Silent Hearts

Chapter 8- Kicking Up Settled Dust

"Emma? What are you doing?" She inquired, a frown on her face.

"Love is always worth the risk, no matter what." She thought to herself, and surged forward.

"Risking it."

Emma filled the space between them, grabbing Regina and pulling them together, their lips finally meeting after so very long.

Regina's hands flew into her hair, tugging Emma's face closer to hers as their lips moulded together, sparks flying in every direction. Emma let her hands slip down to rest of Regina's slim waist, wrapping around her securely.

The kiss was slow, neither women pushing the other, content with just being close together, finally holding one another. A breathy moan slipped from Regina's lips as Emma tested the waters, kissing her slightly firmer, loving the way Regina reacted immediately.

They eventually broke apart, resting against one another for support. Emma's legs felt weak as she held Regina tightly, quickly becoming addicted to the feelings caused by the other woman. Regina dropped her hands down to Emma's neck, running the pad of her thumb across delicate skin.

"This is an awful idea." Emma muttered, still not moving from the embrace.

"Terrible." Regina purred back, placing a light kiss below Emma's ear.

"I've wanted to do that for so long." The blonde couldn't help the smile that overtook her face.

"Perhaps we should do it again?" Emma didn't reply as plump lips claimed hers once more, this time far more passionately. She felt as tongue drag across her bottom lip, begging for entrance and Emma quickly obeyed. Regina moaned as their tongues met, fusing together in a fierce battle for dominance, both women fighting the other. Emma groaned when she lost, letting Regina take full charge of the heated kiss, not truly caring whether she lost or not.

A loud voice suddenly sounded outside of the office, startling both women. The colour in Regina's face drained and she pushed Emma roughly away, not saying a word as two women dramatically entered the office. The blonde quickly but distance between herself and Regina as they entered.

Emma's blood boiled at the sight of Zelena's smug smile, a knowing look in her eye. However she did not recognise the other woman, but yet she seemed very familiar. She looked older than the two sisters, with dark brown hair done up in a sophisticated bun. Her body was clad in an expensive looking suit, with heels to match. She approached Regina, making Emma tense as she noticed the older woman's hostile demeanour.

"Mother?" Regina greeted in confusion. Emma frowned, glancing at Zelena who smirked at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Why do you think? Your sister has informed me that you have officially terminated your marriage!" The older woman snapped angrily. Emma thought back to what she knew about Regina's mother. Her name was Cora, the wife of Henry Mills, the founder of the company. He had died some time ago, leaving the company to his wife, who has since then passed it on to Regina and Zelena.

"It wasn't her right to tell you that." Regina glared at Zelena who shrugged, calmly walking towards Emma.

"I was concerned." She smiled sweetly, although no warmth was held within the smile. Zelena came to stand next to Emma, looking at her predatorily. The blonde shifted uncomfortably.

"Regardless of how I found out, I am here now to put it right." Cora said sternly. "Regina you are to track down those divorce papers and burn them. I will not allow you to throw away a perfect good relationship!"

"Absolutely not!" Regina hissed, her fists clenching and unclenching at her sides.

"Excuse me?" The tension in the room became so strong; Emma honestly believed she could touch it.

"Perhaps Miss Swan and I should step out and let you two talk?" Zelena suggested, bringing a hand up to Emma's hip as to guide her away.

"No!"

"Yes." Emma looked between the two women, lost over what to do.

"Emma you're to stay right here!" Their eyes connected, and Emma saw the seriousness of Regina. The usually soft and playful eyes were hard and hateful. She nodded and tugged herself away from Zelena's possessive grasp, coming to stand closer to Regina.

"What is all this emotion about Regina? You're becoming soft child." Cora questioned.

"I am no child!"

"And yet you act like one. You're being reckless, first with your marriage and now I see you're letting the company fall behind!"

"I am not! The company is thriving because of me."

"And yet we're still second best to the Nolan's! I will not stand for this." Zelena chuckled darkly in the corning, causing Cora to turn on her. "Don't think you aren't to blame for this too!"

"How on earth can you think that?" Zelena spat. Cora waved her off.

"We'll discuss it later, but for now run along." The amber haired woman looked furious.

"But-"

"Now!" Cora snarled, and Zelena huffed, storming from the office.

"Mother this is ridiculous."

"You listen to me child, I want this whole mess fixed, do you hear me? Robin is too important for you to just throw away!"

