Rating: T
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters and make no profit.
When Regina has showered away her anger and frustration and dressed herself impeccably, it's still way too early in the morning to expect anyone to be out and about.
5 days since I could have been kissing Emma Swan. No, stop thinking about that stubborn woman.
The former Queen feels like screaming or throwing something. She shouldn't care about the hurt look when she rejected the blonde or when she basically called her a whore. She should be delighted that the sheriff has stayed away from her for the last 5 days.
So why the hell does she feel like she misses the goofy smiles and the clumsiness and the way Emma always speaks her mind and calls her out on her bullshit?
Her mind chooses this moment to provide her with the pleading eyes of the sheriff asking her to help with the outsider that has crossed the town line and crashed.
With a resigned sigh, Regina lets the realization that she's going to help the blonde regardless of the still missing apologies from her parents wash over her.
The only reason she's okay with it is because she's decided that she's not helping the Charmings, but herself, by making sure the existence of magic remains a secret. She's spent too much time and energy on managing this town to let outsiders destroy it.
In her mind it's also a good way to say she's sorry to Emma for treating her like she did.
With a certain satisfaction in knowing she has a sense of purpose for the early day she gets into her Mercedes and starts the drive to the hospital.
"Regina, what are you doing here?" Emma exclaims when she sees the former mayor walking away from the room she is just on her way to visit.
The blonde thinks she sees the other woman jump slightly before she spins around quickly to look at her.
"I'm just protecting the town I've built, something you seem to fail to do," the brunette replies tersely, raising an eyebrow that dares the woman to contradict the statement.
The sheriff's eyes widen and she scrambles to get to the room where 'Greg, the outsider' is still recovering. She lets out a breath of relief when the man looks at her surprised as she bursts through the doors. Then she realizes what her reaction signals to the former Queen and she feels like doing a face-palm as she spins out of the room just as fast as she entered.
With growing panic she finds that the brunette isn't standing where she was when Emma abruptly departed and without conscious thought she starts running towards the hospital exit.
"Regina, wait," she calls when she catches the unmistakable back of the former mayor just about to exit.
"I'm sorry," she pants when she comes to a stop next to a clearly displeased brunette just outside the building.
"Is that all? I have other places to be," Regina replies nonchalantly as she starts walking again, only to be stopped when the other woman grabs her arm firmly.
"Don't be so difficult, I said I was sorry."
"Well excuse me if I don't take too kindly to people always thinking I murder everyone that troubles me," the brunette snaps irritably, slapping away the hand that still has a hold on her arm.
"I'm sorry."
"You've said that already. It doesn't change anything," the former Queen responds somewhat sullenly, trying to mask her hurt.
"I know, I jumped to conclusions and wasn't thinking rationally. It won't happen again," Emma promises quickly, hoping to appease the other woman enough to not walk away before they can talk.
"I'm sure it will," the brunette replies coldly, knowing it's a promise the other woman can't keep. Her father is Charming after all.
"Contrary to popular belief I'm not actually much inclined to killing people. I rather prefer to find other ways to punish them and find some use of their talents."
Regina is only half offended at the way the sheriff smirks at her statement.
"I don't doubt it. I do vaguely recall being called a whore a few days ago."
It's not meant to be a jab at the brunette as Emma is already over it, having a pretty decent idea of why the former mayor reacted like she did. But she appreciates the brief look of regret that passes over the other woman's features when she mentions it just the same.
"Yes, well, that was…uncalled for," Regina says softly as she looks away from the other woman for a moment.
"If you want you could bring Henry over for dinner and then when he's in bed we could…talk?"
The blonde has to hide her smirk at the slight grimace the former Queen releases at her own suggestion, clearly not finding the thought of actually having an honest conversation very appealing.
"I'd love to," Emma replies quickly with a smile. "But we're having a celebration for Archie this afternoon since he turns out to be alive. You should come with us though and then we can talk after?"
Regina fails to fully hide her scowl at this new information.
"I don't know if it's such a good idea. All those people-" she starts uncomfortably, but the sheriff cuts her off promptly.
