It starts as a shudder. She is still asleep, completely knocked out. The shudder however shakes her feet a little and she moves a few inches. The feeling is still there, like a murmur low but constant that holds onto her. A second shudder makes her leave her slumber behind. She identifies the feeling; she is being watched, they are staring at her. She opens her eyes –that feel blotchy as if she had been sleeping for days. And Henry's little blue eyes smile back at hers.
"You are awake…" He whispers.
"No" She growls against the pillow "You woke me up"
"It was for the best, you have been asleep for a while" Is he mocking her? She raising a brow against the scratchy fabric of the sheets and the boy smiles. Yes, he is mocking her. She grabs that insolent child and her fingers hover dangerously close to his tummy. Tickles, tickles without any mercy.
Henry struggles against the mattress and tries to defend himself instead of laughing but is impossible. He surrenders between guffaws; "I was joking, I was joking, I have just woken up too"
Emma is merciful and so she stops the torture eyeing the cabin. It's her room, the same one in which she made the travel back towards Neverland and she still has one bed although is big enough for an adult and a half. "We have both slept here?"
"Yes, don't you remember?"
"I must haven't reach here on my own two feet kiddo" She states letting herself fall comically against the mattress. The questions arrive in less than a blink at that.
"They brought you here like they did it to me? Something happened?"
"We got attacked" She remembers everything. Everything. And she doesn't know how to tell him.
"You got attacked?!"
"Yes…"
"Who?"
"Sirens…"
"…Sirens?"
"Sirens" Emma repeats, convinced.
Henry thinks for an instant if sirens can be considered an enemy or even a danger. Everything he knows about them is that they can seduce men until they drown but nothing more dangerous than that. "And what happened? Is everyone all right?"
"Yes, yes, no one is injured. They covered their ears in time and they even tied themselves before they came close enough to the ship" She herself had thought about covering her ears but she hadn't known how to explain it and that shame had make her loose those valuable seconds. A moment after that she had end up singing happily while walking slowly towards her death. "I was very close to fall out of the deck though"
Henry's eyes widen at that "You were almost eaten by a siren?"
"Or whatever they do those aquatic witches, yes…"
"They hexed you? But I thought they only did that to men…" Bingo, that must be the question everyone on the ship must be thinking right now. Perhaps she can hide on the cabin and not come out until she learns how to make herself invisible. One or two months would be enough. "They are more powerful than what I had read about them… "Henry mumbles deep in thought. A second after though he is looking at Emma with his eyes light up and a big smile. "Breakfast?"
The blonde raises both brows and smiles. She doesn't know if those words are born from the innocence of her not-so-little son or the frankness he shows all the time or… born from hunger. Whatever it may be she smiles back happily.
"Last one is a silly mermaid!" She screams, running as if the dark one was behind her towards the kitchen.
"Hey! That's cheating!" Henry screams at her back "I don't even know where we are going!"
-.-
The noise precedes the two runners and four heads turn towards them when they see Emma enter the place, raising her arms. Henry, a little tired and more importantly, angry, arrives second gasping and muttering something about "cheating" and "another one". However, Emma laughs and hugs him from behind, dragging him towards the center of the room. Is then when she sees the amused faces of the spectators. Neal, Snow, David and Regina are in the kitchen and they haven't lost a second of that entrance.
"The sleeping beauties" Snow smiles is as tender as her joke and doesn't asks before hugging Emma.
"Good morning darling" Regina mumbles at the same time leaving a kiss on Henry's head. "Do you want some breakfast?" The huge hunger-filled smile is enough for her to start preparing him a bowl with the cereals and fruits Philip's village gave them.
Emma let her eyes wander for a second. However, by coincidence, is just Regina's back everything she sees. "Have we really slept that much?"
