Chapter21
The day seemed to drag on at a snail's pace. No matter how hard Emma tried, she couldn't remember leaving the club, let alone drinking alcohol. She tried discussing it with Zelena, but the other woman had flipped out. All she kept saying was how upset August would be and that he wouldn't marry her now. Emma was sure nothing happened between her and redhead, or at least she was pretty sure.
Zelena didn't have time to shower or get fresh clothes. She wore what she had on the night before to make it to the courthouse on time. Emma had asked her to let her know how it went, but the redheaded seemed to ignore her completely.
The blonde took a deep drag from the cigarette she lit with her back propped up against the wall of the clinic. The dark oversized shades covered half of her face. They were the only relief she had from the sun aggravating her throbbing head. Emma had never experienced a headache like this before.
She glanced down at her phone for the hundredth time. She had been waiting for it to go off with either news from Zelena or from Regina, but the display only showed the time. She felt like a schoolgirl again as she typed another apology message to the brunette.
The door opened to her left and Dr. Mills stepped out. He was on a mission and he didn't notice the blonde perched against the brick.
" Dr. Mills!" She called out leaping in his direction.
The doctor jumped at the sudden presence, but then his features hardened, "What can I do for you, Miss Nolan?"
Emma flinched at his coldness, "I, uh… Have you seen Regina?"
He studied her for a moment, "Emma, please tell me it's not true."
The blonde swallowed hard, her eyes stinging, "I don't know what happened, Doctor. I can't remember."
His eyes fell to the ground, "I thought you had changed."
If it was possible, Emma could have sworn everyone for a city block could hear the shatter of her heart. "Something's not right about last night sir."
"Oh, you can say that again." He said turning to continue on his way.
"No, please. I wouldn't do that to Regina. You have to believe me. If I were going to do something so messed up, I would have taken her up on her offer last night in the study." Emma was close to tears. For the first time in her life, she had felt drawn to a person. She couldn't even look at other women the same after meeting Regina Locksley. The woman stirred something in her she didn't even know existed.
The doctor stopped and turned his head towards her. "If that is true, then you need to let Millie run a tox screen on you and a rape kit." He paused before turning back, "And Emma."
The blonde held her breath as she waited for him to speak.
"Put out that damned cancer stick." With that, he walked to his car and got in.
For a moment the blonde stood frozen. She dropped the butt and ground it out with the toe of her shoe. She bent down and picked up the tattered remains and tossed it in the trashcan before going inside.
Emma was far from 100% sure that she hadn't slept with the redhead, but her gut was telling her she didn't. She knew if she couldn't trust another person in this world, she should at least be able to trust her gut.
Millie sat behind the reception desk scribbling something down on a clipboard. Two other nurses busied themselves with whatever tasks they had before them. The blonde chewed the edge of her nail as she approached the pink haired woman.
"What do you want?" The woman asked with sharpness, without looking up from her work.
" Dr. Mills said to have you run a blood test on me." She said shyly.
"He did, did he?" She lifted her eyes letting them travel up the length of the blonde's body with distaste. When she reached her face, she said, "Take off the shades."
Emma did as she was told and pulled the shades off holding them in her hand. She tried to look the woman in the eye, but she found herself worried that the tests could come back negative. The disapproving look the pink haired woman had given her, changed and her face softened. "Come on back."
Millie ignored the blonde's stare as she worked.
"I don't know what happened, but I wouldn't do that to Regina, at least not in my right mind," Emma said softly.
The nurse was a little rougher than she needed to be when she tied the piece of rubber around the younger woman's arm. "I hope you're right."
As Millie drew several vials of blood, Emma's mind flashed back to last night. She remembers seeing Anton enter the room. He must have been the one that came in and put her in the chair. Her stomach dropped.
"Do you need some water? You look pale." Millie asked with concern.
'If you're not careful, you could end up like your brother.' The familiar voice from the club office replayed in her head.