"Don't be ridiculous. Archie wants you there and Henry and I will make sure you're not left to fend for yourself," the blonde says with a wink and a grin.
"Fine," the brunette grumbles as she turns to leave, suddenly having to find out what to wear and what to bring, something she knows will take a lot of time.
"Great, I'll pick you up at five," Emma yells after the other woman's retreating form, her stomach in jitters as she tries to figure out what to wear to impress the former Queen.
"Emma, honey, we're leaving. Are you ready to go?" Snow asks softly while she taps the door gently. There's scrambling on the other side for a moment before the door opens just enough for the blonde to peek outside.
Even though most of her everyday clothes are thrown into a few boxes in her rented room at Granny's, Emma felt she needed something a little classier if she wanted to make an impression on the always pristine former mayor. And that meant she was forced to go to her parents' place.
"Sorry, I forgot to tell you that I'm picking up Regina, so if you guys could just bring Henry, I'll see you there soon," she says quickly before trying to close the door and failing as the dark haired woman outside lays her weight against it.
"What?" the blonde asks agitated at Snow's confused look.
"What have you been doing in there for so long?"
"Nothing, just getting ready for the party," the blonde counters quickly, scowling at the other woman's dubious and thoughtful look.
"Open the door," Snow demands.
"No," the sheriff answers back, trying to force the door closed, but before she's fully prepared for it, the dark haired woman gives a hard push that almost makes her lose her footing and forces her to take a step back.
She rolls her eyes at the gasp Snow releases when the door opens enough to reveal the blonde and she begrudgingly lets the other woman enter, moving back to the mirror in annoyance.
"Emma," Snow chokes out as she looks at her daughter.
"Don't make a big deal out of it okay? I just want to look nice."
"Well, is it for someone special?" the dark haired woman presses gently, forcing herself not to cry at the sudden burst of emotions she experiences as she looks at her daughter all prettied up.
"What? No," the blonde exclaims as she spins around to glare at her mother. "I just think it would be nice to show people that I can make an effort, you know, and what better occasion than a celebration right?"
Snow raises her eyebrows at her daughter, clearly conveying that she doesn't believe her, but will let it go for the moment.
"If you say so. I'll see you soon."
Emma lets out a relieved and nervous sigh when the door closes and she hears the dark haired woman ushering the others out of the apartment.
"Miss Swan, you're -" Regina never finishes the sentence as she catches sight of the woman outside her door.
"I know, I know. I'm late and I'm sorry. I had a last minute crisis, but it's all fixed now," the blonde rushes out as she gives her best apologetic smile.
"That's…alright," the former Queen breathes as she ushers the other woman inside and closes the door against the chill air.
She has no doubts that Emma is going to catch a cold with how little clothes she seems to be donning, but she can't deny that it makes for quite a sight.
The rich and somewhat darker green dress she's wearing is short and tight, shoving off her well-toned body and accentuating her green eyes. She has obviously curled her hair a little to bring forth her natural locks even more and there's a slightly darker eye-shade than normal, as well as lips painted deeply red.
All in all, it's something Regina has never seen before and something she most definitely approves off. Had she not been so well trained at masking her emotions she's certain she would have to pick her jaw off the floor.
"You look…delectable," the brunette rasps, sending a glare at the other woman when Emma smirks at her.
"I didn't know you even had a dress. Archie must be something special for you to make such a fuss," the former mayor states nonchalantly to try to appear unaffected.
"Oh yes, I'm really hoping to impress him tonight," Emma teases back, delighted at the small smile it elicits from the other woman.
"Should we go then?" she asks as she reaches out her hand for the former Queen to take.
"Yes, but we're driving my car and you'll have to take one of my coats so you don't freeze to death."
"Fair enough," the blonde supplies, secretly grateful at the other woman for providing her with something against the cold autumn air since she chose to forego it in favor of making sure she got Regina's full attention.
Not one of her brightest ideas, but she at least got the desired effect.
When Emma and Regina walk into the diner together, people turn to stare at them, but carry on their conversations. It isn't until the blonde takes off the coat that the room suddenly becomes uncomfortably quiet.
