A/N - I really hope you like this chapter. I had second thoughts about a few scenes, but after the final edit I was happy with it.
Chapter Eight - Force of Nature
As the morning dew collected on the trees and grass outside the cabin, a loud knock on the front door had both women bolting upright in a nanosecond.
Muttering about a good dream under her breath, Emma hurried from the bedroom, crossing a thick robe over her body. She peered through the peephole and saw none other than Ruby Lucas swaying from foot to foot, and a dark, scruffy, but handsome looking man standing behind her that Emma assumed would be Graham.
She turned to where Regina was sat and nodded her head, "It's only Ruby, you can relax now."
"Hey girls! This is Graham, Graham, this is Regina," Ruby sat next to her on the couch, "and that is Emma."
"Good morning, ladies. Nice to finally meet you," he extended his hand and Emma took it, shaking firmly.
"Ruby has told us so many things about you, Graham," Regina said.
Graham cracked a grin and looked at his girlfriend, "I'll bet she has."
"I thought you two weren't supposed to be coming until later tonight?" Emma asked, still slightly grumpy about having been woken up.
"We were, but some of Graham's connections got him a meeting with the Nolans for a new enforcer," Ruby shrugged, "so here we are, ready to get this plan in motion."
"A new enforcer? Why?" Emma thought out loud. That was still technically her job, after all.
"No idea. Could be that they're planning something big, or…" Graham trailed off, looking into Emma's eyes apologetically.
"You'll be my replacement after they send you to kill me," Emma finished for him.
"Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to you on our watch," Ruby said, having way more confidence in her boyfriend's abilities than Emma and Regina combined.
"Emma, I have to leave now to meet with your parents. Any advice you can give me?"
"Play into their ego. Especially Mary Margaret's. Don't ever tell her she's wrong. She feeds on fear, so keep your cool. Act like you love to dip your hands in blood. And just stay out of David's way and he'll stay out of yours. He likes the business side of things, so just let him count his money and he won't be a problem. And try to gain Jones' trust. He'll either feel threatened by you or he'll want you to join in his schemes. We want the latter," Emma explained.
Graham seemed to take all of it in carefully, scratching his beard with pale blue eyes darting around the room in thought.
After wishing him luck, Emma and Regina headed into the kitchen to let Ruby say goodbye to him in private. Based on the smacking noises both women could hear from the kitchen, they were confident they had made the right choice. The soft click of the front door closing could be heard, and then faint footsteps headed toward them.
"Sorry, guys," Ruby came in slowly, blushing profusely.
Emma couldn't help it, she had to pry, "Are you two pretty serious?"
Ruby blushed again, "I think so."
"How much of your clothes are at his place, in his closet, right now, Ruby?" Emma asked, smirking.
Ruby paused, eyebrows furrowed in thought, her fingers sprawled out so she could use them to count. She eventually threw her hands up and said, "Too much to keep track of. What's that got to do with anything, anyway?"
"Because that means it's pretty serious, Ruby," Regina laughed from behind Emma, who was now pouring coffee into three mugs.
"Okay, well, let's change the subject, okay?" Ruby asked, a pleading look in her eyes, "What's the plan for today?"
Emma, taking the hint, dropped the subject and moved on, "The first thing is, I'm going to visit my parents."
"But we don't have the wire you need to wear yet," Ruby said, confused.
Emma shook her head, "That's not why I'm going. I still need to do my job, or whatever's left of it. I don't need them getting suspicious. They have to keep thinking I'm on their side, remember?"
"Absolutely not, Emma," Regina snapped, covering her mouth to keep herself from saying more.
After a moment of silent deliberation, Ruby finally spoke, "She has to go, Regina. She's right. She has to act like everything is normal."
"I'm sorry, Regina. I wish there was another way. Would you feel better if I waited until tomorrow to go?" Emma hated seeing the concern in Regina's rich chocolate eyes.
"Sure. Just be careful, okay?" Regina conceded.
"Of course," Emma said, playfully bumping Regina's hip with her own.
-xxx-
Ruby got the call later that afternoon that Graham got the job, prompting Emma to decide to just get it over with and go see her parents first thing the next morning. It would be interesting to see how Graham was fitting into the fold, too.
Regina kissed Emma with so much passion before she left that, for a moment, she had seriously considered staying. Regina's worry wasn't without reason, after all, but was the faint look of adoration in her eyes that Emma found solace in, and she wanted to dive into those chocolate embers and let them completely engulf her. Unfortunately though, some things just had to be done, and that was something both of them understood completely. They led lives that weren't always based on choice, instead their hands were twisted by expectation and necessity the majority of the time.
