"I want to see you again," the Sergeant said in the morning, as soon as the sailor in her arms stirred awake.
"What?" Emma asked. "But I thought you said-"
"I know what I said."
They looked at each other, each trying to read the other's expression.
"You were right about last night," Emma said slowly.
"I know."
"Thank you."
"Ready to leave your boyfriend yet?" the Marine laughed, laying back against the pile of pillows behind her.
"I was ready to leave him already," Emma said seriously.
"I see," the woman said slowly. "And last night has nothing to do with your level of motivation?"
"Well, I suppose..."
"Yes?"
"I suppose it does."
"Now, would that be because you've discovered that you're a full-blown lesbian, or because you simply can't resist me?"
"I'm not a lesbian just because I slept with you," Emma retorted. "I just don't love him."
To this, the woman said nothing. Instead, she sat up and looked towards the bedroom window where the light was streaming in.
After a few more moments of silence, the Marine finally offered, "What do you say we go get some breakfast? I'm a wonderful cook, I assure you, but my fridge is relatively empty at the moment. I haven't been home much. Besides, going out to eat might be nice."
Emma blinked.
"I guess so."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing. You're just acting so... different."
"No one is what they seem, my dear," Regina said. "In addition to that, I think it might be entertaining to spend more time with you and see what you're actually like outside of the bedroom."
"And what was I like inside the bedroom...?" Emma asked cautiously, unsure if she actually wanted to hear the answer, but curiosity had won out.
"Submissive."
Emma blushed, and the Marine noticed this quickly.
"That's not a bad thing. I'm a dom anyway. That's how I like it."
"You're sure?" the girl questioned.
"You think I don't know how I like it in bed?"
"No, I just meant... I'm sorry. I just..."
"Don't be so self-conscious. You were fine."
Fine, Emma repeated to herself. Fine. The word stung her, making her cringe. At least she hadn't been horrible. Or was the woman sparing her feelings? She looked the woman over and came to the conclusion that she wasn't the type to spare anyone's feelings, which comforted her to a certain degree.
When the Sergeant caught sight of the expression on the girl's face, she quickly added, "It was better than fine."
"Why do you want to see me again?"
The woman paused before answering with, "Because of the way you let out a nervous laugh when we got tangled in the covers last night, the way your hair falls in your eyes as you turn your head in your sleep, the way your face looks in the morning, how shy you are, and the way you get anxious about what I think of you."
Astonished by this, Emma was at a loss for what to say. No one had ever pointed out anything like that about her. Regina was the first. It was clear that, at least to some degree, the woman appreciated those features, and it flattered Emma as she realized this.
"I... don't know what to say..."
"Say you'll go to breakfast with me."
"I will."
"Then let's go."
"I didn't bring... I didn't bring a change of clothes."
"You think I don't have plenty? You're just about my size anyway, though a little less muscular."
A grin spread across the Marine's lips.
"I really couldn't. Is there any way we could-"
"Nope. Now, come here and try some of this stuff on. Let's make you look presentable."
The diner they went to for breakfast was quiet and relaxed, so Emma felt overdressed in a form-fitting oxford shirt and black slacks.
"I feel ridiculous," she hissed, looking around at the few other people in the restaurant that were wearing jeans and T-shirts.
"Well, you certainly don't look ridiculous. You look feminine and well put together. Really, though, I just wanted to dress you up so I could look at you."
"Are you kidding me?!"
"No, actually. I'm not."
Again, a smirk appeared on the woman's lips as she watched Emma squirm internally as she looked around the diner again.
"Now, now," the Marine teased. "Don't be embarrassed. Just remember that you're higher class than them, and that they are lucky to be graced with your presence."
"You are ridiculous," Emma said in a low voice so that no one would hear their discussion. "And no, I'm not different from them. On my days off, I wear jeans and a tank top. I dress casually. I'm not above them."
"I was only teasing. You do pull of that look quite well, though. You should consider upgrading your wardrobe."
"Not everyone is as well off as you... um... Sergeant."
