Chapter 10
Hello :) So writing has been harder because I just got a new job that is very exhausting. But no story of mine will go unfinished, and no story of mine will take over a year to write. That's not cool to you guys! Well that's it for now, enjoy!
| Thursday |
Emma just finished putting Henry to bed and poured herself a cup of hot cocoa. Just as she was adding the cinnamon, she hears a knock at the door.
Her brow furrows since she wasn't expecting anyone, especially at this hour. When she opens the door, she is pleasantly surprised. She gives Regina a smile, "Well this is a nice surprise, what did I do to deserve this?"
Regina attempts to smile back but it doesn't reach her brown eyes which causes Emma to frown, "Is everything okay?"
Regina bites her lip as her eyes start to water, she hastily shakes her head. Emma grabs her hands and pulls her inside on the couch, "Hey hey now. Whatever it is, you can tell me."
Regina leans in and kisses Emma, it's full of desperation. She kisses her hard because she feels it may be the last kiss they ever share. Then she pulls away and avoids looking at Emma and instead at her hands in her lap.
Emma is stunned by the kiss and gets a bad feeling. What is causing this much trouble for Regina? Emma gently grabs her chin so that they look each other in the eyes, "You can trust me, Regina."
"Well you can't trust me!" Regina blurts out, a tear falling down her cheek.
Emma was taken aback, "What do you mean?"
"I'm not...I'm not who you think I am Emma." She stops there but Emma just doesn't know how to respond, what did that even mean?
Silence passed with the two of them avoiding eye contact as Emma was trying to decide what exactly this could entail. Finally, Emma lays a hand on the brunette's knee and asks, "Can you elaborate a little, I don't understand."
Regina saw that Emma still had her ring on, she so decided that since she couldn't come out and say it, she could show her. Regina reached behind her neck with shaky fingers, taking too long to unclasp her amulet. Finally, she does it and grasps it tightly in her hand, the edges digging into her skin.
Emma is still confused when suddenly she sees that all too familiar shine that surrounds the one thing she hates: vampires. She always noticed that damn amulet which Regina said was passed down in the family. Now she knew what actually it was used for.
She immediately pulls her hand back and stands up. Anger, shock, and pain filled her face, "You're...you're one of them?" Regina cringed at the way Emma said that last word, which was full of hatred and disgust.
Regina opened her mouth but closed it when she saw Emma head towards the door. She ran after her.
Emma ran outside to the parking lot, she needed to yell but she couldn't while her boy was sleeping.
Desperation was sprawled across Regina's face, "Emma, wait! Let me just-"
Emma spun around, fuming, "You don't get to Regina. You lied to me, this whole time! Do you even care about me at all? Or was this just some sick twisted plan? How could you do this to me? I'm so stupid!" Now Emma was the one crying.
Regina knew that she messed up big time. Her heart hurt to see Emma this way, the woman who was always so radiant and beautiful was absolutely broken.
"I'm sorry, Emma. I'm so sorry. I-I didn't expect this to happen!" Regina said as she rubbed her hands through her hair.
"Didn't expect what to happen Regina? Wasn't this your plan? To fool the dumb blonde into thinking you actually cared? You knew who I was from the beginning! You got what you wanted Regina, to fuck with the vampire hunter. So what could you possibly not expect out of this?"
"I...I didn't expect to fall in love with you, Emma." Regina confessed.
Emma's eyes widen.
Regina continues, "But it happened. And I don't want this life anymore, I want to be with you and Henry. Emma, yes at first this was a plan to get information about FH, but that was only the very beginning. Then you took me on the tour of the town and I felt things, dangerous things.
Then I started spending more time with you and I truly got to know you and your wonderful son. I realized that you two seemed to be the only ones who actually made me happy. And you Emma just care so deeply and you're so genuine. I couldn't help but fall for you, and insanely fast.
You made me want to change my ways and escape from the hold Fiona has on me. You are what matters to me now, not Fiona's plan. You bring such light into my dark life and I wouldn't want to do anything to ruin that. It's why...I had to tell you the truth." Regina licks her lips and tries to read Emma's expression.
Emma just stares off into the distance, and it drives Regina mad, "Can you please say something?"
Emma throws her hands in the air, "What do you want me to say!"
"I don't know, that you understand or that you believe me. Just something!" Regina throws back.
