Chapter Eleven: White Crane Spreads Its Wings
Regina had lost sight of Emma after she had disappeared into the foyer as there were so many people around.
"Excuse me but have you seen Sheriff Swan?" she asked one of the dwarves, Sleepy, or rather Walter he was called in this world, who stood in front of her with heavy eyelids, hoping that he hadn't been nodding off when Emma came by.
"Yeah…" his eyes drooped and Regina impatiently snapped her fingers.
"Well," she inquired full of snark, "where did she go?"
"Oh," he struggled, "…um…" he looked around lazily and Regina's mood was becoming more unforgiving with every millisecond that passed. He yawned and pointed to the front door, "… that way… she went that way…"
"She left?" Her puzzlement was clear on her face and as she was looking around she felt something fall against her chest grabbing her attention away from her hunt for Miss Swan. She found Walter with his head laid against her bosom snoring. Oh, really!
Of course, Evil Regina would have probably turned the dwarf into a dung beetle for taking such a liberty, though she supposed he actually couldn't help it. Still though, old behaviors die hard and she shook his shoulders trying to wake him up. When he still snored loudly, she finally slapped his cheek a few times and he only stirred.
"Mary Margaret!" She had spotted the pixie cut brunette walking past and had successfully flagged her down.
"Oh my goodness, Walter!" Mary Margaret took in her friend's state and her other friend's bewilderment, but she still chuckled none the less.
"Can you kindly get this narcoleptic midget off of me?"
"Leroy!" Mary Margaret called for help and the stout bearded man came running over. "Let's take him into the study."
Leroy saw his friend pressed right up against the mayor's boobs. "Poor guy is going to be sorry he slept through this." Regina sent the other dwarf a wide eyed glare.
"Come on." Mary Margaret and Leroy carted the man off to the study and Regina grabbed a coat quickly from the hall closet and went outside in search of Emma.
Stepping out into the cold was more refreshing than anything. She looked around but could not find the sheriff anywhere. She walked down the walk a little bit and looked around but nothing. She had just turned to walk back into the house when the front door opened and Robin came out.
"Regina."
Wonderful! Regina kept her eyes from rolling and set a blank expression on her face, however it turned into impatience the closer he got.
"Just what the hell did you think you were doing in there?" Regina thundered. She was angry with him for his behavior, frustrated at not being able to find Emma and just generally tense about her relationship with the sheriff. She wanted to take things to the next level, but she didn't know how to do that. They were dancing around the issue of their attraction. Emma was going to kiss her yesterday. She felt it. Then Robin came in and ruined everything with his insincere apology, his boyish smiles and his attempts to use his son to get on her good side. It was outrageous! "I cannot understand the thoughts that seem to putter around in that feeble puny mind of yours but I am telling you once and for all, Robin, we… are … OVER!"
"Regina, please. I apologize for back there," he gestured to the house. "It's just that everything was so comfortable and Kathryn and Jim were so friendly. It was all rather nice, wasn't it? Two couples standing around talking about the good old days."
Regina shook her head in disbelief. "We are NOT a couple." She placed her hands on her hips and tried to keep them there. As long as they were not extended, to cast any magic, out in front of her, the chances of him leaving her property tonight on two working legs were pretty good. "And in case you had forgotten, which I don't see how, the old days weren't so good for me." Honestly! Is the man's head made of wood?
"Regina, listen. I know you think you are in love with Swan…"
"Stop. Stop right there…"
Emma could hear loud talking as she rounded the side of the house and stopped in her tracks when she discovered that Regina and Robin were arguing in the walkway. She knew that she should move but she could not let her legs do it.
She had been waiting for Regina outside but when the woman took a little longer than expected, Emma had wandered around a bit. The sheriff was just about to go and search for her when she found her outside with Forest Fart. Jealousy bubbled within her again, and she crept a little closer instead of moving away to give them privacy.
