A.N. I am so so sorry for the delay in uploading a chapter for you all. I really seemed to lose my muse for quite awhile and the words just would not come. Thank you so much for sticking with me and welcome to all the new followers. I'm still not 100% happy with this chapter but I feel so bad for leaving it so long so here goes. I have a rough outline of the next chapter so I'm hoping inspiration hits me fully and I'll be able to upload the next chapter soon. Again, really sorry.
Emma awoke to the sound of the dawn chorus, the birds chirping away loudly. She was tempted to try rolling over and having another hour in bed but couldn't settle, her mind immediately filling with thoughts for the day ahead. Today was the day, the day of the date. She sat up suddenly her eyes wide as her heart started to race, "I have a date with Regina." Then as a smile crept onto her face she said more confidently, "I actually have a date...with Regina." She knew if she let her emotions get the better of her she could quite easily let out a little squeal of delight at the prospect. She cleared her throat to try and get her emotions in check and calm down but she couldn't remove her smile. She practically jumped out of bed when it hit her, the pain in her thigh causing her to stumble and grimace "dammit!" She huffed and limped over to her running clothes, black leggings and a blue vest top.
In no time at all she had her iPod on, bottle of water in hand and was out the door turning down the street towards the harbour. She must have spent a good hour and a half running along the beach, through the woods and back again. As she stopped to catch her breath and drink some water she spotted the children's play area and walked over to it. Seeing no-one was about, she decided to make use of the monkey bars to do some pull-ups. She got lost in her thoughts as her music shuffled to some easy listening, up, down, up, down. Her muscles, glistening with sweat started to strain but she kept pushing through. Suddenly a car backfired, the sound shooting through her earphones making her lose her grip as she collapsed to the ground, the earphones yanked out of her ears as the iPod went flying. Her eyes went wild, her head darting from side to side as she lay prone on the ground, her hands covering her ears. Her whole body started shaking but she couldn't move. Her legs were brought up as she lay almost in a ball on her side. Her breathing became erratic as tears fell from her face, her mind playing tricks on her as she could have sworn she heard more gunfire. She knew she just had to stay still and maybe, just maybe the enemy wouldn't see her. Her vision became blurred as her mind took her back to that corridor, the invisible walls drawing closer as she started to hyperventilate. She could make out a silhouette of boots and brown trousers, the shape of a holster on a hip. The walls started to crumble, bricks falling around her and dust flying up everywhere.
"Emma?"
She couldn't look up, couldn't move.
"Emma!" A hand touched her shoulder blade and she jerked away, rolling to the side, her eyes frantic.
"Sheriff Swan!"
She looked up and blinked several times when suddenly a dog appeared in her line of sight, right in front of her face panting away looking like it was about to lick her.
"Pongo down." The voice said. Emma looked up passed the now sitting dog to see Archie looking down concernedly.
She managed to regulate her breathing, "Archie?"
He crouched down, his hand out in front in a placating gesture, "Emma, what happened?"
She sat up and wiped her forehead with the back of her shaking hand, "I...there was...I thought..." She looked away ashamed.
"Hey Sheriff, it's okay. I understand. You've been in a war zone and you seem like you have PTSD, it's not that uncommon amongst soldiers." He put his hand out to comfort her but she brushed him off as she shakily stood.
"Look I understand if you don't want to talk about it, but please know my door is always open. It doesn't do well to dwell on these things, better to get them out in the open so you feel you can move on."
"I guess. Look Archie, I'm sorry. I tried the whole counselling thing when I was recovering in hospital. It didn't help, maybe it was the doctor maybe it was me, I don't know." She walked a couple of steps away to pick up her fallen iPod and water bottle then turned back to him, "I appreciate the offer, really I do. I'm just not used to sharing my feelings with strangers, no offence."
He smiled sympathetically and took hold of Pongo's lead again, "well, maybe if not me you could find someone else to talk to?"
"Maybe."
"See you around Sheriff."
She smiled but it came out more of a grimace as he turned to carry on down the street. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, the pain in her thigh coming back with a vengeance as she began the long walk back to the apartment.
She entered the apartment to see Mart Margaret humming to herself as she pottered in the kitchen.
"Emma hey. I'm making us pancakes."
"Thanks MM. I'll just grab a quick shower. Be right back."
They spent the morning together doing household chores and making small talk before Mary Margaret announced she was going to the hospital.
"MM, I hope you won't get your hopes up about John Doe." Emma called from the sofa.
"What are you talking about?" She said as she slipped her coat on.
