THREE HOURS EARLIER

Emma sat alone at the bar, The Rabbit Hole bustling, but not as busy as it normally was on a Friday night. She toyed with the label on her beer bottle, scratching at the stickiness the glue left behind. Some 80's soft rock song blared in the background, caterwauling something about the Glory of Love. Emma crinkled her nose, wondering what the hell she was doing there anyway.

Spinning toward the door to get up and go home, Emma stopped suddenly when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Where do you think you're going?" Ruby asked, tipping her martini glass to her lips. "I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Ruby, it's been like a week," Emma deadpanned. "I don't know," she shrugged. "I think I'm just going to head home."

"No you're not," Ruby sing-songed, waving the bartender over. She motioned for two of something, and rather than argue with her, Emma sat back on her stool. She eyed the shotglass of Cuervo in front of her suspiciously. It had been a long time since she had thrown back tequila shots.

"Ah, what the hell," she said, and downed the shot. Ruby smiled brightly and did the same, before holding two more fingers up with a pinched look on her face.

Ruby crossed her legs and leaned toward Emma. "So, what's going on with you? You seem a little out of it tonight," Ruby asked, sucking on a lime.

Emma tugged at her tank top, suddenly feeling confined. "Nothing, I'm fine," she waved off, and shot back another round of tequila. "Mostly fine. Just impatient, I guess."

"With what?"

Emma paused, knowing she this was not something she should be getting into with Ruby. Regina valued her privacy above all else, but the desire and the alcohol were making it difficult for Emma to embrace reason.

"I just…want more. Regina is amazing, don't get me wrong. I've been waiting for this for so long," Emma sighed, visions of Regina flashing through her mind. "And I know she needs time, I get it. She's been through so much. But she just seems so fucking distant sometimes. Like there's this chasm between us and I keep trying to build this bridge, and with every board I put down, she takes one away. It's just frustrating," Emma growled, resting her head in her hands.

The door opened, allowing a quick chill to bring Emma to a shiver. She looked over and grumbled as Robin Hood and one of his stupid Merry Men walked in and headed to the pool tables. They held eye contact for a moment too long, though neither smiled.

"I'm not trying to point out the obvious, but Emma, come on. You're dating the Evil Queen. Did you think it was going to be sunshine and roses? What did you expect?" Ruby tapped the bar, summoning another round.

Emma's eyes widened at the shotglass placed in front of her. "Ruby, I'm already drunk. We can stop now," she smiled, pushing the glass toward her friend. "No, of course I didn't think it was going to be sunshine and roses all the time. From the beginning she told me she needed time, and if I wanted this, that I would have to be patient. So that's what I'm being…patient." Without thinking, Emma snatched the glass back and threw down another shot.

Ruby nodded, contemplating. "She has come a long way. But Em, come on. You're fun, you're easygoing, and let's be honest, you're hot as fuck," Ruby grinned, cocking an eyebrow. "I just don't think you knew what you were getting into with this one. She's beautiful, but holy shit, she must be a handful."

"Of course I knew what I was getting into. I've known Regina a long time, this isn't my first rodeo with her. She's worth it," Emma said, the napkins on the bar starting to multiply. "I have to pee," she told Ruby unceremoniously, having to steady herself for a minute before making her way to the bathroom.

After relieving herself, Emma stayed seated for a minute with her eyes closed. Clearly, she couldn't drive herself home, so she was mentally preparing herself for having to walk. She sure as shit wasn't going to call Regina to come pick her up. She was sloppy drunk, and that wasn't something she wanted to her to see, at least not now.

Emma finally made her way to the sink, where she washed her hands while looking at her reflection. She shook her head, surprised that she allowed herself to get this intoxicated. She jumped when the door swung open, a flash of red quickly locking the door.

"Maybe you just need something simple," Ruby breathed heavily into Emma's ear, suddenly and effectively pinning her against the wall. "Nothing to wonder about, nothing to be afraid of. Someone who wants you, easy as that," Ruby purred, covering Emma's mouth with her own. There was nothing sweet about it; it was all tongue, licking and flattening and flicking against Emma's surprised and partially open lips.

Maybe I do need something simple, Emma thought, still not fully comprehending what she was about to do. She tore at Ruby's shirt, cupping her breast while Ruby tugged at Emma's tank top, stretching the fabric until her hands grasped at Emma's chest, pulling down her bra so that she was completely exposed.

They were kissing and gasping and clawing, but it wasn't until Emma felt Ruby's hand slide down into her unbuttoned jeans (how did that even happen) and slide her finger up the length of her that Emma finally had a moment of clarity.

"Stop!" she demanded, pushing Ruby away from her. Ruby tripped backwards, catching herself on the hand dryer before she fell onto the floor. "What the hell was that?" Emma asked, pulling down her shirt and trying desperately to button her pants.

For a moment, panic flashed across Ruby's face. "I…don't know. You looked so sad and so empty, and really fucking attractive in that shirt, and I thought that you wanted…"

"You thought that I wanted? No, Ruby, I didn't fucking want that!" Emma was furious, more at herself than Ruby, but her mind was swimming and spinning, and she didn't know how to lash out at herself, so it was a whole lot easier to take it out on Ruby.

Realization clouded Ruby's face, anger taking hold. "Well, you certainly didn't push me away, Emma. So you can get off your high horse, because you easily could have maybe not kissed me back! Or not felt me up, or –"

Emma put her hands up to stop her. "I don't know what the fuck I was thinking, and I don't know what the fuck you were thinking. You know I'm with Regina, why would you even think that was ok?" Emma could feel tears stinging her eyes, and she grabbed onto the nearest wall for stability, because she really didn't need to pass out in the bathroom.

"I told you I don't know! And your reaction to me didn't scream stop, or I would have. I'm sorry I approached you, but again, you are a grown up and you didn't shove me away, so stop fucking making it seem like I took advantage of you!" Ruby was trying to tuck her shirt in unsuccessfully, when she stopped suddenly. "I think I might throw up," she said calmly, and stumbled into one of the stalls.

Fuzzy, but feeling a lot more sober than she had twenty minutes ago, Emma managed to unlock the bathroom door and find her way out to the fresh air. She hadn't paid her bill, but fuck it, either Ruby could pay it or she'd come back tomorrow and sort it out. Right now, all she could do was try to remember to breathe. There were two options. Go home, sleep it off, pretend like it never happened. Or, and much scarier, actually terrifying, tell Regina the truth and hope that she would forgive her. Emma knew herself well enough that the guilt would consume her alive if she didn't tell Regina the truth.

Emma nearly jumped out her skin when her phone vibrated in her back pocket. She squinted to read the text message that popped up.

Can you come over? I miss you. Want to see you.

Holy fuck, could this really be happening right now? Walled up, time-taking, fearful, cautiously optimistic Regina wanted to see her. Now. Emma leaned against the wall, willing herself to be dreaming, because this nightmare couldn't possibly be real.

"Looking a little disheveled Swan, everything ok? You were in the ladies room for quite some time," Robin smirked, disdain evident on his face. Emma said nothing, didn't even look up at him. If she had, she probably would have attacked him, and in this state, she would be a fish in a barrel.

"Fuck off," she muttered, barely even registering that he was probably out of earshot by now. Emma stayed up against the wall, her phone in her hand. She had longed for the day, yearned to have Regina feel this way about her, to look at her not as an adversary, but as a means to real, actual happiness. Emma started walking toward Mifflin St, tears streaking her face. She quickly texted back, and shoved her phone back in her pocket. She didn't notice the chill in the air, didn't even know if she had worn a jacket to the bar. Didn't care.

I'm on my way.