One, two, three, four, five… Emma's internal counting began again out of subconscious habit.
Walking up to the door of what was once her home started off a bitter series of memories. Motion pictures in her mind of the manipulation and occasional physical abuse came crashing through her senses. She had to stop for a second to catch her breath, shaking her head and blinking the images away.
Forty-nine, fifty, fifty-one, fifty-two...
With enough forced determination, she rang the bell, and waited.
Fifty-three, fifty-four, fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven...
After what felt like an eternity, she heard heavy footsteps coming towards the door. She almost laughed when it was none other than Graham that greeted her. He winked, shaking his head almost imperceptibly, and that's when Mary Margaret appeared over his shoulder.
"Oh, Emma! What a great surprise! There's just so much I need to fill you in on. So many exciting things happening lately. Oh, this is Graham by the way. If he proves himself worthy, you might just have a new partner! Isn't that great?" She squeaked, smiling in a way that Emma hadn't seen on any living person before, almost as if pins were holding her mouth that way, crossing a smile with a painful grimace.
"But you know I work alone," Emma said.
Mary Margaret laughed, "Oh, honey, I know, but you do team up with Jones quite a bit."
"Only when you trick me into it," Emma snapped.
Mary Margaret didn't even flinch, instead she stepped forward and pulled Emma into one of the most painful hugs she'd ever had the misfortune to experience. It sent a chill to Emma's bones. Her mother hasn't hugged her since she was nine years old.
What the fuck is happening?
"Now, let's not argue. I have something we need to discuss. Let's go to the study. We can even have a drink," she smiled brightly and turned to Graham, "If anyone comes to the door, be sure to tell them I'm busy and to come back later. If they refuse to leave, make sure you change their mind by any means necessary."
"Yes, Mrs. Nolan," Graham bowed his head, turning on his heel to stand by the door.
"Thank you, Graham. Come, Emma." She motioned her hand forward, allowing Emma to take the lead.
When they reached the study, Mary Margaret sat at the desk, Emma taking the seat on the opposite side so they were face to face.
"How about that drink?" Emma suggested, eager to ease some of the anxiety coursing through her veins.
"Whiskey, right?" Mary Margaret asked, getting up and walking over to the bar cart.
"Apple cider, actually," Emma smiled, fondly remembering the cider she and Regina had enjoyed together. "But whiskey's good, too."
Emma's glass was set down beside her and she swiped it up and gulped half its contents before Mary Margaret even sat back down in her adjacent chair.
"So, Mom, what's the new exciting job you have for me?" Emma asked, holding her breath afterward in anticipation.
"What makes you think I have a job for you, Emma?" She asked, crossing her arms and squinting her eyes.
"You said there was something exciting things happening, right? I assumed that meant business." The way Mary Margaret was still staring at her made her heart begin pounding violently in her chest.
"Oh, no, darling. I have received some very exciting news regarding you," she paused, a small smile pressing at her cheeks.
Emma's stomach flipped.
"What news would that be?" Emma dared to ask.
"Well, this, of course," and Mary Margaret shoved her phone in front of Emma's face.
She immediately recognized where and when the photograph had been taken. In Storybrooke, just two days ago.
Fucking Killian Jones, Emma immediately thought.
There was only one question that needed to be asked now. Emma inhaled slowly, "What are you going to do to us?"
"You're not even going to try and deny it, then? You love her?"
Emma stared in shock, "What? Love her? Who said anything about love?"
"Oh, come on, Emma. I remember that same look in your eyes from when Lily was still around. Admit it. You love Regina Mills."
Emma stood up, slamming her hands on the desk, "What if I do? What do you plan to do about it? You know you don't scare me."
Mary Margaret shot up to face Emma, talking softly but with evident irritation, "I don't plan on doing anything. I ordered Jones to back off of the Mills' daughter. I did it for you. For your happiness. Don't you see, Emma? I do love you, and I can be reasonable when I want to be."
Emma's hair was standing on end now. There was no possible way Mary Margaret would ever give her blessing to Regina and Emma as a couple. No, there was some sort of game at play. A trap she was supposed to fall into. The only way to find out the endgame was to play into it. At least to a point, she decided.
"Really, Mom? You don't mind?" Emma feigned surprise and happiness.
