Realm of Shadows
Summary: As Emma repays the favour owed to Mr. Gold it becomes the key to unlocking many things in Storybrooke.
Pairings:Emma/Regina
Disclaimers: I do not own OUaT or any of its characters. I do, however, like to take them out of their boxes and play with them.
A/N: It's been awhile since I've written fanfiction, so any comments that help me become a better writer are always welcomed. Thanks, as always, to Pesterfield, for finding my mistakes
Feel free to leave me a review and let me know what you think.
Chapter Fourteen
The storm came in quickly, the blue skies turning to a dark and cloudy grey. The front of the storm brought high winds that battered the streetlights and signs throughout the town. The streets soon became like streams as the water rushed to the drains; eventually there was too much water and the drains pushed the flooding back into the streets. Emma patrolled block after block, searching for signs of stranded cars and pedestrians. She drove towards the railroad underpass, only to find it blocked off with orange and white striped barricades that proclaimed "Flooded/No Entrance."
The lightening soon crackled overhead, adding to the symphony of rain and thunder. Trash cans and tree limbs littered the sidewalks and streets as the wind howled through the town. The wipers on the Sheriff's car barely kept up with the pouring rain and Emma found herself leaning forward in her seat as she strained to see out the window. One stalled vehicle blocked the lane of traffic; its blinking hazard lights were barely visible to Emma as she slowly pulled around the car. She peered inside the vehicle, to find it already abandoned. She turned the corner and headed towards downtown.
Her phone laid on the seat beside her; no calls yet. Emma continued past the closed stores and businesses. The light at Granny's Diner was still on and Emma could make out shadows of people sitting inside of the restaurant. She watched as two blurry figures exited the diner and huddled together against the storm before they headed up the sidewalk. The rest of the shops were closed, handmade signs taped to the inside of their doors declaring them open after the storm.
Nickel-sized hail began to pelt the town, covering the streets with small white balls of ice. Emma pulled into the bank's covered drive-thru, protecting the Sheriff's car from the assault. The hail continued to rap on the metal cover, causing a cacophony of noise. The first phone call came in and Emma had to yell to be heard over the ruckus. "Sheriff Swan here….Yes I know it's storming….No, Mrs. Anderson I can't come cover your rosebushes right now….Yes, I understand…..Ok, you keep safe, too. Goodbye." No sooner had she hung up the phone than it rang again. "Sheriff Swan here...Ok, what's your address?...And how long ago did you lose power?...I'll call the power company but it's going to be awhile till they get it back on."
"Sheriff Swan here…." She froze when she heard the familiar silky voice. "Yes, I'm patrolling the town right now….Yes, of course I know it's hailing, I'm out in it…..Really? I'm out here risking my ass and all you're worried about is me damaging the Sheriff's car? Seriously, Madame Mayor, you drive me crazy." She flipped the phone closed, wanting nothing more than to toss it out the window. Emma gently touched her lips with her fingertips. I almost kissed her. She admitted to herself. The phone rang again, this time Emma checked the caller I.D before flipping the phone open and answering it. "Sheriff Swan here….Okay, what road is flooded?...I'll call the road department and let them know." She quickly called both the power company and the road department to report the incidents. It was only 5 o'clock and she was already exhausted.
The hail suddenly stopped, leaving Storybrooke covered with a blanket of white pellets. The thick cloud cover let loose with a torrent of rain that soon melted the hailstones, only adding to the waterlogged conditions. Emma slowly drove the brown and white cruiser out onto the flooded streets; a constant spray of water enveloping her car as she traversed the streets of town. The visibility continued to be a challenge, causing the Sheriff to see only a few feet in front of her car. She noticed faint tail lights from a newly stalled car as she pulled up next to the stranded vehicle. Oh for God's sake. She flipped open her cell phone and called Regina.
"Madame Mayor, would you like a ride home?" She watched as the brunette turned her head to see the Sheriff's car parked next to her Mercedes.
"Thank you, Sheriff; it does seem that my car has stalled." The line went dead, but seconds later the passenger door opened as the wet Mayor quickly sat down and slammed the door shut. "I appreciate your assistance, Miss Swan. Would you see that my car is towed as soon as possible?" It wasn't so much a question as a demand.