"What goes on between Emma and I are none of your business. This has nothing to do with her anyway. This is between you and me and AGAIN, I am telling you that I don't love you, Robin and I don't want to be with you." Emma was elated at her words. Timber, Mr. smug looking Forest Douche!
"So do you love Swan then?" Emma inched her head even closer as if that would help her hear better.
"I care for Emma a great deal, not that it is any of your affair, Robin. She is Henry's other mother after all."
Emma's brow crinkled and her mouth twisted awkwardly. That was not exactly encouraging she thought as she exhaled, but then she became defensive at Robin's next remark.
"She's all wrong for you. She's not even… like that."
What the fuck does that mean?!
"Like what?"
"A lesbian. I have it on good authority." Robin crossed his arms to match Regina's. She wished she could see Regina's facial expressions but she was turned slightly away.
"And who's authority would that be?" Regina's question dripped with sarcasm. Thank you!
"Hook. He talks about them all the time down at The Rabbit Hole; of all their sexual exploits."
WHAT?! The hiding sheriff almost lost herself and blurted that out loud. That ASSHOLE! She was going to rip that hook off his arm and castrate him with it. How dare he spread lies about her. They had never even taken their relationship that far.
"That changes nothing," she heard Regina answer, though she thought she detected a warble in her voice. Emma wanted to come out from her hiding place then. She wanted to jump in between then, grasp Regina's shoulders and tell her that none of it was true. "What Miss Swan does or with whom she does it with…" Damn. "…It changes nothing between you and I."
"You are making a big mistake, Regina." He said angrily, which put the eavesdropping blonde on alert. There was something slightly menacing in his tone. She didn't like it. "You will live to regret it."
"Do NOT speak to me of regrets, Robin." She heard Regina's voice go dangerously low. "I am already having serious ones when it comes to you." Ouch! The man was an idiot and wholly deserving of what he got if he continued to push Regina in this way.
Emma took a peak at them and saw Robin take Regina by the elbow and all of a sudden she came out from her hiding place, pretending as if she didn't see them. She had to intervene. She didn't do it for him; could care less about him. She did it for Regina, so the woman wouldn't do something she would regret, like kill him and lose so much effort she had put into improving her reputation in the community.
"Oh. Sorry…" Not sorry. "I didn't know anyone was out here," she lied next, which earned her a suspicious look from Regina.
"Emma," Robin glanced from Regina to Emma and back in contemptuous accusation. "How convenient," he shot Regina a dirty look who showed absolutely no emotion. "…and coincidental that you happen to be out here too."
"I like fresh air just as much as the next person," Emma quipped, giving him the evil eye.
"Well, perhaps you could leave us be because we were having a conversation."
"Well it didn't look very polite to me. Are you okay, Regina?" Emma placed a concerned hand on Regina's arm and Robin moved forward territorially, surprising both Regina and Emma, but Emma turned quickly to confront him.
Regina was beginning to feel like things were slipping out of order and right now she felt like she desperately needed order.
There was that popping vein in Robin's neck again, Emma mused. He glared at the blonde and incriminated with disgust, "You are outstaying your welcome with me. I'm tired of you popping up where you are not wanted. Why don't you get lost, Sheriff?"
Emma stared him straight in the eye and challenged, "Why don't you make me, donkey face."
"That is enough," Regina bellowed angrily.
They heard a gasp at the sidewalk and saw Marian standing there watching with wide eyes as if a war was about to be fought. She looked at each person warily, observantly, and then squared her shoulders and entered the premises.
"Marian." Robin's demeanor changed slightly and the woman's presence did cool the situation a bit. "What are you doing here?"
"My boss said I could swing by on my break and spend time with Roland." Marian sought Regina's approval a little sheepishly. "I hope that's alright."
"Of course it is, Deputy Locksley," Regina smiled encouragingly, "Roland has been a delightful bundle of energy all evening. Playing with Henry and his friends, charming all the party guests."
