Chapter 3: Going Places
A/N: Not much to say here in the beginning accept that the outfit for Emma's "devil" in her dream basically has her looking like a 16-year-old Dark Swan.
Disclaimer: As in chapter 1 and onward (forgot to put it in chapter 2) I own noting to do with this show, however anything seeming out of place is mine.
Regina sat in her dressing room first removing her outfit and switching into a more casual one. She had chosen a pair of black skinny jeans, a red long sleeve shirt, and black sneakers. She then proceeded to remove her clip-on hair extensions thus returning the brunette locks to their normal off the shoulder length. By the time her hair was re-styled completely she heard a voice at the door.
"Regina? We're here, are you ready?" it was the familiar voice of Graham. She knew this would be the moment she had been worried about. While she was indeed famous, meeting new friends had been very foreign to her for a decent 4 years. She saw this Lilith as a potential friend because of the language in her letter. None of her other fans wrote like that as one might expect of the typical fangirl or fanboy.
"Yes, I'm ready". Lilly and Graham heard Regina call out from behind the door. Lilly's heart rate increased slightly. but not entirely to the point of panic as she found a final barrier in the large man guarding the door. Graham turned to him before speaking.
"alright, Little John", Graham began. "You heard her. Stand aside and let us in there.". Graham spoke with authority and despite Little John's size and the irony of his moniker he never challenged his superior and friend. With little john out of the way, Lily's nerves went up to a near panic. Graham, seeing Lilly visibly tense up, put his hand on her shoulder in comfort.
"Don't worry, she's just a normal person like you or me. She's just as nervous as you"., Graham assures the other girl. Lily relaxed and allowed graham to open the door. When the door was open, Graham stood aside revealing Regina sitting in front of a large vanity but somehow lacking that regal air. When Regina saw Lily's reflection in the mirror, she turned around in her chair and stood up. Walking towards the younger girl she extended her hand toward Lilly.
"Hello Lilith, I'm Regina", she greeted in a light and friendly voice. She was really hoping this was someone she didn't have to put up a wall around and be all business-like. With her mother not around, Regina was going to take advantage of every opportunity she could get.
"Nice to meet you, Regina, but please, call me Lily". Lily said as she extended her hand for the other girl to shake. Regina's handshake was soft compared to the firm ones she usually gave. "so what did you have in mind this evening", Lily inquired.
"I've always wanted to go to that club over on the corner of Main and Orchard, you know the Dragon's Nest?". The Dragon's Nest was the only teen club in Storybrooke. Little did Regina know that Lily had quite a connection with the venue. Regina looked to graham and he nodded. Regina, Lily, Graham, and Little John exited out the back of the venue so as not to attract any unwanted attention from fans. The limousine was twice the size of the one Lily rode to the concert in as it was believed regina might have some sort of entourage. After everyone was in with Lily next to Regina and the security staff across from them, the limo sped off toward the club.
"So, Lily", Regina began. "What do you like to do for fun". Regina was not the most well practiced with meeting new people after all the time on the road and in the public eye.
"I love drawing and hanging out with my best friend", Lily replied she was hoping to use this opportunity to plant the seeds that would lead to her mission being accomplished. "How about you", Lily urged on.
"I enjoy writing and hanging out with my 3 friends when I can actually see them. It's really not easy being a performer", Regina sighed. She didn't want to use the word "star" because while it was true, she knew of her popularity, she didn't want to make her ego seem overly inflated. Lily turned to face her and looked her dead in the eye.
"Oh, come on, Regina," Lily shot back startling the older girl. "You and I both no you are amazing. Not just for your music but….", Lilly cut herself off not sure how to continue.
"But what?", Regina asked with a raised brow. Before Lily could answer, the limo pulled up to the club. The chauffeur came around t to the back to open the door. Graham stepped out first followed by Little John. After Graham gave the all clear Lilly and Regina clasped hands and stepped out.
"This discussion isn't over", Regina whispered to Lilly. Lilly just nodded as both girls walked to the front door with Graham and Little John in the lead.
"Let me handle this", Lilly said as she stepped up to the front. Graham gave no protest sensing the fire in Lilly's words. The quartet was met with a large balding man with his hand on a velvet rope .
"Welcome to the Dragon's Nest", the man began not necessarily noticing who was in front of him. "do you want regular or VIP", he asked before looking up.
"Hello, Leroy", Lilly said with a smirk. To say Leroy had been startled would be a complete understatement. Not only was he face to face with Regina Mills, he was also faced with someone who could make him or break him.
"Oh, Hello Miss Firestein, I wasn't expecting you tonight", Leroy said trying to regain his composure. "I'll set you up with your usual table. Leroy led them in as Regina turned to Lilly and whispered.
"He didn't even seem to know who I was so how did you manage that", Regina whispered.
"My mom signs his paychecks", Lilly replied cheekily. Regina just gasped leaving her mouth agape. When they got to their table, Lilly spoke to Leroy once more. "Thank you, Leroy. Also, please tell my mother we are here". Leroy ran off and did so leaving Lilly and Regina once more with their security for the night.
"Graham?", Regina began. "Can you please get a picture of Lilly and myself? I wish to remember this night". Graham smiled after taking Regina's phone and did so. After Regina got Lily's number, she sent the picture to her. Lilly in turn sent it to Emma. Before too long Mallory Firestein herself stepped over to the VIP booth in her black and gold suit.
