Chapter 11 - Information
[EMMA'S POV]
"You know I still can't do this, right?" I said, and Regina moved away from me. She laid down on the bed, facing the wall, turning her back on me. It took me a second before moving again, knowing it wouldn't be an easy conversation. I laid down beside her and was about to reach her right shoulder with my hand, when I stopped myself. I could smell her hair so close to me, and felt my heart racing faster. God.
"Regina… Please. Will you just listen to me?" I asked with pleading eyes, even though she couldn't see them. She sighed.
"I'm all ears, Emma."
"I'm gonna be completely honest with you. I don't know what to do. I know I have feelings for you, and you for me. We both felt that, moments ago. But the thing is… I feel like an asshole for what I did to Hook and you, at the same time. It's not who I am, not who I want to be. Especially because… I've been there, done that. And I also know you deserve someone better than me." I started to sit down on the bed to leave, but Regina held me by the wrist and I stopped. She turned her body and was now facing me.
"What did you say?"
"Which part? Because I have…"
"You don't think you deserve me?"
"You deserve someone better than me. That's for sure."
"What on earth makes you think that?!"
I laid down again and turned my body to face her too.
"Regina… You're a queen. You're powerful, resilient, and you've become a much better person than I ever thought I could. You deserve the best person this world has ever seen."
"You can't be serious."
"I'm dead serious, yes."
"Emma… I mean, look at you. You're so tough, so amazingly strong, both inside and outside… And you've always been good. Even as the Dark One. I mean… You're the Savior. I don't think I deserve you."
I smiled at her, and suddenly we were both chuckling at the situation. Some tears started falling down on her cheek and I wiped it with my hand. I brushed my thumb against her cheek and she smiled at me.
"I never meant to hurt you. And by having done so, I'm scared. I don't ever want to do that to you again." I took a deep breath. "I want to ask you something."
"Ask away." She said, placing a hand over mine, taking it next to her lips and kissing it lightly.
"I still can't do this… Us. I do need some time to understand my feelings and everything that happened. I've been trying really hard not to kiss you every time our eyes meet, unsuccessfully. I wish things were simpler, but they're not. I can't be with you right now. At least until I can fully correspond to our feelings for one another. My question is… What do you say?"
"I don't think this is the right moment, either. Robin's death still shakes me, and the Hook thing… It's really fresh. I agree with what you say. And it's hard for me too not to touch you, or feel you, for that matter. I think some distance will be good for us." I sighed, removing my hand from hers. I leaned my back on the mattress, looking up. She sat down on the edge of the bed and both hands gripped it tightly.
"So… What about tonight?" I asked and bit my lower lip. "Are you… What are you going to do?"
"I'm not sure. We need information, that's what I aim for."
"Yes…" Regina got up and made way to the bedroom door. "Regina! I…" She turned around and looked sadly at me. "Thank you. For understanding." She smiled timidly and left.
-x-
[GOLD'S POV]
I heard the familiar bell and the door of the shop open. I looked up and saw a tall and thin black haired woman with shining blue eyes. She came closer to the counter. I smiled at her and she smiled back.
"Hello. I'm surprised to see you here."
"Well… I'm a woman of my word."
"I can see that. So I'm guessing your beans…"
"We still have one left, but you did say you could get us some more."
"That I did. Been traveling around, have you?"
"We traveled enough" Jane said, pacing around, looking at the items. Sometimes she would touch one of them lightly, before moving on to the next one distractedly.
"I see… May I ask how you found me?"
"It's a small town, Gold. It wasn't that hard." She smirked and looked at me in the eyes. "Besides, you apparently are a very well-known person around here." I kept just looking at her for three seconds, before speaking.
"I'm afraid I don't have those beans at the moment. You see, it takes a while to grow and harvest them. They are very rare magical items nowadays, and I must confess… I didn't think you'd come."
"It's all right. In any case, we'll be staying for a while. We are finding Storybrooke quite… Interesting. Now, what's this favor you asked for when we first met?"
"Walk with me, will you?" I said, motioning for her to follow me to the backroom.
-x-
[RUBY'S POV]
Regina left the bedroom and quickly waved us all goodbye. Henry had come to the table moments earlier, but neither of them looked at the other's direction when she left. I looked at Henry, Snow and David, and all I could feel was tension.
"So, are we gonna discuss the elephant in the room or what?"
"What elephant?" David asked. He genuinely seemed clueless about the events. Was it possible that he didn't know?
"I mean. Emma and Regina. Please, tell me you know about it."
"What about them?"
I facepalmed myself.
"Snow… Seriously? He's your husband and you didn't tell him?"
"Yes, I know." She shrugged. "It hasn't been easy to deal with it, okay? Let alone understand everything."