Emma carefully navigated the path to the Mayor's house. They drove in silence until Regina's cell phone rang, startling both of the women. "Hello Henry….No, I'm not at work. I'm on my way home…..hold on, I'll ask the Sheriff….yes she is giving me a ride home." She turned to Emma. "Henry would like to know if you have seen that little white dog?"
Emma shrugged. "I haven't seen him for a couple days now."
Regina returned her attention to her son. "No, she hasn't, but I'm sure he's fine, Henry…Alright, I'll be home in five minutes…..I don't know, I'll ask her." She sighed as she focused on the blonde. "Henry would like to know if you have eaten supper."
Emma held up a Snickers bar and a bottle of water.
Regina shook her head in dismay. "Sheriff, you do realize that you will be patrolling the rest of the night? A candy bar and water aren't exactly in the food groups." She spoke into the phone. "Henry, put some lasagna on a paper plate and heat it for three minutes. Then put it in a plastic container with a lid. Miss Swan will come to the door and get it. Okay, I'll see you soon."
Emma was relieved when Regina used the remote on her keyring to open the large garage door. She pulled the Sheriff's car inside the garage, glad for a small break from the downpour of rain. No sooner had she turned off the car and rolled down her window, than Henry came into the garage from the house. "Emma! Here, mom made lasagna. I reheated it for you." He handed the blonde a small plastic container full of hot pasta. He then passed her a grocery bag with plastic utensils, three napkins and a ziplock bag of cookies.
"Thanks, kid." She smiled at the boy. Regina stood behind Henry; impatiently waiting for him to finish talking to Emma. The Sheriff eyed them both. "You two stay safe tonight, okay? Henry, you make sure to take care of your mom."
She turned to Regina. "If you need anything tonight, call me."
The Mayor simply nodded before shepherding Henry back towards the house. "Good night, Sheriff. Stay safe."
Emma rolled up the window as she restarted the car, backing it up out of the garage and into the storm. At least I get some food tonight. She opened the plastic bag and nibbled on a homemade cookie.
Henry tried to sleep, but the noise from the storm, coupled with the knowledge that Emma was out in it, kept him tossing and turning. Finally, he gave up and tiptoed to his Mom's room. Seeing the light under the door, he lightly tapped on the wood. "Mom?" He tried to sound like he wasn't afraid, but his voice broke when he spoke.
Regina answered the bedroom door dressed in red silk pajamas; her makeup had been removed, giving her a younger and more vulnerable look. "Henry?" She asked, concerned at his pale appearance. "What's wrong?"
He looked her in the eyes, finding only worry and love. "Can I sleep with you? I'm scared."
She smiled, trying to sound comforting. "Of course, sweetie, come join me in bed." Her heart soared when he immediately snuggled up to her side
. "Mom?" She opened her eyes.
"Yes, Henry?" His brown eyes met hers.
"Do you think Emma is okay out there?"
She suppressed a sigh that he would bring Her up. "I'm sure she's fine. She knows how to take care of herself." He thought about that for a few minutes.
"Mom?"
She opened her eyes again. "Yes?"
He fidgeted before asking. "Can we call her just to make sure?"
Regina didn't bother to try and stop the small huff as she reached for her cell phone. "Make it quick, we both have to get to sleep."
He flipped open the cover and dialed Emma's number. He tried again. "It's not working."
Regina took the phone and dialed the number. "Well, the phone towers must be down. We can try again in the morning." He bolted up. "Be right back, I know how we can reach her." Regina blew out a frustrated breath as she watched Henry scurry down the hallway to find his backpack. How the hell does she always manage to impose on my life even when she isn't here? She felt tears prick at the thought, but she quickly wiped them away. I will not give her the satisfaction of having my son see how she affects me. He ran back and jumped on the bed, walkie talkie in hand. She didn't bother to correct his bed-jumping stunt as he returned to his spot next to her.
"Emma, Emma are you there?" The Sheriff heard the familiar young voice as she searched for her radio.
