They poofed into the living area of Emma's little apartment. For a moment Ashley looked a little dazed, but one look at Sophia brought her back. Sophia's nostrils flared gently and her eyes flashed dangerously as she glared at the woman before her.
"What are you doing here?!" she all but hissed. "Huh, Ashley?"
Ashley swallowed hard. Flicking her white blonde hair back over her shoulder she tried to compose herself. She just wanted to talk, and wasn't about to engage in any fight with Sophia.
"Just, to talk." she admitted calmly.
"To talk?" Sophia's voice scolded. "That's why you were just casually loitering in the diner in full view of everyone."
"You mean your family?"
"That's none of your business!" Sophia barked.
"Please, just calm down babe." Ashley took a tentative step forward, reaching out for Sophia's hand.
Sophia snatched her hand back and glared. How dare Ashley just show up, acting as if everything was all right between them and that she hadn't broken her heart.
"Don't babe me." Sophia's voice was deep and slow.
"Sophia! Come on it's me. Can't we just talk?"
There was nothing for them to talk about. Their relationship had been great, and Sophia admitted it was her own fault for leaving. But she'd had to. She wasn't about to throw it all away and return to Arendelle just because Ashley showed up again.
"Please. You just left. I know my mother was tough with us but it was only because she cared. You could come back with me. Explain to your family…"
"Explain to my family?" Sophia's anger rose just a little.
"Yeah. About us, and they can visit any time."
"Oh yes, because portals just appear all the time!"
There was no hiding the sarcasm that dripped with her words. Arendelle wasn't somewhere she'd ever planned to find herself, let along considered settling there. It wasn't going to happen.
"Well, actually…" Ashley began, squirming just slightly under the intensity of Sophia's glare. "That's exactly what happened."
Sophia quirked an eyebrow. A portal had just appeared for her and happened to lead straight to Storybrooke? Sure. That sounded plausible.
"Look, I know how odd that seems but, it just opened. Right outside our castle. I had this inclinging you were the other side, so I just…"
"jumped through a random portal and hoped!" Sophia finished for her.
Yeah just not logical, at all!
But then, that was Ashley all over. A great darer. She was more bold than her mother, more like her Aunt Anna; fearless.
"I sensed it lead to you. Why else would it just appear before me like that? Come on, Sophia, believe!"
Ashley was practically begging as she followed Sophia across to the small kitchenette, nestled into the furthest corner. It was frustrating Sophia how Ashley couldn't see that this wasn't some strange coincidence. This was pure dark magic and just provided extra complication. She didn't need to worry about keeping Ashley safe too.
"You shouldn't be here, Ashley. I can't….this..." she gestured between them with her hand, unable to find the right words.
"I'm not leaving!" Ashley scowled. "I just found you again. I can help. Whatever you are trying to do here…"
Sophia didn't know when they had gotten so close to each other. Ashley couldn't help. She was more a distraction than anything, and she didn't need that. She needed to focus. On her family, keeping them safe. And Gold.
Their lips smashed together, molding in the perfect, passionate kiss. Sophia knuckles practically turned white as she gripped the high collar of Ashley's military style coat. A desperate hunger came over her as she slammed Ashley back into the counter. The heat between them was unnerving, as their kissing began to leave them breathless.
Sophia's hands slipped. She began unbuttoning Ashley's coat. It was pushed from her shoulders within seconds, and then Sophia's lips were back on hers.
Ashley's fingers ran into Sophia's hair as she was lifted onto the edge of the worktop. Their lips never parting as she took a grip and pulled gently.
"I've missed you." Ashley breathed deeply, her voice a little shaky.
"I've missed you too."
Sophia barely had time to get the words out before she was kissing Ashley again. Her heart was racing as she made quick work of ripping Ashley's shirt up and over her head, revealing her pale but toned stomach. She ran her hands over the flesh she couldn't see without breaking the kiss, and moaned appreciatively.
Ashley was just as she remembered. Absolutely gorgeous, and always willing to give herself to Sophia. No questions asked.
Sophia sucked gently on Ashley's bottom lip as she took a deep breath. Her hand fumbled with the zip of Ashley's jeans but within a matter of seconds they were open. Gazing deeply into Ashley's eyes, a slow, wide smile spread her lips and she wanted to say it, 'I love you.' but she couldn't.
Ashley's hand ran down the nape of her neck. The gentle gesture suddenly spurring Sophia on. Her finger slipped into Ashley's underwear. Her other arm slipped around her, palm splaying flat on her back as they began kissing again.
Her hands were everywhere. Sophia could feel them. On her shoulders, then her breasts, then tugging her own shirt free from her jeans and slipping beneath the silky fabric. Ashley's nails gently grazed her skin.
Sophia's fingers stroked teasingly against Ashley's sex. Teasing and tempting until she curled them around and slipped inside her. The small gasp that escaped Ashley only caused Sophia to smirk. It had been a long time since they'd been intimate, but she was glad to see she hadn't lost her touch.
Ashley all but trembled upon the worktop. She found her release and panted as her head feel on Sophia's shoulder. She felt better and hoped Sophia did to. Whatever frustration had been left between them hopefully gone now.
They held one another, calming themselves for a long time before making any attempt to move from the kitchen. It was a moment of bliss amongst the chaos of Sophia's life, and she intended to savour it.
Hours had passed, and a few more passionate exchanges had ensued before Ashley and Sophia turned up at the mansion. They sauntered together hand in hand up the path and onto the porch. Sharing a quick kiss, they hovered just outside the front door.
"So, um I am forgiven for coming to find you?" Ashley asked, a small smile appearing on her lips.
