"She shoots, she scores!" Emma high-fived herself as the wadded-up, reject expense form went sailing into the corner trash can.
This day was like most in Storybrooke, boring and uneventful. Most of the morning had been spent filing reports, making paper footballs, and now, wadding up old paperwork for her unofficial NBA career. The hungry grumble that came from her stomach signaled that it was getting close to lunch-time. Ughhh where is Ruby?!
Blondie: The fuck is you man? I'm starvin' Marvin over here.
Wolfie: Some of us actually have jobs, jackass.
Blondie: I'm the sheriff!
Wolfie: In the most boring town in New England since everyone stopped being all villainy.
Blondie: Still counts…
Wolfie: Righhttttt. I'll be over there in 10 if Granny loosens the collar. There's like, 3 friggin' people here.
Blondie: As the Sheriff, I commend her for being a responsible dog owner.
Wolfie: First off fucker, I'm a wolf. Second off, fuck you. Third off, I'm delivering your lunch. Keep it up and I'll eat the pickle spear on the walk over.
Blondie: THEM FIGHTIN' WORDS!
Wolfie: Keep talkin' shit, see what happens.
Blondie: Can you bring me a chocolate shake too?
Wolfie: You're an asshole.
Blondie: Thanks, buddy!
Emma was bending to pick up the wastebasket full of paper when the station door flew open, promptly scaring her senseless and the basket flew out of her hands.
"The food queen has arrived!" Bellowed Ruby.
Emma stared down at the mess and frowned, "You're a serious asshole. Come help me pick this up."
Ruby laughed and crossed the room, "Nope. You called me a dog, clean up your own shit."
"Who knew the big bad wolf was so sensitive?"
Ruby scowled, "Who knew a Charming could be such a dick?"
After gathering up the mess of wadded up dead trees, Emma cleared off the nearby desk and pulled up a second chair as Ruby tossed the two sacks of food onto the desk. The waitress flopped into one of the seats and started her interrogation.
"Spill it, Swanny."
"The fuck did you just call me?"
"You're avoiding. Answer the question." Ruby shot her a sharp look.
Emma groaned, "So, I told you about her kicking me out, yeah?"
Ruby nodded. "Uh-huh. Post-kiss,"
"Yeah… Post-kiss" The blonde nervously cleared her throat, "This weekend was really nice Rubes. I can't remember the last time I felt so… At home. She's so light when you get her away from the bullshit. And she wears these cute little square glasses when she reads. I dunno man. She's something special, almost too special to go near. Now, I'm going to tell you something and I swear I'll hide your cloak if you breathe a word of this."
The waitress nodded, "I'm a gossip, but not with my friends. I promise."
Emma took a deep breath and continued, "So… I was helping Mary Margaret clean the loft a little bit ago and amongst some weird ass shit that I'm not explaining, I found a journal. It looked like most journals, that was, until the words started showing up without anyone writing."
"What the fu-"
"Lemme finish," Emma cut her off, "I can't explain it, but it's somehow connected to Regina's journal that Dr. Hopper makes her keep. I know it's fucked up but I kinda, sorta, perhaps, maybe totally read her entries…" The words came out in a rush.
"Emma!"
"I know!" She threw up her hands in frustration. "I'm an asshole and a creep."
"Is this why you started trying to get closer to her?"
Emma shook her head, "No. I've been drawn to her since the first night I've been here. She's a fucking powerhouse. Even when we fought about Henry, I wanted to kiss the anger away. I sound crazy. Who the fuck says shit like that?" She dropped her head onto the desk with a light thud.
"Is that rhetorical or do you want my opinion?"
The response came out muffled and quiet. "You're gonna tell me anyway."
Ruby laughed. "You're not wrong there. Okay, so, this is how I see it. You're tits up in this situation. Don't give me that look. You are. You're ass over teakettle in love with Regina fucking Mills, you're reading her personal thoughts in a journal without her consent, and the attraction is obviously mutual."
"But she kicked me out after kissing me!" Emma whined.
"Was there anything in the journal that would explain why she did that?"
"I, uh… I haven't read it yet. I was hoping to preserve my dignity if she said I was a bad kisser."
"Em, do you remember that drunken girl's night a couple months back?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" A light blush covered Emma's cheeks.
"I know for a fact you're not a bad kisser so that's not the problem."