"That's my boy," Marian replied affectionately. "I'm glad he wasn't too much trouble then?"
"Not at all."
"We won't be staying for much longer anyway, so you'd best go in and see him." Robin curtly complained.
"What?" Marian looked at each person, wondering what she had missed and at the same time not really wanting to know. She sighed. She knew that when Robin was in this kind of mood, he could be difficult. "Is everything alright here?" She watched the man who was still legally her husband throw a dirty look at her boss. Her boss in turn, narrowed her eyes at him and questioningly glanced at the mayor. Regina directed a haughty look at the Sheriff followed strangely then by a fleeting look of longing. Aha! Things started to finally fall into place solidly for Marian. She could now see all the looks the two women gave each other for what they were as well as all the off handed comments that Ruby threw around concerning them. With another sigh, she addressed the mayor, "Madame Mayor, can I speak with you for a moment?"
Regina gave a startled look and then nodded as she stepped away with Marian, just far enough so that they could not be heard, but where she could keep an eye on Emma and Robin just in case they came to blows. The mayor never thought they would before, but how they were looking at each other a moment ago, she was no longer sure.
"Regina, I don't know what happened here but I know Roland was very excited to be here tonight and to see Santa Claus and all of that." Mary Margaret had convinced Archie to put a Santa Suit on and entertain the children with little Christmas gifts. The woman also glanced at her husband and exhaled a frustrating breath. "I also know Robin when he is in a… brooding mood." Marian turned to Regina with a dark look, "He can be… well… he can be somewhat of a prick."
Regina couldn't help but smile a little about that. The more she got to know Marian, the more she was pleasantly surprised to find the woman likeable, even with Henry trying to match-make the woman with his other mother. She scowled at that, but Marian did not seem to notice it. "If you want, I can take Robin home if he so chooses to go, but I'd like to leave Roland in your care then for the night. That is until I can pick him up after my shift."
"In my care?" Out of all the things the woman in front of her would ask, that was the furthest thing from Regina's mind. Clearly eyeing the woman up and down she asked, "You would entrust me with the care of your son?"
Marian's dark brow dipped in consternation. "Well… yes. Regina, I know you are not the Evil Queen anymore. You've changed. Roland is fond of you." They looked to Emma and Robin who were smiling insincerely at one another talking. Regina wondered what all that was about. "And frankly, if Emma trusts you, then so do I." The mayor was touched at having Marian's trust and a little irked that Marian mentioned both herself and Emma in the same sentence.
"Won't Robin have a problem with it?"
"I could give two figs about how Robin feels right now. I am Roland's mother and I say he can stay. All that matters to me is my son." That somehow earned the woman even more respect from Regina, who also certainly understood a mother's need to place her son first.
"I would very much like it if Roland could stay. He is really having the time of his life in there."
Marian smiled, "That's all I needed to hear."
Emma watched Marian and Regina step further away and heard Locksley gripe at her, "I bet you're certainly pleased with yourself aren't you?"
"What?"
"Butting-in where you're not wanted…"
"If anyone is butting-in here, pal, it's you."
"And how do you figure that, Swan?"
"I was here first." Emma wasn't sure why she was indulging in this childish back and forth with the man.
"Well you squandered your chances with Regina and now I am here. Her bloody soul mate."
Emma cringed at the word and that seemed to please him. "Yes, I am the one that destiny chose for her. If you were what she wanted, don't you think she would have sought you out Swan?"
"Shut up."
"No, really, let's think about this for a second. She's known me for a much shorter time and yet, she's pursued me. Kissed me." He smiled meanly at her then, "…made love with me." His smile only grew as Emma's mouth dropped. Regina and Robin had slept together already? The blonde could feel the anger and resentment building within her. "I'm her soul mate. She chose me. You got in the way and confused things. But I am her soul mate!"
Emma had reached her boiling point and said threateningly, "I swear if you say that word one more time, I am taking my gun out and shooting you in the face."
