Hello my DETECTIVES. Happy Valentine's Day! This is for those of you who have plans or may you don't like myself so I thought the perfect gift would be a new chapter for LHS and POH! This is a filler chapter so we can get to the good stuff. All errors are mine I miss posting for this story. So I had good intentions any errors will be corrected later. Hope you enjoy !
-AvidVillain95
Chapter 7: 21 Questions
Sometime during the night Emma had awaken and realized that the brunette was still sleeping peacefully in her arms. She wanted to know more about Regina's past and why she had been so fearful. Watching her panic had been a blow to Emma's ego. She had felt unable to help the woman she loved so dearly. And just the thought of someone laying a hand on her was enough for her to re-kill Regina's husband if that was even possible.
Shuffling the witness out of her arms as gently as possibly she laid her onto of the bed. Regina stirred lightly and Emma held her breath. Purposing if she didn't breath it wouldn't disturb the brunette's sleep. Once the older woman stopped her movements, Emma breathed relieved. If not waking Regina was a problem, then the growing tent in front of her pants were. Being close to her ex-lover in such a private and intimate way had stirred desire in her groin. The blonde knew she had to get rid of the tension, if she didn't it was bound to build up and hurt in the morning.
Wiping a frustrated hand over her face, she cursed Regina and the situation though she knew she didn't mean it. Ever since they were younger Regina had, had that effect on her. Emma figured she would always have a soft spot when it came to the love of her life. Casting a look over at the bed she sighed. Her life was to complicated and dangerous to include Regina. Furthermore her trust toward the brunette didn't aide in convincing her. Emma had been so hurt when Regina left. She hadn't been able to open up so personally with anyone else. Fear of being hurt again did that to a person, and she wasn't sure she had the strength to endure it again.
Her resolve only left her feeling empty as she shook her head, proceeding down the stairs. The detective debated what she planned to do as her hand clung connected to the banister. Looking around the large cabin, gauging what she planned to do. Her eyes spotted the fridge and she proceeded with the execution of the next phase of her plan. She was still fully clothed from dinner, but she didn't have the heart to return upstairs to change with the risk of waking Regina. God it feels like I am walking on eggshells around that woman, Emma mused to herself as opened the freezer. There was many things about Olivia Emma was fond of despite her short lived time there. But their lack of top shelf graded Scotch was not one of them. Emma was secretly thankful for her intuition to pack her own bottle.
The cold bottle felt nice in her warm hand. Sending calming chills over her entire body as she placed the bottle on the counter. Moving to the refrigerator portion, she plucked out a Heineken bottle and a glass from the cabinet. The blonde placed her ingredients on the counter. Clicking her tongue she remembered she had forgotten a key ingredient. Plucking a lime from the pantry she cut it into a thin circular slice, dropping it into the glass. Venting her anger and tension she squeezed the large portion into the glass. Until enough of the juice coated the bottom of the glass and covered the lime slice. Satisfied that the fruit was milked for all it was worth she tossed it into the sink. She added a shot worth of Scotch to the fruit slice and juice.
Picking up the glass she gave it a small swirl allowing the liquids to mix with one another. Pleased, she poured half of the green bottle contents into the glass before swirling it again. Glancing at her watch she grimaced. It was already 1:25am and Emma knew her internal clock would wake her up at exactly 7:30 waiting for her to get her day started. Shrugging she took a sip of her 'Savior Tonic' and moved to the couch.
(X)
Regina's head felt as though someone was beating the side of her skull with thick wooden sticks. Her hands flew to the side of her head as she tried to sit up. Everything felt distorted as if the world was spinning fast and moving slow at the same time. Nausea crashed over her quickly as she leapt off the bed and ran to the bathroom.
Regina purged the remaining food and alcohol from her system. She thought throwing up would rid her of the dizziness she felt, but it hadn't. It took a moment for Regina to remember where she was. What the hell happened? Searching her internal memory bank she sought anything to explain why she felt like she had been run over by an eighteen wheeler. The only thing she remembered was going to dinner and talking to someone. Who had she been with? The harder she thought the more she remembered as horror etched into her features. Looking around the bathroom she realized she wasn't at her home attempting to escape Robin. No, thanks to her idiotic husband and his tangled affairs she was in Minnesota with Emma.
Oh God Emma, she had seen her cut loose. Guilt replaced her embarrassment as she pulled herself up from the floor. She longed for a shower but she was in no condition to be by herself on a slick surface with water. How much had she drank? What if she had…? Regina's mind was plagued with questions. Taking a washcloth from the bathroom cabinet she wet it and put it to her face. Once she had straightened up a bit and recollected whatever dignity she had left she would face Emma.
