CHAPTER 9

They remained silent, their back resting heavily on the door, their breath shallow before they burst out laughing. They couldn't help it, the entire situation was just so damn ridiculous. Their nerves gave in. Emma was trying as hard as she could to muffle her laugh and Regina's. Regina's laughter was so loud and contagious. Every time they were close to stop they would look at each other and it would start all over again. It lasted several minutes before they eventually got a grip.

Emma then looked at Regina and something disturbed her, Regina was different, she couldn't place it right away but she knew something wasn't as it used to…wasn't Regina taller than her?!

_"When exactly did you take your heels off?

_"Well my dear you don't pay attention to me anymore, maybe it's time we get divorced.

_"But we've only been a couple for 4 days! I should have listened to my mother and marry someone else. Anyway which side of the bed do you want?

_"I beg your pardon Miss Swan? In what fantasy of yours do you think we are, to believe I would share my bed with you? You are going to sleep on the floor and that's final.

_"Are you kidding? I can't sleep on the floor I have a bad back.

_ "Since sharing a bed was never part of our agreement, I would add that you don't have anything to say dear. I'll get you some blanket and pillows, they are in my dressing room.

_"You even have a freakin dressing room? Emma added following Regina to the dressing room. As she entered said dressing room Emma realized this room might be bigger than her own bedroom. "So this is where magic happens right?

Regina instantly turned around to face the blond woman. "What do you mean?" She asked suspiciously, was Emma implying she knew about Regina's powers? The blond looked rather ill-at-ease at the question.

_"Well, you know…I mean this where you get ready and … well when you get outta there you're all propped up and pretty…I don't mean that you're not before going in, pretty I mean…you know"

_"I'll take that as a compliment although I'm not sure I understood."

Fear: a feeling Regina had been used to her entire life; fear of her mother, fear of her husband, fear of her son leaving her, fear of never being happy. Yes Regina knew exactly what fear felt like. But as Emma was undressing in her bathroom, a new kind of fear gripped the mayor, one that she didn't comprehend. Never had she felt this kind of fear, and she couldn't place whether she was scared of what could happen tonight, or what might never. For fear was not the only feeling Regina was currently experiencing, heat was another. Heat spreading in her entire body, heat that seemed to be there every single moment of the day, a kind of heat which was becoming quickly usual, too quickly the mayor added to herself.

Regina pretended she was reading as Emma got out of the bathroom. The brunette's mind wanderings were put to an end and Earth stood still for a couple of seconds while Regina took in Emma's full beauty. The mayor congratulated herself for lying to Emma, she did have shirts and shorts but she enjoyed watching the blonde in one of her silk nightgowns. Most of all Regina enjoyed Emma's blushing face, the sheriff humbly trying to cover herself up as much as she could. The slim figure quickly made it to the blankets and pillow set randomly on the floor.

_"I love your tube BTW

_"I couldn't care less Miss Swan.

_"Well after paying me so much attention, I think I'll call it a night. Goodnight Madam Mayor.

Emma was clearly hurt by Regina's last comment. Once again Regina felt guilty for what she just said and how she acted around the blonde. She wished she could explain Emma why she was so aggressive towards her but she couldn't and thought better of it before turning off the light.

The mayor laid on her back, staring at the ceiling, listening to her surroundings. She heard the Savior's breathing. None of them was sleeping, they both remained motionless for minutes before Emma started shuffling, turning again and again and again.

_"Trust me Miss Swan, I have no interest in your well-being but since my own comfort is at stake, would you please so stop this noise.

_"Well I would be less noisy if you'd just let me sleep on the bed rather than on the floor. It's hard to sleep when your back hurts you know.

_"Stop complaining like a seven-year-hold child and stop moving. Goodnight sheriff.

_"It won't be good I can assure you.

They stopped talking for several minutes again, Emma not moving. She was pissed off. Who would seriously let someone sleep on the floor when they could share a huge bed? There were enough space for both of them. What was the problem? Did Regina thought she was dirty, or undeserving to share the almighty mayor? Emma couldn't deal with rejection, she had always felt rejected and she hated the feeling. She turned again. Her back was hurting.

_"That's it. I just can't. Whether you like it or not I'm sharing your bed tonight Regina. If you think I'm contagious or something be my guest take the floor.

With this she rose and went to the other side of the bed and went under the covers. She expected to hear Regina's complain but instead the Mayor said nothing.

_ "Ain't you gonna say something?

_ "I could but since it's for the greater good I'll let you sleep here tonight.

Once again they were silent for several minutes. Regina was the first to speak this time:

_"For your information I don't think you're contagious.

_"You could have fooled me.

_"Only my husband ever shared my bed for the night.

_"Wait, you've been married?

_ "I don't know why I told you that, forget about it Miss Swan.

Emma knew better than to keep on that topic. Moreover she was still shocked. Regina had been married. To whom? When? What happened? Did he break her heart? Wait a minute break her heart…this is not a soap opera Swan. Still Emma thought about it again and again, little did she realized that she started shuffling again. The Mayor burst laughing again.

_"Why are you laughing?

_"You are never going to stop moving, are you?

Emma giggled at the other woman's comment

_ "I might add I'm not even tired anymore.

_"Me neither.

_"Why don't we play a game?