"What are you guys even talking about?!" It was Henry's turn to facepalm himself.
"Grandpa. You seriously need to pay more attention to things."
"And you need to take it easy, kid. Your moms didn't chose to be in love, all right? It just… Happened." I said.
"Who's in love?" Emma was now leaning on the threshold.
"You and Mom." Henry said.
"Oh." That's all she could say.
"You're joking." David was thunderstruck.
"Yeah, dad… I might have developed some feelings for Regina. And she for me."
"Jesus Christ, how did that happen?!"
"How does love happen, David? How did it happen to us? There isn't really a script for that." Snow was now holding Charming's hand. He squeezed it lightly.
"How… How long? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because even I didn't know, dad. And I had a boyfriend, and there's Henry, Robin, you guys… It wasn't exactly something easy to say. Actually… Everyone here just kind of figured it out. You're the only one who didn't."
"I'm feeling like a terrible cop right now." Everybody laughed and the moods seemed to lighten up a little. Even Henry was smiling now.
"So, Emma… How are you two now?" Snow asked and bit her lower lip nervously.
"We're not, mom. I don't think we're ready for this. And there are some lions we have to tame, first." She said, looking straight at Henry. He looked sideways at her, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Are you gonna tell Hook?" I asked, and Emma sighed.
"No. At least, not for now. I don't wanna hurt him any more than I have."
"Yes. It's best if we're the only ones who know about this." Snow said.
-x-
[REGINA'S POV]
I went home to take a shower and think about the events that were going to happen at night. I was nervous and anxious, but wouldn't let that show. After some time, Ruby went to the mansion too, since the Charmings needed some time alone with Neal and Henry – who still wasn't really on good terms with me.
Ruby was so nervous that she decided to open up a wine bottle and drink all by herself. When I realized that, I protested. We needed to be sober – or at least – sane to go through this.
We got ready fast enough and still had some time before heading to the bar, which only made our anxiety worsen. We decided to watch some tv, but couldn't really focus. After a while, Ruby started talking just to calm herself down.
"So… The Henry thing… He'll come around."
"Yes… He will. He's a great kid, it's just a lot for him to take." I said, looking at the distance.
"Yeah… How are you about the Emma thing, by the way?"
"Well, we decided to not pursue our romantic endeavor right now. There are other things we need to take care of, emotionally speaking, before venturing into anything new, especially if it involves anyone else."
"And are you okay with that?" Ruby asked, biting her lower lip. I sighed and looked out the window.
"I guess I am. It is a lot to take, indeed. I'm not sure I even had the time to think it through, let alone deal with it, you know. We both need time alone with our own thoughts." Ruby nodded, sitting down at the couch. She was completely apprehensive. I smiled sympathetically.
After some more time pretending to watch tv and chit chat, we finally made our way to the bar. We decided to walk there, since we would be drinking – and to come back, I'd simply poof us back. It wasn't very full when we got there. The girls were already sitting at a table and waved at us. Ruby and I looked at each other and smiled reassuringly. We ordered two beers before sitting down with them. Nobody really spoke for about five seconds.
"Hi. Let's everyone start this all over again, shall we?" Jane said, grinning. The tension seemed to ease up a little.
"Sure thing. I'm Ruby, nice to meet you all." Everyone chuckled.
"And I'm Regina, pleasure to meet you."
"I'm Beth" She smiled timidly, tugging a lose strand of hair behind her left ear. She looked away from everyone, still smiling shyly.
"Well, nice to meet you all. Now, tell me. What is it that you girls do around here?" Jane asked, looking inquisitively.
"You mean, for fun?" Ruby teased.
"No, I mean… As a job. You do work, right?"
"Well… I'm the mayor. Or, at least, I was. It's hard to tell." I said, shifting on the chair.
"Okay…" Jane looked sideways at me and then stared at Ruby "What about you?"
"Oh, I don't live here anymore, actually. I used to be a bartender at Granny's, but now… I'm on… Vacations here." Ruby looked at me and I nodded reassuringly.
"I hope we didn't disturb you that much in the morning." Beth said, looking down at the table. She took a long sip of her beer.
"No… Not at all." Ruby lied. "We just had way too many, we're sorry." She looked at me, and when I didn't say anything, she elbowed my ribs.
"Yes, we are. It's not what we're used to, how we do things." I rubbed my right side painfully and narrowed my eyes towards Ruby. "But what about you, girls? What do you do?"
"Well, Beth and I have been just living the moment ever since we met at about 4 years ago. We were both in law school, but didn't really fit." Jane gulped, but Beth seemed not to notice that. "I'm 29, she's 27. We're still young and the opportunities are limitless, if you know what I mean."