"Let see… you fell unconscious at noon and is half past nine of morning" Says jokingly David "I would definetely say that that is under my description of what a deep slumber is" Emma's face turns shameful for a second and the prince pities her. "I'm glad you are ok"
It has been just a few minutes since she opened her eyes but she doesn't need more to remember what happened at the deck. If she wouldn't have been half unconscious she would have probably dreamt about it. About Regina asking for her not to jump, to stay with her. About her looking at her when she smiles, when she isn't looking, every time. She sacred the shit out of them and she doesn't want to be selfish but she is unable to remember that and not smile. She is able to hide it a little, feign that she is not the happies woman in Neverland but inside her there is Regina's voice whispering "But I want it more, much more"
She picks an apple and hides the smile biting it. She seats with the others trying to be closer to Regina. However, the mayor stands up in that moment to pick up more water and when she returns she seats on the other side of the table. Now she knows that she is avoiding her and she doesn't know if she should be angry or amused. She reaches for a bowl. She imagined that it wasn't going to be easy. Nothing is with Regina… but does she plan on ignoring her? That's her big strategy after what happened? "And, what's sadder mayor, do you think I'm going to accept?"
She huffs and looks around her, trying to focus on anything else before her brain explodes and the million tiny-Regina's she has inside escape with it. Henry is devouring everything at his arm's reach and she chooses not to think when was the last decent meal he had. Her parents look at him with a deep-engrained grandparent-y pride and Neal jokes with him while trying to pick up a bite of his toast.
"And Hook and Rumplestiskin?" She asks looking directly at Regina. She has discovered a new hobby, search for her eyes as she ignores her completely. Of course the brunette doesn't even flinch or bothers with an answer and is Neal who leaves Henry's toast and answer her. Even if he sounds completely normal is a feat to make those eyes focus on her for more than a second and whenever they do there is a shameful look abnormal on him. She really can't say anything about it, she doesn't either know how to look at him.
"Holding the helm as long-time buddies and deciding the best route" Emma's brows raise at that, almost touching her hairline and Neal bursts out laughing. "Surprised, right? There is nothing this kiddo can't do"
"Me?" Asks Henry with his cheeks ballooned out due to the food he is ingesting.
"You, yes, and close your mouth or at least half of your breakfast is going to escape" Regina's warn is made with a smile and Henry ends up smiling at her while trying to not open it so much. The mayor feels Emma's eyes looking at the scene and ignores them like the rest of the sheriff.
The savior is resigned. She isn't going to stop looking at her but she fears that Regina's resolve is as strong as her pig-headedness. She assumes that is not the right moment and that she will need to wait for a better place to talk to her. Nervousness though keep attacking her, growling and mewling, running her patience thin. Patience has never been her forte.
"Speaking of those landlubbers, is my turn to substitute them" Neal speaks up in the placid silence that has installed itself around the table and breakfast. "I was thinking that perhaps some cabin boy would want to go with me and learn how to work the handle. What do you think?"
"Are you serious?" Henry's face is filled with happiness. "Let's go" He exclaims while tugging the sleeve of his father. As they exit they can still hear him "I'm going to sail a ship!"
None of the other four hide a smile. Regina's though disappears in a second as she feels the insistent gaze of Emma. She doesn't even seem to have something to say. She just looks at her as if she was looking at a painting. She doesn't like that sensations of pupils running up and down her body and evading her eyes is not enough to stop the effect they had on her. Emma unbalances her and Regina starts wishing for her to have jumped. She has a foolproof remedy, keep ignoring the insufferable Miss Swan.
"I think I will also go up and see if there the ship moves as strongly as inside" She murmurs more than for her collar than for anyone else. Is undeniable that her steps aren't as steady or as straight as they should and David is even tempted to stand and help her as she sways. However, even dizzy Regina is able to keep herself together and tries to exit to the deck on her own footing.
"Regina, are you ok?" Emma's question is born out of real worry but Regina is having any of it, genuine or not.
"Marvelous miss Swan" The brunette's voice is able to play with any word and turn even the politest of answers in a cold, ironic one. Despite of her pride she has distracted and she has looked at Emma. Meeting with those indigo eyes in that second her face turns into an angry one. So much to even shot him one of her nasty looks. However, Emma smiles stronger and basks on those brown eyes she has missed so much. Not even the dismissal is enough to sadden her. With or without it the brunette isn't immune to her own gaze. She knows that and her smiles grows even when she sees her go.