"Well, everything is settled," Marian whooped as they got closer. "Regina offered to watch Roland, Robin, and I will pick him up after my shift so if you are feeling unwell, you can go home. Everything is taken care of." The way her deputy had relayed all the information, delivering it in a nice neat little package told her that the woman had done this numerous times before and she had managed to cleverly steal an opportunity to argue away from him. It was his choice and he would be responsible for what he chose to do. Marian Locksley was smarter than Robin probably gave her credit for.
Still he tried, "Marian, I don't think…"
"Now Robin," she gave a conciliatory head nod, "You want Roland to have a good time don't you? He was looking forward to this all week."
Regina watched admiringly at the woman use the fine art of subtle manipulation in order to get what was best for her child; not even for herself. Because of that selflessness, it made it look less like manipulation and more like negotiating for what was right.
Emma sat and watched and had far less magnanimous thoughts toward the man. You're such an asshole. Again she couldn't believe that he and Regina had been intimate together and that thought, like a bad seed, was continually plaguing her mind with doubt and intense jealousy.
Just then the front door flew open and Roland came bolting down the walkway, "Roland!" came a shout from the house and Mulan was chasing the little boy just as he reached them all. "I saw this little guy streak out the door from across the room. You have to watch out for him. He's fast."
"Mulan…" Marian said staring at the woman she had met this morning, only now she was dressed more nicely in dark jeans, boots, a Christmas red top and blue denim jacket. Her hair was also soft and long, framing her face past her shoulders.
"Butterfly," Mulan beamed back with a sparkle in her eye. She placed her hands on Roland's shoulders and ruffled his hair affectionately. The action was not lost on Marian whose forehead crinkled questioningly yet still over a small smile of delight and curiosity.
"You two know each other?" Robin inquired with surprise evident on his face.
"MAMMA!" Roland threw himself at his mother.
"Mamma?" Mulan's smile disappeared as she asked Marian in shock.
"Mulan?" Robin asked Mulan, apparently still wanting an answer as to how she and Marian knew each other.
"Butterfly?" Emma comically asked Marian with a weird, confused look.
Regina watched the whole episode unfold and wanted to roll her eyes. She suddenly wished everyone gone so she could talk with Emma alone.
"Um… I ran into Mulan today in the woods. She was doing… um…" Marian looked to Mulan for assistance.
"Tai chi…" Mulan clarified and immediately Roland twisted his body in a tai chi stance and shouted gaining everyone's astonished attention.
"Parting the wild horse's mane!" the little boy introduced excitedly and executed the martial art move, while everybody watched. "White crane spreads its wings," and then he did that move too. He turned toward Mulan and he bowed and then she honored him with a bow in return and a big smile.
"Uh… Okay." Emma looked at the little boy, obviously taking pleasure from Mulan's praise. Everyone, except Mulan seemed shocked into silence. Emma's eyes darted in between Mulan and Roland and she saw the boy's parents' surprised expressions.
"That is excellent, Roland. I am so very proud of you."
Marian was stunned and strangely fascinated watching the interaction between her son and Mulan, especially the adoring way that Roland was looking up at the woman. Mulan seemed to sense her gaze and she looked into her eyes and smiled. "You have a wonderful, beautiful son, Butterfly."
"Why do you keep calling her that?" Robin made a mocking face, and Emma mused bitterly it was probably because no one was paying attention to him.
Mulan directed a slightly reproachful glare at him, "Because we have not yet been properly introduced." Since she had traveled and fought alongside him she was also able to gauge his moods and she was exactly the type to call him out on it. "And since she is your…" Mulan lobbed confused looks at both Regina and Marian, looked at Emma who just shrugged and rolled her eyes, and attempted to awkwardly continue, "…er…"
Marian stepped up to put her out of her discomfort, throwing a defiant look Robin's way, "I am nobody's 'er'." She beamed at Mulan, "I am Marian of Locksley, soon to be Dubios."