"This is true."
Emma wasn't surprised at the woman's air of superiority. In the past 14 hours or so, she'd learned well that this woman was far from modest.
When their food came, Emma ate slowly, overly conscious of her eating habits and attempting to suppress the less flattering ones. Of course, the woman across from her in the booth ate with as much grace as royalty, which only made Emma more anxious.
"You eat like a bird," the woman commented.
"Not always," the blonde mumbled, setting her fork down on the table gently to make sure it made no noise.
The Marine laughed at this, shaking her head.
"Little bit of a redneck, are we?"
"I guess you could say that."
"That's alright. We'll straighten you up nice and proper, young lady."
"I'm not a lady."
"Wow. You really are a redneck."
"Hey, shut up, okay? I was raised in foster care to be tough and to hold my own against men. So what if I'm a little sloppy, and maybe not as prim and proper or as rich as you?"
"First of all, that's no way to speak to your superior, and second of all, I was teasing."
"Humor isn't your strong suit, and I apologize for my disrespect."
"That's alright," the Sergeant said with a smirk. "I'll let it slide, this time, but make sure it doesn't happen again. I would hate to report you to your commanding officer. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Sergeant."
"Anyway, are you all done? Should we leave?"
Emma nodded her head slowly and stood up after Regina had stepped out of the booth.
"Let's go then," the woman said, walking the young blonde back out to the car. Once she was seated on the driver's side, she asked, "So where's home?"
"13 Second Street on the West side of town."
"That's not a bad area. Your parents must be relatively well off."
"I suppose they live comfortably. I've never had money, though. I only just recently moved in with them."
"You said you were in foster care, yes. How'd you end up back with them?"
"On accident, really. It's a long story, and it doesn't matter."
"Do you get along with them? Your mother sounds very controlling."
"I guess so," Emma said slowly. "I mean, I do, but they're... Well... Yeah. Controlling. At least, she is. My father not so much, but he definitely gets concerned over nothing. I'm sure they're both panicking right now."
"And you care because...?"
"I don't, really, or I wouldn't have stayed last night."
"Well, I'm glad you did."
There was a pause before Emma said, "Me too."
When they reached the sailor's residence and Regina put the car in park, they looked at each other and hesitated to speak.
"Can I see you tonight?" the Marine asked.
Emma just nodded, but before she could open the door to leave, Regina reached out and turned her face until their lips were close together.
"Well?" Regina pressed. "Aren't you going to kiss me goodbye?"
Without responding, Emma blushed and touched their lips together briefly before getting out of the car without another word.
This time, Emma drove her own car to the woman's house and parked it carefully behind the Mercedes in the driveway. Before she could make it up the front steps, the Marine was already greeting her.
"Took you long enough," the woman quipped with a grin, knowing full well that Emma was perfectly on time.
"Sorry," the girl mumbled, stepping inside and closing the door behind her.
"You should be," the woman teased, leading the sailor into the dining room and pointing at the table. "Sit. I made dinner."
"What? Really? You didn't have to do that. I..."
"Do not tell me what I do and don't have to do, Recruit."
Emma blinked at her as she sat down in the chair, grateful to relieve her shaky legs from the stress, affirming her understanding with her silence.
Saying nothing else, the woman slipped away into the kitchen and brought out an enormous pan of lasagna.
"It's my specialty," the Marine informed the girl, sitting down across from her and serving Emma first. "You'll like it."
"Actually, I can't stand cheese."
At first, the Sergeant stared at the girl in disbelief, but when Emma started laughing, she laughed too.
"You little shit," the woman said with a playful smile. "Just eat the damn lasagna and shut up."
Emma's smile fell slightly as she took her first few bites of the delicious meal.
When the cook noticed, she said quickly, "It's good to see you loosening up a little. Of course, I expect you to remain respectful of my station at all times... but it's nice to have you relax enough to joke with me. It was pretty funny, actually, I have to admit."
This brought the girl's smile back, and as they looked at each other, something in the Marine's eyes softened.