"So… we need to say goodbye to Neal as a son-in-law, right?" David's question cuts the air between them and Emma turns abruptly, almost giving herself a whiplash. She looks at them without hiding her fear. However, her mother just laughs and David tries to hold her own. What they are talking about? Is she so obvious?
"What do you mean?" Emma sounds so ashamed that Snow elbows her husband, trying to chastise him even if they end up chuckling softly.
"The sirens, sweetheart" Answers the brunette at the end. Emma figures she can breathe freely now but she refrains herself until she has the confirmation of what her mother is talking about. "We have come to the idea that if SHE enchanted you…" She re-marks the pronoun and Emma's blush only deepens. At least they hadn't realized who is her best candidate to switch it up with Neal… which doesn't reduce the shame of needing to have this talk with her parents.
"I, well…"
"Emma, we are fine with it. Boy or girl, we only want for you to be happy" Snow talks first squeezing her hand tenderly"
"Thank you" She still looks like streetlight but she hopes for her skin to one-day return to its normal color. Or at least turn itself into amber. Is she really coming out of the closet with her disappeared parents? So much of missing her family and for a second she wouldn't mind to not have found them…
"It would be like having two daughters" Snow says happily and David starts laughing again as Emma hides her head between her arms. Yes, and with a bit of luck that daughter would have been her mother's stepmother… She needs to reach Storybrooke and swallow the biggest aspirin ever invented.
-.-
She is a caged beast. Her cage however is a lot of water and not enough bars. She feels caged and oppressed inside that damned ship and the only good thing in that damned boat has eleven years old and is at the helm with Neal. Meanwhile she is facing the rail trying not to vomit nor get dizzy and waiting for the words "On with the bean" How much they are going to delay it? If some siren enters Storybrooke she will fry her. She has done it once; she can do it as many times as it proves necessary.
Thinking about sirens do nothing with her bad mood. Those pathetic creatures have complicated her intent on ignoring the sheriff. Now the blonde is more assured of herself, more difficult and Regina can't say she doesn't want to throw her out of the ship herself. If she keeps looking at her like she is doing, with those smirks and talking to her… she will end what that half-fish half-bitch started… Maybe it wouldn't have been bad to let them know each other. Perhaps the little mermaid and Emma had things in common.
However, with just that thought her insides twist and turn. And there it comes that annoying buzz. That damned mumble about how she wouldn't have let her jump. Or worse, if she would have jumped she would have probably go out after her. Shaking her head, she exiles those ideas from her head and pinches the bridge of her nose. She needs to go out from that boat and maintain her distance. Not having the satellite that has become Emma keep circling her and stop feeling from once and for all.
The bad guys can't have a moment though and the wood protests when a set of footsteps come closer to where she is. Henry is still far away with his father and in the ship there is only a person pig-headed enough to bother her. She turns wearing her best face of "I'm-going-to-murder-swans" confirming her suspicions.
Emma tilts her head a few cautious meters away. "How is your shoulder?"
"Goodbye, miss Swan" She turns her back towards her, focusing on the sea once again. Emma walks a few more steps towards her, trying to start a normal conversation. Regina huffs at her insistency and, without turning to look at her, she moves, leaving her behind.
She walks pass her without even looking at her. Emma though is having none of it. She needs to talk to her, as difficult as it can be. Sounds ridiculous but she has gotten spoiled with Regina and these past few days without being able to come closer to her, talk to her or even touch her had been pure torture. She doesn't even think about it. She starts walking behind her, following her inside the ship once again. Regina can hear Emma's steps and she walks faster. However, as soon as they are hidden inside the ships' belly Emma reaches her with just a couple strides.
Raising her hand, she grasps Regina's and manages for her to stop herself but her fingers burn where she has touched the brunette and she lets her go trying to hide a hiss while the other smirks.
