TW: Altercation between Emma & Robin and it's a bit predatory.
A/N: Surprise! Hope you enjoy it.
"Rubes! What should I wear? I should wear a dress right?" Emma asked as she threw articles of clothing on the bed. She'd been freaking out for over an hour. She'd been up since 7:30. She'd showered and washed her hair. She even blow dried it, much to Ruby's chagrin.
Ruby walked in from the kitchen, a bagel in her hand, "No. You shouldn't. You do realize it's November right? It's fucking cold out."
Ruby chuckled and plopped down on the bed, placing her bagel on Emma's nightstand, and began sifting through the was a small mountain forming in the middle of Emma's bed, and Ruby knew it was only going to get worse. She rooted around until she came across a pair of black denim. They were distressed and looked like skinny jeans. She checked the tag, and they were H&M, so definitely skinny jeans, probably super skinny or that shaping shit they do. "Your ass looks great in black jeans, especially H&M ones."
Emma smiled and grabbed the pants. She pulled them up her legs, successfully avoiding the holes in them, and jumped a couple of times to get them all the way up. She turned and checked the full-length mirror. "I could kiss you, Rubes."
"Been there, done that." Ruby winked, and Emma blushed. Ruby went searching, found a white basic thermal and threw it at Emma. She knew it would look good on her blonde friend and it was a simple outfit that didn't look like it took too much thought. "Grab a beanie and wear your black calf length boots. See, easy. I seriously wonder how you survived without me."
She grabbed her bagel and watched Emma finish getting dressed. She scoffed when Emma took forever to pick a beanie. Emma always had to overcomplicate things. She grabbed a pair of socks and tossed them at her friend. Ruby didn't attempt to hold in her laughter when Emma was hopping around the room on one foot trying to get her socks and boots on. "You know, if you sat down, that would've been like, 20x easier."
Emma flicked her off. She walked in front of the mirror and once again checked herself out. "Should I wear the jacket?" Emma motioned to her red leather jacket. She'd worn it on their first date.
7/23/2011- Seattle/Tacoma, Washington
"We're not driving your car." Regina laughed as they walked through her home, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. She'd deliberated for longer than she'd ever admit about her outfit, which made absolutely no sense. They'd already seen each other naked. They were doing this a bit backward, but to be honest, Regina wouldn't have it any other way.
"What's wrong with the bug?" Emma asked as they walked into the garage, she grabbed her red leather jacket from the passenger seat and closed the door. Emma knew that it was wise not to drive the Bug to Tacoma, but she couldn't help but give Regina a hard time. " Are you too good to be seen in my bug Professor Mills?"
Regina scoffed and rolled her eyes, "I would prefer to make it to Tacoma without any incidents is all."
Emma chuckled and walked to the passenger seat of Regina's Mercedes, sliding in easily. "Please tell me you don't listen to classical music in your car."
Regina pursed her lips, and Emma couldn't contain her laughter. "You do! I'm not surprised."
"Only after a stressful day, it's soothing," Regina argued, she knew Emma meant no harm which is why she took the teasing in stride. She'd spent the semester learning Emma's mannerisms, and she'd come to be fond of the carefree spirit. She needed it.
"Hey, no judgment, I write all my papers to my classical playlist on Pandora. I get it...kinda, but it's early, and I don't want to fall asleep so can we please listen to something other than classical music?"
"It's after 10; it's not early." Regina connected her phone to the Bluetooth of her car and turned on her Melissa Etheridge playlist. She smiled when "All-American Girl" began to play.
"I get the Bluetooth on the way back."
"Doubtful." Regina started the car and backed out of the driveway.
"Ok, so maybe the Etheridge woman isn't so bad." Emma conceded when they stepped out of the car.
"Maybe? Really Swan? It's better than the ear-splitting stuff you listen to."
"Um, it's not ear-splitting, Kings of Leon is mellow, as is Shinedown, and Three Doors Down. You just don't like alternative music."
"This is true." Regina smiled as they headed towards the movie theater. Regina honestly didn't know first date etiquette. It had been so long since she'd been on an actual date. This thing with Emma was unorthodox. Emma was her student, they'd already slept together, the blonde was younger than her, there were so many different factors here. A hand in hers caught her attention.
