Sorry for the wait my lovelies, this was both hard and easy to write and then I got all caught up in writing some really exciting stuff coming up in new chapters but enough about that no one want to know. Thank you for all the reviews and remember to follow if you haven't already. If you have then a gold star for you! Now lets get on with it.
Disclaimer:mmhm oh you knows I don't ownz this. (imagine me doing this while clicking my fingers in a Z pattern and you're there.)
Twelve: Brushing up on ignorance
Emma drove as fast as she dared over to 108 Mifflin street wishing that David didn't have the cruiser so she could put the siren on. Pulling up outside the house she got out of her bug slamming the door and stormed up the front path to the house. Regina had heard the car pull up in front and went down to greet the hurricane that was most likely making it's way towards her. She opened the front door just as the sheriff made it up the front steps and was faced with a very angry blonde.
"What the fuck Regina?" Emma said advancing towards the brunette.
"I have no idea what you are talking about dear." Regina stated plainly attempting to look aloof and uninterested. She had known that the short-haired brunette had loitered outside her house for a while after their conversation. She also knew that Charming had been the one to find her sobbing on the road and pick her up. What she had wondered was why he hadn't immediately stormed up to the front doors to nobly challenge her to some form of duel to the death. It was apparent now she thought as the blonde across from her was looking at her with anger and what she thought might be disappointment.
"Don't play dumb with me, Regina. You know exactly what I am talking about."
"I assure you I have not a clue what you are asking." Regina said in her best politicians voice.
"Liar. Don't forget, super power remember." Emma said tapping her head. "What was Mary Margaret doing here. I know she was out front bawling her eyes out."
"Oh that." Regina said simply. " Your beloved mother came round for tea time. A lady never declines tea time. We had a lovely conversation about her actions recently. So I had a wee look at her heart and noticed it was a bit dirty. She wanted me to fix it but I told her that I wasn't a maid and don't do spring cleaning. So I gave it back to her and she left. Any tears were completely on her part. I have no idea why she sat outside my house and cried her eyes out. You will have to ask her." she said smugly a vindictive smile on her face.
"You ripped my mothers heart out!" Emma yelled.
"I believe plucked it from her chest would be a better phrase but I put it back. No harm no foul as you would say Sheriff Swan"
"For fucks sake Regina." Emma let out a sigh loud enough to fill the room. She was annoyed and frustrated at the woman in front of her for doing something so stupid but at the same time slightly amazed that when she had been given the chance Snow had actually walked away from the encounter. Mary Margaret had a death wish coming to see the woman who's mother she had killed and Emma felt some of her frustration turn towards her for doing so.
"We have bigger problems going on right now than a few decades old vendetta. Can you just leave Mary Margaret alone for the time being, surely another couple of weeks won't put you off track. God you had twenty-eight years to do something and you didn't." Emma said seeing the closed off expression on the other woman's face and relented a little. "I get it OK. What she did was wrong and I'm sorry about Cora even though she might have been the shittiest person alive. She was still your mother and I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you had to go through that because no one deserves that not even Evil Queens or tyrannical mayors. I'm sorry for a lot of things and I wish that it would have happened differently because you were trying to change. I could see it and Henry could see it and some of this is my fault because I can't help thinking that if I had only believed you hadn't killed Archie then none of this would have happened. So I'm sorry for everything, including this fucked up situation we are in."
Regina looked at the blonde woman in front of her giving her the most heartfelt apology that she had ever heard. No one had ever apologized to her before for their actions which had spurred the brunette to commit atrocities. Everyone had just focused on what she had done and not why she had done it. She felt confused at how one minute the blonde had been looking like she was going to murder her in her own house to forcefully but sincerely apologizing. It was touching she thought and she had never liked the woman more than in that moment as she had caused small cracks in the woman's armor to appear, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.
"Thank you." She whispered barely heard over the other woman's heavy breathing.
"You're welcome." the blonde said noticing the profound effect that her words had on the former mayor not wishing to say more for fear that the woman would close up and revert to her snarky vindictive self. She hadn't been meaning to say any of those things to Regina but something had just clicked. She wasn't talking to an Evil Queen or a bitchy mayor she was just talking to a woman whose mother had been taken away from her. Murdered by the one person she hated most, with no one to say sorry or care in the slightest and it had just felt wrong.
Emma shuffled her feet awkwardly looking at the ground the two women standing in silence.
"I thought maybe we could talk... about what's happening. I told David we would sort out the 'living in the same space for the good of the town thing' before Henry came over tonight." Emma said trailing off.
