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Chapter Seven
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-"What is the meaning of this?"
Emma and Regina simultaneously drop their hands and look up, caught. Regina clears her throat
-"How did you get in? Who gave you the key? Tell me so I can fire them" she says while pulling her shirt down, hiding back Emma's scars
-"Emma, is it?" asks Milah mockingly "I doubt you can get any one fired, darling. Not your style if I recall?"
At this Emma replies "Director Milah, this is a misunderstanding, really"
-"I thought you were someone not willing to substitute kissing for background, education and money" Milah tells Regina
-"She said it was a misunderstanding dear, no reason to milk it farther. Now, if you don't mind, please leave us alone"
-Emma, in Regina's body looks mortified. Milah looks at her
-"No need to look so disheartened darling, I told you to get it off the way and come back to me later. The offer still stands" She winks, Regina laughs.
-"Where is Killian? We need to resume the shooting"
-"He is back in New York, he left a note"
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After Milah leaves them alone, swearing to sue Killian for all his worth, Emma and Regina get ready to go back to New York as well.
-"Emma, please. Stop fidgeting. It is just a little eye liner"
-"Yeah after layers and layers of creams. Don't expect me to carry on with this .. ritual everyday, how do you have time left for anything else?
-"You will carry on with this ritual Miss Swan, I expect my face back in the best of conditions"
They share a smile at the absurdity of it all.
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They decide they should head to Regina's house and work things out there. Regina was upset she couldn't fly back in first class, she has not told Emma yet but she has a serious case of claustrophobia and even takes medication to treat it.
Once back in New York they pick up Regina's car from JFK and Regina drives to her house, rooftop opened despite the cold weather.
"We need to talk about what we are going to do from now on" Regina finally breaks the silence once they arrive at her house "I really think you should move in with me, it would be the most convenient way to keep track of each others' lives"
-"What about the action school? It would be too much of a commute"
-"Miss Swan, of course we are quitting the action school"
-"Then I'm quitting MillsCo as well"
-"You are joking, right?"
-"Is your work the only thing that's important? What about me? My job is important to me"
Regina looks up and sees Cora waiting for her at the door
-"Mother! When did you come in?"
Cora looks at Regina (in Emma's body) and is not amused
-"Mother? Do you call anyone you see your mother?"
Emma exits the car right away
-"Mother, please calm down" she says looking at Regina for reassurance. Regina nods
-"Regina why is that girl getting out of the driving seat? You never let anyone drive your car. And why are you with her? Did you go to your impromptu vacation with .. her?" Cora asks looking at Regina with disdain
-"She was just leaving, please calm down mom" says Emma. And then to Regina "Get back in the car"
-"You come get in the driver seat, this is YOUR car, you did not give it to me as gift as implied"
-"You really are a bold one, aren't you? The last time you were here, it wasn't your first time either. You were lying weren't you?"
-"Mom that's not the case, she doesn't come regularly" pleads Emma
-"What is it going to be miss? What is your price? I do not want to see you around my daughter again"
-"Mother!"
-"Stop calling me that!" At that Cora storms off
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Regina drives Emma back to her apartment
-"I'm sorry about my mother. She usually talks that way so that I will get hurt by her words, I'm too old to be hurt in the traditional way"
-"Why the hell is she like that? She's a piece of work your mother"
-"Watch your mouth Emma"
-"You are worse than her, you have hurt me many times worst. So you watch your mouth"
-"Anyway I'm sorry. This is the first time I was glad our bodies got switched, I was glad she wasn't looking at you while saying those hurtful words"
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They stop in a park to continue their conversation
-"I think it's in our best interest to not get caught by anyone. So let's exchange information"
-"Fine, you go first"
Regina pulls out her iPhone and shows Emma a picture of her family tree
-"This is my grandfather, he's the owner of the MillsCo. Group. He owns resorts in Hawaii, Puerto Rico and West Palm Beach, many hotels throughout the country and all four department stores, including mine." She then scrolls over
-"This is his third wife, Lacey. She's a sweet enough girl, a little lacking in the brain department if you know what I mean. But you don't have to worry about her"
-"You've seen my mother already. This is her older sister, Barbara. She's Killian's mother. She's the daughter of the first marriage while my mom is from his second marriage. They do not have the greatest relationship"
-"Now, this is important. So pay attention. This is Gaston, a junior manager from my department store, he got the job because he's Lacey's older brother. He's in the rise and he's after my job. Feel free to mistreat him as often as you'd like"
-"Do not call or meet with anyone else besides these people, especially Killian, don't even look at him"
-"Why not!?" Asks Emma while pouting
-"Do not make that kind of expression with my face"
-"Why do you hate Killian so much? Are you jealous of him?"
Regina laughs. "Very funny dear"
-"I'll stop here, now tell me about you"
-"Well you've met Ruby, and August, and the guys at the academy .. That's all"
Regina looks surprised "What about your family?"
