down next to her and offered her both bottles. Regina took both, setting one on the floor and opening the other one. Emma could tell that she was still upset with her for the other night; for suggesting that they didn't continue with their arrangement. But the fact that she had come all the way out here with her meant that she had to trust Emma. Right? She liked to think so, because as much animosity as there was between them, she wasn't sure she could handle Regina not trusting her.
"Where is the appointment?" Regina asked after taking a slow, long drink of the water. She had gone from looking better in the car to looking worse than she had when she had first gotten in it. Emma knew all of this stress couldn't be good for her health.
"It's about fifteen minutes from here," Emma said. "We can come back here after so you can sleep. I'm feeling nice, so I'll pick up dinner and everything." She was teasing, though she did intend to pick up dinner. They were in the part of Boston she knew well, and there were plenty of restaurants around that she knew Regina wouldn't mind food from. Emma wouldn't lie; she missed the fuck out of Boston burgers.
Regina snorted at the suggestion, but didn't argue. She finished the bottle of water, picked up the second, and stood to her feet, giving Emma the 'Well?' look before heading for the door. Even pregnant and moody, Regina still pulled off looking like she owned life as they all knew it. Emma only shook her head with a soft smile before pushing herself to her feet and following her out.
Emma was certain that she had never experienced anything more awkward than sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office with Regina Mills. It took everything in her not to fidget, and she was obsessing in silence over the absolute insanity of the situation. She knew that Regina noticed; the looks the former Queen was shooting her could have burned a hole straight through Emma if she were using magic. As hard as she tried, however, the blonde couldn't seem to get rid of that awkward feeling. She was suffocating on her own anxiety by the time the receptionist called Regina's name.
As Regina stood from the seat next to her, Emma wondered if she should offer to go back with her. She decided against it as soon as the thought crossed her mind. There was no way Regina was going to be comfortable with that, and Emma herself was uncomfortable enough as it was. Regina made that clear by gliding forward without even looking at Emma, and followed an assistant into the back of the office. Now all Emma had to do was wait, and she could handle that better than sitting next to Regina with the knowledge of the woman being pregnant with Robin Hood's child.
The thought of that man still sent a pang of anger flooding through Emma. She couldn't believe he had accused Regina of doing this on purpose, just to keep him from leaving Storybrooke. Regina had been devastated over Robin, but Emma was sure she wouldn't go to that extent to get him to stay.
It made sense, if she thought about it; Regina had been manipulative in the past. She knew Robin was a man of honor, and would always stand by his choices and mistakes. He was standing by Marian in her pregnancy. Maybe Regina figured he would stay, keep Marian with him, but eventually choose Regina as a life partner. It did sound like something the Evil Queen would do.
But would Regina?
Emma didn't like to think so. Regina had taken too many steps by now to redeem herself. She wasn't that selfish anymore. But then, the entire time she had been with Robin, she had been sleeping with Emma, unwilling to give up something that had been so familiar to her for years. Emma knew that much about Regina; when something was familiar, she held on for dear life.
Emma's thought track shifted to her own life, and how she was doing the same thing to Killian. She was being selfish. She had someone that liked her, maybe even loved her, but she couldn't let go of the safety net she had built with the woman that had just walked through that office door. Because in the end, she knew that Regina was the only constant in her life, other than their son. The only one that hadn't used her, then tossed her away like she hadn't been worth a thing. Sure, maybe that was the long term plan, but so far, Emma didn't see it happening. She didn't see the desire there for it to happen. With a sigh, Emma dropped her head into her hands, eyes closing. She was going to have to talk to Killian.
It felt like forever that the blonde waited alone in the small lobby, though it had to have been thirty minutes at the most. Once her brain had gotten off the topic of Regina's personality and the fact that she had to straighten her life out, it had moved on to the baby in Regina's stomach. Would Regina keep it? If she did, what would this mean for her? Would she even be able to carry it to term? If Emma was doing her math right, Regina had to have been in her sixties. The curse may have slowed down time, but it didn't slow down the progression of her insides…did it? And what had Regina said in the study about it not being possible? By the time Regina stepped out from the back of the office and handed the receptionist payment for the visit, Emma was back to obsessing. This time, she did a better job of hiding it.
"Ready?" Emma asked as Regina approached her and picked up her coat, folding it over one arm. All she did was nod in response, so Emma stood up and led her from the building. She had vowed that she wasn't going to ask any questions, no matter how curious she was; this was Regina's private business, and she had no right trying to get involved. The only thing Regina had asked her for was to make her a doctor's appointment and take her to it. Nothing else. Other than be there for the damn confrontation with Robin, but that didn't mean anything (at least, that was what she told herself).