Direct hit! Emma saw Robin's jaw clench but also noticed that Marian's last statement sounded just the tiniest bit… welcoming, and the blonde was sure she had never seen Mulan smile quite like that. Her gaze set upon Regina, who seemed to finally catch on and was eyeing the two women and then their lingering handshake. Robin looked a little constipated, his face was twisted up in distaste, and Emma loved it. Karma's a bitch.
"Mamma," Roland was tapping her hip lightly to gain her attention. "Can Mulan sleep over tonight?"
Emma snorted, Mulan and Marion blushed awkwardly, Regina turned away still wishing that she and Emma were alone, and Robin continued to look as if he desperately needed a laxative. He shot Mulan a sour look. The long haired Asian woman squatted down and said, "Why don't we start off with a playdate first. Lunch. And then you can show me what you've learned with your bow and arrow."
Marian smiled and nodded in approval. "I think that would be a phenomenal idea."
"Oh?" Robin questioned his estranged wife with a sidelong glance.
"Yes," Marian raised her chin defiantly at him. "Roland seems very excited about it."
"Mamma! You've got to come inside and see Regina's Christmas tree and see the huge cake!"
"Oh yeah? And how many slices have you had, young man?" Marian joked tweaking his nose.
"Almost two! I couldn't finish it all after I had the ice cream," Roland informed his mother causing her mouth to hang open and stare incredulously at her husband who had the decency to shrink back from four pairs of reproachful eyes, three of them mothers, and one who had spent a lot of time taking care of Roland, who knew too well the effects of children keyed up on sugar.
He opened and closed his mouth and then attempted, "I wasn't with him all night. I had told him only one slice."
"Hm…" was all he got from the brunette deputy as she turned toward the front door. "No more sweets for the sweetheart tonight." Marian tousled his wild curls and offered, "…but how about showing Mommy, where all the good food is. I'm starving."
"We can take care of that, can't we Roland?" Mulan grinned as Roland nodded emphatically and grabbed each woman's hand and walked between them. Emma spotted Robin's uneasy look and he seemed conflicted now on whether to follow Marian and Mulan or leave Regina outside with Emma.
Emma grinned and stepped closer to Regina purposely rubbing shoulders with the woman when he turned to look at them. Regina spotted Emma's deeply satisfied grin and half rolled her eyes. She knew that Miss Swan was trying to get a rise out of Robin, and while she didn't necessarily approve of their competition for her attention, she couldn't say that it wasn't just a tad entertaining. If she could get a moment alone with the Sheriff, she would tell her that there was no need for her to compete. She would rather spend time with Emma.
"Regina, we need to talk." Robin pointed out, a pleading look on his face.
"Robin, I thought I had made myself perfectly clear. There is nothing more that we need to talk about. Now if you'll excuse us, I'd like a moment alone with Emma."
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Emma's grin widen and the woman rocked a little smugly on her heels. Really? The mayor bit the inside of her cheek to keep from shaking her head or laughing. Robin's eyes narrowed in anger but when she lifted her chin defiantly and looked down her nose at him with all the composure of a queen, he slunk back and nodded. Then he turned and slowly walked back into the house.
As soon as he closed the door, Emma rounded on Regina in upset. "You SLEPT with that guy?! What the fuck, Regina?" In that moment, Emma had taken the liberty of letting go of all the anger at Robin, the painful jealousy she felt about Regina and Robin sleeping together, and sharp frustration with herself for not being more forthcoming with Regina about her feelings.
"Excuse me?" Regina retorted back in agitation. Out of all the things she expected Emma to say to her once they were alone, that was not one of them.
Emma continued to seethe with undisciplined jealousy. Locksley was such a cocky son of a bitch. Now, thanks to him not only did she hate him, but she despised him even more because he had been with Regina intimately and been right where Emma had wanted to be for years. "He is such an asshole!" She made a little disgusted sound. "Why Regina?"