"Hey, we're just us here ok. Just Emma and Regina. Nothing more, so let's have a good time." Emma smiled and squeezed Regina's hand before pulling her towards the theater. They walk up to the ticket window and look at the options.
"So, what should we see?" Regina asked looking at their options. The guy at behind the plexiglass looked bored out of his mind and didn't even bother greeting them. There weren't people waiting, so there was no reason for him to rush them.
"Can we not be that couple who sees a Rom-Com?" Emma asked causing Regina to chuckle. Emma was glad that Regina didn't comment on her slip-up. She didn't quite know what they were at the moment and she was glad Regina didn't take offense to her insinuation.
"I really wanted to see Friends With Benefits too," Regina whined adding a faux pout. Emma can't help but smile at Regina's display.
"No Horror, either. I don't like it." Regina whispered a little ashamed of herself and her irrational fear. She wasn't used to feeling comfortable enough to voice her fears to someone. Emma just made it exceedingly easy.
"It's no big deal. Harry Potter?" Emma asked looking at the screen. She had to admit she wanted to see it. She'd loved the books; they were a great escape when she was in the foster home. They were her only possession at the time, and she cherished them.
"I'm not opposed to it," Regina said, she couldn't tell Emam she'd only seen three of them. There was no way she was going to admit to that; she was sure the blonde would never allow her to live it down.
"Oh! Captain America! I forgot that came out yesterday!" Emma exclaimed, and Regina knew what they're going to see. She asked for two tickets and paid.
"You didn't have to do that; I could've bought those." Emma worried her bottom lip and looked everywhere but at Regina as they walked towards the door. She didn't want to be a charity case; she didn't want Regina to feel sorry for her. "I can afford it."
Regina caressed her cheek before placing her finger under Emma's chin, causing the blonde to look at her. "I don't pity you. I would never, I have too much respect for you. I didn't buy them because I thought you couldn't afford it, I bought them because I asked you on this date and that's usually how it works if I recall correctly. Don't make it more than it is."
They hold each other's eyes and Regina leans in slowly, capturing Emma's lips with her own. Emma sighed as they parted and they walk inside. Regina immediately regretted not bringing her cardigan inside. She rubbed her arms. Emma shrugged off her jacket and passed it to Regina. The brunette smiled and pulled on the worn jacket.
"Hmm, it looks good on you." Emma smiled and fingered the leather.
"Maybe, but it looks better on you."
"I think I should wear the jacket." Emma decided, pulling it on quickly. She pulled her hair from beneath her the jacket and fluffed it a little. Her curls fell around her face. She checked her reflection again and smiled to herself. "Alright, Rubes...thoughts?"
Ruby stretched out on the bed and checked Emma out. "You look hot, Em. Go get your girl."
Emma checked her phone and cursed. Regina's class ended in 15 minutes, she swung into a parking spot and threw her car in park. She grabbed her gloves from the armrest and made her way to Regina's office.
"Emma! Hey, do you think you could help me with my case study?"
Emma groaned and turned around, "Hey Ashley. Yea, I can help you, just text me, and we'll meet up."
"Well, are you free?" Ashley asked
"Um, not sure but I'm in a hurry right now, I have a meeting with Mills." Emma began backing away slowly. She hoped Ashley would get the message
Ashley nodded, "Yea, ok. Don't be late; Mills doesn't like that."
Emma chuckled, of course, Ashley would state the obvious. Though their meeting wasn't about academia, she didn't want to be late. She'd spent the night, thinking about different scenarios, how the day would go, what information Regina now had, what way they were going to proceed. She thought about how she would express what she was feeling. How she wanted to tell Regina that she was all in.
She turned down the hall and saw the door ajar and cursed. Regina had beat her there. She walked in, "Hey, sorry I ma-"
Emma looked up to see Robin sitting at Regina's desk. "What are you doing here?" It sounded almost like a growl. Flashes of the last time she'd seen him went through her mind, and she had to remind herself that he was no one and meant nothing. He wouldn't even matter in a few months. Though he still had the same smug look on his face as he did before.
"Nice to see you again, Ella." He grinned and looked her up and done. It was such a shame; he could have a lot of fun with the blonde.
"Emma. My name is Emma."