Regina was in the car before Emma even reached the driver side door, causing Emma to blink in confusion. Well then. Someone was in a rush. Opening the door, she climbed in and closed it behind her, remaining quiet as she started the car and pulled from the parking space. She was halfway to the hotel when the woman next to her finally snorted, keeping her eyes out the passenger window as she spoke.
"I'm surprised you haven't piled me with questions," Regina said, voice flat. "You have a tendency of not keeping your nose out of my business in any other situation."
She must be feeling just fine, Emma thought, rolling her eyes. The insults were back, even if they lacked their usual sniping tone.
"It's none of my business," Emma said. "If you want to tell me, you will. I only shove my nose in your business if it involves me or Henry, and you won't let me in on it," she added with a dark glance out of the corner of her eye. It was Regina's turn to roll her eyes.
"We should go home tomorrow," Regina said, looking back out of the window. "I'd hate to keep you from your pirate."
"You know, I'm starting to think you're jealous," Emma threw back at her without thinking. That was the second comment Regina had made about Killian since Emma suggested they stopped sleeping together, and the blonde didn't see an end in sight. It was bad enough Emma was going to have to break up with him; she didn't need Regina making it worse by slamming him behind his back.
"Jealous?" Regina countered, her head whipping around to look at Emma with something close to disbelief. "My dear, you've been in my bed since before you started seeing him. And you haven't left it, even with him doting all over you and making eyes. I have no reason to be jealous. And even if you had ended it when you first started seeing him, it is none of my business."
"Then why do you find the need to talk about him like he's a threat?" Emma questioned.
"He's not a threat," Regina stated. "I don't feel threatened by situations that were never serious in the first place."
"Uh huh," Emma drawled, glaring out the windshield now. "That's why you sounded horrified and betrayed when I told you we shouldn't do any of this anymore. Because you're so unbothered by the whole thing." She couldn't believe the words coming out of her mouth. Where had all of this come from? This fight was not meant to happen yet; the timing was terrible, and she hadn't even gotten the chance to talk to Killian yet to see where they could stand with each other after he knew everything. She didn't care if Regina was jealous or not; she just wanted her to leave well enough alone.
"Yes, because instead of ending it with the one you think cares about you in the first place, that you've been lying to, you end it with the one you've been running around with and potentially hurting someone over," Regina snapped. "How immature. Do you really believe that just ignoring what you've been doing is going to make your relationship perfect and pure again?"
"Do you?" Emma snarled, losing her patience. "Because if I remember correctly, while you were making eyes at Robin, you were sticking your tongue down my throat several times a week. Was your relationship perfect and pure? Did you feel guiltless for what you were doing?"
The silence was deadly. Guilt washed over Emma as soon as she said it, but she couldn't let Regina keep throwing words at her that mirrored Regina's own situation. But while she was expecting some kind of verbal attack, she didn't expect Regina to close her eyes and growl, "Stop the car."
"What?" Emma asked, incredulous. "Are you serious?"
"Stop the goddamn car, or I'll do it for you."
That was the last thing they both needed, was for Regina to almost kill both of them using magic to control the Bug. Sighing, Emma pulled to the side of the road, and the brunette swung the door open.
"Regina, this isn't Storybrooke," Emma warned. "You're not familiar here." Her words were ignored. Regina stepped out of the car and flung the door shut behind her, and stomped off down the street. Sighing, Emma fell back against the seat, closing her eyes.
"Good going, Swan," she muttered to herself. This was going to be an interesting one to clean up.
Going straight back to the hotel was out of the question, so Emma drove down to a pub she frequented when she lived out in Boston a few years ago. With a whiskey and some fries, she managed to pass a little time, but came up with no answer as to how she was going to approach this situation. Why did she even care?
Because you brought the damn Evil Queen of legend out to a different state, and she has no clue where the hell she is or what she's doing, Emma thought. Sure, Regina could probably figure it out, but the blonde had to wonder if she would want to. It hurt her head to even think about having to spend multiple hours in the car with her on the way back to Maine.
Halfway through her fries, Emma's phone beeped. Sighing, she slipped the device from her pocket, and was surprised to find a text from Regina flashing on her screen. If I were you, I'd come back to the hotel.
What's going on?
You'll see.
Oh great. Regina had set up some elaborate trap to murder her. Just what Emma had always wanted in life. Sighing one more time, she threw down money for her order and a tip, and made her way outside to her car. It was a short drive, and she managed to spend most of it annoyed. It grew worse when she pulled into the parking lot and got out of the car. A few spots down, two figures leaned against a car. When Emma squinted, her stomach dropped, and dizziness hit her, followed by nausea. Killian stood with his arms folded, staring coldly at Emma as she stared back.
And Regina stood next to him, wearing the vindictive smirk that Emma hadn't seen directed at her since she had first shown up in Storybrooke.