"Well see, there's the problem, I don't understand Regina. I don't understand how you could totally fuck with someone's life like that. I know things may have changed for you towards the end, but you initially went in with a plan of pretending to actually have interest in being my friend. You didn't even care about how screwed up that could make me feel!"
"I know, I know. I was different Emma, you have to believe me! I was brainwashed by Fiona and the whole damn group and that didn't change and probably never would have if it wasn't for you."
The blonde suspects that Regina is telling the truth. But how would she know for sure? She lied this whole time, who knows if what she's saying now is true. Although, since Emma was fooled this long and she still wanted her truth to remain a secret to keep working with Fiona, she would have never revealed herself tonight. That's how she knew for sure.
Emma takes a few deep breaths, "I-I believe you." The words come out soft and slow, but they were true.
Regina's mouth is slightly agape, "You do?"
"Yes...because if you were still working with Fiona, you would not have even told me this tonight. Besides, I feel like what's between us is...real. Not something even an actor could fake." Regina's mouth tugs upwards slightly, she too felt that way.
"But Regina, I hunt vampires. This complicates things, and speaking of complicated, won't Fiona notice you missing and come after you?" Emma asks, feeling panic rising throughout her body at the thought of Fiona going after Regina.
"I don't care."
Emma stares at her in disbelief, "Well you should, Regina. I've heard how powerful she is, this isn't something to treat lightly."
"I know. I will have to go back and act as if I'm still on her side. But Emma, Fiona is the key to winning this." She spoke with grave eyes.
"What are you saying?" Emma asks curiously, although part of her already knew.
"We have to kill her. If we kill her, then we can maybe get to the others rationally."
Emma frowns, "What even is Fiona's plan exactly? Usually a coven would have already attacked by now."
Regina is hesitant, "Emma...she wants to destroy FH in hopes of bringing the other vampire hunting groups down as well."
Emma's stomach drops, covens make such threats occasionally but they've never succeeded. But with the Shadow Bloods, Emma thinks the tables could turn quickly.
"Wait so you think that just by killing the leader that the other vampires will suddenly leave the vampire hunters alone?" Emma says, not believing it for a second. All vampires are the same, well all except one.
Regina purses her lips, "I see your point. But no matter what they do, I know for sure that Fiona has to go. She is the main problem and the strongest of all of us."
Emma nods her head, "I agree with you on that most definitely. But for how we are going to do that, I'm unsure. I think...I think you should come with me to work tomorrow."
Regina looks like a deer caught in headlights, "What? I will surely get killed."
"I won't let that happen." But Regina still seems unconvinced so Emma further explains, "Look, I'll talk to my boss about it, we are going to need your help and you need ours in order for this to work. If you tell them information, they will learn to maybe, not trust you, but work with you. In other words, help them and they won't want to kill you."
Regina thinks about entering FH and viewing it with her own eyes. She would see their methods, their magic. She would probably hear their talk and hate about vampires. But that all didn't matter now. All she cared about was Emma.
"Okay, I will meet you tomorrow then. Thank you for trusting me." Regina glances at Emma who simply nods and shove she hands in her pockets. "Well...I will let you be now." She steps towards her to go in for a hug but Emma holds her hands up.
Emma feels guilty but she didn't want to give into it, "I'm sorry. I just...I need some time. This was a lot to take in, Regina."
Regina's lips press together and she nods her head once, trying not to look as hurt as she felt, "I understand. I wasn't honest with you and I initially had cruel intentions. I will respect you and all the time you need to process this."
"Thank you." The blonde said with sincerity shining in her eyes.
"Of course, well...goodbye. See you tomorrow." Regina wanted to run to her and be held by her strong arms. But she couldn't, not tonight. She screwed up so she had to pay for that.
"Bye, Regina."
With that, Regina quickly vanishes out into the night and Emma returns with an aching headache and a cold cup of cocoa. She stays up and watches a few episodes on Netflix before finally getting tired enough to go to sleep.
Right before Emma goes to bed, she sends Regina a text.
E: Oh and that thing you said about love? I am too.
XXX
| Friday |
"What if I told you I have someone who can help us with the Shadow Bloods?" Emma says into the phone to her boss.
Gold says, "First, does this someone have magic or special abilities?"
"Kind of."
He sighs, "Okay enough of this, just come out with it."
Emma tastes blood from biting her lip too hard, "Just don't freak out until I finish telling you everything okay?"
Gold's brows raise, "Well now I'm certainly intrigued, and fine. Now who is this person?"
