Starting this chapter in a rare moment of the keyboard working so let's see how far I get! And yes the slow burn is killing me, but that last chapter burned a little brighter right?
Oh and to the Guest reviewer on the last chapter I picture this taking place a year after they rescue Henry from Pan. No second curse, no Zelena (thank god), and no missing year for Emma, Regina, or the Charming's. So there is no Baby Neal (at least not yet and not in this story sorry)
Chapter 10
Ruby was nearly beside herself with glee. When she had stepped back from the machine and rejoined Belle at the counter she caught sight of Emma and Regina's fingers wrapped together.
Yes, yes, yes! It's working! Ruby nudges Belle, when the other woman looks to her Ruby nods slightly at the Sheriff and Mayor. Belle looks over and then gives a small grin, her eyes lighting up. Ruby looks towards Tink to see if she's noticed. Tink's amused smirk says it all, when the little blonde looks up Ruby winks, and the other woman chuckles silently shaking her head.
Ruby looks once more at the women, waiting for one of them to look up. Regina does first, and she freezes slightly at the looks she receives.
"Is something wrong?" Emma glances up then too, eyes darting between the women suspiciously. The arm that went below the table tenses and shifts slightly closer to Regina. Like she tightened her grip. Oh man this is too good!
"No, nothing's wrong. We were just wondering who was going to go first?" Emma relaxes then.
"Oh right, of course. Well—"Regina interrupts before she can finish however.
"I'll go first."
"Okay, good. Well step right up Madame Mayor, and enlighten us." Ruby winks at Regina. Regina gives her a small smile in turn, and then turns to walk behind Emma and around the counter to the machine. Her hand hovers over the machine once again, before setting it down she turns slightly to eye the group. Or more likely one of us. Can't look though it'd be too obvious. Regina then squares her shoulders and places her hand on the plate.
"I knew you were
You were gonna come to me
And here you are
But you better choose carefully
Cause I, I'm capable of anything
Of anything and everything
…
Mark my words
This love will make you levitate
Like a bird
Like a bird without a cage
But down to earth
If you choose to walk away, don't walk away
It's in the palm of your hand now baby
It's yes or no, no maybe
So just be sure before you give it all to me
All to me, give it all to me
…
Everyone's eyes go wide when the next part of the song plays. Ruby's eyes find Emma's, and the blonde's eyes are a sparkling green.
She's a beast
I call her Karma (come back)
She eats your heart out
Like Jeffrey Dahmer (woo)
Be careful
Try not to lead her on
Shorty's heart is on steroids
Cause her love is so strong
You may fall in love
When you meet her
If you get the chance you better keep her
She's sweet as pie but if you break her heart
She'll turn cold as a freezer
…
So you wanna play with magic
Boy, you should know what you're falling for (you should know)
Baby do you dare to do this?
Cause I'm coming at you like a dark horse (like a dark horse)
Are you ready for, ready for (ready for)
A perfect storm, perfect storm (a perfect storm)
Cause once you're mine, once you're mine (mine)
There's no going back"
Regina turns around well aware everyone's eyes are probably on her, but she looks straight towards Emma's feet and starts walking towards her, not daring to look up. I'm not sure which song was worse. Sex song I could play off, a love song? And that one? Is that even a love song? I don't think it is, shit, shit, shit. She pauses when Emma's feet are right in front of her, and slowly raises her head to look around. To her surprise everyone is smiling, but also trying not to look like they are smiling at anything in particular. Still she avoids looking at the blonde next to her, until she felt fingers grazing the back of her hand. Her eyes are just the most amazing green I've ever seen, wild and sparkling, yet calm and deep. It's entirely perplexing. Her breath then catches. It's her turn now. Her hand shakes a bit, but Emma's hand grabs hers and gives it a reassuring squeeze.
"Wow Regina, a love song with a rap, impressive. Not that I'd expect anything less from you." Ruby's smile is so big and warm that Regina has no twinge of doubt she means every word. Regina smiles back at the tall brunette.
"Thanks, I aim to impress and surprise." Emma chuckles next to her, and bumps her with her arm.