"Henry's coming here? To see you." Regina said flatly.
"To see us actually. I thought it would be nice to have dinner together. The three of us. I thought it was a good idea after the crazy day we had yesterday just being able to focus on something we both love, something normal."
Regina laughed at the statement. " When is the three of us having dinner normal. Henry hates me and only sees me as the Evil Queen. I doubt it will be the most pleasant evening."
"Look I can call David and cancel if you want." Emma said getting out her phone.
"No. Don't." Regina quickly spluttered out in a most un-Regina like fashion before composing herself once more. " Dinner sounds great as long as you are not cooking Miss Swan. Who knows what atrocities I would be forced to endure if I let you near my kitchen."
"Great, because I wasn't planning on cooking." the blonde smirked. "Now can we talk like adults?"
"I most certainly can. I however can not attest to your abilities on the subject, sheriff."
"Very funny." Emma rolled her eyes. "We need to work out why we swapped bodies."
"Gold already explained how it worked or were you not listening."
"I was listening but I meant why we swapped, not how. Why did we have to swap bodies and not something else?" Emma said thinking out loud not really directing the question at the other woman.
"No, what we need to know Miss Swan is why we changed back."
"I don't know, it just happened maybe it was just finished."
"If it was finished then I wouldn't still have this ring tattooed on my finger.
"Maybe it just wasn't working so it changed. Gold said it might do that."
"That's the problem. We don't know the origin of the intent behind the enchantment. I have been researching while you were away and I have learnt a few disturbing things. Normally this type of situation is caused by either an artifact imbued with magic or a deep felt wish. After looking at what happened I think that is is perhaps a combination of both. I think that you may have wished for some unknown outcome and in the process imbued my ring with magical properties."
"Cut the crap Regina even I know that this kind of thing only happens to help two people see from the other persons point of view, to help them understand each other. There is no point otherwise."
"Indeed." Regina said slowly. " In that case and I fear you are correct, then we have a bigger problem. According to my research the enchantment will continue to change until it believes we have completed our goal however complicated that may be."
"OK. So what's the problem?"
"The enchantment will drain magic from the subjects involved each time it changes taking more and more to continue the effects."
"And? So what? We both lose some magic but it recharges right?"
"All cases I have seen of this and there were very few show that eventually the amount of magic taken will be more than what the holders possess. Every case I have read about has eventuated to death."
"Sorry what!?"
"Do I need to spell it out for you miss Swan. If we can not achieve what ever unattainable goal you have set for us then we will die, both of us."
"Oh my god, you have to be kidding me."
"I do not kid Miss Swan. I thought you should know as I do not intend to leave Henry parent-less however much I may wish to be rid of you."
"So what do we do?" Emma asked feeling overwhelmed by the new information.
"We need to find out exactly what the intent of the enchantment you have placed on us is." Regina sighed. "And we will need to start actively trying to understand each other"
"For Henry." Regina quickly said.
"Yes, for Henry." Emma frowned.
"I will attempt to tone down my demeanor towards you I suppose if you are able to tone down your idiotic tendencies. Hopefully we will be able to get through this clusterfuck you have put us in." Regina said letting her mask slip for once, the frustration at the situation showing on her face.
Oh my god." Emma said laughing. " I don't think I have ever heard you swear before. It's almost nice to know you're actually human."
Regina gave Emma her best glare. "I try not to swear Miss Swan as it is crass and I prefer to use my intelligence when insulting people rather than use words that even a five year old can repeat."
"Yeah well that and I assume you enjoy people having to go home and look up what you have called them." Emma chuckled enjoying the lighthearted moment amongst the heavy weight of the conversation.
"Is that what you had to do, sheriff?" Regina said coyly. "I wouldn't be surprised if you had to go and purchase a dictionary to further your vocabulary."
"No, madam mayor. I would have to purchase the whole library with the range of things that you have called me." a self depreciating smile still on her face.
"Well at least it has you brushing up on your ignorance dear." Regina said thoroughly enjoying the line of conversation. She would never admit it but she secretly enjoyed the word play that she engaged in with the blonde. No one stood up to her the way that Emma Swan did, no one else got into her personal space, into her head like the infuriating woman. Regina loved it, loved the challenge not that she would ever admit it even on pain of death.
"So now what?" Emma asked.
"Now sheriff, I make dinner. Henry is coming over." She smiled as she moved out the study towards the kitchen reveling in getting one over on the blonde.
The door bell had not rung. The only warning the two women got telling them their son had arrived for dinner was the loud noise of the front door crashing open and swinging back on its self and the sound of running feet in the foyer.