"No." Regina said firmly, making Cora's eyebrows shoot into her hairline. Emma noticed the twitch in her hand, and edged a little closer to the younger brunette.

"No?" Cora's voice quivered with anger, her eyes popping madly.

"You have no idea the hell Robin put me through, I will not return to him!" Regina yelled and Cora snapped, raising her hand to strike her daughter. Emma moved in a flash, grabbing the older woman's wrist tightly, putting her body between the two arguing women. Cora look shocked at first before her face twisted with rage.

"Get your hands off of me you common piece of filth!" Cora roared, struggling to release her hand from Emma's iron grip. She growled at Cora, wrapping her other arm protectively around Regina. The older woman's eyes shot to the interaction, narrowing suspiciously.

"It's alright Emma." Regina said softly in her ear. Emma was reluctant to move, fearing Cora would continue her assault. Her own anger melted when a hand came to rest on her shoulder, squeezing gently. Emma sighed and let go of Cora, who stumbled back slightly. "You need to leave mother."

"Don't you dare tell me what to do!" She snapped making Regina sigh.

"It's for your own good, I fear Miss Swan may not be so… controlled if you attempt to strike me again." Regina had yet to remove her hand from Emma's shoulder, who was beginning to shake with pent up rage at the older woman. Cora glowered at the pair of them, before turning on her heel and marching out.

The second Cora left the office, Emma ripped her body away from Regina, moving across the room to brace herself against the wall, taking in long, deep breaths as she did. She couldn't lose control, not her, not with Regina so close.

Emma felt a presence behind her and slowly turned. Regina loomed behind her, her expression difficult to read.

"Why is it that everyone tries to hit you?" Emma growled and Regina's face crumpled. She walked away from Emma, thinking deeply to herself. The blonde watched from a distance, unsure of what the brunette was thinking about. "Regina?"

"The risks I talked about," She jerked her head in the direction of Cora. "She's one of them."

"You and Robin were clearly her OTP." Regina frowned.

"OTP?"

"Never mind." Emma mumbled, Regina didn't strike her as someone who would grasp fangirling.

"She can't know about us." Regina said quietly. "So many terrible things could come from that."

"Just to clarify, what is "us"?" Emma coaxed, wishing to know the full extent of their new relationship. "Am I like the guys at the bar, but female or something… More?"

"More, definitely more." Emma grinned, her emotions fully returning to her control.

"Good, cause your sister was practically humping my leg in her office earlier." The blonde recounted. Regina frowned, jealously sparking in her eyes.

"Of course she was." Regina hissed, crossing her arms.

"Who are the Nolan's?" Emma asked, the name seemed familiar.

"Mary Margaret and David Nolan, they own the rival magazine company." Regina snarled, her expression disgusted.

"You're not a fan?" The brunette raised an eyebrow in her direction, making Emma smirk.

"The pair of them are insufferable." Regina grumbled and Emma felt a light bulb ping in her head.

"Snow White and Prince Charming!" She said excitedly, pleased with herself.

"Yes, that's what the media dubbed them." Regina made a retching sound. A light tap at the door, caught both women's attention, and they turned to see Ruby poking her head around the door.

"Miss Mills?"

"What is it Ruby?"

"Belle has finished the dress designs, would you like her to bring them here or have the other Miss Mills look over them?" She asked politely.

"No have her come her please." Ruby nodded and quickly disappeared. Silence fell in the room as Emma contemplated her next move.

"Well I should go; last I checked Belle was harmless." She made a move towards the door but pulled back at Regina's voice which was barely above a whisper.

"Would you have dinner with me?"

"Like a date?" Emma grinned and Regina nodded.

"Yes, like a date."

"Then I'm in."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Emma glared at her appearance, letting out a frustrated sigh and she turned around slowly, examining herself from every angle. After several hours of stressing over what to wear, Emma had eventually settled on a plain white blouse, paired with smart black trousers, with a blazer on top. Accepting she would never be truly happy with how she looked, the blonde left her bedroom, and entered her living room, plucking a bouquet of flowers from the sink, examining each petal carefully. She desperately wanted everything to be perfect for her date with Regina.

Regina had requested to pick Emma up and had informed her she would be at the apartment at exactly seven. Emma glanced nervously at the clock as she passed up and down. Isaac watched from the sofa, big brown doe like eyes flicking back and forth with her movement.