"I just don't want to see you get hurt if he starts to remember who he is."
"I'm a big girl Em, I can take care of myself."
"I know. I just...I'm allowed to be concerned for my friend."
Mary Margaret walked over and squeezed her shoulder gently, "I know. Don't worry about me. I'll see you later."
The door closing told Emma she had the apartment to herself for the afternoon. Film afternoon it was then.
The alarm on her watch beeped waking her from her slumber on the sofa, the film having returned back to the main menu half an hour a go. It was five thirty, time to get ready. Emma jumped up from the sofa and did a quick tidy up before heading for a shower. The warmth of the water comforting her as those pesky butterflies started up again. Ten minutes later she was in the middle of her room staring at the clothes on her bed.
"Do I go with smart, fancy, or casual but neat?" She was nearly ready to pull her hair out when she remembered a certain outfit and a smile graced her face as she prepared for the evening ahead.
At 6:45pm she was out of the door and driving to Regina's.
6:55pm. "Come on Swan. Just get out of the car and knock on the door." She glanced at her watch one more time, 6:56pm. She took a deep breath and finally plucked up the courage to leave her car and walk up the driveway.
Just as she was about to step onto the porch the door opened and she couldn't help but gasp as she looked upon the gorgeous brunette. Regina was stood in almost the same shocked pose wearing a form fitting knee length blue dress with a midnight blue shawl.
"H-hi." Emma said as she finally found her voice. "You look amazing."
Regina cleared her throat, "as do you my dear." Her pupils dilating as she took in Emma from head to toe. Her blonde hair curled and falling around her shoulders creating a beautiful frame around her face. She was wearing a fitted black suit with a white shirt and black skinny tie
"Should we...?" Emma pointed behind her nervously.
Regina shook herself out of a daze, "of course, let me just get my bag." She turned and hurried through to the lounge to grab her bag, giving Emma the chance to see the low cut of the back of her dress, Emma realised this meant she wasn't wearing a bra and couldn't help but moan.
Regina returned, bag in tow "shall we?" She said as she shut the door behind them.
They walked side by side down the driveway and Emma opened the passenger door to which Regina smiled gracefully.
The drive to the restaurant was quiet as they both steeled their nerves, just the occasionally glance and shy smile.
They arrived at 7:30, the restaurant done up in subtle yellow and red hues, gentle classical music playing in the background and the candles on each table lending a romantic air. They were led to their table by the window and after some small deliberation ordered their meals for the evening.
Emma fiddled with her wine glass, "how's Henry?"
"He's fine. Kathryn took him to the cinema for the evening. There was some superhero film he wanted to see."
"Oh. I remember he mentioned that. He does like his heroes doesn't he?"
Regina chuckled and sipped her wine.
"I-"
"You-"
They both smiled, "you go."
"No, you please."
Regina placed her glass gently on the table, "I just wanted to say thank you...for tonight."
Emma cheeks felt like they were getting warm so she took a big gulp of her wine, "you're welcome. I know I've said it before but I feel like there's something here. I want to explore it Regina. You know-"
Just then the waiter came by with their meals before quickly leaving them to their own thoughts.
"What were you going to say Emma?" Regina asked between bites.
Emma took a deep breath, "I was going to say...okay. Look, you know I have a troubled past but I'm trying to work on it."
"It's okay." Regina leant across the table to take her hand in her own.
Emma smiled gratefully, "I know but you need to know some stuff if this is going to move forward."
Regina squeezed her hand gently but encouragingly.
"I'm still having flashbacks. I had one this morning in fact, out in the open where anyone could see."
"Are you alright?"
Emma released her hand and had some more of her wine. "I am now but I wasn't then. I was out by the beach at the playground. I had my headphones in, doing my workout. I think it was a car that backfired? I'm not sure but I freaked out. I was a wreck on the ground, these images assaulting me. I thought I was back in that room with all the gunfire and explosions going on. Anyway the only reason I snapped out of it was because Archie happened to walk by with Pongo. It really shook me up. He said I could always go talk to him about it but I've never had a good track record with shrinks. He suggested I talk to someone else, a friend, someone I trust..."
"Emma you know you can talk to me. I want you to talk to me. It all seems like it's happening so fast but I feel a connection to you Emma. You can trust me." She smiled and it only grew as she received one in return.
"I need you to know though, that this PTSD or whatever Archie wants to call it, I'm working on it but it's going to take time. It might seem scary or troubling but I want to get through it. I just...I don't want to hurt you or Henry"
"Emma, Emma look at me. You will get through it. We, will get through it. I will help you. Whatever you need. You could never hurt Henry or I."