"Are you going to keep ignoring me for much longer?"
"Don't be so dramatic sheriff" She growls ready to resume her steps.
"There were two"
"Two? What are you saying?" Regina arches a brow and chastise herself for it, for having answered her.
"Two women" Is Emma's answer. If she is trying to get a rise out of Regina she is truly managing to do it. If she wants to hold her attention… she is also managing that. The brunette has forgotten that she was escaping to her cabin and, even if she has her arm crossed and her lips in a thin line she is still listening to her. "I've ever been with men except in those two occasions. One was a few years ago, we met each other with more than a few drinks on us. I'm not very proud to admit that I don't even remember her name… The other, Amanda, was from the last home I was in… one only thought for girls" Emma tries to hide a snicker at the ironic look Regina shots at her from that last statement. "She was a very good friend, that was mix between curiosity, lots of care and having fun I guess…"
When Emma stops talking Regina wakes up from a reverie she hadn't realize she had fallen into. A reverie in where Emma talks and she doesn't not only walk away but listens.
"No one has asked you"
And there they go a third full sentence. Emma smiles crookedly, asking herself if it isn't sick how beautiful she looks when she answers her like that. She takes a step, coming closer, taunting Regina. "Not today but yesterday and the day before that and…"
"You are picking things out of context and are pestering me" The brunette stops her, baring her teeth while calculating how many inches there are still between them. Her posture doesn't exactly welcome her to come closer but saviors are stupid due to their nature and they don't understand warnings.
"And you go and pay it to me by saving my life" The blonde answers and her crooked smile turns into a full blow one as she moves closer.
"You and your mother" Regina spits. However, that only serves for Emma to raise her hand and touch her shoulder, close to where the gauze that covers the injure on her shoulder sits. Regina knows that the savior's fingers are burning for every inch they touch but she seems to be decided to hold the pain. She hadn't thought on that and between that and the distance that isn't there anymore she is starting to feel anxious. Something that she always hides by being aggressive. "And what the hell do you think you are doing, sheriff?"
"Nothing that I've never done before" The blonde whispers, moving towards Regina's body, the one who the brunette keeps rigid.
"Don't be ridiculous" She swallows but her voice doesn't fail her. And it won't, not even if Emma wets her lips and claims it with hers. For a second she feels like raving and thinks on their taste, their softness, the way she kisses… but she goes back the present as she barks at her "Don't you know that what happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas?"
Emma's damned smile throbs against her mouth and her fingers get lost on the heat of her neck even if it must be hurting her. "I understand" She whispers so softly that is almost like she is already kissing her "… but we are still in Vegas"
She doesn't see it coming. Or maybe yes but she is unable to take a step backwards.
Emma closes the distance hungrily and trapes her lips with more need than calm. She sinks herself into that kiss, although more than a kiss is a merry dance her lips do against Regina's. She tastes them with soft bites and she is more than ready to be the one at the top if the brunette stubbornly tries to keep herself immutable. However, when her tongue licks those plush lips she feels how they part and welcome her.
She whimpers against her mouth but she doesn't stop, not even to breath. She doesn't want for her to have the time to think this twice. Her fingers tangle themselves on dark tresses and as she moves even closer she feels how Regina's skin stops being burning iron against her fingers to be pure softness once again. She caresses it, basks on it, recreating the kiss, pouring herself into it, giving all of herself into it until Regina pants and grabs her hips. Emma takes a hold on the nape of her neck and, runs her lips down her mouth and the mayor's fingers dig on her flesh.
Emma's body is filled to the brim with such a stream of feelings that not even the hardheadedness of Regina –whose hands are already deep on her hips, grazing her butt- would be able to discuss that she has also fallen. The savior twists her body, carrying with her the brunette's body and pinning her against the wall. The mayor, between the wood and miss Swan sliders against her body and melts on that mouth. She can't say if minutes or mere seconds have passed.