"Can we get back to my sober problems?"
Ruby reached across the desk and punched her friend's arm. "Nut up, Swan. You have three choices in this scenario. One, tell Regina that you have this journal and pray to the fairies that she doesn't scorch you like I do eggs. Two, keep the journal, but don't tell Regina and keep being creepy as hell. Or three, dump the journal and stop the sexy times with the mayor."
"WE HAVEN'T HAD SEX!" Emma yelled in a shrill voice.
"Calm down. Jesus. Granny probably heard that from the diner."
The blonde let out a huff, "I'm sorry. I know I want to tell Regina about the journal, I just don't know when a good time is. Especially considering the hard-left turn we took last night. Rubes. She friggin' straddled me like Seabiscuit and blew my mind to the point where I'm pretty sure I changed religions. Then it was like, 'wham, bam, thank you ma'am' and out the door after I mentioned her magic."
"What about her magic?"
A light bulb went off in Emma's head, "Oh shit, Rubes."
"Oh shit what?"
"Fuck."
"Emma, what?"
Emma got up and started pacing. "Fuuuuuuuuck."
"You're not too good at charades so why don't you start using more syllables?"
"Her magic, Rubes. I mentioned her magic. I forgot to tell you about that. She's going through this weird magical withdrawal shit because she's going cold turkey. We hung out most of yesterday together and she was fine, but before I went to pick up the kid she had an episode."
Ruby frowned, eyebrows drawing together, "What kind of episode?"
Emma ran a hand through her hair, "It was rough, dude. I was outside and I heard glass break so I came running in to find Regina's hand bleeding and the whole kitchen was thick with magic. She looked wicked rough, tense as hell. It's how we eventually ended up in the living room kissing. I carried her in there because she pretty weak after I took enough of the magic from her."
Ruby got out of her seat and stopped her friend's pacing, "You did what?!"
Emma shrugged, "I told her I wanted to help and she told me how to take the magic from her. Actually, she was pretty impressed I could take so much." The blonde smirked.
Ruby rolled her eyes. "I'm leaving that shit alone."
Emma walked back to her seat and carefully lowered into it. "I think I know what happened."
Ruby sat across from her. "The magic?"
The sheriff reached into the takeout bag and grabbed her grilled cheese, "Yeah. And now, I can't really blame her for icing me out. We created a bubble around ourselves, enjoying the kiss and closeness, then I go popping it by bringing up something that made her look vulnerable."
The pair sat in silence as they ate their lunches, letting the information sink in. Ruby thought for a moment and carefully chose her next words.
"She can't just stop using magic, Emma."
Emma looked up at her friend as she was mid bite into the sandwich, cheese stringing from the grilled morsel. She spoke with her mouth full.
"What?"
"Ew dude. Chew and swallow next time. I said, she can't just stop using magic. It's every bit a part of her as the wolf is a part of me. I can't get rid of my wolf any more than she can her magic."
Emma swallowed and set down the sandwich, "What happens if she doesn't use it?"
Ruby grimaced, "Remember when the curse broke and I wolfed out and killed Billy?"
"She's not a wolf, Ruby."
"No shit, Sherlock. I tried pushing my wolf down instead of embracing it and allowing for it to blow off steam, so, it rebelled and took over."
Emma slumped back into her chair, foregoing the rest of her sandwich, suddenly not hungry anymore. Thoughts of the magic overtaking Regina and consuming her swirled through the Sheriff's mind. I can't let that happen.
"So, she has to regularly use it so it doesn't build up and lose its shit?"
"That's one way of putting it. But, kinda, yes. It's not that she has to necessarily, control it, but learn to coincide with it. At least, that's how I manage my wolf. And if you think I'm a bitch…"
The women's conversation eventually trailed off to other topics, like work and family. Ruby was fighting with Granny about wanting to explore places outside Storybrooke and Emma was struggling with making the adjustment from "Mary Margaret" to "Mom." They parted ways with a hug and promises to message each other later. Emma was left leaning against a filing cabinet by the window, a sick feeling spreading in the pit of her stomach as she ran through all the possible scenarios of having the magic talk with Regina. Hey, remember how everyone said you're a monster for using magic? I guess you kinda have to use it to not turn into a monster. Surprise!
"I'd rather fist-fight with Leroy than do this."
