Thank you for all of the new follows and favourites. I do not own OUAT if I did SwanQueen would be main text not no text. The show Risqué, the dick that is Carter Adams and 2nd rate duo Magical Prophecy are unfortunately mine and any resemblance to those alive or dead is entirely coincidental.
Emma=Sam=Emma just keep that in mind whilst reading.
Music or the Mayor
Chapter 4 – Feisty One`s
Emma found herself sheltering from the chill of an early February afternoon perched atop a stool at the counter of Granny`s diner, wrapped in customary bobble hat and scarf she stirred her cream and cinnamon topped hot chocolate. Absently staring into its frothy depths the ash blonde listened attentively as the TV behind the counter displayed Carter Adams introducing a special edition of his entertainment show Risqué
"... The backdrop, the Top of the Standard with the most breathtaking panoramic views of New York City, the guest list, invitation only included two of the music industry's biggest hitters, Lily Page and Killian Jones who along with the absent Emma Swan were members of the now disbanded Cursed Exile, the most successful band, both nationally and internationally over the last five years. With the whereabouts of Emma Swan still unknown and the breakup of the band still forefront in everyone`s mind Page and Jones tonight took the opportunity of launching their debut single as new two piece, Magical Prophecy"
Emma eyed the TV as the show cut to a pre recorded video of Magical Prophecy`s debut single
"Serious-fucking-ly" Emma grumbled under her breath loathing to admit that Magical Prophecy`s cover of The All-American Rejects – Gives You Hell wasn`t the worst debut single she had ever heard and there was little to no doubt in her mind that Cursed Exile fans would make the transition easily, this left Emma somewhat confused as to her feelings.
The show cut back to presenter Carter Adams standing microphone in hand next to Lily Page looking stunning in a red cut out dress with her flowing brunette locks pulled up into a simple top knot
Butter wouldn`t melt
"... Fantastic debut single from Magical Prophecy but Lily now that the dust has settled the burning question on everyone's lips- what were the events surrounding Cursed Exiles split and Emma Swan`s very public meltdown in Times Square on New Year's Eve?"
The colour drained from Emma`s face her attention focused solely on Lily`s Page`s response
"Carter for the past five years you yourself have reported on plenty of Swan`s bad girl exploits, from her constant womanising, drunken partying and trashing of hotel rooms to her lack of respect for the law and the authorities who uphold that law, even sinking as low to hire a lookalike to attend her PA`s with fan`s because she was too drunk and hung-over to attend herself. I`m only surprised that it has taken this long for her to have a total mental breakdown, but then what can you expect from someone growing up unwanted and unloved within the foster system"
"Fuck!"
"So you're giving Risqué the exclusive that Emma Swan suffered a mental breakdown live on stage on New Year`s Eve?"
"What else could explain her actions towards Killian Jones a trusted friend and fellow band member? Swan`s disappearance and August Booth`s continued no comments scream of hiding the truth from loyal Cursed Exile fans. In the past Swan has talked about travelling to England or some other European country to seek long overdue professional treatment for her mental state, this is obviously where she has slinked off to tail between her legs"
Emma sat dumbfounded at the audacity of Lily Page her brain unable to process the lies spilling from her former friend's lips
"Remember you heard it first on Risqué and just to recap, Emma Swan the former lead guitarist and founding member of Cursed Exile suffered a complete mental breakdown on New Year's Eve according to close personal friend and former fellow band member Lily Page and is now at an undisclosed location in Europe seeking top medical treatment for her illness. This is Carter Adams signing off, until next time keep things Risqué"
"Who kicked your kitten?" Ruby interrupted leaning across the counter onto her elbows her hand propping up her chin
Pulled from processing Emma looked towards Ruby offering a tired tight lipped smile that refused to reach her eyes
"Y`ok Sam?"
"I-I just caught the end of that-that Risqué show..."