"Yes, yes. My wife's plaything. How have you been? You weren't doing so good when I saw you last. You didn't seem to thrilled to see me."
Emma clenched her fist and tried to regulate her breathing. He was trying to get under her skin, but she wouldn't let him. She wasn't going to allow him to take this moment from her. She watched as he stood and walked around the desk.
"You're looking good Emma. My wife has good taste in women. I wonder, do you have strong knees. You know what's hers is mine." He began to circle her. Eying her frame. He could tell he was getting to her and he was enjoying himself.
"I don't think you want to find out." She spat as they stood face to face.
"Still feisty, that's hot. I would love to see you in action. I don't even have to participate, just let me sit in a chair in the corner."
"You're a sick fuck."
"Yet, you're fucking a married woman. Who's really sick?" He sneered.
"What the hell is going on in here!" Regina yelled as she strode into her office closing the door behind her. She dropped her briefcase on the couch and made her way to Emma. Regina settled her hand on the younger woman's lower back; it was ramrod straight. Her shoulders were tense, and she looked ready to commit murder.
"Hey, it's not worth it. He isn't worth it." Regina whispered close to Emma's ear and watched as Emma slowly began to deflate. Regina eased between the two of them, placing Emma at her back.
"Robin, what are you doing here?" Regina asked she could feel how tense Emma was. The young woman's breathing was heavy, and Regina could only imagine the blonde was where a scowl.
"Can't a man visit his wife?" He chuckled when Emma exhaled noisily. "That gets to you doesn't it?"
"I would suggest you leave, Robin, before I call security."
He glared at her, "Don't be stupid Regina. Now, since Gold couldn't get through to you, I had to make a trip. I don't know what you think you're trying to pull but stop it. There are things in the works, things bigger than that pretty little head of yours can comprehend. Now, I don't care if you fuck your bitch. I have plenty bitches, I don't judge, but know your place. You are my wife, and you will do as I say."
Emma stood behind Regina seething; she wanted Regina to give her one hit. She'd knock his teeth down his throat. He was disgusting and repulsive. How dare he speak to Regina like that. Who the fuck did this asshole think he was. She couldn't see Regina's face, but she could feel the energy shift in the room. Regina stood up a little straighter and inclined her head to the left a little. Emma could see a little of her profile; she was smirking.
"Scotiabank, 63298-813."
Emma watched as all the color drained from Robin's face. What Regina said, made absolutely no sense to her but it was obvious Robin knew what she was talking about.
"I think you should leave," Regina said again. There was a bit of mirth in her voice, and Emma was dying to know what those numbers meant.
Robin moved quickly towards the door. He didn't know how Regina knew about the bank and the account, but he was terribly concerned. He needed to talk to Cora so they could figure out who the hell had been talking to Regina.
"Oh and Robin...tell mother I look forward to hearing from her."
He slammed the door, and Regina quickly turned her attention to Emma. "Are you hurt? What did he say to you? I'm so sorry; I had no idea he would be here, he just showed up."
Emma sighed, "Yea, he has a habit of doing that." And dropped herself onto the couch.
Regina didn't know what to say to that, especially since Emma had only seen Robin one other time. Though it was a horrible time and she understood Emma's disdain, she couldn't help but feel like this incident set them back.
Emma looked up when Regina didn't say anything. "Shit, I'm sorry. That wasn't fair to you."
Regina shook her head. "No, it's fine. I can't begin to understand how you must feel about all of this."
Emma reached out for Regina, and the brunette acquiesced, lowering herself onto the couch next to Emma.
"How is your case study going?" Regina asked, needing to take control of this situation. She didn't want to dwell on Robin and whatever he said to Emma.
Emma couldn't help but chuckle. Leave it to Regina to make this about school. "Well, I gathered some research yesterday, as you saw. I wrote my abstract last night after I saw you. I'm still working out the kinks, but I have a solid outline to go by so I'm not concerned."
"Do you need anything, how are you with the material? Is there anything you need clarification on?"
"No, but if I can get you a rough draft by Wednesday do you think you can give me some feedback by Friday. I just want to get your fresh opinion?"
"My fresh opinion?" Regina asked, leaning back against the couch cushion.