"Surely I haven't assigned anything so vile as to warrant that comparison."
Emma whipped around to face the voice and, with all the grace of a baby giraffe, slammed her knee into the side of the short filing cabinet. A slew of explicative flew from her lips and the sheriff gingerly rubbed the injured knee, only looking up when she heard the sound of familiar heels approach.
"Are you alright, Dear?"
The former queen knelt in front of Emma and inspected the injury as a concerned mother would. Emma felt her throat tighten and stomach flop when the other woman's hand examined her knee. How can this hurt so bad and still be hot?
"I- I'm okay. It'll bruise but I've had worse. What are you doing here?"
"Can't the mayor check in on her sheriff?" Regina looked up at her with a smirk.
Her sheriff. "I guess."
Regina rose, averting her eyes and ran a nervous hand through dark locks. "Truthfully, I came to speak with you about last night."
Emma crossed her arms defensively, "Uh-huh."
"I apologize for my behavior. After you had left, I realized how cruel it must have seemed." Sad cognac eyes found observing aquamarine ones.
"I get it, Regina." Emma loosened her arms and reached out for an olive-tone hand.
Regina tentatively took Emma's hand, "I don't think you do, Miss Swan."
Emma laughed, "Regina, you seduced my soul with your lips last night, you're gonna start calling me Emma. I'll let it slide this time because we're at the station but next time I better hear Emma. Understood?"
A dark blush spread across the mayor's cheeks. "Yes."
"I'm going to throw a couple thoughts out and you let me know if I get close. Okay?"
"Alright."
"It was pretty obvious that the magic scared the crap out of you. I don't think anyone has ever told you or reinforced that it's okay to be scared. Then you kissed me, which was almost as intimate as taking in your magic. You're not the kind of woman to give up her power willingly and, if forced to do it, you fight back twice as hard."
"Emma-"
"There we go." Emma squeezed her hand and beamed.
Regina cracked a smile. "Emma, I'm sorry. I'm not very good at. This." She motioned widely.
"And what do you think 'this' is?" Emma mimicked her gesture, smiling encouragingly.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. What are we? What is this?"
Emma draped the brunette's arms over her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug. "One thing it isn't is a lie. I don't expect anything from you and I'll never force you to be or do anything you don't want to."
Regina slid her fingers into blonde curls and relaxed into the embrace. "What if I lose control?' The voice was barely audible.
Emma nuzzled her ear and whispered, "Then I'll follow you to the edge of the darkness and carry you back."
The former queen gently tugged the curls, urging Emma's head back, "Such a Savior."
"A Charming Savior." Emma winked.
"An idiot to boot, as well." Regina laughed.
Emma brought one of her hands from Regina's hips and softly caressed her cheek. The arms around Emma's neck slackened and hands rested high on her sternum, causing goosebumps to form all over her body.
"Emma," Regina said quietly.
"Yes?" Say it again. Never stop saying it.
"Kiss me."
Emma turned them around and pinned Regina against the taller filing cabinet. She ran her hands down the mayor's sides until sliding back to firmly grip the skirt covered mounds she loved so much. The tight-lipped moan that came from below her was quickly muted by the presence of Emma's lips. She felt the remnants of Regina's magic come alive inside of her, co-mingling with her own and sending jolts of arousal through her system. Regina's hands had claimed purchase on her hair once again, but the grip was tighter, pulling her closer every time Emma tried turning away to take a breath. Regina let out a moan of surprise when Emma lifted her higher in her arms and trailed kisses roughly down her throat, not stopping until a tongue grazed the top of the partially opened blouse. Teeth sunk into the supple flesh and Emma groaned when she felt nails dig into her scalp.
"Emma!" Regina gasped.
"Yes, My Queen?" The sheriff responded and licked over the bite mark, feeling nails dig in harder.
"Gods…" A guttural moan fell from painted lips.
"Tell me what you need." Emma duplicated the bite mark on the other breast.
"Yes!" Regina cried out, holding the other woman's head in place.
Emma licked the second bite and kissed it as she let Regina slide down to sit on the smaller filing cabinet. She stumbled forward when heel-covered feet hooked behind her calves and a hand fisted in her shirt.
"Madame Mayor, getting awfully handsy, aren't we?" Emma teased, tracing the bite marks with her thumbs.
