Title: Words
Fandom: Once Upon a Time
Pairings: Swan Queen/Remma
Summary: All I want is to be a part of his life. A small part. A friend. I would really appreciate if you could give me that chance.
Author's Note: This is my first fic in a very long time, and the first ever for this fandom. Any nicely worded constructive criticism is greatly encouraged. I'd like to improve my writing.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Henry walked into the sheriff's office, grinning at Emma. She couldn't help but smile back at him. Before she could even offer him a greeting, Henry started talking with confidence, as was his way. "I want to do something nice for my mom. She's been letting us see each other, and I think it'd make her feel good to tell her thanks in a special way."
"Okay kid. What are we gonna do for your mom?" Emma leaned back in her desk chair, putting her feet on her desk.
Henry sat across from her, propping his feet up as well. "We could cook her dinner. She likes Italian food."
Emma scoffed, knocking his small shoes with her own boots. "I can't cook. At all. Mary Margaret says I'm not even allowed to anymore. I accidentally started a small fire in the kitchen." She gave the young boy a sheepish look. "While making mac and cheese." Henry starts to questions her, but she just shakes her head. "Don't ask kid. Seriously. Bad memories." The boy nods in understanding, and they both share the silance for a while. "What does your mom like?"
Henry shrugs, at a loss. "I dunno. Apples. Plants. Me. Cider. Being in control. Baths."
The sheriff rolls her eyes. "That's not very helpful."
"Well I'm sorry sheriff, but Henry can't help you at all right now." The mayor walked into the sheriff's office, giving her son an angry look only heightened by the ominous click of her heels. "Miss Blanchard called. She was worried when Henry didn't show up for school. I always call when he's out." She crossed her arms, staring indignantly at a guilty looking Henry.
Emma stood, looking at her watch and then to Regina. "I am so sorry Madame Mayor. I lost track of time and assumed Henry was just stopping by before school." Emma turned to Henry, giving him a stern look. "Listen kid. You know I love when you come to see me, but school comes first. Always. School is important, and if you start slacking, your mother and I will both be very disappointed." She uncrossed her arms, sighing, and sitting on the front of the desk facing Henry. "I'm not going anywhere, okay? We can see each other at a more appropriate time. Like when you're not in school."
Henry looked down, almost sadly. "I was just excited to tell you about-" He made a not so subtle glance at the mayor, looking quickly back to Emma with narrowed eyes. "Operation Nighthawk."
"I know. We'll finish our conversation later." Emma stood, grinning. She stepped behind her desk, pressing a button on her phone. "Hey, can I see you for a moment?" She did not wait for a reply before stepping back in front of the desk. Seconds later, Ruby showed up in uniform, with her own red additions added in. Emma winked at her deputy. "I need you to escort this young man to school please. We don't tolerate truancy in this town. Make sure you see him all the way to his desk."
Henry groaned, but Ruby's eye were shining. "Can I cuff him?" Ever since taking the Deputy job, she had been itching to use her handcuffs.
Emma considered it for a moment, but the look in Regina's eyes was her answer. "That won't be necessary. Thank you deputy." Ruby pointed Henry out of the office, marching him away with a slightly disappointed look on her face. Emma sat on her desk, facing Regina with an apologetic look. "I am so sorry. I really had no idea." The sheriff really was sorry. She liked this new truce she had with Regina, and she didn't want to mess it up.
Regina ignored the sincerity in Emma's voice, pushing it down inside of her and turning it to anger. "Yes, I'm sure you're just so apologetic, Sheriff. She spoke in her usual scathing tone, hard, guarded eyes trained on the woman in front of her. "Operation Nighthawk? Is that your latest plan to take Henry away from me?" She used the venom in her words to bite back tears. "I trust you. I've been giving you time with Henry." She stops speaking, afraid of how unsteady her voice is becoming.
Emma jumps off her desk, walking over to the mayor. "Operation Nighthawk is Henry's plan to do something special for you. He wants to thank you for allowing us to spend time together. I wanted to thank you too. We were just trying to decide what to do." She shoves her hands deep in her pockets, rocking on her heels, giving Regina a sad, and slightly embarrassed look. "Please don't tell him I told you. He wants it to be a surprise."
Upon hearing Emma's words, something inside Regina breaks open. Her control slips, and hot tears begin running down her face. She can't focus on where she is or who she's with. The tears just keep pouring out of her. Regina can almost feel the poison in her seeping out in her tears. She brings her hands to her face, and suddenly two strong arms wrap around her. She buries her face in Emma's neck, pulling her closer. She needs the strength from Emma to stay standing. She feels Emma rubbing her back, whispering comforting words. The mayor just buries her face deeper into the other woman's neck.
A month ago, Regina would have slapped her for even thinking about touching her. Emma closes her eyes, breathing in the smell of Regina's shampoo. This new truce was really working wonders for their relationship. Emma just gripped the mayor tighter, wanting to hug away all her troubles.
Regina became aware that Emma was now leaning against her desk, and Regina was surrounded by her. She could feel the heat radiating from Emma. She was being held, and the sheriff was taking on her full weight, without any struggle. The mayor pulled back, taking a small step away from Emma, and wiping her eyes. "I'm sorry I got your shirt wet." She takes a deep breath, steadying herself. "Henry's never wanted to do anything to surprise me. In fact, no one has. Not unless they wanted something in return. I've never gotten a thank you." She let the breath out, sheepishly looking up at Emma. "I didn't mean to get so emotional. My apologies."
Emma stands, straightening her shirt. "Hey, don't worry about it. Seriously. I'm just glad you're not in attack mode anymore." Emma gave her a small smile, but the moment was ruined by the phone ringing. Emma sighed, turning around and grabbing it off her desk. "Sheriff's office. I see. I'll be right there." Emma grabbed her keys, and her gun, shrugging on her jacket. "I'm sorry Madame Mayor, but duty calls. Mrs. Johnson thinks some kids broke into her shed again. I'm gonna check it out for her, give her some peace of mind." She paused, looking at Regina. "If you need anything, you call me, okay?"
The mayor retreated back into her shell. "I'm sure I'll do just fine, sheriff." She shot Emma a cold smile, heading towards the door.
Emma just closed her eyes for a moment, sighing. "Please don't tell him I told you, okay?"
Regina paused, giving a slight nod before heading out.
Sitting in her patrol car, Emma debated getting lunch. She wasn't really hungry yet, and figured she could wait until dinner. She stepped out of the car, stretching in the sun. Soon, her phone was ringing. "Hello Madame Mayor. What can I do for you?"
Regina closed her eyes, pulling together her strength. She did not like asking for help, and asking it of Emma Swan was even worse. "Henry is sick. I have a meeting in ten minutes I cannot miss. I was wondering..." She took a breath, opening her eyes. "I was wondering if you would mind picking him up from the school, and taking him to the house. He has a key. You don't have to stay with him, just.. Get him settled. Make sure he's okay."
Emma was quiet on the other line. Not on purpose. She had no problem doing anything for Henry. Regina Mills asking for help was shocking. Never in a million years would she have expected it. Especially after this morning. Emma figured the mayor would be even more solemn and brash than usual.
Regina closed her eyes, sighing. "Please, Emma. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't for Henry."
Emma focused back on the present. "No, of course. I would do anything for Henry, you know that. I'm sorry, I was just thinking. I'll head over there right away." She pulled out her keys, heading for the yellow bug.
"Thank you, Miss Swan." Regina gave the phone a small smile, before hanging up.