Sophia sighed but couldn't help her own smile. She was glad Ashley was there, she just dreaded whatever the price was for the mystery portal that had enabled such travels. Still she didn't let her worries falter her smile.
Squeezing each other's hand, Sophia made to open the front door and step inside. It felt so natural to walk in and call out to her moms, and at the same time it felt super strange, and gave her butterflies in her stomach. She knew was probably in for some questioning following her actions at the diner. She tried to mentally prepare but it wasn't much help.
She heard her family announce themselves as being in the living room. Sophia approached with caution. Still clutching Ashley's hand, her ex fell into step just behind her and was partly hidden from sight as she entered the living room.
Mel was sat on the sofa accompanied by Phoenix and Atlantis, one of them on each side of her. They looked far from angelic. On the sofa opposite sat her mom, her other mom, and her grandmother. David stood tall behind them, his hands clasping the back of the couch. All of them scowled to some degree, lips pressed tightly together and a darkness in their eyes. Sophia knew trouble was a foot from just one look.
All of them turned to look at her. It was odd how they were all synced perfectly in that movement. Regina was the one to frown the deepest.
"W-what's going on?" Sophia asked.
She addressed her mother, Regina, since she looked the most pissed.
"What is she doing in my house?" Regina's eyebrow quirked, yet her furious facial expression remained firmly in place.
"We've talked and things are…"
"After all that happened?" Regina snapped as she interrupted.
"Mom!"
"We know Sophia. Mel has explained everything to us." David stepped in.
He was much calmer than Regina was. In fact, she appeared most angered, so what had Mel said. Sophia glanced at her quickly and couldn't meet her gaze. She felt her own brow furrowing. What had Mel said? Sophia threw her friend a questioning glance.
"They didn't give me much choice!" Mel retorted quickly to the silent question from her friend.
"What exactly have you said?"
Sophia spoke slowly. Her steely gaze almost accusatory as she stared at her best friend. Before Mel had a chance to respond properly, Regina interrupted her stutters.
"It doesn't matter what she said. You're standing there, hand in hand with a girl claimed to have broken your heart. She's as cold hearted as her ice queen mother." Regina sneered.
"Get her out of my house!"
"Regina! A little harsh." Emma scolded, albeit gently.
When Regina turned to her with a searing glare she quickly put her hands up in surrender. She wasn't defending them. Far from it. She too was pissed at Ashley for any pain she'd caused Sophia, but Elsa was no ice queen. That statement was a little unfair on the misunderstood woman.
It was bold of Ashley, and certainly brave, as she stepped out from behind Sophia's protective stance. Unwavered by Regina's pinned glare on her she stepped forward.
"Please, if you will just give me a moment I can explain. I am sorry for any pain I caused Sophia…" Ashley glanced back over her shoulder for a moment and smiled at the gorgeous brunette she loved so much. "but, I never intended. I just wanted her to stay in Arendelle with me. She chose you, her family, so when that portal appeared and I sensed she was on the other side, I just knew. I had to take my chance to find her, to win back her heart."
Emma and Regina were both wide eyed at the end of Ashley's heartfelt explanation. Unlike her parents who had instantly fallen for the sap, and now had that doe eyed look that only the Charmings could.
"Please…"
Sophia looked a little stunned herself, but she stepped forward looking at her mother's squarely in the eye and took Ashley hand again in hers. She squeezed gently.
"I won't let her beg for approval. I choose her. Please accept that." Sophia stated firmly.
Regina shook her head gently, turning away and then back again.
"If she hurts you again…"
It was definitely a threat, but an unfinished one at that and Sophia supposed she understood why. It was probably the best she was going to get from Regina given the circumstances, so she supposed she should be grateful. Sophia nodded acknowledgement, and Ashley seemed to mirror her as she swallowed hard and looked down at her feet. Sophia looked to Emma. She needed some form of approval from them both. She wanted that at least. Emma was a lot more sheepish about it as she shrugged noncommittally and gave a slight incline of her head as a half nod.
"Who's for tea then?" Mary Margaret's bubbly voice sliced through all the silent tension.
Her positivity, completely overbearing and as irritatingly on time in the situation, as usual.
In the darkness of Main Street, the night had truly taken hold. Not a soul was in sight as the wind whipped leaves in circles across the street, and a street lamp began to gently flicker.
Belle had just finished inventory at the Pawn Brokers and was hovering in the back room. She'd taken out a few trinkets today to clean. It was part of her routine in making sure all items were lovingly cared for, and kept at their finest. They all were to be ready should they ever be of use, or find their owner, or even better a home one day. Packing up her cleaning cloths and polish, she stopped momentarily sure she'd heard a noise out front of the small shop.
Listening intently, she stayed rooted to her spot. Perhaps it was just the wind, rattling the windows and picking up outside, but Belle was intuitive. She listened a moment more and knew it was something darker. She lifted her head, eyes widening just slightly. Her heels clicked gently on the floor as she turned to face the doorway. Her heart raced, and her palms began to feel a little clammy as she leaned her head. She knew she would have to go closer to see out into the shop.
"Hello?" she called, a gentle frown gracing her brow.
There was a crash out front. Belle hurried forward, heels now tapping ferociously as she walked into the shop just in time to catch a glimpse of a figure behind the counter.
"Rumple?!" her eyes widening at the sight of him.
His gaze met hers but there was no exchange, no desperate plea for her forgiveness, and in a poof he disappeared. How had he gotten back into town? She'd banished him. It couldn't be. Belle frowned deeply again and took a quick note of the space in which he had stood. The till seemed untouched, nothing on the floor. She hurried forward and inspected the items in the counter, all still there, but when she turned around she noted the picture that hid the safe. It had shifted slightly.
"Oh Rumple, what have you done?" she silently sighed.