A/N This was a chapter that would not stop going so I split it into two kinda small chapters. I hope it doesn't end too abruptly, I stopped it at the only place that made sense to me. I'll try and edit the second part later and hopefully put it up either tonight or tomorrow.
All mistakes are mine and I don't own anything. Enjoy!
Regina stands examining herself in her full length mirror, lips pursed. It was Wednesday, almost a full week since her last sexual encounter with the sheriff; since she had been dominated by the sheriff. It had been humiliating and exhilarating to come undone before she had even managed to pull off the blonde's cheap vest. The air around her had stilled and for a second she felt peaceful.
Turning her neck to the side she examines the bruises on her neck, surprised that they are still present, thankfully they can now be covered with makeup. She needs that today her first session with Dr. Hopper is this afternoon and she fully intends on being at her best for the rest of the day. Her phone rings causing her to jump out of her reserve checking her watch she sighs realising that she is probably going to be late.
"Mayor Mills" She snaps balancing her phone with her chin and shoulder as she begins to apply makeup to her neck. A strangled sob causes her hand to freeze mid-action.
"Regina" Katherine's voice gasped "Something's happened"
[xx]
Emma winces as the bell signalling her entrance to Granny's diner sounds. It seems almost inhuman how hung-over she was right now. Unable to remember the last time she had gotten so drunk when she had work the next morning, and on top of that she was spending the night with Henry so would be robbed the luxury of hiding under her duvet. Not that she resented spending the time with him; it was just that naps were also good.
The only reason she was even in the diner at such an hour in the morning was because she needed to make amends with the leggy waitress who currently looked like she had been hit by a truck. The pair of them and Mary Margaret had finally gotten round to having the girls night they had been planning for far too long. Except because of the situation with Regina, Emma was pretty stressed the majority of the time and instead of helping her forget her problems the alcohol had only served to make her increasingly irritated. Ruby on the other hand had been like an excited puppy, wanting to dance and joke and sing she had been completely oblivious to the blonde's dark mood. Then she had started to tease Emma about the hickeys that had been appearing on her neck; trying to wriggle information out of the blonde. She had pouted when the information was denied to her claiming that the only reason Emma was hiding the identity of her lover was because she was ashamed. This statement had caused Emma to blow some kind of fuse – perhaps because it had hit a little close to home and Emma was not in a the habit of being ashamed of her actions. A surprise came when she realised that the feisty brunette had some bite about her and strongly objected to being spoken to in such a way. So the night had consisted of the two women getting increasingly drunk and shouting at each other. Meek Mary Margaret had made herself scarce at the beginning of the fight and had not been seen since; Emma would have to apologise to her later.
The leggy woman gave an almost imperceptible nod but decidedly hostile nod, in Emma's direction as the blonde slide into a booth and turned to make a coffee. A few minutes later she was setting it down at the table without looking at the sheriff and she turned on her heels ready to head back to the counter.
"Rubes, wait" Emma reached out and grabbed the milky wrist spinning the waitress back round. Rolling her eyes Ruby slide into the booth facing Emma and proceeded to eye her warily. Emma reached over and placed a hand on the brunette's forearm. Taking a deep breath she spoke quickly not used to exposing herself to people.
"I'm sorry, I know you were just trying to have fun and to be a good friend but I'm kinda new to this friend thing and I might need a bit of practice." Ruby shook her head a smile slowly spreading across her features. She placed a hand on top of Emma's.
"I'm sorry too. I know you're a private person and if you don't want to tell me yet you don't have too. I'll be here when you're ready. There is nothing to be ashamed of… unless… Emma is it Whale?"
Emma could not contain her laughter as she shook her head. God no, her recent decisions have hardly been exemplary but at least they have not been that bad. Regina at least had some class and dignity.
There was the jingle of the bell and before either woman has a chance to react Regina herself was in their faces.
"Where is Miss Blanchard?" The mayor hisses eying them in the menacing manner she has perfected over many years.