"Yes… We understand." I said and smiled. Everyone seemed to just take a moment to drink and remain silent.
I looked at Beth and tilted my head towards the entrance door, signaling her to walk with me, and she nodded.
"We'll be right back, girls. Going to get some fresh air." I said and they both agreed.
Beth and I took our beers along and went outside. The wind was blowing softly against our cheeks, which was nice. I leaned against the wall and Beth stood right in front of me. I got a text and quickly grabbed my phone to read it. It was from Emma. Beth also took her phone and started texting something, so I didn't feel bad for reading it in front of her.
"So, Mom thought it wouldn't be a good idea if I watched over you, so I'll stay close to Ruby. Mom'll be your 'bodyguard'. Text me if anything happens, okay?"
My heart was beating faster and things only got worse when I saw Emma's shape coming closer to me. She was tense, apprehensive. She looked at the woman in front of me and clenched her jaw, before continuing her path. Beth was still looking at her phone, so when Emma walked beside me and slightly brushed my fingertips with hers, she didn't notice me quivering. Soon enough I saw Snow approaching with Charming. They stayed at a fair distance from us – enough to hear us, but not to seem suspicious.
"So, Beth… How are you, after the hangover and the events from this morning?" I smiled kindly at her, but she still seemed embarrassed. I sipped my beer and she did the same.
"Well… We went to the bed and breakfast and slept it over, a bit." We both chuckled. "But we were also excited to see you guys again. You are very charming." She blushed and looked away. I couldn't help but smile at her.
"So are you." I cupped her chin and made her look at me. "Charming and cute." She blushed harder and looked at the ground.
"Thank you." I suppressed a smile. "I… I never got to tell you this, but… When we were… Well, you know." She looked at a not specific point in the sky and blushed uncontrollably. "You were very gentle and kind. I really appreciate that."
"Oh, dear. That's the least that I can do. I mean… Everyone should…"
"Yes, but not everyone does." She interrupted me speaking fast and seemed very uneasy. I frowned.
"Is anything wrong?"
"I… No! I mean… Nothing. I'm fine." She scratched her left arm nervously and I decided not to press the subject. There was definitely something wrong. Had anything bad happened to her?
Hook's silhouette appeared in the distance, making me gulp and shake. Emma was inside. He had a woman with him, and they both seemed to be having a good time. Maybe a little drunk, already, I couldn't tell for sure. When he saw me, his smile dropped immediately.
"Regina."
"Hook, hi!" I tugged my hair behind an ear. "I didn't know you were coming." He narrowed his eyes, standing right beside us.
"Why would you?"
"Um… For no reason." I looked at him with desperate eyes, trying to find a way to tell him. "So, um… The Savior's out tonight. Trying to relax a bit." I said, and he gulped.
"This Savior… Is there a chance we might happen to stumble across one another?" The woman beside him did not understand what we were talking about, of course, but it didn't seem to bother her.
"Yes. Very likely." He nodded and looked at the door. After thinking for about five seconds, he made up his mind.
"Well, I don't need any saving tonight, so…" He faked a smile and walked in with the girl. I immediately texted Emma.
"Hook's getting in. I tried to stop him. Text me if anything happens."
Only then, I realized that I had said the exact same words she had said to me earlier. I was starting to realize we had this thing that we always looked after one another for years now, even when we didn't do it consciously.
"I think there's a chance I've seen this guy before." Beth said. I laughed and she looked at me.
"He was at the bar last night. He's Hook, the pirate."
"You're kidding."
"Nope. Not at all." I smirked at her skeptical look.
"Yeah, right."
"That coming from a girl that uses magic beans to travel around." She blushed and seemed shocked.
"I told you about that?"
"You did, indeed."
"Uh… Don't tell Jane I did it… Okay?"
"Um… Yeah, sure, but…"
"She wouldn't like it. At all." She said, unbelievably apprehensive.
"All right. You have my word."
"Can we… Uh… Come inside? It's getting a little cold."
I nodded, knowing only too well it was a lie. She just wanted to drop the subject, and, again, I didn't push her. The Charmings started moving in, too. All this could quickly get out of control, but I honestly, deeply, hoped it wouldn't.
Once inside, I looked around. Ruby and Jane were still sitting at the same table, drinking and laughing, which made me relax a little. Another glimpse around and I saw Emma at the bar just in time for her eyes to meet mine. She somehow looked older and hurt, and I wished I could just go over and hug her until she was ok again, but I couldn't blow our covers. The girls couldn't know we knew each other. At least not here, not now.
