A/N: Wow guys I guess that answers that question of anybody being out there! Thank you. I assure you feedback keeps this story going! Okay, now. I consider this the real pivotal chapter for Regina. She is regaining some of her moxie...moxie. I like that word. A lot happens in my opinion and there is another intriguing Rumple sighting. I do hope you enjoy.
Regina stood at the bottom of the stairwell peering upward. Inhaling deeply as a precursor to calm, she took the first step forward and found that it was not as daunting as she thought it would be. Her heart didn't stop. Fear didn't permeate. Loss was the only emotion that registered. This…this increased the new and burgeoning feelings of determination exponentially. With the second step, she conceded that with each day things were getting easier. It was easier to walk, talk, interact, and open herself to those who had been reaching out to her. She bit her lip and took the third and fourth step. By the fifth, Regina was moving briskly and had stopped counting.
At the top, Regina stopped to gather her wits. It was odd reacquainting herself to a part of the house that had been a sanctuary for both her and Emma. It was empty, cold just as she felt when this all began, but now there was warmth building inside her, boiling upward from somewhere deep.
Emma was no longer there, but they had been disconnected long before she left.
Emma was no longer there, but she was on her way back.
They would find each other again. They had already started. Of the utmost importance, Regina was putting out feelers to find herself as well. She walked toward Henry's room and looked inside. It was almost immaculate with only a smattering of comic books on the bed to detract from the perfect lines. Pride bloomed inside her at the sight. It was those little things that made life what it was.
In measured steps, Regina made her way to her own bedroom. She reached for the knob and shame assaulted her. Still, even saturated in the emotion, Regina pushed through it and opened the door. This site heralded the destruction of who she was, and Regina needed the memories to further her reconstruction of who she was becoming.
SQSQSQSQ
It was too quiet. Regina strained her senses hoping to hear the murmur of voices, but there was nothing. Part of her wanted Emma to be out there waiting, and the other half pretended not to care at all either way. The suspense and dichotomy of emotion was irritating.
Regina walked quickly toward her bedroom door, opening it.
"Shit!" Emma Swan almost fell inside.
Regina rolled her eyes, covering her surprise. "Was there something you needed, Miss Swan?"
Emma's pale features were flushed bright red, but she didn't let the embarrassment stop her. "Uh, I was just going to tell you that Henry was down for the count." She paused and tilted her head to the side, studying Regina. "Were you coming to check to see if I was still here?"
"Of course not!" Regina sputtered quickly, hoping to hide the strange battle waging inside her. "I was simply going to look in on him before I retired for the evening."
Emma grinned. "Uh huh, in all your clothes?"
Regina's eyes rolled. "After a bath obviously."
Taking a minute step forward, Emma muttered, "Scared I'd walk in on you?"
Heat seemed to close in, surrounding Regina. Cautiously, she stepped back. "Good ni-"
"You're flustered. I can tell."
Regina scoffed. "You're flattering yourself, dear."
Emma shook her head. "I see right through you." She took another step forward.
Regina's heart began to pound, and her breathing hitched. She remembered what Emma felt like: heat, softness, and safety. She remembered how perfectly their bodies seemed to fit together, and the fire they generated. "Good night, Miss Swan!" Regina attempted to close the door on her emotions.
With a well-placed foot and a sure hand, Emma resisted. "I don't think so Regina." Emma pushed her way inside, closing the door behind her.
Regina was trapped, and she had never been more afraid. This…between them had the potential to be something devastating. It had the potential to crumble everything she was to dust from the inside out. "You have no right." Regina growled.
Emma shrugged. "I told you our conversation wasn't over."
"You also stated that you weren't going to push this…push me." Regina said through gritted teeth.
Emma ambled forward until there was barely any space between them. "I lied."
Regina swallowed. Everything inside her burst with heat and ordered her to reach out to the source. Her stomach knotted. She covered it, trying to contain it all and stumbled backward, while Emma moved toward her with purpose.
Their bodies met as Regina's back made contact with the far wall. Regina balled the material of Emma's shirt in her fist as need tore through her, needing some kind of tangible anchor that was not burning flesh.
There did not seem to be an inch of her that wasn't touching Emma Swan. Regina whimpered. Whimpered. The knot in her stomach turned into a pulsing mass that slithered awareness up and down her spine to pool wetly between her legs.
The near painful arousal was not what frightened her.
It was the feeling of rightness.
It was the feeling that if she fell Emma would be there to catch her.
With every ragged breath, their bodies grew closer. Emma loomed over her, holding her gaze and daring her to turn away. Her hands tightened around Regina's waist. In deep green eyes, Regina saw need, but she also saw a similar fear.