"He was my soul mate!"
"You know I never understood that. That whole Pixie Dust thing is stupid." Emma paced away and raged on. "So just because some handful of dust floats around some stranger, you should just up and jump his bones!"
"I did not just 'up and jump his bones' and I don't appreciate your tone, Miss Swan."
"Oh excuse me! Fine, take him to bed then," Then Emma's face twisted in repulsion. "Oh God!" She was imagining Locksley in Regina's bed, "Jesus Christ, I don't even know if I can step foot in this freakin' house again." That last bit was more talking to herself than anything. On some level, Emma knew she was being irrational but the more she thought of Regina and Robin, it did crazy things to her common sense. Sure, she knew they were dating, but she and Hook had been dating a lot longer and she hadn't done anything with him!
"It didn't happen here."
"Really? I can't imagine you being the type to get busy in a tent, Regina. So where then, your vault?" Emma's sardonic sneer and shake of a head was an indication that she was kidding but when Regina didn't say anything in return Emma's head whipped up at her. "You guys did it in your vault? Like among your dead parents' corpses and hearts in boxes?" She turned toward the house hands on hips. "What a fucking asshole!" Then Emma slapped her palms over her eyes as if she wished she could poke them out. "Great, now I'm imagining your two in the vault together, that's just fucking great!"
"Frankly, I'm appalled that you are imagining me doing anything related to that activity at all, Miss Swan!" Regina's eyes blazed and her nostrils flared. Their conversation after Robin left had not gone at all like the brunette had hoped and she was at a loss of how to get everything back on track.
Emma took the sight of an angry Regina in. The woman was always attractive and that did not lessen when she was pissed off. The blonde had to wonder whether she had, in the past, subconscious ulterior motives to pissing the woman off. She tried to ignore how hot Regina was and came closer, "Oh, I've imagined you doing all sorts of stuff where that activity is concerned." She remembered touching herself to her fantasy of having sex with Regina in her kitchen. However, Regina was aware of none of this so she, perhaps, misunderstood Emma's comment.
"Hopefully these would not be the same sort of activities you partook in with that brainless oaf who used to be a pirate." Regina looked down her nose at Emma then. "Really, if I were you I would have my private parts disinfected."
Emma's guttural exhale was one of absolute frustration. "Nothing happened with Hook."
"Apparently that's not how he tells it."
"Well, he's lying!" Emma squared her shoulders and narrowed her eyes. "And even if I did let something happen, at least I would have had sense enough not to sleep with a married man!"
There was a squeak at the door and Emma and Regina turned to find Marian with wide eyes staring at them.
FUCK! Emma felt deep shame course through her entire body and it only got worse when she glanced at Regina who looked white as a sheet.
"Marian," Regina started awkwardly, but Marian held up her hands and walked down the walkway toward them studying the older woman in front of her and then her boss, her eyes darting back and forth between them. "Marian, I…"
"Regina, please." Marian eyes darted around looking for how to put her thoughts into words, "I think I already knew. It doesn't matter now anyway."
Still Regina went on, "I didn't intend…" the brunette started but gathered herself into a more regal stature. "If I could take it back I would. I'm sorry."
Regina's steadfast remorse surprised Emma and made her feel even more like a jackass. You're such a jerk, Swan.
Marian looked Regina over and sighed and shook her head. "Regina. I'm going to say this once and quickly." The swarthy beauty hooked her thumbs in her belt and proceeded assertively. "None of what I just heard changes anything between you and I. I am still grateful that you saved my life, I am grateful for all that you have done for Roland and if anything, I think I needed to have it confirmed to me." Marian took a deep breath and said, "As far as I am concerned, you and I are fine."
Regina did not know what to say so she nodded and crossed her arms looking very uncomfortable and Emma felt guilty and rotten again.
"Um… I just wanted to let you know that I have to go."
"Must you? Roland looks so happy to have you here."