"Hey, Henry. I was just thinking about you guys. How're you doing?" Henry grinned when she answered his call. "The phones aren't working. Are you safe?"
Emma felt warmth spread in her body, knowing that someone actually cared if she was alright. "Yeah, kid, I'm okay." She checked her phone for a signal, but found none. Damn it. "Henry? Is your mom there, too?"
It took a moment for him to answer, but he sheepishly admitted. "Yeah, I'm sleeping in her bed tonight 'cause of the storm."
Emma was surprised to find that she was relieved that he was with Regina. "Henry, that's good; I wish I was with there with you both." She paused as she realized how that might have sounded.
"We wish you were here too! Over and out."
Her radio crackled as she heard the faint conversation before Regina's voice came over the speaker. "Sheriff, how is the town?"
Emma unwittingly grinned at the sound of the Mayor's voice. "Well, Madame Mayor, we've lost power in a few neighborhoods and some houses must have lost their shingles because they are all over the streets. This storm's a real beast; you two stay safe and warm."
It was Henry who answered. "You too, Emma. Goodnight."
Regina lay in bed, reviewing the conversation in her head, wondering which parts of the town were hit the hardest and how long it would take to restore phone service and power. Oh hell. She quickly rolled out of bed and searched for her purse. She was relieved to quickly find the bag and returned to Henry with two bracelets. "Henry, Rose made these for us; it's important that you leave this on for protection."
Henry gave a puzzled look as he examined the braided work. "How will this protect us?"
Regina fastened her own around her slender wrist. "They're made of two powerful herbs that are used for safety. Please, promise me you won't take it off for at least a week." She helped tie his around his wrist.
He shrugged at the request. "Ok, Mom, I won't"
The night passed quickly; the storm's fury diminished by dawn, leaving branches, stranded cars and downed power lines in its wake. Emma could see the utility trucks already out as the workers started to clean up the debris. She turned on the local radio station and listened to the morning show. At least nobody was hurt. She drove near the deserted school yard before hearing that school had been cancelled for the day. Good, I'll drive by Regina's and check on Henry. She was exhausted, but determined to make sure that he and Regina were alright. The Mayor's car was already parked in the driveway; the tow truck driver had made the Mercedes his first priority of the day. Tree limbs were scattered on the Mayor's lawn; wet leaves plastered to the house siding and the fences.
Emma rang the doorbell, but nobody answered. She tried again, before realizing that the bell wasn't working. Must have lost power. She knocked loudly on the door and was rewarded with a sleepy looking Mayor.
"Miss Swan?" Regina stood and waited, irritated at being woken up by the blonde.
"Hey, Regina…" Emma realized that the Mayor was ticked, so she tried to seem apologetic. "I, um, just wanted to check on you and Henry."
The Mayor softly growled. "Well, Sheriff, we are both fine…and we were asleep until you knocked."
"Yeah, sorry to wake you." It was then she noticed the red silk pajamas that didn't hide Regina's hard nipples. She swallowed hard and looked away, but her eyes continued to stray down from the Mayor's face. She unconsciously nibbled on her bottom lip as she tried to stay focused. God, I must be exhausted if she's affecting me.
Regina noticed the Sheriff's movements and watched as Emma's tongue left a trail of moisture on her lips. Her body betrayed her as she felt herself tightening in places that had long lain dormant. Dismayed at her arousal, she demanded "Miss Swan, if there is nothing else…"
Emma's eyes snapped back to the Mayor's face. "No!" She answered more forcefully than she had planned. "Nothing else, I'll just find my way, um..." She stumbled as she walked backwards away from the brunette. "…Home."
Regina quickly closed the door and pressed her forehead against the smooth wood. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to protect her aching heart. Oh my God. Why her?
Emma managed to stumble to the car and then drive it quickly home. Once inside, she stripped down to just her boy shorts. Too tired for a shower, just go to bed. She laid there, eyes closed; trying to fall asleep, but the image of the Mayor's body was burned into her memory. Finally, she gave up trying to sleep and let her hand drift down beneath her shorts. The thoughts of the Mayor combined with her arousal gave her little time before she had her first wave of release.