As scorching hands moved from her waist to travel over her hips, Regina knew that Emma's need had won. She groaned, "Regina."
Lips descended brushing over her forehead, cheeks and nose.
Regina trembled like a wild thing, and each breath yielded a gasp. Her nails dug into Emma's shoulders. "Please, n—"
With a mutual moan, Emma swallowed her token resistance, and the world around them ceased to exist. Lips met and clung hotly. Emma's mouth teased. Her teeth nipped, and when Regina finally opened, she knew she was lost.
Regina felt control spiral away, leaving her completely and utterly overwhelmed. She gasped into the kiss and began to fight back against emotions that should have been locked tight. Gathering strength, she pushed Emma away.
Emma's chest heaved, and kiss swollen lips parted in surprise. But, it was the expression in fully blown pupils that nearly floored Regina and sent her back into the embrace.
Regina had never seen such hunger. She closed her eyes against it. "Please. Leave."
Emma stepped forward, and Regina held up a shaking hand to ward her off. "This can't happen. I can't let you do this to me."
"To you?" Emma rasped. "Didn't you feel that?"
"It doesn't matter. This. Will not happen!" Regina practically shrieked.
Regina refused to let the hurt she could see replacing hunger deter her. "Please. Go." She whispered.
Emma shook her head and silently walked out of the bedroom door.
Regina watched her go. Control was slipping through her fingertips. Control of her life, and she knew by degrees control of this town. Despite Henry's current niceties, he still believed in that book, in the truth. She had to reel things in no matter how much it cost her. No matter how much it hurt.
Emma just could not be.
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Regina sat down on the edge of the bed. In this room, in this house, she mapped out her own destruction, but now, she wanted nothing more than to conduct a rebirth. She finally understood why she made the poisoned tart. It was not just to rid herself of the threat of Emma and maintain the curse. It was to rid herself of something she did not trust anymore: love and need. After all, those same emotions had been party to her downfall before.
When the curse was broken, Regina gave in, desperately clinging to all Emma had to offer. She had nothing else. She peered around the room. It was in a state of disarray just as her life was at the moment. She stood intent on making the bed… intent on putting the few articles of Emma clothing where they belonged in hopes it would reduce the clutter in her mind and offer some answers.
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There were no answers hiding upstairs, but Regina did find a strange sense of peace. She let it radiate to a warm glow, savoring it while it remained. After making herself a cup of coffee, Regina, again, found herself in the living room. She burrowed into the couch intent on finally reading the book that she started a few days ago. It was not that she was enamored with F. Scott Fitzgerald in the slightest, but the underlining darkness in the prose of The Great Gatsby served to titillate. Regina reached for her coffee cup and grumbled quietly as she realized it had been left behind.
With barely a thought, it materialized on the table, saucer and all. Reaching for it once more, Regina paused as epiphany struck.
Teleportation.
It was a spell that could be altered to fit her needs. Taking a measured breath, she expanded her magic and held out her hand. A heart appeared.
Regina laughed out loud.
It was deep, throaty.
It was freeing.
It was indeed strange how simple some things could be once some of the clutter was gone. Suddenly, the living room was too small. It seemed almost suffocating. Regina yearned for…something. No longer did she feel small, insignificant. She was growing, and Regina wanted to expand further. Outside. Despite the stares and sneers it was where she needed…where she wanted to be. Besides, she had work to do. While teleportation was the proper spell, she actually had to see the recipient. Regina refused to take chances…not with this.
Regina's trip the crypt had been quick and perfunctory. She parked her car on the main street, thankful for the darkly tinted windows. It was near lunch time so the bustle of people was to be expected. Regina glanced at the black bag. It was macabre carrying vital, functioning organs in such a fashion, but it needed to be done. Within a few minutes, one of the people she was looking for exited Granny's Diner. Regina worked quickly and smiled in triumph when the man stumbled and grasped at his chest in surprise. Recognition dawned on his face. He scanned the area around him, but after a minute or so, he shook his head and scampered away.
That was one down and nine to go.
Less than an hour later, Regina's work was done for the day. A sense of accomplishment stole over her. There would be no thanks and no singing praise. For once, her own voice was enough. Her heart thudded and fluttered. There was life in there, and right now, she wanted to grab hold of it, never letting go.
Regina slid on her sunglasses and opened the driver's side door. She stepped out into the sun…into the population of Storybrooke a little less broken. Some people stopped and stared as she walked down the sidewalk. Others crossed over to the other side intent on avoiding her. It was a customary reaction, and Regina remained unfazed by it.
