Part Seven

Here's another chapter :)


Gulping down the large lump of trepidation in her throat, Emma made her way toward the mansion. The nervous quivering in her stomach was almost unbearable. Still, somehow she managed to climb the step leading to the front door. She frowned at the shiny gold numbers 108 as if she'd never seen them before. She drew a deep breath, tucked a limp strand of hair behind her ear, smoothed her skirt once more, and puffed out a frightened sigh. Closing her eyes, she mentally willed herself to get it together. Raising a trembling hand, she knocked on the tall white door.

Her heart clattered against her breastbone, and she held her breath. Suddenly, graphic memories flooded her mind. She remembered all those times she'd been standing right here at this very same spot. And yet again- as always- her body buzzed with an energy that was unfamiliar and frightening. She had tried to ignore it at first, wished it didn't affect her so, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't ignore the way her body reacted every time the brunette was near. Those expressive brown eyes captivated her, commanded her attention, and drew her in like a magnet. Something that frightened her, yet beneath it was a spark of excitement. Regina was unlike anyone she'd ever met, and there was something about her that fascinated Emma to no end.

When there wasn't an answer after a minute, she knocked again, this time louder. She wasn't at first certain whether to be relieved or terrified when she then heard footsteps approaching from the other side of the door. The pace of her already rapidly beating heart quickened. Biting her lip, she buried her trembling hands deep into the pockets of her jeans. As the door swung open, a low, irritated grumble resonated out onto the cold early-winter breeze. Emma gulped again as she lifted her gaze to see a scowling, very annoyed looking redhead glaring down at her.

"My eyes must be deceiving me," Zelena feigned shock, blinking her bright blue eyes theatrically. An unamused smile curled the corner of her lips. Crossing her arms over her chest, she pinned the blonde with her stare. "Are you lost, Swan?" She didn't even try to hide the disdain in her voice.

Emma was so stunned by Zelena's appearance, any words or utterance were momentary lost to her. She had expected the woman to be defensive but the breadth of her hostility surprised her, and she wasn't at all prepared to deal with the redhead's mood.

"Or wait.." Zelena exclaimed, holding up her hands as if to ward off the blonde's answer. She moved closer and crowded into Emma's personal space. She circled around her, looking her up and down and grinning. "So you finally found your wings and flew over here?" She chuckled manically at her own joke.

Emma just stood there frozen with her mouth open a little, unable to comprehend what was happening. This wasn't going at all the way she'd planned. To be honest, she hadn't really had a plan. She'd headed for Regina's house and thought she'd just figure out the best approach once she got there. But she had never once considered the possibility of coming face to face with her sister.

She opened her mouth a little further, but no sound escaped her lips and her feet seemed rooted to the ground. Her discomfort only seemed to amuse the redhead more. She gave her a wicked, leering grin, full of arrogance and malicious satisfaction. Emma flinched from the woman's finger beneath her chin, effectively closing her mouth.

"And here I was thinking swans were elegant creatures," the woman chuckled. Emma gasped, and turned her face away as her eyes slid closed. She felt humiliated and defenseless.

"Have you lost your tongue, my dear?" Zelena drawled in a beautiful, provocative voice. Taking a deep breath, Emma met the woman's dazzling eyes again, searching for something she couldn't find. Zelena wouldn't do her any favors; she wouldn't cut her any slack. She merely lifted her eyebrows, throwing her a challenging smile. "Well darling, are we going to stand here all day like a pair of dummies? Why don't you speak?"

Emma's heart was racing, her breathing erratic and shallow. She needed to stall somehow- buy some time until she could figure out how to keep this crazy woman from scaring her away. Then miraculously, as if she'd heard her silent plea, Regina's deep voice came from behind her sister. "Zelena, enough.. Leave her alone."

With a ballerina's grace, the redhead turned around, the thick mass of her hair swirling with the movement. She looked up at her sister, a genuine smile stretching across her features.

"Oh, chill out, sis.. We were just having some fun!" she exclaimed sweetly before flashing the blonde a glance of amusement, not wholly without malice. "Right, Em-ma?"

But Emma either didn't hear the woman's words, or she chose to ignore them, as she lost herself in Regina's gaze. "Hi.." she choked out before offering the brunette an awkward smile. A tingling ran up her arms, down her legs to her toes, and her heart was beating so wildly she felt as if she couldn't catch her breath.

Regina studied her so intensely Emma felt every bad decision, every regret, every mistake she'd ever made bead up on her forehead. Because she was looking at her as though wishing beyond all wishes that she could find that one thing she needed to trust her again. And she hoped to God that the brunette found what she was looking for, because there was something about Regina that got to her, made her feel things she'd stopped feeling a long time ago. And she didn't want it to stop. She didn't want to go back to feeling hollow.

"Hello." Regina said softly, her eyes sparkling with something Emma couldn't even begin to pretend to read. They shared a tentative smile before Zelena squeezed herself into the space between them again. She switched her gaze between the two of them, effectively breaking the moment.

"I see you found your voice again," she said to the blonde, shooting her a glare that screamed Don't you dare hurt her again, but keeping her words sickly sweet.

Emma blinked, and caught her unspoken words loud and clear. She pressed her lips together as she held the woman's stare. She nodded once and could only hope her eyes conveyed her sincerity. Zelena held her gaze, her chin still lifted, her shoulders thrown back, standing proud and defiant even though Emma knew she was afraid. Of her. Afraid that she would hurt her sister again.

She held her breath when Zelena leaned closer, her expression fierce, and whispered in her ear, "It took you long enough.."

"Zelena.." Regina warned again, taking a step forward, her eyes seeking Emma's. The redhead froze for just an instant, then she slowly leaned back. Pasting a smile on her face, she crossed her arms over her chest. "I think this is my cue to leave you two to it."

She shared a glance with her sister, who smiled a little as she walked passed her. "Ta-ta, my lovelies!" Zelena cheered, leaving both women to watch her leave. She didn't fail to add a little extra sway to her hips. Regina snorted, shaking her head at her sister.

Emma watched the brunette's animated features and found herself smiling. A warmth spread through her body. It felt pleasant, comforting. She wanted more. She took a tentative step towards Regina, not taking her eyes from her face. She took a deep breath and then reached towards her, placing her hand gently on the brunette's forearm.

Regina gasped and her eyes snapped down to the blonde's hand on her arm. Then she slowly lifted her head and instantly their eyes locked. Regina's dark eyes were intense and looked through her. Emma tried to look away but couldn't. She stared back into her eyes, boldly overcoming her shyness in that moment. She felt entrapped by the woman's gaze. She didn't want to blink, and she didn't want to look away. It was as though a magical tether appeared holding their souls together. It was obvious Regina felt the same way. Her eyes never moved once they locked with Emma's. She hadn't moved an inch.

A barely audible whisper escaped Emma's lips. "It's good to see you again, Regina.."

TBC