Without warning, Emma jumped down from the exam table causing Millie to jump. Luckily the needle had been removed from the blonde's arm, "That son of a bitch." She growled through gritted teeth.
"What the hell is wrong with you? You almost gave me a heart attack." Millie said clutching the material of her scrub over her heart.
"I have to go," Emma said moving towards the door.
"You have to go where?" The woman asked still trying to catch her breath.
Emma called back over her shoulder, "I have a meeting with a Scottish imp."
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Regina was beyond ready for a drink. She received the divorce, which was a huge relief, but the battle was far from over with Robin. She was the primary custodian over Henry. The judge was adamant that Henry goes with his father every other weekend and every other holiday. It didn't matter if he wanted to or not. She cringed at the thought of the last time her son was with Robin. He had let him run off in Houston alone, but she figured it had to be better than Robin taking him away completely. Against Zelena's better judgment, Regina refused alimony payments. She wanted as little connections to that man as possible.
She placed her palms down on the sink and peered at her reflection. Even with a hangover, she didn't look as bad as her attorney, who joined her at the sink after exiting one of the stalls. Court had ended, but the brunette could still feel the queasiness in her stomach from stress.
Regina could sense the other woman's eyes on her, but she refused to acknowledge her. She had nothing to say. Well, nothing nice anyways.
"I…" Regina put up her hand, cutting the redhead off.
"Don't. It's been a really long morning, and I don't want to hear any excuses." Regina said, filling her hands with water to slap on her face.
"I don't have any excuses. I just wanted to say…" The redhead paused and looked at her own reflection, "I don't know what to say."
The brunette snorted out a laugh, but there was no humor in her features. She grabbed a paper towel and patted her face dry. This was ridiculous. It's not as if she and Emma were together or even talked about getting together. She walked towards the trash bin and threw the used paper in, "Thanks for your help with court and Robin. I don't think I could have done it alone."
Zelena's eyes were watery and threatened to spill, but she managed a tight-lipped smile and nodded.
Regina spun to leave, but something was nagging at her, she turned back, "Just tell me why?"
The redhead looked puzzled, "Why what?"
"You and Emma. Why did…" She let her words trail off, but she maintained eye contact.
A tear slipped down the redhead's cheek, "I don't remember."
Regina closed her eyes to stop herself from rolling them, "That seems to be the going consensus?" She had heard enough, she turned to leave for the second time, but the redhead stopped her again.
"Regina, believe me, please. I have no feelings for Emma. I don't know how this could happen. I don't even know what did happen, I swear. The last thing I remember was Emma drinking water." More tears streamed down Zelena's face. She swallowed trying to steady her voice, "When August finds out about this, I don't know what he'll do." A sob escaped.
Regina did feel sorry for her. More than anything, she wanted to believe their amnesia stories, but her heart was broken. Everything she had ever read about Emma Nolan told her she was a playgirl. The brunette had fooled herself into believing that the blonde could change.
"And what were you drinking dear", she asked her voice laced with sarcasm, "Kool-Aid?"
The confusion returned to the redhead's face, "Ummm no. I can only remember drinking a glass of wine."
Regina raised an eyebrow, "Only one glass? There is no way you only had…" She stopped abruptly. Her mind going back to the night she met Emma in the club. She too had only one glass of wine. Shit.
She grabbed the redhead's arm, "Tell me everything you remember about last night."
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Monday's were the worst. Henry chewed his bottom lip. When did he start thinking that? He used to love coming to school. Now things were different. He dreaded having to sit next to Felix and Peter for the whole day. Tuesday's were better because it was library day. Wednesday's were music class. Thursday's were P.E. and Friday's were his AP classes. What was so special about that? He wasn't stuck for an entire day sitting between two of the most obnoxious boys he had ever met.
Ms. Blue had placed Henry in-between the two in hopes he would be a good influence. He was sure it was a logical thought for the woman, but the trouble is that he can't be a good influence on Satan's spawns. He had seen a documentary on wolves once while he was staying the night at his Grandpa's. The mother wolf ate one of her young pups because something was wrong with it. He found himself wondering why these boys' mothers hadn't done the same.
