"I hope you like pasta bake...I have salady bits if you'd prefer?
Regina raised her voice as the sound of the oven fan exploded around the room.
"Pasta is perfect"
Emma smiled gratefully as she plated up. Regina walked over to the large wooden dinner table and sat down just as Emma placed the meal in front of her. She sat opposite her and began to tuck in.
"I hope this is alright? I was all over the place today at work"
Regina cut across the rambling blonde.
"Miss Swan… I have heard enough excuses from you regarding this meal and its preparation… now if you would so kindly refrain from criticising yourself again we can eat this clearly wonderful meal that you have so kindly prepared for us"
Emma's smile could have lit up the room and she was at a loss for words. She took a large bite and watched as Regina ate hers with such grace.
"How is it?
Regina smirked as she finished her last bite.
"Simply disgusting… I couldn't eat another bite"
Emma laughed out loud causing the butterflies that were in Regina's stomach to wake up from their nap.
"You are too kind Regina"
Emma stood up and cleared their plates placing them into the sink. Regina walked in after her and began to wash up.
"Hey… what are you doing? Go back and sit on the couch"
Regina threw up her eyes.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you that it is not good manners to lounge about like a pig when you are a guest for dinner… I want to help… to say thank you"
Emma paused as the woman was clearly hell bent on washing the damn dishes.
"Umm actually no… I… I have no mother"
Regina dropped the dish she was washing back into the water and turned around to face the clearly flustered looking blonde.
"I'm sorry Miss Swan… I didn't mean to…
Emma cut across her.
"How could you have known? It's alright, I'm alright… I just wish she could see what I did with my life… know who I became… I'll bet your mother is proud of you Regina, I know I don't know anything about you, but you carry yourself with such elegance that is a sure sign of confidence"
Regina sighed looking at the floor and meeting Emma's gaze.
"No one… Oh gosh… No one has ever called me confident before. Thank you"
Emma watched as Regina pushed her curls out of her face again. She picked up her wine glass and took a large gulp.
You're welcome Regina… You should feel confident too you know, you look absolutely stunning… and I'm not just saying that"
Regina smirked.
"I believe you have mentioned that you think I look presentable dear…
Emma sighed.
"Enjoy the compliment Regina… seriously. Let yourself hear the words I'm telling you. You are beautiful"
Regina's heart was beating in her chest. A new sensation was building in her stomach and she began to feel the heat between her thighs.
"Th Thank you Miss Swan… in this case your flattery has made me feel quite nice"
Emma smiled.
"Regina I want to apologise again for this morning… I clearly upset you"
Regina glanced at the ground.
"Don't fret Miss Swan, I am a tough old bird. I know you did not intend on hurting me"
Emma found herself walking towards the suddenly sad looking brunette. She reached out and tilted Regina's face to meet her gaze and Regina immediately jumped backwards causing her to spill her wine on her dress. Regina stood still as the embarrassment radiated through her cheeks.
"Oh Regina… I'm so sorry. I'm so clumsy I didn't mean to do that!
Regina watched as Emma leaned passed her and emerged from the cupboard with some baking soda and a washcloth. She began to dab Regina's upper chest and Regina could not process all the contact she cried out waving her arms in the air.
"Stop it! Stop touching me… Just please stop"
Emma stopped dead in her tracks as Regina slowly lowered her arms.
"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable"
Regina felt like a fool.
"I think I better go… I'm sorry for ruining your evening Miss Swan"
A glossy film spread across Regina's brown orbs and she turned on her heels and headed for the door.
"Regina wait!
Regina stopped.
"Miss Swan… just let me leave. I think it would be better if I left"
Emma briskly walked over to the now shaking brunette and gently turned her to face her.
"Please… don't be ridiculous. You couldn't possibly have ruined anything, I'm the klutz who spilled wine on you… I ruined it. Was it something I said?
Emma plonked herself onto the side of the couch as her wavy blonde hair bounced in a swift motion. Regina hesitated and turned to face her.
"Yes… I'm not gonna argue about you being rather clumsy, but I'm sorry I'm afraid you got a little too close for comfort…
Emma cut across her.
"Oh… I'm sorry was I being too forward in asking about your mother?
Regina shut her eyes as a flash of her mother filled her vision and it displayed Regina being hit in the chest with a cane.