Then, I saw Hook, sitting at a table with that woman and three more people. They all seemed excited, laughing loudly and drinking at will, but I could see Hook staring at Emma every now and then. The Charmings walked past us and sat down at a table close to Hook's, maybe to keep him on a leash more than anything. When he saw them there, he stiffened up in his chair.
I looked at Beth and she smiled kindly at me. I smiled back and we made our way to the table where the girls were. Ruby was talking excitedly to her about a funny story that happened to her – as usual. Her sense of humor was amazing. We soon joined the conversation and drank up a little more. Beth kept looking at me at times, and I could feel she wanted something to happen between us tonight.
My head started to get hazy and my thoughts were racing fast. I had to take several deep breaths in order to calm down – there was just too much information at once, too much drama. I wondered how it got to that point. Beth seemed to notice and she squeezed my hand lightly. I sighed and squeezed hers back. I looked at the two women sitting with us and pretended to pay attention to what they were saying. When silence fell, I decided to finally get some information.
"Tell me, Jane. Where are you guys from, anyway?"
"Montauk. What about you girls?"
"We're both from… Here, actually. Storybrooke." I lied.
"Don't you think it is a small town for women like yourselves? I mean, you look like you could rule some place." I gulped.
"I like quiet." I nodded. "It's reassuring, calm and nice." Ruby looked at me and mouthed "nice?", rolling her eyes.
"Well, I've been out and I can tell you, there's no place like home." Ruby said, saving my ass. I relaxed a little.
"So, Storybrooke. What do you think of the town so far?" I asked Jane, sipping my beer.
"Oh, it's definitely better than I expected. Very interesting, indeed… With many interesting people."
There definitely was something off about all of it, but I still couldn't tell what. Either way, I'd continue my pursuit of the info.
"How long do you plan on staying?"
"We don't know yet. Only time will tell."
Suddenly, a slow song started, and Jane took Ruby by the hand and started dancing. In a sudden boost of courage, Beth did the same to me. We danced for a while, nobody really saying anything. It was nice being close to someone, feeling their heat and body, but at the same time it was frustrating. It took all of me to not look for Emma's eyes, it was like a burning sensation in my chest.
After some time dancing, chatting and drinking a little, Beth and I sat at the table again, a little tired from the moves.
"This was fun." Beth said, laughing, making me smile.
"Yes, it really was. Speaking of fun… What was the most fun place you've been to?"
"Oh, it's hard to say… But I think… Here. Definitely, here."
"Why is that?"
"Oh, I guess… The people from the other places were a bit… Outdated."
"What do you mean?" I asked, lifting an eyebrow.
"Um… I don't know if you're gonna believe this," Honey, I will. I thought. "But we went to some very, VERY different places, like… The medieval kind." I smiled. "And they aren't exactly civilized." I frowned. We are civilized!
"I see. I'd like to go on an adventure like that, some time." I teased.
"Well… What if I said we might get more soon?"
"I'd say I'm interested. Go on."
"This Mr. Gold… He said he'll have more to give us. But again, that's a secret." She placed her index finger on her lips vertically and shushed. I smiled and winked.
"This Gold guy seems like a very nice man."
"Yeah… I don't know why he's doing this. Actually, it's my…" She gulped. "Jane. She's the one who does the talking to him."
"Oh, I get it."
Ruby and Jane sat down at the table quickly and seemed exhausted.
"Boy! Have I danced."
"Indeed, you have!" Jane was chuckling. "What are you girls doing? Having fun?"
"Yes, very." I said with a smile. "Hey, Ruby… It's getting late. I think I'm gonna head home." Red faked a yawn and stretched her arms out.
"Yeah, you're right. Last night was intense." Everybody chuckled, this time.
"Well, it was nice meeting you girls a lot more sober this time." Jane said.
"It really was." I said.
We all stood up and hugged, saying goodbye. Ruby and I started to walk away from the table, when Jane said.
"Hey, girls… You know where to find us." Jane winked. We both smiled and left the bar.
-x-
[GOLD'S POV]
It's amazing how people are so caught up in their own heads, that they don't even notice anything that's different. Or someone. I had been all night at the bar. I knew something was going to happen, because… Well. I always know everything. Being at the only night bar of the city disguised as a total stranger did not raise any alarms - on the contrary. I sticked around long enough to watch Regina and Ruby leave, and a while after that, Emma. Mary Margaret and David took a while. Not long after that, Beth and Jane left, too.
It was now about 3am, I returned to my own appearance, took a sip of the whisky I had ordered hours earlier and walked up to a table. I looked at the figure of the destabilized man in front of me. He had been drinking all night and was alone for quite some time already – his companions all left together. He didn't notice me coming or even sitting down at the table. He was looking down at his own glass, lost in thought. I cleared my throat before speaking.
"Hello, Hook. I think we should talk."