(X)
Emma glanced at her watch as she heard feet run loudly upstairs. Sympathy painted her face as she noticed it was only 8:00am. After Regina's episode last night she had contacted Gepetto personally and told him to tell the Doctor they would have to push back their appointment time to at least the afternoon. She didn't need a confirmation call. If there had been a problem she would have been contacted.
The detective returned to her task as she cracked a few eggs and let them drip into the warming pan. She had a whole package of bacon sizzling on a pan on the burner next to her eggs. After doing a thorough search she even managed to locate a griddle to bake her home made pancakes. There wasn't much Emma could cook but when it came to steak and potatoes or breakfast foods she was a Picasso in the kitchen.
The smell of bacon permeated the cabin sinking into the wood creating a homely feeling. Emma couldn't count on two hands. The times she had woken up drunk and felt the world spin around her. Her cases were a mixture of ruthless and mild cases but some had been darker than anyone should have to deal with. It had been cases like that, that had earned her a name as Savior or White Knight at the bureau. Those cases had led to her dangerous comfort in alcohol and her mother had always made her breakfast. Somehow being around her family and food had managed to keep her grounded.
Now she had a better reason. The cases hadn't improved but having her daughter in her life made it better. Anna was the force that kept her from diving into a world or darkness and unrepentance. Putting the finishing touches on breakfast the blonde turned around to face an unusual version of Regina. Emma watched as she slowly sauntered into the kitchen, calculating each step she took. As if where she was stepping was the only safe place in a room filled with lava. The widow came around the granite island, leaning her weight against it as she folded her arms over her chest.
"Well good morning!" Emma exclaimed enthusiastically earning a look from the brunette that could've stopped her heart from beating. But it wasn't in a good way. "Still drunk?"
"Oh shut it blondie! Must you be so loud?" Regina quipped angrily.
"Excuse the fuck out of me," Emma teased. Reaching for a warmed pancake before handing it to the agitated brunette. "This will help… trust me." She issued, attempting to offer a smile as her pretend wife took the fluffy circular pastry.
Regina stared curiously at Emma as she took a firm grip, coffee hued irises never leaving emerald as she took a bite. Unsure of how flour and water were supposed to make her feel better. Chewing the pancake Regina moaned as she swallowed the bread. Allowing it to hit the bottom of her empty stomach, it took a moment to settle but she felt better. "Would you like another?" Emma asked over her shoulder. Happy to turn away from Regina and her seductive moaning over her food.
"Help yourself I know how being hungover feels. Coffee should be done soon."
"Emma?"
The blonde knew that tone all too well. Something was bothering her and Regina was bound to address it in her famous round about way. It amazed Emma that the brunette could switch between timid and blunt so easily. "Yes Regina," she answered. Exhaling a shaky breathe as she tried to focus on foul images to assist in controlling her blood flow. Before turning to face Regina.
Regina sat against the counter nibbling on her pancake as a million questions swirled around her mind. But it was only one that she wanted the answer to at the moment. Her brows furrowed as the blonde turned to her. The witness took the moment to observe the way her companion was dressed. Emma sported her black Hanes briefs that paired with grey accentuations around the waistband. A matching grey tank top outlined her taut abdomen, while the top provided a low dip providing the brunette was a teasing view of cleavage.
Her eyes continued to roam over the blonde as her eyes fell to her muscular arms and calves. It was clear to see Emma worked out. Despite the pleasing view Regina shook her head trying to focus. Acquiring a scowl from the blonde. "Emma," Regina began biting her lip. And secretly the blonde wished it was her biting that lip. "Did we… did we?"
The agents mind immediately took a left turned. The opportunity was too good to pass up as she smiled wicked. They were friends right? Friends joked with one another right? "Yes we slept together. And it was amazing for me. I hope I didn't disappoint you?" Emma admitted. It wasn't a lie but it wasn't exactly the truth either.
Regina's face fell. She and Emma had made love and she didn't remember it. Embarrassed the brunette buried her face in her hands. Emma regretted her joke looking at Regina's reaction. She had misjudged Regina's feelings, apparently she had read to much into their kiss. The brunette was embarrassed and Emma's heart broke again. Perhaps what Regina felt for her wasn't what she felt for her, maybe she was just safe. "Here," Emma said defeated.
The brunette looked up to her bodyguard passing her a ceramic plate. Confusion was evident in her eyes as she looked at Emma. The blonde wouldn't meet her gaze, she was purposely avoiding her. Smooth hands slid around the edge of the plate. Emma's hand fell with a sigh, "Regina it was a joke. I didn't mean it."
"A joke! Emma that is not funny. Miss Swan it would seem your sense of humor is crude and unappreciated. Why would you do such a thing?"
Emma remained silent for a while before she finally meet Regina's glaring gaze. The brunette was taken aback by the pain that painted emerald irises. Pain wasn't the only thing that Regina saw but she couldn't place what the other thing was. Then she heard it in Emma's voice.