-"I don't have any"
-"You don't have any family?" She further inquires
-"Don't look so surprised. Have you never met someone without family? What are we doing about cellphones?" Emma subtlety changes the subject
Regina let's it go. "Let's just keep our cellphones with us, and limit the conversations to each other. Just be careful."
-"You forget I'm an actress. I'm good at acting. How hard can it be to be you?"
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It is not hard. Emma loves driving Regina's car. She loves the comfort, the speed, the freedom. She goes back to Regina's house and realizes she doesn't know the code to open the door. So instead she goes to the house next door. Killian's. She catches him playing the piano and singing an old song of his, Emma is thrilled. They then have a nice dinner together, and later a drink. Killian lets her listen to his new single. He is loving the attention he's getting from Regina. The brunette not one to seek him out at all. Once they are ready to part Emma casually asks Killian if he knows her door combination. At that Killian is immediately worried
-"Since when are you forgetting things? Does this happen often? Have you talked to your therapist about it? Are there other things that you are forgetting? Or perhaps remembering?"
-"No"
-"Still, you can't be too careful, talk to Dr Archie, just in case"
-"Ok"
-"Your password is 906090. Your dream body measurements" then he winks knowingly. "Of course it is" she thinks to herself
Emma enters Regina's house and she's pleased. Yeah not going to be hard, she thinks again. Her kitchen is modern and impeccable, her living room neat and comfortable, her library huge, her closet interminable. Emma is impressed. That night she has no problem falling asleep.
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Back at Emma's, Regina is no having such luck. Before parting ways Emma (in Regina's body) had told Ruby to please be mindful of "herself," and apologized in advance for her odd behavior. Ruby had looked at her like she was crazy. Later she had told Regina (thinking she was Emma) that she thinks Regina might have a crash on her. Regina was annoyed. Regina had a hard time falling asleep that night, sharing a queen bed with Ruby who kept turning around. She hoped Emma had remember to put on her night time creams and lotions on her body. She doubted that was the case.
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The next day Regina goes shopping for Emma's body. She buys designer jeans and bags, five pairs of high heels, ten silk shirts, a couple of cashmere sweaters, three leather jackets and some coats.
She shows at the action school as promised and August requests to speak with her in private.
August received a text message from Emma earlier apologizing for her odd behavior and promising that things would get better, so he was willing to forgive her earlier outbursts.
Furthermore he had managed to get a copy of the script for a highly desired role in an upcoming Hollywood movie. They were looking for a blonde super hero and Emma definitely had a chance to get it. August was willing to coach her.
Regina walks into August's office. High heels announce her arrival. August looks up. He stares for a second. Emma is wearing make up and she's a sight to behold. Her thin lips shiny, her green eyes exalted by dark eye liner.
He hands her the script. Emma doesn't look impressed
-"I thought you'd be happy about this. Isn't this the script you wanted? Your ideal role?"
Regina takes it "Let's say I did. So what?"
-"It is a good opportunity for you Emma, but you have to work hard to get it"
Regina reads the script "Covered in blood she jumps out of a running car, at the same time a truck runs in her direction.."
-"Are you insane? How can you make a person do this? This isn't an opportunity, this is a dead sentence! From now on stop me if I ever want to do something like this"
-"How long are you going to be weird like this Emma? Fine, you caught me. I do like you. But if you are acting this way because of that, then you don't need to. Personal matters shouldn't interfere with work. I will not let them"
At this Emma realizes August doesn't just like Emma, he loves her
-"I will consider it. But I will ask something of you. I'll forget that I caught you, so never bring up your feelings for me again"
August looks down at his hands. Saddened by Emma's request.
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Meanwhile Emma is causing chaos in the department store by taking the elevator instead of the stairs, eating at the cafeteria with the rest of the employees and being courteous to the staff.
People are walking around her whispering and Emma is extremely uncomfortable. She's glad Regina said she only has to show up twice a week.
She does not hesitate to leave early when Killian calls her, requesting they meet at a golf curse. She calls Regina and asks her if she wants to come along, she agrees because she wants to keep tab on Emma. She's surprised to find Milah there as well
-"It is unusual to get the four of us together. Why not take the day off? I'll extend the invitation, this is my family's golf course" announces Milah
-"All of this is yours?" Asks Emma, awed
-"You didn't know? Is that why you were so indifferent?"
-"I'm sorry but we are a bit busy" cuts in Regina
-"Then go ahead" announces Emma "I'm not busy at all so I'm going to stay"
-"What?"
-"So you too will be alone together? Regina and Milah?" Asks Killian, not happy with the pairing
-"It'll be nice to spend time together" responds Milah and to Killian and Emma "I hope you two have a safe trip back"
Then she walks towards Emma and takes her by the arm. Emma takes it a step farther and takes her hand. Looking at Regina, smiling
Milah is taken aback, but pleased. Killian breaks it off and pulls Milah away
-"We should talk"