"I'm afraid so." Marian looked at Emma as a deputy now and nothing more. "There's a domestic dispute on Galveston St. I'm on my way over there now."
Marian started to move and Emma flagged her, "Wait." Emma looked at Regina who again had that damned unreadable expression on her face. She seemed to be okay, but Emma had a feeling that wasn't the case. She knew there was probably a whole mess of emotions running underneath Regina's stoic expression and she wasn't certain she was in the right frame of mind to even address it. With Regina she could be really upset or really pissed off and Emma wasn't ready to tackle that hornet's nest just yet, especially when she knew she was the cause of it. She literally hated herself in that moment. Cursing herself for running away, she held out her hand and said, "Give me your radio. I'll take the call."
"What?" both Regina and Marian exclaimed at the same time.
Looking at Marian and not at Regina, Emma said, "Deputy Locksley, you are hereby relieved of duty for the night. Go spend time with your son."
"I…" Marian stammered and looked to Regina, whose face was getting an angrier shade of red by the minute. "Are you sure…" Marian asked but had a look that more said to Emma, "Are you sure you want to piss her off? She's beginning to look a little 'Evil Queen-ish' right now."
But where Regina Mills was concerned, Emma Swan wasn't always the brightest tool in the box. "Yeah." She took the radio and glanced to Regina and tried to think of something to say. She knew she had to make things right but she was royally fucking it up and couldn't seem to stop the out of control spiral she was heading down. "Regina…"
"Goodbye, Miss Swan."
Oh damn! If that wasn't the scariest thing she had ever heard. Gulping Emma watched Regina coldly turn and walk into the house.
[X]
She had royally fucked up. Emma knew she had when Regina had turned her back on her. And she deserved it. She fucking deserved it. And she needed to fix it, which was why she was parked in front of 108 Mifflin Street, preparing herself for a fight. It was nearly two o'clock in the morning and she knew that Regina's party had well ended and the last guests had left about an hour ago. Pulling out her phone, Emma read the last message she had received from Marian a little after midnight.
MARIAN: Emma, we're leaving the party now. Thanks so much for taking over my shift. Ruby is giving us a ride home. She is also giving Robin a ride home too. Just so you know.
Emma smiled at that last sentence which really read like, "Just so you know he is not with Regina."
Telling herself to "woman up" and just do this already, she pressed Regina's name under her favorites and immediately her phone dialed Regina's cell. This was crazy. The woman probably didn't want to talk to her and who could blame her.
Just when Emma thought the call was going to go to voice mail, she heard it activate on the other end and heard Regina's voice on the line. "Miss Swan, do you have any idea what time it is?"
Emma's throat felt dry and her mouth opened and closed. "Good, you're up. I need to talk to you."
There was a pause and then Regina retorted, "I wasn't aware we had anything more to discuss."
"I was a total jerk, Regina." Another pause.
"Go on." Emma had to smile at that.
"I'm sorry for being a complete asshat tonight. I wish I could take it all back." Emma braced her forehead against the steering wheel and continued, "I wish I could just start over and when Robin went back in, do what I had wanted to do when I head-motioned you out there in the first place."
"Which was?"
"To kiss you."
She heard Regina's breath hitch. After a long moment she heard the mayor's smooth voice, "You're forgiven, Miss Swan. Now perhaps you should go home and get some sleep. Good night, Emma."
"Regina…" then the call was disconnected. What the hell?! Oh hell no! Her stomach had been in knots all night!
Slamming her car door, she rolled her shoulders, pulled on the lapels of her leather jacket and started her walk toward the house, while giving herself a much needed pep talk. "I am going to go in there, well… knock first, then go in there and say, ´Regina, we have got to stop playing this game!'." She was talking days, months, even years of flirty looks like they were mentally undressing each other. Emma hated games. "We have GOT to stop playing this game. The game stops here!"
