Kneel to The Left?
Who the heck is Kneel to the Left?
Let me explain. Green Eggs and Bacon was a name I chose under pressure. The excitement to write got away with me and I didn't actually think of the penname I was committing to. A few days ago, I came to this new one, which is derived from the initials of my name KTL.
By the way, did anyone else see the Da Vinci Code? Where the left side of the human anatomy represents the feminie side? Guess it wasn't too hard why I chose Left for L huh? My attempt at being deep and meaningful.
And I know, Graham? When did he get in? I have to admit, after coming to this scene I realized Sheriff Graham was sorely needed and I've been going over some past chapters to repair this error of mine.
Thank you all who've stuck with me all this time. I feel like we're approaching the end soon.
Apologies for the massive novice errors during the continuation of this fiction and I'm sure, careless information here and there.
Enjoy :)
It is very easy for most to forget that Regina Mills actually does something with her title and authority as Mayor. Hidden behind the wooden panels of the Town Hall, no one sees the extensive layers of paperwork that she barrels through with the precision of a cardiac surgeon. The hours she put in to diligently go through form after form, sheet after sheet and file after file to ensure the economic and social prosperity of their sleepy little town.
Hence, it was all too easy to take for granted Regina's status as town leader and never think twice on the efforts she puts in to actually keep the citizens safe.
Ethan Gold was a man everyone knew without having to introduce. He wasn't exactly the type of man you wanted to bring around to meet your family after all. The man had an uncanny ability to at times, literally suck the life out of the room with his presence alone. Slithering into Storybrooke one day, long before Regina's time, it took less than half a year for him to have everyone caught in his deep polyester pockets, ignorant of the 'fine print' they all ignored in their moments of desperation. The details he so eagerly (and sadistically) abuses when he knocks on the doors of his patrons and calls in his favours.
He seemed untouchable. Impotent.
A quite God dwelling in the middle of nowhere.
Which was why everyone only looked on in shock and blatant delight, when men in dark suits hauled his screaming behind into the back of a shining, dark vehicle. Handcuffed and all. Sheriff Graham leaned against the doorway of the musty pawnshop, only too happy to stand back and let the federal agents manhandle the crippled owner (ex-owner now, really).
The rumours and insinuations spread through the town like wildfire.
Ethan Gold wasn't even his real name. It was something Bain. Nathaniel Bain or Robert Bain, no one knew for sure. He was a small-time thug from Chicago, on the run after having stolen funds from people he really shouldn't have. Since then, he'd hidden himself away to the most isolated town he could think of and set himself as a loan shark. That's how his business began and influence established.
No one knew the exact story.
And Emma Swan wasn't about to wait days for the Mirror or whatever else publisher to release the official news to the public.
"Miss Swan, if you could just wait," Remy trailed behind after the blonde, juggling the latest set of red tape she was bringing in for Regina, "please, I'm begging you Miss Swan, please?"
Emma burst through the doors of the Mayor's office. "What. In the hell. Just happened?"
Of all the things Emma was prepared to see, Regina lying on a foam mat in a plough pose, her hair pulled into a ponytail, wearing ankle length tights that hugged her like second skin and sports bra that bared too much and not enough was the last thing she'd expected.
While Emma could focus on nothing but the bare midriff exposed to her, Regina seemed oblivious to Emma's arrival, breathing in slowly as she slowly brought her legs down. She sat in an Indian pose and calmly straightened her back, relaxing yet strengthening all at once as she breathed deeply.
When she finally opened her eyes, the cold, hard gaze of the Mayor remained centred on her blonde intruder.
"Other than you barging in on the rare free time I have to do Yoga? I have no idea Miss Swan, perhaps you should remind me."
Regina stalked off behind her desk, pulling up a sleek, gym bag of what Emma assumed contained her office clothes. She could just hear Remy muttering her apologies to Regina before shutting the door, leaving the two of them alone behind closed doors.
With Regina looking like that.
The brunette popped open a bottle of water, swallowing a healthy amount as she waited for Emma to continue.
"The whole Gold thing out there," Emma swallowed, sea green eyes transfixed on the tranquil movements of Regina's throat.
"What about it?" The brunette smoothly pulled out a white collared shirt and flattened it on the desk, a black-laced bra following close behind. "Do you mind?"
"Wha-?" Emma stuttered, "oh, right. Sorry." She turned slowly, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks.
"You were saying, dear?"
"Gold," Emma repeats, regaining clarity once olive toned abs were out of sight although not quite out of mind. "He's literally being hauled out of Storybrooke as we speak. What the hell happened?"
Although Emma didn't know much about how politics worked, she'd spent enough time as deputy of this sleepy little town to be fully aware of the skeletons everyone tried to ignore. The skeletons pouring from the closets of the town inhabitants just to keep the system operating. From what Regina had explained, Gold was a threat that couldn't quickly be eliminated. A threat that required time and patience to crush thoroughly.
Emma heard rustling behind her and kept her hands forced in her pockets, refusing to look.
"It was time," Regina answered simply, pushing the bra off her and letting the cool air harden her nipples.
"Time for what?"
"For him to go, of course."
"Regina, so help me Go-"
"No turning."
"I wasn-"
"Yes, you were but nonetheless, continue. Eyes forward please."
Emma growled, not sure which she was more irritated by, Regina refusing Emma to see what she was more than familiar with or how condescending she was being. "I need a little more explanation than that, Regina."
The brunette considered her options carefully, black stocking running up her calves as she did. Emma, while once a law enforcer of Storybrooke, was no longer one despite her intentions. Her rights to confidential state information was no longer eligible. Still, Regina supposed, she couldn't share anything that wasn't going to be announced soon anyway.