"Not at all, dear. Whatever makes you happy. As long as it doesn't interfere with business, I have no reason to object, now do I?" Mary Margaret's eyes barely met Emma's, instead rapidly scouring her surroundings, as if following a fly zipping about.
"Of course not. Is that all you needed?" Emma said, wanting nothing more than to flee. She wasn't looking at her mother anymore. The eyes staring back at her were almost aflame with malevolence. Emma wondered if Mary Margaret even realized it.
"Of course, you may go, Emma. Give Regina my regards, will you?" Mary Margaret stood up hug Emma one more time.
"Uh, yeah, sure," Emma mumbled into her shoulder.
Mary Margaret clapped her hands together, "I'm just so excited for you!"
Emma was out of the room before her mom was done talking.
Fifty-eight, fifty-nine, sixty...
Counting from where she stopped before to stave off the anxiety clutching at her chest, she hurried along the long corridor. She had forgotten how large the house really was. From the outside, you'd never guess there were six bedrooms with adjoining baths, a common room, a study, and a huge kitchen. It fit the Nolans, really. Collected on the outside, but a labyrinth of tricks and turns on the inside.
She turned into the room she had called home for eighteen years. Except for the bed and dresser in the corner, there wasn't a trace of her ever existing there. She sat down on the bed to collect her thoughts, landing with a soft thud, and covered her face with her hands.
Several quiet moments passed with her in this position, trying to hold back the bile that was rising in her throat. Whatever her mother was planning against her and Regina, she knew no good would come from it for either side.
A gentle knock on the door broke her from her haze of doom. She looked up into the bright, kind eyes of her father.
"Emma, what's the matter?"
"Don't act like you don't know."
David furrowed his brows, "I really don't know, honey. All I know is you look distraught and as your father, it's kind of my job to fix it, isn't it?"
Emma laughed, "Sure. Like you fixed Killian and Robin after they kidnapped me. Or how you and Mom set out to have Regina killed, only to be so kind after finding out about us that you decided to wait a while before striking at us. I know this family's game, Dad. I worked for you long enough, I know all the dirty tricks and manipulative tactics. You're not fooling me. I won't let you win."
"Emma, slow down. What about you being kidnapped? Was it really Jones?"
Emma stared at her father in disbelief. He was either better than Mary Margaret at lying or he really had no idea what his own wife was up to.
"Yes. After Regina and I got away, we-"
"Regina Mills?"
Emma nodded, "And then I overheard a conversation between Jones and Mom. Something about capturing Regina, and killing her if she resisted."
"Your mother knows better than to go directly after a Mills," David defended.
"How well do you really know her, Dad? Because now she's going to go after a Nolan, too," Emma couldn't help the tear that dropped from her eye. Not out of sadness, but out of the all-consuming rage building up in her chest.
"Emma, what's really going on, here?"
"Regina and I started seeing each other after we got kidnapped. Mom found out. She just gave me some fake speech about calling a cease fire because she wants me to be happy."
David sat down next to her on the bed, the strange behavior he observed from his wife the night in her study flooded back into his mind.
"Emma, look at me, please," he pleaded. She raised her head to meet his gaze. "Do you really think she's capable of having you killed?"
Surprised by the concern and sincerity in his voice, she nodded, "In a heartbeat."
"Listen to me, Emma. Whatever she's planning, I'm going to get to the bottom of it. I may not have earned a badge in philanthropy, but I'll be damned if I let my baby girl get hurt."
"You really didn't know?"
"No," he shook his head, running his hands through his short blonde hair, fuming with anger, "and I have a feeling I've been living in the dark for longer than we both think."
"I'm sorry, Dad," Emma leaned into him, and he responded by wrapping his arm around her.
"Do you love her?"
Emma didn't speak, instead she just nodded.
"Go back to her. Take her out to dinner. Use the burner cell I gave you and text me where you'll be. I'm going to watch you and see how many eyes your mother really has on you. If your mother really ordered a truce, she'd have no reason to have eyes watching you. We'll figure this out."
"Dad, can you do me a favor?"
"Anything," he smiled.
"Stay away from the warehouses. Stay away from the pier. Just… stay away from the business for a while," she explained.
"You have something planned, too, don't you?"
"I don't want you to go to prison," Emma stared at the floor.
David seemed to understand, agreeing. "That'll be hard if I'm right about what I think you're doing, but…" he sighed, "I guess it was a matter of time. I'll try to keep my hands as clean as possible from now on."
"Good. Oh, and the new guy, Graham? You can trust him," Emma added.