The blonde leaned on the doorbell impatiently. In only a few seconds, she rang it again because there was no answer. She turned around to stare out into the street and heard the door swing open in annoyance.
"Regina! We have got…" When she turned around her brain short circuited. Regina Mills stood in the doorway with a disturbed frown on her face. She was dressed in a copper colored satin pajama set under a grey fleece robe, a rather modest appearance which Emma found no less drop dead sexy. It occurred to her that she had never seen the mayor in her pajamas before. "…playing… stop… game… this… to…"
"Miss Swan, are you having a stroke?" Regina blinked her confusion at the words Emma had greeted her with.
"I'll let you know in a second." Emma's eyes were moving up and down Regina's body slowly. The woman could probably be wearing a flannel granny nightgown and still look hot. Her gaze settled on Regina's toes in a pair of grey matching slippers and she suddenly wanted to see all of Regina naked.
With a loud clearing of her throat, Regina grabbed Emma's attention. "Sheriff, hello?" Emma's eyes darted to Regina's face. "You were saying?"
Emma mouth opened and her eyes darted from side to side uncertainly. "I was?"
"Something about a game?" Regina prompted waving her hands speedily.
"Yeah…" Emma said softly and she looked at Regina with round sincere eyes. "I… I don't want to play one."
Regina blinked, "Well, neither do I, Miss Swan, at 1:45 in the morning!" The mayor rolled her eyes and opened the door wider. "Come in. We can't have you drooling on the front stoop like a St. Bernard."
Emma followed the older woman through the doorway watching the enticing sway of her bottom and the blonde instantly wished she had x-ray vision. When she saw the older woman turn, Emma's eyes darted back to Regina's face and could see that her ogling was found out and the brunette raised her brow in question.
"That's a nice…robe…" Emma blurted wanting to smack herself.
"I am so pleased that you approve, Miss Swan." Regina gibed placing her hands on her hips and rolling her eyes.
"I never thought fleece and satin could be that sexy," Emma muttered under her breath before she could stop herself. What the hell are you doing, Swan? Shut up, shut up!
An extremely satisfied grin spread on the mayor's face as she crossed her arms slowly and sashayed forward, stopping just a foot away from the blonde. The scent of the mayor's apple shampoo assailed her senses. Emma wondered where this woman, the Evil Queen, got her fascination with apples. It got to a point now where the younger woman couldn't even eat an apple nowadays without becoming a little aroused… from eating a damn apple!
"Can I interest you in a glass of 'the best apple cider you have ever tasted', Miss Swan?" They both smiled aware that this invitation had been relayed before, a long time ago, when they first met.
Emma stared at her lips, watching the older woman's broad smile fade and her tongue make a quick appearance to moisten her lips. The blonde gulped suddenly remembering how soft those lips were on hers.
"Regina." That came out a little bit huskier than she had intended.
The older woman's lips parted and Emma felt a pull between her legs and a flutter in her belly. She thought she saw Regina move closer but perhaps it was wishful thinking because the light in Regina's eyes changed slightly and she was walking backward, "I still have some sparkling cider left if you would prefer something non-alcoholic."
Emma followed Regina to the kitchen and watched as she opened her refrigerator, took a bottle out and poured two small glasses of sparkling cider. The older woman walked over to her house guest, stood next to her and placed the glass in front of her, "Now what kind of game did you not want to play, Miss Swan?"
"Did you ever play poker, Regina?" What the hell was she saying, Emma thought? Just kiss her!
The mayor frowned at her, "I can't say that I spent much of my past life playing poker." Regina placed her glass on the counter.
"Right." Emma nodded her head at herself. Poker? The woman was too busy looking for her mother and conquering villages and she asks about poker? Emma wondered when she had been hit with the stupid-stick tonight. Just kiss her! Grab her and kiss her like you want to! The sheriff sipped her drink and then placed it down, "… Okay." She leaned forward, grabbed Regina by the nape of her neck and sealed the mayor's lips with her own.