"I know the show, the one that`s presented by Carter I'm a Z list celebrity living off of the vapours of the world famous and filthy rich Adams"
Sam chucked at Ruby`s interpretation of the presenter her banter relieving some the ash blondes tension
"You know him intimately" Sam winked
"Hell no! The slime ball isn`t my type at all I like Mr tall dark and well groomed" Ruby waggled her eyebrows "What do you think Regina?" Ruby asked looking past Sam to the Mayor who stood with Henry behind her, the staccato of her heals going unusually unnoticed upon the tiled floor
"What do I think Ms. Lucas?" asked the Mayor looking at Sam then to the stool beside her
"Please Madame Mayor, Henry" Sam motioned to the stools either side of her as she nudged Henry`s shoulder with her own affectionately
"Thanks Saaaam" Henry drawled pointedly before covertly mouthing Emma and winking
Regina and Ruby shared a bewildered look
"You two already know each other?" Regina raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow
"Mom Storybrooke`s a small town I met Sam at the beach on Sunday, it`s no big deal"
"We chilled for a little while Madame Mayor I`m sorry if..." Emma was interrupted before she could finish her apology
"Alright Henry but in future please inform me of any strange women you might happen upon" Regina deadpanned as Sam placed her hand to her chest feigning mock hurt "Now what life altering conversation needs my Mayoral wisdom"
"Something along the lines of Mr tall dark and handsome wasn't it Ruby?" Sam chuckled
"Groomed, it was Mr tall, dark and groomed not that I'll ever find that in Storybrooke, so what can I get you guys?"
"Burger with the works, fries and a strawberry milkshake please Aunt Ruby" Henry looked to his mother for approval "Please mom" he whined "Please"
Regina smiled lovingly at her son for once not wanting to disappoint him
"Alright Henry but on the condition that tomorrow your teenage body has at least one portion of fruit and a double helping of vegetables, do we have a deal?"
Sam and Ruby stifled giggles at the Mayors fruit and vegetable negotiating prowess
"Looks like you lucked out kid" Whispered Emma making a scrunched sour face at the thought of having to eat vegetables
"Trust me Emma, it`s worth it for one of Aunt Ruby`s burgers" He whispered from behind his menu
"Kid you had me at burger" Emma grinned as they high fived "Make that two of your finest burgers with the works, two fries and two Strawberry milkshakes please Ruby"
"And I`ll have my usual please Ruby" Added Regina
"Coming right up guys" Ruby replied as she left to prepare the trio`s order
Lost deep in conversation Sam and Henry were as thick as thieves, joking and laughing Regina watched their interaction with mirth, her lips curling into a warm half smile at witnessing the return of Henry`s unguarded and open nature for possibly the first time since losing his Mother and just as importantly perhaps for the first time since losing her wife Regina relaxed and felt not entirely unhappy.
Returning a few minutes later with their orders Ruby, Regina and Henry glared at Sam in astonishment, who not wasting a single moment inhaled her food almost immediately
"What?" Sam mumbled guiltily through a mouthful of food "You have no idea how hungry I am and with growing up in the system..." Sam stopped mid chew, realising her mistake she quickly looked to Regina, a moment passed between them with both held completely captive, both searching, probing and both still unable to fathom or admit to the truth of the emotions swirling so painfully close to the surface.
Does she remember?
What is this intimacy that exists between us Ms. Newam?
"Are you coming to the Miners Day Celebrations on Saturday Sam, Mom`s worked really hard organising it." Henry interjected
"I-I what-I`m sorry, what?" Sam stuttered not entirely comprehending what Henry had just asked instead only registering an intense sense of loss as Regina coyly broke their gaze "I don`t think so kid" she flippantly replied her thoughts still focused upon the boy's mother
Noticing Henry`s crestfallen face and admitting that spending time with Ms. Newam this afternoon had proven to be not an entirely unbearable experience Regina acted upon impulse
"If you do not have alternative plans for Saturday Ms. Newam perhaps you would accompany Henry and I to the Miners Day Celebration?"
Ruby and Henry gawked at one another astounded by Regina`s sudden daring, who was this woman?
"I-I if you're sure. I mean I don`t want to impose" Sam replied nervously unable to believe the turnaround in their fledgling friendship.