Emma lets out a long breath, Her name is Regina and she's… a vampire."
Gold cannot believe what Emma just said, had he heard her correctly? "Excuse me? How exactly did you meet this bloodsucker and why is she still alive? How do you even know she's trustworthy? Miss Swan, there better be a good explanation for this insanity."
Emma scoffs, "There is, actually. At first, she was trying to get information out of me, but that's changed. I didn't kill her because I didn't know, she has a necklace that prevents our rings from working. But she voluntarily took it off to show me the truth which proves to me she can be trusted. She doesn't like what Fiona is running and she wants out. I believe her. And you should too because you know damn well any other vamp would have kept that charade going on."
Gold is silent for a moment, could he actually trust someone who is part of a species he's spent his whole life killing? He decides that if what Emma says is true, he would indeed be able to find the best way to get rid of the Shadow Bloods. But if it just so happens that this Regina isn't trustworthy, he will set up a trap just in case.
He sighs, "Fine, bring her in today but tell her to keep that necklace on so everyone doesn't attack her the moment they see her."
Emma is relieved, "Thank you. And yes will do, see you soon." She clicks end and sends a message to Regina saying to meet her at the apartment about thirty minutes before she has to leave.
XXX
The car ride is silent. They greeted each other with a simple hello but Regina didn't go in for a kiss or hug. She wanted to wait until Emma initiates it. But damn it, she couldn't stand not touching her or being close to her, especially after the text she received last night. Emma loved her back, she teared up with happiness when she read it. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone as wonderful as Emma love her.
She glances over at Emma's hand hanging off the armrest. Her own hand hesitantly makes its way towards it and grabs it gently, feeling that familiar tingle. Emma tightens her grip which surprises her since she figured the blonde would pull away. She lets out the breath she was holding, at least this was something.
When they get to the front gates, the guards see Emma but don't let her through when they notice Regina.
The brunette holds up her guest pass that Emma gave her, and the guards allowed them to go through.
The two women walk hand in hand to the front doors of FH. Regina couldn't calm the nerves flowing throughout her but she knew she had to do this. Emma didn't open the doors yet, "Just relax, I talked to my boss and he won't let anything happen to you. I sure as hell won't either. Besides, your amulet won't reveal you to anyone."
Regina just nods and with that, Emma opens the doors and leads Regina to the conference room which she knows Gold has told everyone to go to. They are early though so that they wouldn't run into anyone on the way there besides her boss.
Gold has his attention towards something in his hands which Emma can't see clearly. She clears her throat and Gold looks up.
"Hey. This is Regina. Regina, this is Mr. Gold, our leader."
The two shake hands, Regina looking anxious and Gold looking serious. The room was a bit tense. Emma's eyes draw towards the object that Gold was focused on earlier, this time seeing what it was since they were closer.
She turns to Regina, "Why don't you go sit down and I will meet you there in a second, okay?"
"Of course."
She turns back to Gold, "Seriously? Pandora's Box? I told you, we can trust her. You won't need that."
Gold scoffs, "It's not a crime to be cautious, especially with what we're dealing with here. Until the day is over, this box won't leave my side."
Emma rolls her eyes, "Okay, do what you want but it's not necessary." She goes over to sit by Regina.
Zelena walks in and sits towards the back, what could possibly have happened now? She really wasn't in the mood for yet another emergency in Storybrooke. It's then she notices that Regina is there. Why did Emma bring her into FH?
Snow and David arrive together, both of them in their own worlds as they take their seats. More and more people file in.
Ruby and Tink walk in together and immediately spot Zelena's red hair. "Hey Z. I wonder what this is about, we are already dealing with something pretty bad." Tink says as the two sit by Zelena.
"Nevermind that, what I want to know is...what the hell is she doing here?" Ruby and Tink follow Zelena's finger all the way to Regina.
Ruby frowns, "Um...does she even know what this place is?"
"Pff. Guess we'll find out, this should be interesting." Zelena crosses her arms and sits back in her chair.
Graham is the last to enter and sits on the other side of Emma, eyeing the woman beside her who he has never seen before. Before he can ask, Gold clears his throat.
"I know some of you are dreading this and are expecting yet another emergency. Well you can relax a little because I actually may have good news. I think we have someone who can help us." He looks at Regina and gestures for her to come up here. Emma follows her up.
