Chapter Three
Moving conversation
Emma sighs as she stretches her neck lifting her head to look out. She sees nothing but grey ocean. She wonders if they are even moving. In what feels to be at least an hour she has been patiently sitting and waiting. Regina and she have been slightly pressed up against each other, hip to hip, trying to keep warm. Or at least that's what Emma told herself. It only made sense to stay as close as possible to another warm human body. As long as that body didn't involve the asshole formally known as Rumplestiltskin Emma thought. He had moved to the back end of the skiff, presumably to have a better view of his future. Emma was so angry with him. She would forever hate Gold.
Regina was looking towards the grey abyss wondering why she wasn't more upset at Robin's behavior. She took for granted that he was her 'soulmate,' the person Tink said she was meant to be with. Deep down she knew he couldn't stay angry at her for long. As a matter of fact right about now he was probably regretting his actions and wishing he was with her. He was a good man, a great father, and a loyal friend. She enjoyed his company yet she was relieved he couldn't come with her. This thought made her stomach clench into a knot; it frightened her. But she rationalized that having him here meant someone else she would have to look out for. Robin could defend himself against another man and surely he could hunt well but when it came to magical beings he was out of his league. He would most certainly try; in fact he would do anything to defend her but he would always be at risk. Even Henry had a better sense of magic. Then again Henry was her son and Emma's. And although Emma's magic was still highly untrained she was powerful; when push came to shove she always came through. Henry was also, unfortunately, the grandson of Rumplestilkskin.
Emma was going insane with impatience. She turns to Regina, "So what happened back there with Robin?"
This draws Regina out of her own thoughts redirecting her to something she doesn't want to talk about. "Nothing."
'Why? Why can't she be a normal friend and just talk to me?' Emma could count on one hand the number of times Regina had opened up about anything. Then again Emma wasn't exactly an open book but she was no where near as elusive as Regina.
"He looked upset." Emma presses on; his behavior really bothered her; Regina didn't deserve any heat after what she did tonight. Emma didn't like the way he was looking at her. She needed to know what had happened so she could get over being upset about it. She wanted to like the self-righteous sassafras for Regina's sake. Not that Regina was ever very nice to Hook other than tonight. It was she who convinced Hook to cease his plans; Regina saved their lives. But with every encounter Emma had with Robin Hood she found him never to be quite enough. He made cowardly decisions and he simply didn't measure up. At least that's the way Emma felt thus far.
Regina snaps her head at her, "Are we here to talk about my relationship or to rescue your one-handed pirate?" Now she turns her angry attention at death. 'This can't be good' Emma thinks.
"And what, pray tell, may we do to get there faster?" Regina doesn't even try to hold back her sarcasm.
"HA HA HA HA. TALK."
Regina readjusts herself and sits up straighter all Queen-like, if that's even possible, preparing to fire. Emma interjects "So Charon what would you like to talk about?"
"NOT TO ME. TALK TO EACH OTHER."
"Well, I was trying." Emma mumbles to herself.
Regina stands flustered, "This is ridiculous." As she stands she can still feel the squishy sensation of her wet shoes. She forgot to dry them earlier. She immediately attempts rectify the problem. She waves her hand but it doesn't work. She tries again and again but her feet are still wet.
"What are you doing now?" Emma looks up at her baffled.
"Trying to dry my feet."
"Can you do mine while you're at it?"
"I would if only this would actually work." She flicks her wrist over and over more passionately with each attempt.
"YOUR MAGIC DOESN'T WORK HERE."
At this I can feel the weight of the boat shift from the back as Death must now have Gold's attention.
"Magic doesn't work in Tartarus?" Gold's asks.
'"THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID. MAGIC VARIES IN TARTARUS IF YOU ARE A MORTAL. IN MY PRESENCE NO POWER IS GREATER THAN MINE."
He turns his attention to Emma, "IF YOU WISH TO MOVE TOWARDS FINDING YOUR DEAD FRIEND YOU MUST CLEAR YOUR MIND OF OTHER CLUTTER, BEGIN TO SOLVE YOUR ISSUES." Emma is the only one who notices he looks to her and Regina when he says this.
"We'll never find him." Regina retorts as she sits.
A couple of minutes pass but Regina's comment still has her pissed, "You're one to talk. I don't see you 'solving your issues' and 'clearing your clutter.'"
"This isn't about me this is about you..."
"Oh save it you always have an excuse."
"I don't see how this is going to help." Regina is so frustrated she is willing to give anything a try. She huffs, "I sent Zelena back to Oz."
Emma looks at her expectantly like saying 'that's it?'
"I didn't let her take the baby. Nor did I tell Robin I was planning on doing so."
"Why would you..." Emma is curious but not accusing.
"I am planning to bring her back as soon as we return. I couldn't very well risk her escaping and doing God-knows-what to my town while we're gone."
Emma nods, "I understand."
"If I'd let her take the baby to Oz she would put up a barrier. I wouldn't be able to bring her back and Robin would never see his daughter again."
"Did you tell him this?" Suddenly Emma feels the heat rising in her face again. So much for dissolving her anger.
"He didn't give me the chance. Everyone will always assume the worst of me why should he be any different."
"Because he's your soulmate! And besides he should know you only have his and the child's best interest at heart." What Emma wanted to say was that Robin should be happy to have Zelena no longer agonizing his life. He should rejoice to be free of her if only for a few days. But that would imply he cares for her more than Emma would like to entertain. She opts for the higher ground.
"He knows you wouldn't keep a child away from their mother. He let his lack of control in the matter cloud his better judgment."
"Who could blame him? I tried to keep Henry from you."
"That was different. It was a completely different situation. And you are no longer that person."
Regina looks into Emma's eyes feeling relief that she understands her. It seems sometimes as though Emma is the only person willing to look beyond and not take everything she sees at face value. Even though Robin doesn't know of her intentions Regina feels redeemed through Emma.
Emma feels better now that at least she got Regina to vent. She realizes this whole time she hasn't given much thought to...Clash! The little boat hit something and rocks back throwing Emma on Regina. Emma blushes as she notices her left hand landed on Regina's thigh. She lifts herself quickly but still catches a whiff of Regina's perfume, something flowery, she smells so good.
Regina tries to steady Emma by her right forearm while waving golden curls away from her line of sight. She's all too aware that half of Emma's weight is on her. None the more with Emma's hand riding up her thigh as she's trying to regain her balance. Emma's blushing. 'She shouldn't be embarrassed it's not her fault she landed on me.' Regina notices she keeps her eyes down until they rebound back to their previous seated positions; Emma breathing heavily.
"WE ARE HERE."
Emma looks directly in front of her and sees nothing but a dark brown wall. "Is Tartarus inside?"
"Emma look." Regina pulls her arm and directs her gaze up. Emma follows the massive wall up until it fogs at a height that parallels the Empire State Building.
'WELCOME TO THE SHIP OF THE DAMNED."