The former mayor scowls at everyone as Emma tries her best not to blush and squirm at all the attention she's suddenly getting. She's almost regretting her choice of dress now that she's shown it to Regina. She's the only one she wants to admire her in this outfit. A quick glance over at the brunette confirms that she apparently feels much the same way.
"Hey mom," Henry exclaims as he throws himself at the sheriff and hugs her tightly.
"Hey mom," he repeats as he does the same with the former Queen, grinning and taking their hands to drag them to his table.
People slowly start their conversations back up as they try to not appear to pay attention to the two women and their shared son.
Throughout the evening, Emma mostly keeps her word to the former mayor, never leaving her side unless she's sure Henry is with her to keep her occupied.
Regina feared it would be awkward and lonely at the party as she's not highly regarded in the town at the moment, but she's finding it surprisingly easy to ignore the other people and their failed tries at covert stares.
Instead she chooses to focus on her son's enthusiasm and Emma seemingly taking every opportunity to brush against her in some way.
At one point the brunette even feels comfortable enough to reach over to her son and wipe a smudge off his face, giving the blonde woman a deliberately direct and upfront view of the vast cleavage on display just for Emma's sake.
She has to fight the urge to laugh out loud as the sheriff literally chokes on her drink, blushing profusely at the worry Henry shows while Regina smirks knowingly.
"I'm fine, I just need some air. Gimme a second," the blonde tells Henry as she quickly leaves their table and disappears outside.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" the boy asks the former mayor with worry.
"I'm sure she'll be just fine honey."
"I'm glad you're not fighting so much anymore," he states with a smile as he takes a large gulp of his drink.
Henry's words catch Regina off guard, but she manages to give him a reassuring smile.
"I am too." And she's a little surprised to find that she actually means it.
"If I come back, you're not gonna try to keep Emma away from me right?" he asks innocently and the brunette has to fight the urge to wrap him in her arms and promise him the world. Can she honestly tell her son she won't try to keep him all to herself though?
"Of course not, I just want you to be happy," she tells him with a smile and the relief on his face causes a stab of jealousy in her chest that she quickly pushes away.
"Thanks mom. Having both of you makes me happy."
The former Queen has to fight hard to keep the tears forming in her eyes from falling at his words.
"Want me to tell you a secret?" she asks as she leans towards him conspiringly and watches with amusement as he nods vigorously, leaning towards her as well.
"She's kind of growing on me."
He grins widely at her and she ruffles his hair as she stands up.
"I'll be right back," she tells him before moving towards the exit where the sheriff has yet to come back in.
She finds the blonde leaning against the wall just outside, staring blankly at the street, apparently lost in thought. With determination she crosses over to the woman who straightens as soon as she sees her.
"Regina-" Emma starts, only to be cut off by a look she's come to known as the former mayors silent way of saying 'shut the hell up and listen.'
"If we do this, we tell no one," the brunette says firmly and from the way the other woman's eyes widen, it's clear she understands perfectly what she's referring to.
"Until we make sure Cora is gone, we keep whatever is between us behind closed doors."
"Okay," Emma agrees immediately, not bothering to contain her pleased grin.
"That means no flirting, no touching and no gestures that can be misinterpreted in public."
"Got it," the blonde says as she mock salutes.
"That means no grinning like an idiot either," Regina states annoyed, scowling as the other woman's smile seems to grow impossibly wider.
"And we are not girlfriends. We're just…seeing where this thing between us goes."
"If you say so."
Emma is proud that she manages to reduce her ecstatic grin to a pleased smirk.
In truth, she thought it would take a lot more than dressing up and subtle touches to get the former Queen to cave, but she's delighted at how much Regina seems to want this as well.
"Okay. Good. Now get back inside, Henry is worried about you."
Emma fights the urge to do a fist pump or a victory dance, instead grinning like an idiot as she walks back to the table where their son is waiting anxiously to make sure they are both alright.
Neither of them notices the figure emerging from the shadows when they walk back inside the diner.