David looked at her almost proudly, "He's one of yours?"
"He's my spy," Emma laughed as David began to chuckle.
"I'm glad you're using your powers for good. I'll look out for you, Emma. Now go and sweep that lady of yours off her feet."
"Thank you, Dad."
"I love you, baby girl."
Emma left, hoping that David would stay true to his word. She could use an extra ally with Mary Margaret knowing about her feelings for Regina.
-xxx-
The looks on Ruby and Regina's faces when Emma explained the heartwarming interaction with her father was almost comical. They both took on the expression of a deer in the headlights.
"I know I shouldn't have trusted him so easily, but you should have seen the way he looked when I told him everything. He was utterly dumbfounded. I think my mother's been playing him for years. I may be wrong, but I think he wants to see her fall as much as we do," Emma then looked directly to Regina, "and he gave us his blessing. He wants to scout who Mary Margaret's sending to stalk us, so he wants us to go out tonight. On a date."
"In public? Emma, I trust your instincts, but that's way too risky, don't you think?" Regina arched her brows, clearly not enthused by the idea.
"We'll call your parents and tell them where we'll be going, too. They can send their own people. With my dad and your parents tracking us, we won't be in any trouble for too long." Emma smiled and reached for Regina's hand, "Regina Mills, will you do me the honor of going on a date with me tonight?"
Regina answered with a chaste kiss to Emma's lips.
-xxx-
The restaurant they chose was small, but open enough to have a clear view of their table from every angle. They chose it for that reason particularly, despite the conflicting feelings of relief and unease it brought them. David was disguised as a busboy, his red hat slanted to shadow as much of his face as possible. It worked though, because the majority of the other busboys were wearing theirs in a similar fashion, so he went about unnoticed.
Emma could see Jones, Robin, and Graham outside one of the glass doors, trying to look inconspicuous and clearly failing. Graham looked at her for a flash of a second, lips quirking into a smile as he gave a subtle thumbs up to show Emma he had her back.
When she saw a few other faces staring at her from the bus stop outside, she was certain these men were sent by the Mills. They were too immaculately dressed to be waiting at a bus stop in this city. Instead, they were more the type to start their shiny European cars by the press of a button within fifty feet.
"Emma, if we're really going to have a date, you have to relax first," Regina cocked her head to the side, smiling.
"Yeah, but… everyone is out there watching us. It's creepy," Emma shuddered.
"Look, the only ones watching us are Jones and Robin, everyone else is watching them. And Graham's out there, too. I'm sure he's clever enough to get them away from here."
Emma sank into her chair like a petulant teenager. "This is not how I wanted it to be."
"How you wanted what to be, dear?"
"Our first date. It was supposed to be special," Emma said, still pouting.
"Then let's consider this a practice run. At least we know it won't be hard to beat," Regina chuckled softly, "Come on, Emma. Let's just enjoy this."
Emma had no resistance with Regina looking at her with so much hope and, if she wasn't mistaken, love.
"Okay," she relented, "but you have to come home with me tonight."
"Are you propositioning me, Miss Swan?"
Emma winked, "Nah, just offering you a ride home."
"Well, I don't have a choice seeing as you're holding me hostage at your house right now, now do I?" Regina teased playfully.
"I suppose not."
After Emma managed to relax, the date wound up to be a great success. They discussed everything from their favorite childhood cartoons, to their favorite movies, and what kind of food they could eat every day. For the first time in a long while, both of them felt like normal people having normal conversations.
Neither Emma or Regina had noticed David beaming at them the whole night, feeling overjoyed at what he was witnessing. Jones and Robin had left within thirty minutes of their arriva, leaving Graham behind to keep watch, which gave him plenty of time to admire his daughter's smile as she looked at Regina. It was a happiness she hadn't displayed since she was an innocent child, and he knew it was something he'd have to protect now, seeing as he did a terrible job of it before, so he swore to do right by her this time. He made a mental note to have a talk with his wife upon his return home.
-xxx-
Emma and Regina entered the cabin quietly, not wanting to disturb Ruby in case she was asleep somewhere. After not seeing or hearing anything for several moments, they both sank into the couch, Emma sprawling her feet on the table in front of them.
Regina leaned forward and picked something off the table.
"Hey guys, I'm spending the night with Graham. Don't have too much fun without me. Love, Ruby." Regina read out loud, from the piece of paper she found next to Emma's foot.
"Looks like we've got the whole place to ourselves for the night," Emma said, immediately sensing the shift in the air as soon as she said the words.