They ate the rest of the meal in comfortable silence until desert came. Emma ordered a lemon tart with vanilla bean nice cream for them to share.
"Oh my goodness this is delicious."
Regina hummed in agreement as she slowly twisted the spoon in her mouth and pulled it out, licking the remaining crumbs from it.
"What?" She said confusedly.
Emma sat with her mouth agape as she watched the spoon being put slowly onto the table, "n-nothing."
Time seemed to speed up without them realising and after a little argument about the bill, ("I asked you on this date Regina, therefore I'm paying"), it was soon time to leave. The drive back to the mansion was quiet but not in an awkward way as Regina held Emma's free hand in her lap all the way home. She only released it when they pulled up to the house and Emma rushed round to open her door. She took Emma's hand as they walked up the path, entwining their fingers and casting a shy smile till they reached the porch and she had to let go to find her keys.
"I really enjoyed tonight Emma." Regina said as she spun on her heel before opening her door.
"I did too. I'd like to do it again sometime but maybe without the heavy topics." Emma stepped closer to the brunette.
"Nonsense Emma. That's what dates are for. To get to know one another." Their breath started to mingle.
Emma quickly darted passed the waiting lips to place a chaste kiss in her cheek.
"Goodnight Regina." She turned to walk back down the driveway leaving a stunned deputy mayor on her doorstep.
"Emma Swan! Get back here this instant!"
Emma stopped, her shoulders raised and her head ducked as she sheepishly walked back up to the disgruntled woman.
"Yes?"
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
Regina took hold of Emma chin, tilting her head to look her in the eyes.
"What was that kiss?"
"A goodnight kiss?"
Regina huffed, "we spend a lovely evening together sharing a deep conversation and all I get at the end of the night is a peck on the cheek?"
"I didn't want to presume to..."
"Presume away my dear." Regina roughly pushed the blonde against the pillar, knocking the air from Emma lungs before attaching their lips in a passionate kiss. Emma recovered from the initial shock to take control and walked the shorter woman backwards into the door with a slight thump. She ran her right hand down Regina's waist onto the back of her thigh, pulling the brunettes leg up to curl around her own. Her left hand held Regina's right above her head whilst Regina's left played with Emma's hair. She ducked her head down to latch onto Regina's throat, swirling her tongue before reaching her earlobe. Regina let out an audible moan and gripped her hair tighter pulling the blonde into her more. Emma moved to recapture plump moist lips when the door suddenly opened and they both stumbled through the opening, luckily Emma's reactions were quick enough to stop them falling as Regina gripped hold of her shoulders to keep upright. Emma looked past Regina to see a bemused looking Kathryn holding the door open.
"Um, hi?"
"Hello" Kathryn chuckled, "I heard a loud bang at the door so I thought I should check it out."
"Well, um, we're all good here." She slowly disentangled herself from a quickly reddening brunette and straightened her jacket and tie.
"I can see that," the humour evident in her eyes.
Regina spun round as she cleared her throat, "thank you for looking after Henry this evening Kathryn. I trust he was well behaved?" Her deputy mayor voice back in action, if a little husky.
"He was yes. You know I love seeing him, it was no trouble at all."
They all stood in silence for a moment.
"Well, it's late. I should get going." Kathryn said as she reached to the side of the door to grab her coat.
"Of course. Thank you again Kathryn." Regina stepped to the side to let her pass.
"Yes thank you Kathryn. Can I give you a lift home?" Emma asked politely.
"Oh um, well, if that's alright?" She watched the silent interaction between the couple.
"It's fine. I'll be there in a minute." Emma smiled at her as she nodded and walked to the bug.
"Really?" Regina sounded a little put out.
Emma encircled her in a hug, "hey, I loved what we just did but I am not about to take advantage on a first date."
"Fine." Regina huffed.
Emma chuckled and kissed her lightly on the nose, "you're cute when you pout."
"I do not pout."
"Okay." Emma said in a disbelieving manner.
Regina swatted her arm, "go take Kathryn home. I will see you tomorrow."
"Tomorrow?"
"Yes. Henry and I will be having lunch at Granny's at one. I'm sure he would like to see you."
"Oh right, HE would like to see me. Here I thought there was someone else too." Emma gave her a gentle squeeze and released her from the hug with a quick peck on the lips.
"Goodnight Sheriff."
Emma smiled brightly at her and stepped off the porch, "goodnight Regina."