"Henry?" Ms. Blue's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
He looked up realizing she was waiting for an answer, but he hadn't heard the question. His eyes shot to the board. Nothing was written on it, "I'm sorry Ms. Blue, what was the question?"
The entire class roared with laughter as well as the two demons spawn on either side of him. His cheeks burned and all he could think was that he wanted to go home. He never went back to sleep after seeing his mother in the wee hours of the morning. He thought of Emma and his mom instead. Sure he had been worried about the court hearing. He wanted his mom to be happy more than anything else, and he was convinced Emma was just the person to do that.
"I asked in what battle did Sam Houston defeat Santa Anna?" The teacher repeated.
The boy's brain went blank. He knew Texas history like the back of his hand. He even dressed up like Sam Houston two years in a row for Halloween. Now he couldn't think of anything factual about his state.
"Is everything all right Henry?" Ms. Blue asked moving closer to him.
Henry's cheeks were even hotter as giggles continued to flow around the room.
"Yeah Locksley, you okay? Do you need your mommy?" Peter mocked.
"Now that's enough." The teacher warned.
Henry replied, "I'm fine."
Ms. Blue eyed him with concern for a moment longer before she moved to another student. Of course, that student was violet.
"The Battle of San Jacinto." The girl answered with a smile.
He placed his head in his hands and sighed. Of course, he knew that. He wanted to crawl under a log somewhere and die. This had never happened to him before and now he looked like an idiot in front of the whole class.
The bell overhead rang and everyone began putting their books into the cubby hole of their desks.
"Class!" Ms. Blue clapped her hands several times to gain everyone's attention. "When we get back from lunch, I want you all to be ready for the math test we practiced on Friday."
Many groans washed over the class. For the first time in the 9-year-old's life, he was one of them. Maybe he was having a fluke morning. Surely the afternoon would go more smoothly.
He stuffed his history book in his desk and stood only to be shoved back down by Peter, "You're such a freak Mills. I guess even geeks have off days or did you go stupid over the weekend?"
"Yeah, you would think you would be having a better day after Friday night's performance. Did you really think sending people to threaten us would make us stop?" Felix punched Henry in the arm before he and Peter left, leaving him to rub the now painful spot.
"Oh yeah, the day just keeps getting better and better." He said as he started his grueling journey for the cafeteria.
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Emma stood outside Robert Gold's elaborate mansion banging on the door. "Open the damn door Gold!" She yelled into the small camera placed next to the doorbell.
The sound of the deadbolt turning came through the door. The door jerked open and a large African American man appeared. "Can I help you?"
"Where's Gold?" She demanded.
"Do you have an appointment?" He asked in his deep baritone voice.
Emma tried to push past him, "Gold!" She shouted into the house.
The man grabbed her pushing back, "Not so fast."
"LET GO OF ME!" She yelled. "GOLD!"
"Let her go, Manny." Gold's voice called from inside.
He released his hold continuing to block her path, "Are you sure?"
"Yes, it's all right. She's a friend." The Scottish man said.
"No, we're really not." She said, stepping past the intimidating fellow. "You wanted to have a discussion? Let's discuss."
Gold waved an arm to gesture her inside. The entryway was completely different from what she imagined it would look like. She kind of thought it would look more like her father's modern apartment. She pictured expensive wall hangings and uncomfortable furniture. It was the opposite. Most of the furniture looked handcrafted and old. The entryway was with wall hangings, but most of them were paintings of people, including one of Neal.
"What can I do for you, my dear?" He asked shutting the door.
"Where is he?" She pointed to the painting of Neal.
Gold raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the large wooden grandfather clock standing by the stairs. "If I were to chance a guess I would say that he is still in bed. He didn't come in until early this morning."
"Wake him up." She demanded.
"Why? What's happened?" Mr. Gold's face expressed genuine concern.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Miss Emma Nolan." Neal's voice echoed as he descended the stairs, I heard you had one hell of a party last night. Let's hope word doesn't get out to your brother."