"What should we do? We could just call it an early night," Regina said, clearly wanting the opposite.
"No, let's polish off that apple cider and watch a good movie," Emma suggested, knowing a movie could very well lead to cuddling, and she very much wanted to hold Regina again without a nightmare being the precursor.
After debating between The Wizard of Oz (Regina's choice),and The Heat (Emma's, obviously), for almost a half hour, Regina finally won the battle, and they were soon both nursing glasses of cider and sitting side by side, singing along to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
When the Wicked Witch appeared, Emma noticed Regina shuffling closer, regardless of the fact that there wasn't any distance between them, and Emma hoisted her arm up and over Regina, pulling her over her chest. Regina instantly relaxed into the embrace, resting her head on Emma's opposite shoulder.
When Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tinman, Scarecrow, and Toto finally made it to Oz, Regina became restless. She knew exactly why. Emma's warmth was seeping in to every inch of her body, rendering her weak and needy.
Having had enough of the lingering eye contact and gentle embraces, Regina sat up and faced Emma, biting her bottom lip to hide a smirk.
Emma forgot how to breathe in that moment. She knew that look.
Regina, reading Emma's face correctly, swung her leg on Emma's other side, effectively straddling her. She stared into sparkling emeralds, whispering, "Is this okay?"
Remembering her voice, Emma managed to get out a breathy "yes" before Regina took control of her lips, easing her into a state of complete bliss.
The next motions happened swiftly. Emma stood, holding Regina by her legs and walking to the bedroom, engulfed in fiery kisses the entire way. Emma gently dropped Regina on the queen sized bed, trailing kisses down her neck. She climbed over Regina, smiling from ear to ear.
"You're beautiful, Regina."
Regina smiled back, unbuttoning Emma's shirt as she hummed. "Enough talking, Emma."
-xxx-
"Mary Margaret! Where are you?" David yelled, slamming the front door shut with as much force as he could.
After getting no answer, he stomped down the hallway to her study. Sure enough, there she was, sitting with a cocky grin on her face.
"Hello, my love. What's wrong?" She said, her voice oozing with toxicity.
"You know damn well what's wrong. What the hell are you planning to do to our daughter? And why the hell would you ever dare to go after a Mills directly without cause? Have I taught you nothing of this life, Mary Margaret? You're getting cocky. You've become greedy and spiteful. I've seen it. And if what I've heard is true, your heart is as black as coal. How could you hurt her? Your own child! She deserves better, and I will not allow you to continue this madness!" David burst. This was a long time coming, if he were honest. His wife had been changing so much, he hardly recognized her anymore. He'd been waiting to say these things for far too long.
"David Nolan, how dare you! I'm trying to protect us! How do you think it will look when word gets out to the other families that our daughter is parading around all lovey-dovey with the enemy! She has to be dealt with or she will undo all that we've built. It's all for the greater good, don't you see?" She reached up to him, but he pushed her away, forcing her to step back a few feet. She stared at him with a dangerous glint in her eyes.
"I don't care, Mary Margaret! That's our daughter you're planning to hurt, and I won't allow it! This is the end of the line. You stop what you're doing or I walk away," he crossed his arms, fuming with defiance.
"Don't you dare threaten me when you know perfectly well you'd be sacrificing everything for a nobody." She spat, but David refused to submit.
"No, there is no greater good here. Don't mess with Emma, or I'll be forced to stop you. Fair warning, Mary Margaret."
"But everything will change, David! And we have it so good right now. We don't need peace among the families, we need more power!"
"For the last time, Mary Margaret, no!" David bellowed.
"But she's not even your real daughter! She's not worth it, David! Your constant coddling is exactly what turned her into the sensitive and stubborn snot she is today. This was your doing, dear. I'm only fixing your mistakes," Mary Margaret stormed out of the room, leaving David fuming.
"Maybe it's about time things did change, dear."
David drove to a fancy hotel that night, booked a room, and got completely drunk between the hotel's lavish bar on the main floor, and the minibar in his suite. His marriage was over. His only responsibility now was to protect his daughter. Regardless of what Mary Margaret felt on the subject, in the depths of his heart David knew that Emma was and always would be, his darling daughter.
He also knew Mary Margaret was highly underestimating Emma. She was smarter than them and if Mary Margaret was really planning to harm her or Regina, there would be hell to pay, and it would be Mary Margaret's price. Emma was a force of nature, and only fools try to corrupt nature.