A light knock sent the Labrador rocketing off the sofa, knocking Emma off balance as she to rushed towards the door. Isaac excitedly jumped at the door, as the blonde shoved him aside as to open the heavy door.

A soft gasp left her lips as Emma caught sight of the beauty before her. Regina stood in black high heels, which made her legs seem too gone on forever. Sheer tights encased olive skin, disappearing beneath a tight, knee high white dress which clung to every perfect of the brunette's body. A chuckle escaped deep red lips, as Emma continued to gawk.

"See something you like dear?"

"You look incredible." Emma muttered and Regina blushed lightly.

"You brush up well yourself." The brunette replied. Her eyes travelled down to Isaac, who was straining to see Regina around Emma. "Is this Isaac?"

"Oh yeah." Emma moved her leg to let the over excited dog through. He hurled himself at Regina, who eagerly greeted him, laughter falling from plumps lips. The blonde watched the two meet, a small smile on her face.

"Are you ready to go?" Regina looked up at Emma, who nodded.

"Yeah, Isaac come here." Emma commanded and he quickly retreated back into the apartment. "See you later buddy."

"All set?"

"Yeah, let's go."

The two walked along the corridor, stealing glances at each as they went. Their hands brushed every so often, making Emma yearn to reach out and grab her hand and hold her close. Regina seemed to pick up on this thought pattern, and laced their fingers together, squeezing lightly. Emma's breath caught in her throat at the gesture, her eyes darting down to stare at their interlocked hands.

They soon emerged from the building, a smart, black BMW waiting for them in the street. A man dressed in an expensive looking suit quickly moved around the large car to let them in.

Emma gracefully slipped into the car, Regina following behind. The interior of the car looked more expensive than anything Emma had ever owned. Pristine leather seats cushioned the blonde as she put on her seat belt. She forced her leg to not jiggle up and down from nervousness. Emma glanced over at Regina who was looking at her intently.

"I've made reservations at this lovely French restaurant down town from here." Regina said lightly, not dropping her gaze from Emma, who fidgeted.

"I don't think I've ever been to a French restaurant before, is there a difference?" The blonde asked lamely, making Regina laugh loudly. Emma frowned, waiting for the brunette to realise she was being serious. The laughter eventually faded away, and Regina looked at Emma sympathetically.

"Are you serious?" She asked slowly, and Emma shrugged. "Oh…"

"I'm more of a grilled cheese kind of person." Regina grimaced at the mention of the food, making Emma smirk. It was easy to forget how different her world was from Regina's. Fancy restaurants and endless classy parties were all Regina did with her time, while Emma liked dingy bars and drinking beer with Isaac. Emma grinned at the idea of Regina in jeans with her feet up drinking beer from the bottle. It was safe to say it was unlikely to happen.

"What are you grinning at?" Regina questioned, her brow knitted together.

"The idea of you living my life, you wouldn't survive." The brunette arched an eyebrow, clearly unamused.

"Oh really? I think you'd be surprised."

"I doubt it." Emma giggled.

They chatted easily back and forth for the rest of the journey to the restaurant, both comfortable with the other, feeling able to talk about anything. Eventually, the car pulled up outside a classy looking restaurant, a line of people waiting to get in outside. The drive hurtled out of the car and yanked open the door for Regina, who elegantly slipped from the car, her heels clicking on the pavement beneath her. Emma was more cautious when climbing from the car, peeking out at all the people who were now excitedly waving at Regina.

Regina turned back to look at Emma, gesturing for her to leave the car. Reluctantly, Emma slipped from the car, squeaking slightly when Regina pulled them together, a camera flashing around them. She had no idea where the guy with the camera had come from, but Emma quickly decided she didn't like him. Regina wrapped her arm securely around Emma's waist, as if feeling her need to run and shutting it down.

A man appeared at the entrance, excitedly gesturing for the two of them to enter. Relieved, Emma followed after Regina, who led her into the buzzing the restaurant, her apprehension for the night ahead growing more and more.

A/N: Sup ya'll? I know it's been a while, but I'm back none the less. So Emma has had her first taste of celebrity life, how do you think she will deal with the change? Will it be too much or not? And what will happen when Regina's mother sees her being public with Emma, does Regina know what she's doing? Please review and tell me all your thoughts and feelings and follow for more! Till next time Kids.