"It's first thing in the morning Madame Mayor and we are not her caretakers" Emma snaps resenting Regina for interrupting her reconciliatory moment with Ruby and knowing that she needs the older woman to leave so she can start looking for Mary Margaret herself because judging from the look on Regina's face nothing good could come from this situation. Then the smallest action causes Emma's breath to catch in her throat, Regina's eyes flicker downwards and focus for the briefest of seconds Emma's hand which is still on Ruby's forearm. The action is almost imperceptible but Emma sees it, she sees Regina's suspicions being confirmed. The mayor's lips create a thin-line and she nods curtly before turning and exiting the diner again. Despite the fact she is doing nothing wrong, Emma cannot help but feel slightly guilty and resolves to speak to Regina about it.
Emma removes her arm from Ruby's arm and runs in through her hair as the other woman barks out a wolfish laugh, one that is decidedly nervous.
"Shit" the blonde mutters already digging around in her pockets for enough change to pay for her coffee. She will deal with Regina later but for now she has to find Mary Margaret before she is due at work. Regina will skin the timid woman alive if she gets a hold of her.
"Just go" Ruby instructs "You can pay later just find MM" Emma smiles in thanks before she leaves quickly. Once outside she heads straight for Toll Bridge knowing that if her flatmate is hiding out this is exactly where she will go.
When she arrives her suspicions are immediately confirmed Mary Margaret is sat below the bridge on a pile of rocks near the water's edge. The pixie-haired woman is a mess, she looks pale and tired red-rimmed eyes indicate that she has been crying. Now she is just staring at the water as if she hopes it will conjure up some sort of magical solution to her problem. Her knees are pulled up to her chest as if she is trying to make herself as small as possible. Emma feels a pang of sympathy for her room-mate; she looks so tiny and so lost right now. She is so lost in her own thoughts that she doesn't even hear Emma approaching.
"So, has anyone ever told you that hide and seek is not a strength of yours?" Emma calls causing the other woman to jump instinctively. Emma moves to sit beside Mary Margaret smiling softly hoping that she'll be able to help.
"I'm not hiding from anyone" Mary Margaret mutters in reply without meeting Emma's eye. Then she pulls a pained expression "Except Mayor Mills…and Katherine"
Emma nods putting the pieces together, no wonder Regina was mad. Say what you like about the woman but she was fiercely loyal, and Katherine was on her small list of people the brunette seemed enjoyed spending time with.
"So I guess I don't need to ask where you got to last night." Mary Margaret shakes her head glumly pulling her knees closer to her chest. Her shoulders begin to heave and she begins to sob. Not comfortable with personal contact but sure it is what the other woman needs at that moment Emma moves closer and pulls the teacher to her allowing her to lean into Emma for comfort. Mary Margaret then begins to tell the blonde about leaving the apartment the previous night and just happening to bump into David Nolan. He had left his house after an argument with Katherine and had just wanted to clear his head. Before either of them knew what was happening they had a room at Granny's and now they were in an awful mess. Emma sends a silent thank you to Granny who must have known the situation, but had kept her mouth tactfully shut.
When the raven-haired woman finally stops crying Emma moves so that she is looking Mary Margaret directly in the eye.
"O.K I'm not going to say that you made the best decision last night because we both know it could have worked out better, but you need to know that I am here for you and Ruby will be too and we'll help you get through this. I'll get you into school and we'll avoid Regina… in fact I'll deal with her for you. I've got the perfect conversation to keep her occupied. Then you're going to have to deal with what happened, you're going to have to face David and you're going to have to face Katherine, but don't worry you can handle it. One step at a time" Emma spoke quickly not used to being relied on, or being able to offer any help. When she was finished she could feel embarrassment creeping up on her so she averted her eyes. Mary Margaret gave her first genuine smile in what seemed like an age and pulled her room-mate into a bone crushing hug.
"You are a good friend Emma Swan" She whispered into Emma's ear.