"What did you put in my drink asshole?" Emma asked clenching her fist.
"Me? I have no idea what you are talking about." His lip curled up slightly at the corners.
"Don't play dumb with me. I heard you." She accused.
"Neal? What is this about?" Gold asked, his eyes glued to his son.
"Haven't the foggiest Pop." His tone was condescending.
Emma tightened her jaw, "You lying fuck. If I find out you had anything to do with what happened to Kathryn and Regina or my brother, I will kill you myself."
"Whoa!" Gold said stepping between the blonde and Neal. "What's going on?"
Emma's eyes locked with the black ones of the Imp, "Your, son." Emma paused trying not to curse, "Was at the club when Zelena I were drugged last night. He threatened me."
"Neal?" Gold asked turning towards the younger dark haired man, "What is she talking about?"
"Beats me pop." He peeked over his father's shoulder at the blonde, "You know how those Nolan's are."
"Fuck you," Emma said. "You fuckers wanted Regina to believe I had slept with Zelena, so she wouldn't have anything to do with me. Just so you know, I'm having a drug test ran." She was fuming. Her blood pressure reached an all-time high. This didn't help the already throbbing pain in her skull. She shot a finger towards Gold, "As soon as I find out what you are hiding in those vendor shipments, your asses are grassed."
"What vendor shipments?" The older man asked turning to his son.
Neal grimaced but made no response. Gold stepped closer to him, "What the hell is going on?"
"Nothin' pop." He said shooting a small smile.
Gold looked at Emma, "Give me a little time, and I will get to the bottom of this, you have my word."
"Excuse me if I don't believe you. I had a fairly impressive amount of people in the last month give me their word and they all turned out to be shit." She said.
The Scottish man sighed, "Yes, you have. Please, give me a chance."
A snort came from Neal, "I can't believe you. You're just going to give in to her, just like that? I can't believe you cheated on mom with her mom." He turned to go back up the stairs, "Don't you move a muscle." Gold said in an eerily calm voice.
Neal huffed but remained rooted.
"What the hell is he talking about?" Emma snarled.
Gold opened the front door and walked the blonde out onto the steps, "I will explain that at a later time. For now, know that I will get to the bottom of this, and please let me know the results."
Emma could do nothing but give a quick nod. Was she supposed to believe this man? As soon as Gold went back inside and closed the door, a loud slap sounded, "What have you been doing behind my back?" She heard the older man's voice through the door. If nothing else, at least she had the satisfaction of knowing Neal's father would put him in his place.
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Henry lifted his bedroom window, allowing the blonde to crawl through. He was still confused about why she didn't just come in through the door like a normal person. He was amazed at the woman's ability to climb like money.
"What's going on Em?" The boy asked raising an eyebrow that could only match his mother's.
"Your mom's a little upset with me." Sweat beaded up on the blonde's brow from her climb. She slipped her red leather jacket off dropping it on the foot of Henry's bed. "I could tell something was wrong when you text me earlier so I thought I'd come to check on you in person."
Henry shrugged, "You didn't have to. Everything's fine."
Keeping her voice low, Emma sat down in the chair at the desk, "Oh yeah?" She shifted to get a better look at the boy, "Is it because of your mom's court date?"
Henry shook his head, "No. They gave mom the divorce, so that's good, but I still have to go to my dad's on his weekends."
"Is that what's bothering you?" She asked.
"Nah, I can deal with my father as long as my mom is happy." He said walking over to his closet and opening the door. He pulled a shirt out and paused, "Emma?"
"Yeah?" She asked with concern.
"When you were in school, did anyone ever give you a hard time?" He pulled the shirt off the hanger and tossed it onto his desk.
The blonde stood up, "Is someone giving you a hard time? I thought those guys were leaving you alone now." Her voice raised several octaves.
Henry tossed a pair of pants to prep for tomorrow on top of the shirt, "Shhhh." He hissed, "Mom will hear you. Just answer the question."