The sun was hot and illuminating, warming her further. On impulse, she crossed the street to the diner. An idea took shape and form. The restaurant was loud with laughter and conversation. It stilled somewhat as she moved in further. A powerful presence made her magical radar ping. Regina looked over her shoulder to the right to see Rumplestiltskin and Belle occupying a booth near the window. His eyes studied her. Then, his head dipped in greeting. Even though there was hate, there was also healthy respect. Regina returned the greeting in kind. She studied her surroundings again and saw the discreet gazes centered on him as well. It was good to know that she was not the only one.
Taking an empty seat near the counter, Regina waited. Apparently the novelty of her appearance waned. There were no more stares or flurries of activity bent on avoidance. A few seconds later, Red stopped in front of her.
"You've got to be kidding me."
"I have to eat as well Miss Lucas." Regina countered, bored already by Red's display of dislike.
Red snorted. She leaned forward, giving Regina and the rest of the patrons near her a view of ample cleavage. "I hear Emma came to her senses, and left you."
Regina bristled. Her anger was stinging in its intensity, causing her to lean forward as well. "While your anger is justified, you are free to say what you want concerning me, but I have a son…a family who is going through enough at the moment. So, if you possess any common sense you would keep news of our circumstance from your lips as if it were common fodder. I will not have gossip getting back to Henry," Regina growled.
Red reared back as if she had been struck. "You're…different."
"Mmm. Can you prepare Emma's usual and a tomato soup along with a side salad for me please?"
Red nodded sheepishly and turned away.
Regina felt Rumplestilkskin before she saw him. He eased into a vacant stool beside her.
"Regina."
"Rumple."
"It seems no matter how much time has passed we will always be looked upon with animosity," He muttered.
"It is a foregone conclusion." Regina agreed.
They lapsed into silence. Today…this second, to be near this man, this imp, who shaped her and made her into his own image was a lackluster encounter, and that was being generous. Regina's order appeared in front of her, but Red wisely avoided continued interaction. She stood, intent on paying the check.
Rumplestiltskin rose as well. "Let me take care of that."
Regina glanced at him sharply.
He gave her a tight smile and a chuckle in return. "No strings."
Regina huffed but acquiesced. "Thanks are in order, I suppose."
"No need, but when you get the chance, do darken my doorstep, dearie."
A dark brow rose and something swirled in Regina's stomach. "I don't thi—"
"You're making assumptions. It isn't what you think. You're not the only one who's had to change, Regina."
Regina remained quiet for a long moment as she searched her instincts for something ominous. She was surprised to find nothing. "I'll consider it."
Rumple handed the bags of food to Regina and smiled. "Tell your Sheriff hello."
Regina chuckled. "You've met her? Rude? Impulsive? And you are nowhere near her favorite person."
"That I know." His eyes seemed to twinkle. "Good day, Regina." With a parting nod, Rumplestiltskin limped away.
Suddenly, Regina noticed that there were many eyes on them. She almost smiled, but didn't. Progress. Yes, progress.
SQSQ
Upon entering the police station, the sound of muted gunfire and cries of pain greeted Regina. She smirked and rolled her eyes. Emma had obviously commandeered one of Henry's hand held systems. Rounding the corner, Regina stopped and watched.
Sporting her usual uniform of tight jeans and accompanying button down shirt, Emma leaned back in her chair. Green eyes were riveted on the small machine in her hands, and her whole countenance seemed to sparkle with triumphant glee. It was a welcome sight. This was the Emma she knew. This was the Emma she loved, and the warmth that had been swirling all day became a definite heat.
"Miss Swan, it's good to see you hard at work."
Emma nearly jumped out of her skin, sending the handheld sailing across the desk. Their eyes met, and she beamed happiness with a smile so huge that it drew Regina in with it.
"Hey! This is a surprise!"
Still grinning, Regina added, "I'm sure. Were you planning to sit here on that thing all day?"
"Only until I had to pick Henry up."
"Interesting."
Emma's lips pursed. "I miss my Xbox."
"I thought it was for Henry?"
"Okay, damn, our Xbox."
Regina chuckled and sat the bags on the Sheriff's desk. "I brought lunch."
"And you brought yourself. I like that better. It's been a good while since you've been out and about on your own."
"Indeed. I thought it was…time."
Curious green eyes studied her. "Something's different about you today."
Regina ambled around the desk to get closer. "Mmm." She leaned against the wooden monstrosity.
"What? You're going to make me guess?"
"No, but I like a little mystery now and again. It breaks up the monotony."
"No one could ever accuse you of being monotonous."
Regina missed the banter between them. It was slow to resurface, but it was definitely present now. It brought with it the fire of familiarity that reminded her of what was simmering just underneath. "Are you flirting with me, Miss Swan?"
Emma grinned. "Damn right I am. Is it working?"
"I'll let you know."
Emma laughed out right. "How's that?"
"Mystery, remember?"