"It`s a date" Regina stated confidently, heat creeping along the column of her neck a few seconds later as realisation of the words she had just spoken dawned "I..." Regina clamoured for the right words but none were forthcoming as the heat continued upwards colouring her cheeks. Sam placed a steadying hand atop Regina`s who`s internal panic abated as warmth radiated through them both where delicate skin touched delicate skin
"Don`t stress Madame Mayor" Sam smiled warmly "We`re on the same page"
Returning Sam`s smile wholeheartedly Regina reluctantly removed her hand from that of the ash blonde, reaching for a napkin she quickly jotted down a series of numbers upon it before sliding it along the counter
"Just in case your plans change Ms. Newam"
"What no fancy business card?" Sam teased tucking the napkin holding Regina`s number carefully into the back pocket of her jeans
SQ
Sitting on the couch Emma internally debated whether she should message Madame Mayor, fingering the napkin she keyed in the number adding Feisty One to her contact list. Staring at a blank screen Emma typed, deleted and retyped message after message, finally satisfied she nervously pressed send and prayed that all of the progress they had made at Granny`s to repair their disastrous first proper meeting wouldn`t be undone.
With Henry sound asleep Regina sipped her notoriously famous apple cider. Relaxing behind her mahogany desk she opened the bottom drawer gently lifting out a weathered photograph album, reverently placing it in front of her Regina`s fingers lightly brushed the albums cover seeking out every memorised bump and bevel before a smiling Danielle greeted her from within.
"My darling, someone is staying at our Lake House. I find it hard to accept such a juvenile living in what was once our loving home but you would tell me that enough time has passed, that it has stood neglected an empty for far too long and that it deserves life, love and laughter. You always did romanticise that house thinking of it as a living entity, I have yet to return. I must admit there is something about Sam, I sense a familiarity between us but for the life of me I cannot place it. I find that she grates upon my very last nerve but Henry is already extremely fond of her, he claims they met at the beach but I know they met at his castle, it appears to attract broken things. He misses you terribly, we both do. Henry and I spent the evening at Granny`s with Ruby and unexpectedly Sam. Watching Henry smile and laugh with your sister and Sam made me not entirely unhappy, I just wish I knew if it were alright to feel entirely happy again Danielle?"
Regina`s phone vibrated, gently closing the photograph album she returned it from whence it came as reverently as she had removed it. Turning her attention to the vibrating device a random unknown number appeared across the top of her new message alert.
What did one ocean say to the other ocean?
Regina stared at her phone confused as to who would send someone of her stature, (after all she was Madame Mayor) such an inane text message? A wrong number perhaps or… the penny dropped Storybrooke`s newest resident, Ms. Newam. Taking another sip of her cider Regina uncharacteristically decided to entertain the juvenile Ms. Newam
I do not know?
Nothing it just waved
A half smile pulled at Regina`s lips her phone vibrating again almost immediately
Do you sea what I did there?
I am rather busy being Mayoral for such inane messages Ms Newam
Sea-riously… do you?
Yes, I sea
Are you shore?
Regina was startled as her own laughter reached her ears
Rolls eyes
Hey no need to be a beach
…
Water you saying?
Your attempt at humour whilst mildly entertaining is extremely juvenile Ms. Newam
Shell I stop then?
Please do
Ok I guess I'll go krill myself now then?
Absently humming a melody Regina readied herself for bed, with the arrival of no new messages she read through the previous inane conversation again, adding Idiot to her contact list before drifting for once into a contented sleep.
SQ
Emma woke with a jolt her incoming message tone sounding repeatedly, grabbing her phone from the bedside table Feisty One 4 new messages appeared on her screen.
Tell me you have not tide Ms Newam
I fish you would come back
…
Water you doing?
Sleeping Madame Mayor, that thing normal people do past noon when on vacation
Are you tide of these jokes? I understand after a whale they get annoying, I am sending them on porpoise though.
*Pulls pillow over head & groans*
I will not sand anymore messages
Plaice do, whenever you want. I-I mean if you want? Enjoy your day being… Mayoral x
Padding to the kitchen Emma poured herself a fresh orange juice, grabbing a bowl of Cheerio's popping them into her mouth dry she re-read the messages, holy crap she`d added a kiss to the end of her last text. Smiling to herself Emma was glad her gamble to text Regina had paid off, maybe she and Madame Mayor could forge a friendship after all.
Maybe we can both find some form of happiness and closure through friendship and not through useless meaningless words?
SQ