Emma sighed, biting back her protectiveness, "Well, I did have a little trouble when I was in high school."
"Great, so this goes on through high school?" Henry threw his hands up dramatically.
Emma gave a soft smile, "Not always. I was a different case."
"How's that?" He tilted his head to the side.
He could tell Emma was uneasy with the topic, but he really wanted to know, "I meet a girl and thought I was in love." The blonde paused clearing her throat, "The Dean's daughter found out and decided to tell her father. The girl, Lily, acted like it was a joke and treated me as if I were nothing. She immediately started dating Neal Gold and rubbing in my face every day after. My father was embarrassed and disgusted by me." She stopped, sticking her hands in her pockets.
"What happened after that?" Henry asked. He found himself deeply saddened for her.
"Well, I got into a fight with the Dean's daughter, which wasn't good. Somehow, my father managed some sort of deal with the Dean so I could stay at the school until I graduated. He also made sure that the only time I saw Lily was when she was with Neal." Emma rubbed the back of her neck, "So tell me about the guys bothering…"
"Henry?" His mother's voice called from the other side of the door.
"Crap. Get in the closet." He ordered and the blonde complied.
After the closet door was closed he opened his bedroom door, "Hey mom." He shined his brightest smile.
Her eyebrow rose in suspicion and she gently pushed passed him, "Who were you talking to?"
He swallowed, "No one. Me, I mean I was talking to myself."
His mother was staring towards his bed. He followed her line of sight and grimaced. Emma's jacket was still on the foot of his bed.
"Just yourself, huh?" She said walking slowly to the closet door and pulling it open.
Emma stood inside, "I can explain."
Henry watched his mother cross her arms, "That seems to be your favorite line of the day?"
The boy wasn't entirely certain what Emma had done to upset his mom for the second time, but he knew it must be a doozy.
"I just came by to check on H-henry." The blonde stuttered.
Henry watched his mother's face. She showed no emotion, but he could see something in her eyes, "You've checked on him, now it's time for him to get ready for bed." Without a second glance, the brunette turned and walked out of the room.
Emma stepped out of the closet, "Regina?" His mother didn't stop.
"What did you do Emma?" Henry asked looking up at his friend.
She ignored him, hurrying to the hallway, "Regina, please let me explain."
The boy walked to his doorway and peered out at the scene. His mother had made it to the first step and paused, "What is there to explain? Neither you nor Miss Ozman, remember what happened."
Miss Ozman? Henry said to himself. The lawyer.
"Y-you're right, I don't remember what happened exactly." Emma started.
Regina snorted out a laugh and began her descent of the stairs.
"But," Emma called out and the older woman paused, "Something's not right. I didn't drink anything."
Henry watched his mom as she considered the words, but started to walk again.
"Regina please." It was odd to see someone like Emma beg.
"You cheated on my mom?" He asked.
"What?" Emma turned to look at the boy as if she had forgotten he was even in the same house, "No, I didn't cheat on your mom."
"She didn't cheat on me Henry because she and I are not a couple and never will be," Regina said disappearing down the stairs.
The blonde rushed over to the banister, "I had your clinic run a blood test."
"I'm aware. I had Miss Ozman do the same." Regina said, still not looking in the blonde's direction.
Emma looked confused, "So you believe us?"
"We will have the results sometime tomorrow. There was a power surge that blew out a few of the lab machines. The hospital will be sending replacements in the morning." The older woman paused in the kitchen doorway, "Miss Nolan, Henry has school in the morning. I would suggest you leave via the front door this time." She walked into the kitchen.
Henry was a little confused. What exactly happened in the last 24 hours? He thought his mother was going to apologize, "Em?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry, kid." The blonde said. She walked over to him and rustled his hair, "I'll see you later, okay?"
Henry nodded but said nothing. He watched Emma jog down the stairs and out the front door. Leaning against the railing he stared at the door. Yep, Monday's were the worst. He sighed loudly, turning to go back to his room.