Time, however, doesn't matter. It matters the creaking of the wood that precedes the people in the boat, the sound of those old joist and boards that signal even the quickest of steps. In this case the ones of none other than David.
"Em! Em sweetie, where are you?"
It feels like a cold shower. Those six words open Emma's eyes and brings Regina's hands towards the chest of the blonde. She pushes her until they broke apart and stops the kiss, breaking whatever they had in that freeze-in-time moment, an occasion dedicated solely for them. The savior keeps herself together and doesn't move her hands back from the brunette's neck. Not even after Regina herself lets her own fall. Searching her eyes, she whispers.
"No, no, no…"
In front of her however there is not Regina looking at her, not even the mayor. The Evil Queen herself looks back at her.
Some place far away from them, although coming closer, David voice echoes once again. "Emma?"
"They are calling for you Miss Swan" Regina says, grabbing the sheriffs arm and pushing it away before walking away.
"Regina, please, wait…" She implores grabbing her wrist and stopping her. This time is not invisible fire what grazes her hand as she touches Regina's soft skin but a flame that burns her fingers and makes her retreat.
"Your father should explain you how dangerous is to play with fire…"
"Don't do this…" Emma's voice breaks while grabbing her injured hand.
"Vegas is long gone, sheriff" She turns and walks away with no more consideration for the blonde as to snap her fingers in order to abate the pain on Emma's fingers. The blonde takes a gulp of breath and runs behind her. David is there though and Regina disappears into the stairs as her father approaches her, happy to finally having being able to find her.
"Where were you? They are going to throw the bean, let's go!" He looks like a child and the tenderness that that wakes on Emma is the only reason for the blonde to follow her instead of ignoring him and follow the Evil Queen. She even smiles at him and grabs her arm.
"Let's go home" She whispers happily towards the deck followed closely by David. Worry is still dancing on her head though. Regina. Her taste is still on Emma's lips and that's a tattoo she wants to keep it forever. Her hands buzz with the memory of that soft skin and she feels like dying wanting to touch her again. Kissing her is the most perfect thing she has ever felt, the rightest thing she has ever done and she isn't ready to leave it behind. No.
Las Vegas is long gone? Well, they will see…
Regina may not be aware of it but she has just declared her the war and the land she needs to conquer is the brunette herself. She is sure that it will be a difficult war, that Regina has built up every wall she possesses. She doesn't plan on giving up on her though, she will play until she reaches checkmate but she won't lose to the King but to the Evil Queen.
-.-
Every each of them had taken their positions. Regina remains at one of the sides of the ship with her rope tight on her hips. Henry has been tied to Neal and he as well holds one of the ropes of the sail with the idea of keeping it tense enough as they travel through the vortex. Snow is at the ship's prow, with the place next to her thought for David and Hook and Rumplestiskin are at the helm, ready to keep it steady despite of the complicated travel they are going to suffer.
The last two people of that interesting picture appear on the ship's stairs. Emma decides on putting her at the other side of the boat, in front of Regina's while David runs towards his wife.
"Next stop; Storybrooke" Says Snow as she throws the bean to a distant point in front of them. It sinks with a soft "plop" and then a big vortex swallows the little bean and every drop of water around them like a hungry mouth.
"Hold yourselves!" Hook's scream echoes as the ship jumps forward. Regina grabs the rope slightly anxiously and looks at her son from the corner of her eyes. Henry is firmly being held by Neal and almost out of instinct Regina's gaze moves a few inches towards Emma. The savior is also looking at her. The ship inclines in an almost ant natural angle but Emma remains focused on her. She smiles with a confidence and calmness that drowns her on fear. She is unable to read her intentions because a second after that Emma is the first one to break her stare. Something that confuses Regina even more.
The first violent shake catches the brunette trying to sort through her ideas, trying to understand why that short visual contact has awakened every alarm she owns. A wave wets her from head to toe and she makes herself turn her attention towards to the intent of not ending being up flown away from the ship. Ship that has now sank completely on the vortex. She will have time to analyze that strange gaze…
To be continued…