Regina emerged from the kitchen taking off the apron that she had been wearing as Emma Swan made her way down the stairs from the guest room she had been in.
"Henry." Regina smiled down at her son so happy to see him that she didn't even care he had just dropped his backpack and coat in the middle of the foyer and had been running in the house.
"Hey Kid." Emma grinned happy that he had arrived making the remainder of her evening slightly more tolerable now that he was here to act as a human shield between his two mothers even though they had both said they would try. For Henry she thought.
"Hi mom." Henry said to Emma. He had been hesitant about seeing his mothers after one had lied to him and the other had tried to kill his biological family but deep down he knew Emma was trying to protect him. He still wasn't over the whole evil queen thing but he still loved his adopted mother even though it sometimes pained him to think about.
Emma saw the look that crossed Regina's face at being snubbed by her son and quickly elbowed him in the direction of his other parent. Regina shot the blonde a look of loathing not wanting the other woman's pity in any form and especially not over the child she had raised for ten years.
" I thought maybe you could put your stuff in your room and then wash up.I made your favorite for dinner. It should be ready in five minutes." She smiled at him wishing that she could just go back to the days when he hadn't questioned her every word, searching her actions for ulterior motives. With a nod from Emma he gathered his dropped possessions and headed up the stairs looking back at the two women still standing in the foyer.
Emma looked at Regina with a twinkle in her eye. "You made pop tarts for dinner, Henry's favorite, that's awesome. I would have thought you would be a stickler for the standard meat and veges but this is way better."
"Pop tarts is not dinner, Miss Swan. Henry's favorite dinner is lasagna if you must know although I think I am finally understanding why he had to go to the dentist so many times after you arrived in town if you believe pop tarts is a suitable supplement for a child's meal."
"I'm joking Regina. I don't just feed him pop tarts for dinner. Sometimes we alternate with ice-cream." She said jokingly unable to help herself from getting one last dig at the former mayor.
"Did someone say pop tarts?"
Both women turned towards the front door that had been hastily thrown open upon Henry's arrival and stared at the the scruffy looking man that was casually leaning on the door frame.
"Neil." Emma said with a false sense of politeness.
"Hey Em, Madam mayor." he said drawing out the last two words over pronouncing each. " If I had known we were having family dinner tonight I would have brought some jam or wine. I'm not really sure what accompanies pop tarts best." he smiled knowing how awkward the whole situation was.
"What I feed my son is of no concern to you Mr Cassady. If I wish to feed him pop tarts for dinner then I shall feed him pop tarts. Now let me make my self quite clear, you are not wanted here, you are not family and you will not be staying for dinner." Regina's possessive side coming out giving him her blood chilling stare.
Neil laughed awkwardly backing out on to the front porch.
"Yeah I better get going. Things to do. Em, madam mayor. Bye Henry." he yelled up to the second floor before turning and sauntering away as if he had not a care in the world.
Emma smirked at Regina eyebrows raised in amusement. She didn't like Neil or the fact that he wanted to spend time with Henry. There were no warm feelings between them anymore not after he had sent her to prison and skipped out on their unborn son, not that he knew but that wasn't the point. He was one of a long list of people who had left and betrayed her and it was kind of nice to see him shot down so easily by Henry's adoptive mother.
"What?" Regina asked in exasperation seeing the smirk on the sheriffs face.
"Oh, nothing." Emma replied her smirk turning into a shit eating grin.
"Well it wasn't as if I was going to invite him into play happy families. I don't just pick up strays off the street. I think one is quite enough." She replied sarcasm thick in her voice rolling her eyes at the still grinning woman.
Closing the door she turned and headed for the kitchen and its wafting aroma announcing that the food was ready.
"So, it is pop tarts for dinner then." Emma called after her, enjoying all too much the glare she knew would be on the other woman's retreating face.
Regina had set the dining table beautifully complete with a small arrangement of flowers wanting everything to be just right for Henry. She had spent the last few hours in the kitchen effortlessly making his favorite food and had even surprised herself by baking a rich chocolate cake for dessert something she normally would only do on special occasions. She didn't know when she would be able to spend time with her son and so she had splurged a little and allowed the sugary treat just this once.
Emma had collected Henry from his room and made her way to the dining room placing herself across from the boy. She laughed inwardly to herself at the amount of effort the brunette had put into everything. She felt like she was in some kind of lifetime movie with the flowers and the expensive china and the assortment of cutlery all placed with precision around the white plate. Emma couldn't help herself from playing with it all, rearranging all her cutlery into a small teepee while Henry looked on giggling at her antics.