"Uh huh." Emma reached out grasping Regina's hand. Their fingers intertwined. "I've missed this by the way. I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad things are better."
Regina bit her lip and ducked her head. "I think I've made some progress."
"I think we have too." Emma squeezed Regina's hand.
"I agree. There are some things I want to share with you… soon."
Emma nodded. "I'm here if you need me. I may not know all the big words that you do, but I'm willing to sound them out."
Regina's lips twitched, and she felt herself falling a little more in love with a woman who already completely owned her heart. "Emma?"
"Hmm?" Green eyes twinkled.
"It's working."
Grinning, Emma pulled her forward until Regina loomed over her seated form. Reaching up, she ran and hand through dark tresses. Regina shivered pleasantly. Fingertips continued to toy at the ends, ensnaring Regina even more. Her stomach twisted as the green gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips and back again.
"What do I get?" Emma asked huskily.
Buoyed by the events of the day, swirling emotions, and Emma herself, Regina did the only thing that felt natural…felt right. Leaning in further, Regina brought their lips together softly, reverently.
Regina heard and felt Emma's breath catch. They parted but continued to breathe the same air.
"Regina?"
"Yes?"
"I've missed this too."
Regina closed her eyes, looking away. "I'm sorry. I deprived you of it for so long."
"No, look at me."
Opening her eyes, Regina found herself captured.
"I get it, and I'm not going any damn where. Okay?"
She could see the conviction the sincerity shinning back at her. "Okay," Regina whispered.
Emma surged forward. This kiss was full of promise and abbreviated passion.
"Emma, I wanted to check-"
Startled by the sound of a more than familiar voice, Regina began to move away, but Emma held her still with her hand and her eyes.
"Oh," Charming finished.
Emma glanced toward her father briefly in greeting before her gaze eased back to where it obviously wanted to be. "What were you saying?" She asked him.
"Am I interrupting something?" His tone was irritable and dripping with condescension.
Twirling a dark lock around her finger, Emma muttered, "No." As if they were no way that he could…as if he existed on another plane all together.
It was an amazing thing to have all that focus and intensity centered on her. Regina ignored the disdain she could hear in Charming's voice. This was the only thing that mattered.
"You're obviously busy. I'll come back later." He turned to go.
"Charming?"
"Yeah?"
"You should talk to Snow. I don't want to have to repeat myself…again." Green eyes flashed briefly, but Emma's gaze remained.
He left quietly.
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Emma found herself humming along to the music on the radio. It was dangerously off key, but she smiled and continued anyway. She turned the cruiser into the school parking lot. There was still ten minutes until the bell. As far as she was concerned that was plenty of time to continue reminiscing.
Regina had been there in her office live and in living color, and her heart refused to stop racing just based on that reason alone. It almost seemed like nothing had changed, but it had. As far as Emma was concerned, it was for the better.
The kiss.
The kiss…as soft as it was…as sweet as it was blew her mind completely, and shot her way into the stratosphere. Emma still hovered there. She hadn't noticed the tightness around her chest before until it dissipated. It was definitely easier to breathe from up there.
The shrill sound of the school bell greeted her. Emma turned the music down and waited. She didn't have to wait long. The passenger side door opened with a squeak. Henry's bag flew in the backseat before the boy himself made himself comfortable.
"Hey, kid."
Henry stared at her. "You're all glowy."
Emma frowned. "I am not!"
"You so are."
"Whatever." Emma countered.
"So?"
Emma pulled away from the parking lot. "What?"
"Why are you glowy?"
Emma scowled, but it quickly turned into a grin. "Because."
Henry sighed, causing Emma to laugh.
"It can't just be you and your sunshine?"
He glared.
Emma laughed harder. "Your mom came to see me today."
Henry's eyes softened then shined with joy. "She came to your office?"
"Yep. Brought me lunch and everything."
"She's been making me pancakes again too."
"Now, you're all glowy." Emma informed him.
Henry rolled his eyes. "This is good. Right, mom?"
"It's really good, kid."
"Maybe you can come home soon?"
There was nothing she wanted more. "When your mom is ready."
The smile on his face could rival her own.
"She's been kissing and hugging me a lot more. She do that to you too?"
Emma smirked. "Oh yeah."
Henry sighed again. "That sounded weird…that sounded—" His nose scrunched. "Like when mom said you were hot."
"She thinks I'm hot?"
"Decidedly was the word she used."
Emma grinned. "You can tell her I think she's hot too."
Henry glowered. "No…no." He shook his head vehemently.
The car filled with Emma's laughter. Her tilted world corrected itself just a little bit more.
So yeah...I'm still begging like the bitch I am. That box...right there. Don't be afraid. I don't bite...promise ;)