"Well you certainly do that Madam Mayor." Regina turns to smile at her as well.
"Your turn, Sheriff. Amaze us." Regina swallows nervously, but covers it with a shy grin. Emma smirks and nods, squeezing her hand lightly then steps away. Emma's eyes never left Regina's. Regina could feel her heart pounding in her chest, though on the outside the only indication was a slight blush on her cheeks. What are we doing? What am I doing? This is crazy. It doesn't make any sense. Regina slowly takes a breath, her eyes leaving Emma's.
Yet it is so us. When has anything between us made any sense?
She closes her eyes briefly.
Their first meeting a beautiful blonde stranger that peaked her interest, something that hadn't happened in nearly 30 years. Then fear rippling through her body when she realized who the woman was. Emma cutting into her beloved apple tree rising emotions she hadn't felt in years, anger, passion, desire, but for what she was unsure at the time. Emma saying she was leaving Storybrooke, the rage returning and reacting in anger. Henry almost dying at her hand, her grief overwhelming, Henry being okay, both of them seeming to forgive her and protecting her from the enraged crowd and the wraith. Emma touching her and awakening her magic, Emma getting sucked into the portal, feeling loss like she hadn't felt since Daniel, realizing for the first time her feelings towards Emma was more. Emma coming up through the well, relief. Emma scared and confused when the Cricket was apparently dead, sorrow and rage fueled by her mother. The trigger, her hope, her happiness gone, at least Henry would be safe and then Emma. Neverland, her and Emma working together, separate, and together again. Always Emma, no matter what they always found themselves facing each other again.
All of this passing through her mind in a couple moments, Regina opens her eyes again, Emma had paused in front of the machine. Eyes still to her, looking concerned. Regina smiles to reassure she's fine. Emma's smile warms her through. Though that could be the alcohol. She chuckles, and Emma smirks, her eyes crinkling in that way Regina notices she does a lot in their conversations. She's wondering what I'm thinking probably.
"Well, Emma? You gonna go sometime tonight?" Ruby laughs, Belle and Tink joining in. Emma flushes and shoots Ruby a playful glare.
"Pausing for dramatic effect Rubes, sheesh, way to rush a girl. This is a big moment, a looooove song." Emma rolled her eyes in her typical fashion, a fact that never failed to annoy Regina when it was aimed towards her. Now she just chuckles along with everyone else. Who would have ever thought I'd feel at home with these people. I never thought I would find something to be happy for again. Regina met Emma's eyes again in that moment. Now maybe I have. Regina watches Emma place her hand on the machine, and listens as the music begins to play.
"Friday night beneath the stars
In a field behind your yard,
You and I are paintin' pictures in the sky
And sometimes we don't say a thing
Just listen to the crickets sing
Everything I need is right here by my side
And I know everything about you
I don't wanna live without you
…
Just a small town boy and girl
Livin' in a crazy world
Tryin' to figure out what is and isn't true
And I don't try to hide my tears
The secrets or my deepest fears
Through it all nobody gets me like you do
…
When I'm with anybody else it's so hard to be myself
Only you can tell
That I'm only up when you're not down
Don't wanna fly if you're still on the ground
It's like no matter what I do
Well you drive me crazy half the time
The other half I'm only trying to let you know what I feel is true
And I'm only me
Who I wanna be
Well, I'm only me when I'm with you
With you"
Well I hope you guys enjoyed that, I had the longest weekend of my life. I went to a Marine pool event (sort of like a camp) and got screamed at by actual drill instructors (utterly terrifying, they made me cry, though not in front of them I waited until I got to my bunk), did a hell of a lot of physical activity (some martial arts which was fun), and managed to hurt myself in true me fashion (sprained thigh, how the fuck does that happen?), and ate MRE (field rations, which are not good on your stomach not used to them), and my face is very red and shiny cause it was hella hot positively boiling. Somehow I felt inspired to write today (I got back at 12:30pm). And now I am sleepy and going to bed. I look forward to your reviews! And I promise some one-on-one lady time next chapter, damn the slow burn!