"Gold was always a threat I meant to rid the town of," Regina pulled out her ponytail, hands brushing through dark mane while she spoke. "But it was difficult. Irritating as he was, he certainly had a way of making things look perfectly legal, protecting him from all repercussions of whatever unethical behaviour he might conduct."
Emma grunted. Yes, she was more than aware of that ridiculous attribute of his. As often as she wanted to knock his head clean off with his own cane, it always seemed as if he could make even the damn cane sue her for assaulting the wooden object.
"And he had a lot of lands under his name," Regina popped open her small pocket mirror, fixing her dark lipstick while she continued. "Lands he should not have the right to own. It was too much. He was eating away at the town funds and life without anyone really realizing it."
"The strategy was to keep letting him think he owned us," Regina popped her lips, pressing them together to get the perfect smudge, "let him think everyone still owed him in some way or another while I found the legal framework to buy his own property back from under him. Get the town back, basically."
"So…" Emma shuffled, staring into the woven patterns of the carpet, "so you were just biding your time then?"
"Essentially, yes," Regina fixed her collar. "You may look now."
When Emma turned, she was almost disappointed to see her ex-wife completely out of her gorgeous workout apparel and back in full Mayor mode. Not that she minded too much. Not when those lips looked that good.
"And the Feds are here because?"
Regina smirked at that, unable to hide the viper underneath despite whatever person she was trying to be now. Emma cringed at the look, all too familiar with the wicked glee gushing from a woman who'd just had her way.
"Because he's been here under a false identity for a long time Miss Swan," dark lips pulled into a half grin, fingers lacing into each other while her elbows rested on the armrests. "And let's just say, I've been making sure I had my own town sorted out before I was ready to let them step in."
Emma stared at her, astounded. Finally, she slumped her shoulders, shaking her head. "I gotta admit, that was pretty good. And it was amazing seeing the look on his face when they came after him."
Emma had honestly been there by pure coincidence. There was a clinking sound coming from Regina's washing machine that'd been bugging the hell out of for a while. Finally, irritation and boredom got the better of her when she decided to do something about it. But of course, to actually accomplish anything she needed tools.
And let hell freeze over before Regina owned an actual tool kit of her own.
So she was across the street from Gold's, going through wrench sizes when the black steed of justice swerved onto the pavement with Agent Big and Agent Mean emerging for brief seconds until they kicked open Gold's door.
He'd been screaming Lord knows what the entire time they shackled him and took him away.
Apparently when the man got mad, his Scottish accent just got thicker and thicker.
"So, that's it then?" Emma asked triumphantly, "you got everything back from him?"
"Essentially, yes, I did," Regina shared her victory, smiling at the pride she saw on Emma's face. "He's gone for good. He won't be coming back to Storybrooke again. At least, not from what I understand, not for a very long time.
"Good to know," Emma praised, her in own way. Gold had been a thorn in their sides both professionally and personally, far too eager to barge into the Swan-Mills family just so he could have the hydras of the den under his control. They'd manage to evade him thank Christ but it didn't really stop him from trying. Several attempts at Henry even had both mothers convinced they needed to keep picking him up from school until he went off for college.
"Will that be all, Miss Swan?"
Okay, what the hell is up with the Miss again?
Emma wanted to question but she held her tongue. Considering the recent events of the day, she didn't want to spoil this victory with the wounds of their failed marriage and even bigger failure to reconnect.
Her heart clenched at the thought, recalling some of the paragraphs that'd been burned into her mind. She wasn't ready for that yet. To have all of it out in the open and she sure as hell wasn't about to let Regina in on her suspicions that their all too meddling son had something to do with it.
They've been having a few, peaceful days lately.
Why spoil it?
She sighed heavily. "Alright well, I guess I'll leave you to it then," Emma stood up and made to leave, "oh and Mary Margaret wants to know how the car arrangements will work for tomorrow?"
"You'll be driving with her," Regina answered easily, her eyes focused on the bureaucratic gift laid neatly across her desk before Remy scampered off. "I'll be driving with Ruby."
Emma frowned, wondering why the waitress deserved to be on a first-name basis with Regina but she didn't.
"Ah alright then. I guess I'll see you at home?"
It stills Regina somewhat while it surprises her. The use of the word 'home'. Has it even been earned yet? The acceptance back into that house as her home?
For a few seconds Regina refused to lay her eyes on the blonde. Finally, the woman looked up, dark, expressive eyes melting into chocolate as they did. "Yes," she spoke slowly, "I'll see you at home."
It was a small thing but it meant the world to Emma. She couldn't stop the smile emerging on her lips nodding eagerly and darting out, unwilling to let their good luck run out.
Half an hour after Emma left, when Regina was sure she wouldn't return, she pushed her office desk to the right. Her arm leaned over and pulled open the drawer containing that filth that Gold dared send her. Dark eyebrows pulled into a fierce hate, anger filling her as she clutched at the envelop.
Finally, in five quick strides, she stormed over to the raging fireplace at the side of her office and tossed it in.
She stared at the simmering paper, willing the fire to quicken and burn away at its contents and reduce it to ashes.
Satisfied at last, she turned back to her desk and readied herself to submerge in more of the work the townsfolk was happily ignorant of.
But for Regina, signing the documents that stated Renard Bain, would officially be transferred to Chicago, where he would undergo trial for embezzlement, assault and battery, extortion, forgery and drug trafficking was like handing candy to a child. Of course, this was all a formality at this point. Soon enough, he would be lying in an orange suit that would match his beady eyes on a stale bunk bed in Cook County jail where Regina was sure, some of his old friends were just dying to see him.
I apologize if I got the trial process wrong but… well, you all get the idea.