The night after the storm Regina was rougher in bed with Mary Margaret than she'd ever been at any point in their marriage. Not so much that her partner objected, but certainly the change was something she noticed. It was probably for the best that Regina had no magic in this land, because she shuttered to think what she might have done to her in that mindset. Seeing her with David Nolan that day had brought everything Regina was fearing to the surface and made her see not the funny, gentle strength of Mary Margaret, the school teacher she had fallen in love with, but the defiant arrogance of Snow White. And it was Snow who she saw that night. And it was Snow who she wanted to hurt that night... though she managed to stop herself from that impulse.
And after the sex, there came the night of staring up at the ceiling and watching Mary Margaret sleep gently next to her. When the light streamed in the next morning Regina hadn't gotten any sleep, but she was gently stroking Mary Margaret's hair and hoping she hadn't gone too far.
"Hey," Mary Margaret said sleepily as she turned over.
"Hey," Regina managed with a little smile.
"You look beautiful," she said as she lay there looking up at Regina.
"You ... you're not mad at me?" Regina asked surprised.
Mary Margaret shook her head, "If I was mad I would have stopped it. You know that. I just... it was nice to have you touch me. Lately it feels like you've been withdrawing. Like ... like I've done something wrong and I don't know what."
Regina stroked her lover's short cropped hair, "No... no it's not you. I'm just. I've been so angry lately. I don't know how to stop being angry."
"You've always had anger problems Regina, and you've been under a lot of stress lately. I think what you need is a good Noreaster or something to make you focus on town businesses. Oh, or you could help me with Miner's Day."
Regina laughed, "Nice try. There is no way you are roping me into that again."
"What you were great last year!" Mary Margaret said with a grin.
"I looked ridiculous last year. It was beneath the dignity of a ... mayor."
Mary Margaret just smiled and for a moment... for a blissful moment... Regina was lost again in that hazy memory of a time when she really was just a grumpy small town mayor and this woman really was the love of her life...
... and oh how she wished she could have that back.
"Besides, I highly doubt Henry wants to spend the day carving pumpkins with me."
Mary Margaret sighed. "I'll get better Regina. It will."
Regina shook her head. "You and your hope speeches."
Mary Margaret leaned up and kissed her before getting up. "Someone has to cheer you up."
Regina knew she should let it drop. Knew she should keep quiet. "I saw you with David Nolan the other day. Walking down the street." More concern slipped into her voice than she intended.
"He's confused. He needs a friend." Mary Margaret said as she went into the bathroom. "I am just not sure it should be me. He has a crush and I think I might be making it worse."
Regina coughed, "Well, I can certainly understand being attracted to you. You are warm and funny and kind..."
Mary Margaret stuck her head out of the bathroom. "Laying it on a bit thick to cover your snarky impulse?"
Regina looked surprised for a moment, and a little embarrassed, then nodded, "Maybe."
"I told him I was married. And he was married. And if he wanted a friend I would be there but that any other feelings he had he should get over them. But I think... maybe... it would be good to include Kathryn in things for a bit. Maybe invite them both over for dinner. You can make your lasagna ..."
"You just want me to make lasagna."
"Well there is that." Mary Margaret admitted.
"Get in the shower... you'll be late for school."
"I'm the teacher. It doesn't start without me."
Regina rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I know, you weep for the future of the town's children." Mary Margaret laughed and slipped into the shower.
"Madam Mayor?"
Regina sighed deeply and stopped walking, but didn't turn around at the sound of Emma Swan's voice. "Yes Sheriff?"
"Henry said you took his book from him? He's really upset. And what's this about tearing down his castle?"
Regina turned to look at her, thanking the world for once that this was a land without magic because she was sure there would be a fireball in her hand if there was. "My wife took the book away from him. He can have it back when she decides he can. And yes, I ordered the demolition of your little Sanctum Sanctorum on the beach because it was a safety hazard. But don't worry, I'm sure you can find a new hideout to plot my downfall."
"Really, comic book references?" Emma asked surprised. "Doesn't seem like your style."
Regina shook her head, "You don't know anything about me, or my family, and if you did maybe you would stop this childish obsession with me and Henry's fantasy world."
"You know I don't believe you are the Evil Queen."
"I do. And the fact that you continue to humor him in order to reclaim a relationship you have no right to annoys me no end. But I have a forgiving wife and a son I'd like to forgive me before he reaches high school. So I've decided to tolerate you. But you should remember, Miss. Swan, that my toleration is my choice. He's my son and I get to say yes or no to you seeing him, and if you don't get an attitude adjustment soon I'll be saying no. Even if I have to get a restraining order to make the point. Now why don't you go along now and play heroic resistance fighter I have a town to run."
Regina turned without letting Emma respond and walked away.