Regina's voice was raw with desire, "Perhaps you should arrest me, Sheriff Swan."
The front door of the station slammed open and the women sprang away from each other. Regina straightened out her pencil skirt and blouse while Emma threw her disheveled hair into a disguising messy bun. The women had just finished cleaning the smudged lipstick off their faces when David walked in, completely oblivious to what had taken place just moments before.
"Oh, hey Regina. I didn't know you were going to be here. I can come back."
"Nonsense, the sheriff and I are finished. I will be working from home for the rest of the day if you require my assistance." Regina turned and winked discreetly at Emma.
Emma smiled back, "Will do, Madame Mayor."
David waved as the mayor exited, "Have a good day, Regina."
"So, what's up Dad?"
"Hey, kiddo. I know you've been avoiding your mom and me because of the conversation yesterday."
Emma's expression hardened. "Avoiding and removing myself from a volatile situation are two different things."
"We weren't trying to upset you, Emma. I'm sorry if that's how it came across."
"We are Henry's mothers, period, end of discussion. We've all done some shitty things in our past but they don't define who we choose to be for the future."
David sighed, "Honey, I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm not your enemy, neither is your mother. She and Regina have a more colorful past with each other than any of us do and it's going to take her a while to adjust, that's all."
"Henry hears when you guys talk about her, in case you were curious. I don't appreciate that, at all. You two actually managed to put the fear of God into our son about visiting his own damn mother. That shit isn't flying with me and it will stop right now. Do I make myself abundantly clear?"
David shuffled uncomfortably, "Yes, you do. And I apologize for your mother and me. We never intended on Henry hearing our conversations, it won't happen again."
Emma softened, "You're right, it won't. Henry will be spending a lot more time with Regina and I will be looking for a place of my own."
He nodded solemnly, "I'm not surprised. I wish you would reconsider because we both know your mother isn't going to be happy, but your happiness comes first."
She started to smile, "Thanks, Dad."
He pulled her into a bear hug, squeezing tightly, "I love you and know better than to argue with any woman in this family."
Emma let out a gruff laugh, "That's a wise choice."
He released her and pointed at the door. "I'm going to head out and help your mom grocery shop. Are you going to be home for dinner?"
Sitting back at her desk, she retrieved her phone. "Yeah, unless Henry needs help with his project tonight or if I get any late calls. I'll shoot you a text and let you know."
David nodded and exited the station. The sheriff stared down at her phone, fingers ghosting over the keys in temptation to text a certain queen playing hooky for the day. She was surprised to see a text pop up on her screen before she had the chance.
My Majesty: I meant to thank you for the coffee this morning. Interesting word choice, Sheriff.
Sheriff Crooner: Just thought I'd write down what goes through my head every time I see you.
My Majesty: Well, play-on words do entertain simple minds.
Sheriff Crooner: You weren't complaining what my mind made me do not too long ago.
My Majesty: I'm going back to work now.
Sheriff Crooner: It's not nice to tell lies, Pinocchio. We both know you're not working right now. I bet you're nowhere near the office. My money is on the bedroom.
Regina frantically looked around the bedroom, as if expecting Emma to be hidden somewhere in the corners or doorway. She rolled her eyes and typed out a response.
My Majesty: What makes you so sure of yourself?
Sheriff Crooner: When you're stressed, you smell like lavender and vanilla. It's too light to be perfume so I assumed it's from bath oils, which would be from the bathroom connected to your bedroom.
My Majesty: I believe it's time to investigate a restraining order.
Sheriff Crooner: Just doing my job, lady. ;)
Sheriff Crooner: Hey, quick question. Does Henry need any help with his project tonight?
My Majesty: Are you making an excuse to see me again so soon, Sheriff?
Sheriff Crooner: I think I need to take a trip to my closet before that. I would love to see you again but, I was actually serious about the project.
My Majesty: Henry and I should be capable on our own for the project but perhaps we could plan for a family dinner for later in the week.
My Majesty: If I don't respond to your message it is because I will be in the bath. I'm in need of something more satisfying than a mere change of clothing.
The iPhone dropped from Emma's hands after she read Regina last response. Did she just imply what I think she did? She leaned back as a fresh wave of heat pooled between her legs but completely misjudged the flexibility of the old chair and went crashing to the floor.
"FOR FUCK'S SAKE!"