Regina walked into the room carrying the still steaming dish of lasagna having already placed the Greek salad she had made on the table and shot the blonde a look of annoyance at the destruction she had caused to her pristine setting. Emma looked sheepish at the glare remembering that it had been only hours earlier that she had promised that they would both try harder to make things work and attempted put the cutlery back where she had claimed them from. Why were there so many forks she thought holding up two nearly identical ones to Henry who gave a shrug the only difference being that one was slightly shorter.
Regina was constantly astounded at the sheriffs ignorance and gave her a look that conveyed that she thought she was an idiot.
"The shorter one is a salad fork Miss Swan and goes next to the plate. The longer is the meat fork and sits on the outside I'm certain even you can handle that." Regina snarked a bit disgruntled at the woman having destroyed the table setting.
"I apologize you majesty, I have never had to dine with royalty before." Emma replied sarcastically.
"It looks great mom." Henry directed at Regina knowing that the use of familial ties would calm the woman and diffuse some of the growing tension at the table.
"Thank you dear." Regina smiled a thousand watt smile at the boy quickly dishing some of the food onto his waiting plate before serving her self and the blonde.
Emma quickly dug in never letting good food go to waste and let out a contented sigh at the exquisite dish. Damn Regina could cook she thought.
"Is everything all right Miss Swan?" Regina asked upon hearing the sigh a smug look on her face knowing just how good her lasagna was.
"Everything is fine thank you." Emma replied seeing the look cross the former mayors face. " I was just thinking that this is quite good. Second only to pop tarts or maybe ice-cream." She laughed upon seeing annoyance flash across the mayors face before turning towards Henry to continue her fun.
"Hey kid, do you want to know why there are really so many forks." She said leaning in conspiratorially towards her son holding a fork in each hand.
"One is for eating your dinner with and the other is to fend off any stray forks that might try and steal food from your plate." She laughed as she quickly darted out one fork to quickly snag some of the lasagna from his plate devouring it before waving her other fork in a defending motion an expression of mock challenge crossing her face.
"Really Miss Swan. Can we not make it through dinner with out you being an adult child?" Regina sighed.
"Probably not." She laughed before swooping in to try and take some food of the brunettes plate becoming quickly shocked when the woman managed to stop her intruding fork with her own cutlery.
"Wow Henry your moms a ninja why didn't you say something." Emma laughed.
"There are many things about me that you do not know, Miss Swan." Regina calmly turned back to her meal letting her son talk through the rest of dinner regaling the two women with talk of school and friends.
Emma sat in the guest room bed trying to drift off to sleep and thought of the evening that they had shared with Henry. The whole event had gone rather well if she thought about it and was actually quite enjoyable until the end. It wasn't until dessert that dinner had become a sour affair. Henry had been reluctant to eat the cake that Regina had made thinking that it was out of place with her character to let him have sugar and had automatically assumed that it must therefore be poisoned. He had swapped the plates that Regina had placed in front of them exchanging Regina's for the one in front of Emma. Not relenting until Regina had taken the first bite of the cake calling her the evil queen. Emma had once again been shocked at the boys behavior towards his adoptive mother and had waited to pull him aside to have words with him while Regina left to clean up the dishes using them as an excuse to hide the hurt that the boy had caused.
Emma had carried some dished into the kitchen using it as a guise to check if the brunette was OK and then left seeing that the woman wanted to be alone and went to find Henry. She found him in the study where he was waiting for David to pick him up. It had been hard to explain to the child that he needed to cut his adoptive mother some slack and that she had done a lot of wrong things but she had also been through a really tough situation and she deserved another chance at redemption. He had reminded her so much of Mary Margaret with the arguments he had put forth seeing everything in black and white but he had relented in the end at least saying that he would refrain from calling her the Evil Queen and would consider what Emma had said.
It had been hard seeing him walk off with David at the end of the night but he had at least made the effort to say goodbye to both mothers and even thanked Regina for making his favorite meal. It was a start at least she thought as she drifted off to sleep.
A/N: Fun fact - The too many forks scene is actually something that happened to me at numerous family dinners. Although it was usually my father saying it to my brother followed by a casual "have you ever had your eye gouged out with a fork before?" when my brother tried to steal his food back. good times.
Coming up next: angsty, angsty, angst. Oh and did I mention a smidgen of angst. but seriously there shall be angst.
Thank you for all the reviews I really do appreciate them. Thanks to Fledge and loveskins94 who consistently share the love. Cheers you are awesome.