Regina feels intimidated by all of the eyes that stare back at her. She sees Zelena, Ruby, and Tink in the back eyeing her curiously. "Hello everyone. I'm Regina and I-uh…" She didn't even know how to start so Emma speaks up.
"She's here to help. She has inside information on Fiona's plans and methods and everything."
"And how exactly do you know all of this?" August asks. How could this random woman know all of this? She must have some sort of magic, magic that allows her to see inside the minds of those bloodsuckers.
Emma continues, "She knows because she was working with her." Suddenly the room was filled with everyone's voices.
"You brought a vampire here?" Elsa asks wearing a horrified expression.
"Yes, but-" Emma's voices was consumed by multiple, angry questions and comments.
"She can't be trusted!"
"Why can't we tell she's one of them?"
"Get her out of here!"
Ruby looks at Zelena and Tink, "You guys were right about her!"
Emma knew it would be bad, but she was hoping they would at least let her explain. She looks at Gold, pleading for help. Gold stands up, he lifts the podium up with his magic and brings it down abruptly, the loud crashing sound startling and silencing everyone. "Enough! I approved of this so you all will shut your mouths and let them share what they have to share."
"Thanks Gold. Now look you guys, I trust Regina. She came to me and told me the truth about who she was, she wouldn't have done that if she wasn't done with Fiona." Her eyes scan the room and she notices that basically everyone is still unconvinced and pissed off.
"If you can't trust her, then trust me. I've been supporting and fighting for this company for years. I would never bring someone in here who was trying to bring that to an end. She is going to help us, and we damn well need it because we have no idea what Fiona can truly do. Now we have someone who has seen it for herself. Give her a chance, for me."
Some faces soften throughout the audience as they take in what Emma just said. Regina looks over at Emma with admiration, it took all her strength not to kiss the woman right then and there.
She clears her throat, "Emma is right, I have no intention of ruining this company. Vampires kill the innocent and it's not right. I don't want to be apart of that anymore. Fiona wants to completely destroy FH. She knows that if you go down, the other companies won't stand a chance.
And believe me when I say that if Fiona wants something, she will get it. She is very well at what she does and she has been training us to be the same. What we need to do is go after her first and only her. She is the source of the problem."
Graham asks, "And how will we do that exactly? What's her weaknesses?"
"I don't know how we will do it yet, I was hoping to plan that with all of you. And as for her weaknesses…" Regina trails off. Did Fiona have any weaknesses or fears? Fears. Werewolves.
"Well Ruby."
A lot of people turn to look at Ruby. Ruby looks around a bit feeling surprised, then her eyes go back to Regina, "Me?"
Regina nods, "Well you're a werewolf right?"
"Uh yeah." She forgot that vampires could sense these things. Which means Regina knew at the bar and when they were bowling and didn't try to kill her. Maybe this woman could be trusted after all.
Regina's eyes light up with life, "The only time I've ever seen Fiona afraid was when she was talking about a werewolf. You will be the key to defeating her."
Tink smirks and gives Ruby a high five. Emma feels excitement within her. Ruby was so powerful and amazing. People in the room start to relax, the more Regina talks, the more they seem to realize that she isn't the enemy here.
"That's all I have for now. I'm going to report back to the group because she has to believe I'm still one of them. I can keep you updated on her for sure."
Regina and Emma sit down as Gold walks back up, "Alright everyone, turn on your brains because I want you to start thinking of the best ways to approach Fiona. We will start with her as Regina says and see where that takes us. You're dismissed."
Regina and Emma go to Snow and David, the four are later joined by Zelena, Tink, and Ruby.
"Nice to see you again. I'm sorry for lying, our situation is very complicated but as soon as Fiona is gone, that will change." Regina informs them.
Ruby smiles, "You too. And we understand."
"Speak for yourself." Zelena says with crossed arms.
Tink bumps her arm, "Oh lighten up, Z. She's helping us here."
"Whatever."
All seven of them begin spilling ideas of how to take down one of the strongest vampires in the country. They hope that when Fiona is killed, they can try to come up with some sort of solution with the other vampires, but who knows if that will actually happen.
Regina believes it will, but Emma is not so sure. She knew that if Gold was killed by the vampires, her team would go crazy and go after them at once. Why would the vamps be any different? I guess they will just have to wait and see.
Thoughts? And I'm sorry for not having much cute Swanqueen interaction, but don't worry because next chapter will have a good amount! :)