"Yes. I know you always read my paper last, and I kinda want a fresh perspective. I don't want you to be exacerbated or annoyed by half-assed attempts at this assignment."
Regina smirked. "So you're asking me to tear your work apart?"
"Don't you always? You're the only class in which I ever get A- or B+ on my essays. I'm one of the best writers in the department." Emma chuckled, rolling her eyes. Regina was probably the toughest professor on campus.
"Well, it's supposed to be hard. Not only am I the department chair, but I have very high expectations of you." Regina knew she was harder on Emma than any other student, but she couldn't allow it any other way. She couldn't show bias.
"Sometimes I think you're overcompensating," Emma mumbled, and Regina pinched her exposed thigh.
"Ow! That was completely uncalled for."
"How you wear distressed denim in the middle of November is beyond me." Regina traced small circles over the exposed skin and Emma shuddered, moving her leg slightly.
"Well, at least I wore a jacket."
"I noticed," Regina whispered. She couldn't help but notice for many reasons. The apparent reason was the color; you can't miss a red jacket. The significance of it, Emma had worn it on their first date, she'd worn it when they'd celebrated the blonde's birthday, she'd worn it on their first road trip, she'd worn it when she gave Regina the promise ring. Regina sighed and unconsciously played with her ring. She didn't realize what she'd been doing until she felt Emma's hand on hers.
"How long have you been wearing it?" Emma whispered as she stroked Regina's right ring finger.
"Since the night after…." Regina sighed and looked at Emma. Her eyes shone, and her cheeks were tinged pink. She looked so vulnerable at that moment. Regina watched a lone tear slip from Emma's eyes, and she reached out quickly to wipe it away. "I put it on after a rather embarrassing trip down memory lane. For me, as a reminder of such a precious time in my life. In memory of a pure and beautiful love."
Emma didn't speak for a long moment, "I washed with you shower gel that night and listened to Melissa Etheridge. Then I sobbed in Ruby's lap on our couch."
Regina exhaled, "I tried to be productive but ended up reminiscing about the first time you spoke in my intro class. I followed up by going through my box of memories. I flipped through pictures, read cards, and found the ring."
Regina found it hard to look at Emma; she didn't know what they were doing and where they were going. She felt raw, and she didn't know how far back Robin had pushed them. Yesterday Emma had come to see her just to kiss her. Emma had clarified, 'when' they get back together and not if, but Regina didn't know where they stood now.
"You want to tell me what Jafar found. Obviously, it's a big deal from the look on the assholes face." It was Emma's turn to change the subject.
"Well, there were a lot of documents, but the gist of it is, my mother coerced my father's lawyer into not using the correct Will & Testament. They used the one from before the divorce because supposedly that was the only one. It turns out my father had a final one, which states that I am the rightful owner of Mills Corp."
"Holy shit, Regina!" Emma exclaimed, her eyes wide.
"There's a lot to that story too; I have to finish going through the will. Also, Robin has been feeding my mother information about the stock market for nearly a decade."
"Regina, insider trading is a felony."
Regina only nodded and ran her fingers through her hair. "They've been stealing money from their respective companies. What I said to Robin was the bank and account number to the Cayman account he and my mother have. There is a paper trail for all of this which Jafar gave me."
"What the hell are you going to do? That is so much Regina. Your mother is a criminal, as is that lawyer. She stole a company from you; she's stealing money from your late father. That's so fucked up. I'm so sorry this happened."
"I don't know what to do; I don't want to send her to jail. I never imagined it would be this intricate. I don't know what I thought, but I never expected my mother to be a criminal. I'm at a loss. I don't want to send her to prison but…" Regina began to cry, and Emma reached over and pulled the brunette against her chest.
"Do you remember what I said to you when I gave you that ring?"
Regina didn't speak for a moment. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, "Just think of me as your healer, I'll heal you. I'll make sure all the pain goes away." Regina whispered, her head resting against Emma's chest.
"I meant it then, and I mean it now. I'm not going anywhere. I will be with you through this. I know that we have a lot to work on and work through, but I'm here. I won't make you fight this battle alone. I won't abandon you." Emma leaned down and kissed Regina's hair.
"Emma…"
"I'm here. No title or label needed. Just know I'm here."