"Lilly, darling", she exclaimed pulling her daughter into a hug. "It's so good to see you here".
"It was actually Regina's idea, mom". Lilly Replied looking over to Regina. Regina smiled sheepishly after being put on the spot.
"Well I suppose great minds think alike", Mallory responded. After a few laughs Mallory left the area to go back to her office. Regina and Lilly ordered some burgers and fries and began to eat. Regina on the other hand was going to use this to restart the conversation from earlier in the limo.
"So, Lilly", Regina began. "you said earlier you and I both knew I was amazing as a performer. You were about to say something else but you stopped yourself. What were you going to say?". Lilly knew now was the time to put her plan into motion.
"Look Regina", Lilly began. "I may have won this contest but my best friend Emma is by far your biggest fan".
"Is that so?", Replied Regina. "Then why didn't this Emma send me a letter for the contest?" Regina's expression was a smug look with a slight hint of confusion.
"She didn't feel she was worthy", Lilly replied with a serious tone. "she has been through so much shit the first 14 years of her life and she has felt a serious sense of defeat after all that has happened. When you came on the scene your music began to inspire her and lift her up and in other ways it also reflected how she was feeling. I had talked to Emma a few days before the concert and decided that if I win I would give you her letter". Lilly produced said letter from her purse and handed it over to Regina. However before releasing her grip Lilly pulled the letter back and began to write on the front of the envelope with a pen she had brought with her. Lilly once again handed Regina the letter with the front now containing a phone number. "If you read this and find that this letter does speak to you, please give her a call. Contrary to what she believes, she does deserve this". Regina grabbed the letter hesitantly and slowly slid it into her purse. Graham raised an eyebrow at this but Regina just shook her head subtly indicating everything was fine.
Meanwhile, back at the Nolan residence, the family had just said good night to one another and Emma retreated into her room when her phone was on her nightstand showing she had a new text from Lilly. Upon opening the text, Emma discovered the picture Lilly hand sent her with the message "wish you were here". Emma, being too tired to assess how she felt about that situation put her phone back on the nightstand and went straight to sleep. Emma found herself in a dark and foggy room. In front of her stood a tall dark pillar on her left and a tall white pillar on her right. She then heard a low feminine voice speak.
"You know she stole her letter for herself, right?", the voice began as the dark pillar transformed into an evil looking version of Emma wearing a dark leather outfit and sporting white blonde hair up in a bun. The expression on her face was nothing but seriousness.
"Please don't listen to her, Emmy", the white pillar pleaded as it transformed into her little brother wearing a white suit. His eyes reflected light but at the same time pleaded with his sister to listen to reason. "Lilly has done nothing but help and love you. Why would she take your letter for herself?".
"Because, you little brat", the dark Emma shot back. "That's how it has always been for us. Heartache, betrayal, abandonment you name it. Just see for yourself". The dark emma and neal slowly transformed into Regina and Lilly respectively.
"Now, Lilly you know what to do", the Regina character began in a menacing voice. "it has to be nice and quick". 'Regina demonstrated a quite forward grabbing motion with her right hand.
"Yes, My Queen", "Lilly' said in a fully devoted tone. She repeated 'Regina's' actions but this time reaching her hand into Emma's chest and pulling out something red, pulsing, and glowing. Emma gasped in shock as she saw her own beating heart in the hand of her supposed best friend.
"Now, Lilly, crush it", 'Regina' whispered as she let her tongue graze over Lilly's ear. She pulled Lilly in for a searing kiss s Lilly held the heart up and squeezed. After intense pain Emma started to fade and fall to the dark floor. The last thing she heard were the cackles of her former best friend and idol before shooting bolt upright in her bed. Emma then turned to her night stand, picked up her phone, and removed Lilly's name from her contacts before blocking the number. After whispering the word "traitor" she turned back to her bed and fell asleep.
After copious amounts of dancing and fun, Lilly and Regina made their way to the limo along with Graham and Little John.
"I had a really fun time tonight", Regina said giving Lilly a warm hug. "Let's seriously keep in touch you are just awesome".
"Sure, but please consider reading that letter and calling that number. What have you got to lose?", Lilly Replied. Regina considered this for a moment.
"Nothing I suppose". After the limo made it to Lilly's house, Regina and Lilly hugged before parting ways. Soon, Regina found herself back at the Mills mansion after a long night.
"Hey, Gina how did it go?" Inquired Regina's brother Henry who was up far too late for his own good.
"It went well, my little prince", Regina replied stroking his hair. They both bade each other good night and went their separate ways, but not before Henry noticed the envelope sticking out of Regina's purse. Henry slowly made it back to his room and pulled a walkie talkie from under his bed before transmitting.
"Believer to Guardian, Believer to Guardian. Come in, over". Henry began. After hearing no reply, he tried again a little louder and his moth was closer to the microphone. "Believer to Guardian do you hear me, over!". This time, a sleepy voice responded.
"Guardian to Believer, what do you want it's late, over". The other voice grumbled having being awaked from a good sleep.
"The Queen has the apple, I repeat the Queen has the apple, over and out". Henry finished before going to bed.
A/N: There you have it. This is basically the setup for how Emma and Regina meet.