Chapter 9

Sitting at her desk, Emma smiled to herself because for once knowing how close she was to the brunette she was right at home. Taking in what Regina had told her, she got stuck in to the work set hoping not to disappoint. Hearing someone enter the building, Emma decided to wait until they approach the desk to look up. When she did she came face to face with the older brunette glaring.

"can I..help you?" Emma was desperately trying to bite her tongue. Cora shook her head cross and walked straight through into Regina's office despite Emma being on her heel.

"Regina?!" Storming up to the desk, Cora sees a confused looking Regina glance over her shoulder while on the phone, then spotting Emma standing at the door.

Putting the phone down, Regina clears her throat trying to hide a smile. "yes mother?"

"would you care to explain as to why you have a no good bar whore sitting at the front desk?"

Emma's mouth drops at the comment and crosses her arms. Regina also looks slightly taken back by the words coming out her mother's mouth. "Mother..she is not a bar whore besides she knows what she is doing unlike the last one"

Cora sighs and walks back to the door pointing at Emma." this isn't over"

Emma watches her out then looks over to Regina. "ouch!"

Regina looks apologetic. "sorry Emma"

Emma shrugs. "not your fault and to be fair I've been called worse"

Regina raises an eyebrow at the last part." well unfortunately she is my mother someone has to apologize for her behaviour"

The rest of the day went past quite quick for both women and Regina couldn't help but notice the odd glances she was receiving for the blonde. It was approaching 5 and Regina could see Emma was still working away and didn't even make an attempt of packing away which the previous assistant would probably had done at half 4 much to Regina's dislike.

Standing in the doorway a moment, Regina just watched her. "Emma can I see you for a moment please?"

Emma stopped what she was filing and looks over nodding secretly hoping she wasn't in any type of trouble. If it was Frank at the bar she wouldn't care less but she really wanted to stay near the brunette. Walking into the office she looks over at Regina sat behind her desk. " you can shut the door"

Emma gulps and shuts the door behind her and stands awkwardly until the mayor informs her to sit.

Regina smiles finding the blonde adorable yet again and knows that she has probably worried her. " Rule no 1 of office, know when the best time of day is.."

Emma frowns watching her as she leans down to the bottom draw retrieving a small bottle and two glasses placing them on the desk causing the blonde to give a huge sigh of relief.

Regina notices pouring the drinks. "is there something wrong Emma?"

Emma shakes her head. "not now.."

Regina passes her the glass and breaks out more of a smile. "I'm sorry I knew exactly what you were thinking and had to play along..seriously you have done nothing wrong why would I fire you?"

Emma looks shocked before giving a little laugh. "your evil, I was ready to cry and everything!"

"well that wouldn't be a problem, you can always have my shoulder"

Emma smiles taking a sip recognising it as apple cider. "I'll hold you to that and what is it with you and apples?"

Regina thinks for a moment frowning. "actually..I don't know"

Emma looks slightly sad knowing it's because she doesn't remember.

Regina oblivious takes a drink and leans back in the chair. " so..this whole thing with my mother?..you said that she tried to kill you because you got in her way when she was trying to stop me being happy?"

Emma bites her lip wondering where this conversation is leading. "yes.."

"why did you get the way?"

Emma looks down knowing it will sound crazy. "I..its..look its nothing.."

"clearly..that's why your shaking?" Regina raises an eyebrow waiting.

"because it was..me..that..was making you happy or so I was told.."

Regina watches her curious. "keep going"

Emma takes a breath. "we..were friends and then..I..kissed you and you left..your mother showed knowing that I somehow..affected you so she wanted to get to you through me"

Regina frowns taking it all in. "okay..but one question?"

Emma looks at her in silence as the brunette looks totally confused. "how could I forget kissing someone like you?"

Emma's eyes widen not sure how to answer that. "erm..well..it's just how it is"

Regina seems to accept the answer and nods. Emma stands quickly putting her now empty glass down. " I think I should pack up now"

Regina doesn't say anything but simply watches Emma walk back out the office. Giving it a moment, Regina stands herself and heads out the door to Emma's desk. " Emma..I.." looking over at the empty desk, Regina sighs before grabbing her jacket and locking up to follow the blonde.

Emma walks down the street mentally kicking herself for walking out like that but she needed to think to re-plan. She wanted more than anything to get close to Regina but didn't realize how difficult she would find it when it started because in the back of her head she knew Regina doesn't remember her. How would the Regina she knew, the queen act when she finds out that her alter ego had been with the blonde and vice versa. Then there was always that myth of a true love's kiss breaking a curse and that could help the brunette remember. One problem that bugged Emma was that although they got close and yes Regina seemed to have this protective hold over her, they only kissed once on her behalf and they weren't even a couple let alone it being true love, she had no idea how the brunette felt..well this one she kind of does but not her Regina.

"why the long face dear?"

Emma straight away rolls her eyes not needing to look over to know who was with her. "nothing to do with you"

Cora smiles. "has she fired you already?"

Emma looks at her wishing she would just leave her be. "not that it's any of your business but no sorry to disappoint"

"that's a shame. If it's not work however it must be something to do with my daughter?"

Emma looks fed up and crosses her arms. "why do you always find a great deal of satisfaction at the lack of you daughters happiness?"

Cora shrugs slightly. "because she took mine? it could of been me..but then she came along"

Emma glares at her for blaming Regina, then glances over seeing a figure approaching Cora in the distance. " so that's it..she can never be happy until you get her life because right now there is no way you would get what you want when we are not in the right place and somehow I don't think you will settle for just being mayor"

Cora smirks wanting to torment the blonde. "well what is stopping you from triggering her memory?"

Emma smiles at Cora while also feeling bad for the person behind her. "because I think you just did..or at least..now she knows what kind of person you really are"

Cora frowns looking over her shoulder to see Regina standing there looking pretty shell-shocked. "Regina..."

Regina reflects the same sort of look that her mother normally gives, showing a type of darkness in her eyes. "you...you had me thinking that Emma was crazy, I knew you were desperate to get rid of her but I didn't think it would be true..you disgust me"

Cora approaches her as Regina just glares backing up. "why don't you do everyone a favour Cora and go dig yourself a hole and stay there"

Walking past her, Regina even walks past Emma who frowns watching her walk off. Looking back at Cora a moment seeing no remorse in her face, Emma shakes her head and heads off after the brunette. "Regina wait! I'm sorry you had to find out like that but I saw you there.. she was goading me and I thought if there was any way in you believing me you would have to hear it from her...I didn't want to upset you"

Regina continues walking with Emma alongside her. "oh I'm not upset Emma I'm pissed"

Emma struggling to keep up grabs her arm to stop her walking. Regina stands still clenching her fist clearly looking angry.

"okay so yell, stamp you feet or..I don't know slap me?"

Hearing Emma trying to give her options of calming down in itself calms her causing her to drop her glare and smile. " Emma I'm not going to slap you"

Emma screws up her face. "but your angry?"

"with her! not you.." Regina looks over at Emma and softens her look bumping shoulders with her. "thank you"

Emma still looks confused. "for what?"

"for being the only one who has been honest with me from the start despite how crazy you thought I was going to think you were, you kept going. I just hope that I knew how to fix this"

Emma smiles sadly wishing she could try with a kiss but doesn't want to bombard the mayor with anymore, so she simply bumps her shoulder back. "you're welcome"

Author's note: So Regina now knows the truth but has yet to remember boo! Hope you guys are still enjoying! :)