"I didn't mean harm Regina. I was just trying to ease us into our new friendship. I thought things were… different between us. But apparently I saw something…. It doesn't matter. I won't joke like that again Regina. I apologize," Emma's stated disappointed. Disappointed that she had seen something that wasn't there. Disappointed that the love her life didn't return the same feelings. Disappointed that nothing was the way she had wanted.
(X)
The bearded man had followed the directions the agent had given. The directions had led him to a park. The man watched as children chased one another and giggled. Mothers sat at a distance watching as their offspring played, idly chatting with other parents. He knew he didn't fit in but he didn't stick out either. He was a simple man that blended into the background that no one noticed. The man continued down the dusted path.
Stepping aside allowing runners to move around him as he continued on his way. The agent had instructed him to find the bench with a back pack hanging over the back of it. The man continued until he finally spotted a navy bag on a park bench. A crook smile crossed his lips as he hastened his steps eager to see what the agent had left him. His boss had been happy with his work in inquiring an agent to help.
He would do whatever it took to stay on his good side. Tucking his coat under his body he took his seat next to the back pack. Subtly his eyes wandered the park, examining the movements in the park making sure no one was watching him. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he reached over for the backpack. His finger tips scanned over the bag before he felt the zipper and pulled it backwards.
Giving him access into the pack. Inside was nothing but another cell phone and local high school schedule. The phone began to ring an, the man answered it hesitantly. "Hello?"
"You seem disappointed. Are you unsatisfied with my methods?" The agent asked.
The henchman looked around hoping to spot the double crossing agent. But there were to many people to search for only one. Without even knowing how the man looked. "I would say curious."
"Fair enough."
"Why did you give me this?"
"I get people where they need to go. Call me Captain. When the time comes your boss will know what to do."
(X)
Archie sat silently observing the two women. Things were different. Emma and Rose were finally sitting on the same couch. But the blonde seemed so far away like she had lost her best friend or something much deeper. Making sure to keep her gaze down indicated she was deep in thought. Thoughts that one would classify as sad or unwanted. Rose was the exact opposite. Rather than trying to shy away she was non-verbally screaming for Emma to look at her. Apparently something had caused the couple together based on the nature of their close proximity.
However they still seemed far away and as usual Regina was the one wanting Emma to relay her emotions. But the blonde was behind a wall that she wanted no one to peak into. She had resorted to the wall of fear, he had seen when they first met the couple.
"I am going to try something I usually wouldn't. As I am sure… you both know I am not a ordinary Doctor. I enjoy getting couples out of their comfort zones. Allowing them a view into how their partners feels in the relationship. So have you both heard of the festival that is coming up in the next two days?"
"Yes." Emma said her eyes unmoving from the crease in her blue jeans.
"Excellent. You are to both participate in all the activities." The command finally made the detective look up. "Problem Mrs. White?"
Emma remained silent. Sighing frustrated as she laid her head against the couch, closing her eyes. "Very well. I will personally handle the details with Kathryn the festivals organizer. But I do have good news. With you both entering the festival I am not needed for atleast a week. So I advise you both to make the best use of this time. In a weeks time I will expect results to be different then what I saw today."
"We will do our best," Emma hissed. Excusing herself from the audience as she trotted up the stairs.
(X)
"So are we going to talk about what happened Miss Swan or are you going to ignore me?" Regina asked directing her question at the blonde was nursing her drink. She hadn't spoken since Archie left and the only way she was coaxed downstairs was with food. She had been forced to make the blonde's artery clogging meal of large seasoned steaks and scalloped potatoes. "I thought we had an agreement. That we would ask one another questions." Regina stated matter-of-factly. Sending the blonde a condemning glance. Not appreciating the way her pretend spouse had been ignoring her.
"Are you sure you won't be embarrassed?" Emma's tone bitter as she locked eyes with Regina.
"Are you implying something Emma?"
"Its nothing Regina. How do you want to do this? 21 questions? Spin the bottle? I just want to get this over wit," Emma admitted. Feeling sad with the brunette's company. Her emotions were swirling and she didn't have anymore answers then she had started with.
"Well Miss Swan if you want to be childish. Two can play at that game. Lets play an abridged version of 21 questions."
"Then lets play your Majesty."
Well it seems Regina and Emma are back at it due to a misunderstanding. But atleast we are getting closer to discovering who our mole is. And what is the mole doing with a highschool schedule. Is Archie seeming a little sketchy to anyone else? Will the questions bring our heroes closer together or send them further apart. And if there are any activities or questions you want asked or answered or seen feel free to shoot a PM or a review. Sorry this chapter was late and kind of short but I am cranking them out as soon as possible. Bare with me my DETECTIVES!