"No dear… It's my issue I just don't like being touched so… I mean without warning"
Regina struggled to hide her blush. Emma searched Regina's glossy eyes.
"Well… Regina if it's alright with you I'd very much like to hold your hand"
Regina's eyes grew wide as the blonde wiped away her falling tear. Regina for the first time in forever felt like someone cared about her. She panicked because that's the only thing she truly knew how to do and bolted towards the door opening the handle and walking briskly towards her apartment. She was shaking as she opened the door. Emma hurried after her not caring that she had just walked into Regina's living room. Regina hung her head as she silently wept.
"It's polite to knock you know…
Emma slowly walked over to the brunette.
"Hey… Regina are you alright?
Regina lifted her head violently.
"What are you doing hanging around with the likes of me anyways, you are way too good to be in the company of some recluse who hasn't lived a day in her life"
Regina's tears were now falling rapidly, she couldn't fathom what had made her explode with emotion but the blonde never faltered in gently easing her to sit down beside her on her own couch and put her arm around her. Regina willingly nuzzled into the gentle embrace and shook as her tears consumed her fragile body.
"Sush… Oh please don't cry Regina… Now you listen to me. You may think you haven't lived and may consider yourself reclusive… that does not and I repeat not make you any less than anyone. Now you have two choices. You can stay home and retreat into your comfort shell… or guess what you can invite me to keep you company... umm actually I better lock my door, I kinda just ran after you"
Regina chuckled against the blonde.
"Just tell me how I can help, cause Regina… I want to… even if I am to sit here and listen to you all night long, I will"
Regina sniffed and broke the embrace.
"But why Miss Swan? I'm sure you are needed elsewhere… a boyfriend perhaps?
Emma smiled weakly and looked to her left.
"Nope… I'm single… as of recently actually. She dumped me 4th of July weekend"
Regina's eyes widened.
"You… you are… umm you like women Miss Swan?
Emma laughed.
"Well if my sculptures didn't give me away… yes Regina I'm gay. I hope I haven't made this evening awkward by telling you that?
Regina shook her head.
"No… not at all dear. I just...I've never met someone like you before"
Emma smiled ignoring Regina's innocent sounding statement. She didn't take offence.
"Well people "like me" are just like you"
Regina scrunched her face.
"I apologise for my phrasing, it's just my mother was quite against the idea… I'm afraid she was rather homophobic if you like… In my career… before I left I often would tell her of the beautiful women I would work with… I think it scared her to think I could be attracted to them… Silly really...
Emma cut her off.
"Career? What did you do?
Regina smiled.
"Well I guess you could say I dabbled in modelling once upon a time"
Emma smiled back.
"Well I'd believe that in a heartbeat!
Regina threw her eyes up.
"You are quite the charmer Miss Swan"
Emma playfully nudged the brunette, making Regina give her a stern look, although she wasn't really offended, Emma immediately retracted her hand.
"Sorry… right the touching thing…
Regina reached out and placed her hand on hers.
"I find myself getting used to you dear…
Emma looked down at her hand and returned her gaze.
"You are an intriguing woman Regina to say the least"
Regina nodded proudly.
"That I am dear"
Emma laughed.
"There's that confidence again!
Regina chuckled.
"You must bring it out of me Miss Swan"
The two locked eyes. Regina spoke first.
"If it's alright with you dear, I'd rather like to say goodnight…"
Emma felt a sudden disappointment hit her heart but she nodded with understanding.
"I had a great time Regina"
Regina smiled.
"Miss Swan… I do believe I am supposed to say that to you"
Emma looked around the room.
"Well it appears I am not at home in Kansas anymore Dorothy… Thank you for letting me see that you got home OK Regina"
Regina smiled a big toothy grin making Emma smile back on reflex.
"Run along home Toto, I believe I hear your sculptures calling you"
Emma stood up and headed for the door.
"Regina?
Regina lifted her gaze to the blonde in her doorway.
"You busy tomorrow night?
Regina furrowed her brow.
"I don't believe I am…
Emma smiled.
"Great dinner at 8"
Regina chuckled.
"Miss Swan… surely you have better people to spend time with"
Emma threw her eyes up.
"Oh but I am, I'm having dinner with a model"
Regina blushed as Emma waved goodbye. Regina was frozen to the couch.