Blue Eyed Bandit
By LockedSoulsAM
a/n: So, guys, I know how many chapters are ahead. Don't worry the end is not near just yet. Writer's block has gotten to me hard. I realized it was because most of my summer has been spent working, dodging my controlling mother, stressing, rinse and repeat. I gave my laptop a little break and decided to go out and live life. Which means, even more, inspiration and hopefully no more writer's block.
I hope you all enjoy.
Chapter 21
"You look fine, Regina," Mal assured her friend as she stepped out of her closet for the fourth time. Each outfit she'd tried on before looked just as great as the last one. It was Regina Mills for crying out loud! She looked good in everything she wore.
"She said casual. Does this seem too much?" Regina frowned as she examined herself in the mirror. She was wearing a gray t-shirt with dark wash jeans and a black vest. It was a change from her usual power suits and fitted dresses. Mal approved of this outfit and made a note that every piece of clothing Regina wore was designer.
"It seems like just enough." Mal sighed. "As did the first three."
"You're no help." Regina narrowed her eyes.
"Well, when you take ten years to get dressed my enthusiasm bleeds out." Mal sat on Regina's king-sized bed. She smoothed her hands out over the fabric of her bedspread. It felt expensive and she wouldn't expect anything less from Regina.
"I resent that," Regina muttered. She was nervous. Why was she nervous? It was Ingrid. The same Ingrid that she had lunch with on Wednesdays and would face time during boring paper work hours, and that would make her laugh until she could no longer. It was also the same Ingrid that was beautiful, gracious and intelligent. Regina knew that she felt something when she was with Ingrid and she wanted to explore that further. That meant getting over her nerves for tonight and leaving her closet.
With a final once over of her outfit, Regina flipped the switch and left her room. Mal was already downstairs cooking dinner for the girls. Emma and Lily were playing with dolls when Regina approached the den. She only saw the tail end of what seemed to be Emma's descent from jumping on the couch. She raised a brow at her daughter and Emma only smiled cheekily before slipping her hands under her butt.
"You look really pretty, Mommy." Emma grinned. "Your hair looks awesome too."
Regina knew Emma was trying to distract her from what she just saw and she wasn't buying it.
"Mmhm, don't let me catch you jumping on my couch again, Missy." Regina leaned over to kiss her forehead. "Behave, bed time at eight-thirty, if you finish your dinner you may get ice cream. Only if you finish. Understood?"
Emma nodded and clapped her hands in excitement. She didn't care about bedtime if she got to have ice cream for dessert. Regina left a kiss on Lily's forehead, much in the same way she did for Emma. Lily was quieter, mischievous, but quiet. She and Emma were a force to be reckoned with and she could only imagine that Mal would be exhausted by the time she put them to bed.
Regina left them to play as she got a notification from Ingrid that she was pulling up.
"Bye," Regina called out to the occupants of her home. She grabbed her purse and walked out of the door. She was just in time to see Ingrid's silver Hyundai Sonata approach the curb.
Regina slipped inside of the car and turned to her date. They greeted each other with a hug.
"You look great," Regina noted Ingrid's attire of choice. A simple t-shirt and jeans but it still looked nice. Regina liked that they weren't trying too hard for this date. She'd done the whole dinner and movie thing before and found it incredibly cliché and overdone. Thankfully so did Ingrid and they'd laughed about it one night over face time.
"Thank you," Ingrid said. "So do you. Very different from the usually stoic and professional Mayor Mills."
"Mayor Mills has been locked up for tonight, along with Mommy." Regina gazed out of the window. "It's time for Regina to have fun. I'll stop speaking in the first person now."
Ingrid giggled before looking back over to Regina. She truly did look beautiful tonight. Putting the car in drive, Ingrid focused her eyes on the road and tried to think of what they could talk about. They talked to each other almost every single day. That might have contributed to their lack of conversation but she was hoping that would change. There was a silence as she approached a stop sign. Almost as if they were thinking the same thing, they spoke.
"So where are we going?"
"I hope you like where we are going."
They shared a smile before deciding on who would speak first. Regina turned to face her date. "It looks like we're both nervous about this impending date."
"I mean, it's not like we haven't technically been dating for the past few months." Ingrid pointed out. "Today, we are just making it an official day. Just you and I. No need for any nervous feelings."
"Does this mean you're going to tell me where we are going," Regina questioned.
"I don't think I will." Ingrid shook her head. "Keep an element of surprise."
"I see."
Regina's curiosity only grew as she saw that they were leaving town. Storybrooke was in the middle of nowhere but not too far away from other civilization. They shared small talk here and there. Regina's eyebrows raised as the car rolled into the parking lot of a roller skating rink. The last time she'd been skating she was fifteen.
"Do you want to exit the car?" Ingrid smirked.
Regina unbuckled her seat belt and gazed at the sign one more time. This certainly wasn't what she expected. Not a dinner date, maybe something a little more formal, but not a roller rink. She was in no way complaining though.
"Aren't we lucky you wore boots." Ingrid took the liberty of taking Regina's hand in hers. That gained Regina's attention and she fixed their position so that they were more comfortable. She tried to ignore the fluttering in her stomach.
"I haven't been to a skating ring in years."
"I guess I have the advantage of keeping you close." Ingrid lead Regina to the ticketing booth. "That is if you can keep up?"
"I am always up for a challenge, dear."
Regina cringed as she put her feet inside of a pair of used skates. Never mind the horrid shade of beige they were, she was thankful that she'd worn her boots and socks. Tying the laces brought back plenty memories of her teen years and she could almost forget that she was wearing rentals. Standing, Regina nearly lost her balance but made her way to the entrance of the rink. Once upon a time, Regina was practically a pro with skating. She'd been one of those teens that spent all her time away from home. She was active and full of energy. Skating was just one of the things to burn that energy.
"Are you having fun yet?" Ingrid called to her as Regina entered the rink. She held onto the bars to regain her balance. Meanwhile, a few teenagers flew right past the two of them almost knocking Regina down. She knew she was small but not invisible. Ingrid laughed at the scowl on Regina's face. "Come on I'll help you?"
Once again Regina's hand was in hers Ingrid felt a sense of warmth wash over her. It was a good feeling and she kind of hoped it never went away. She pulled Regina a little closer. Usually, she was a few inches taller and with their skates, it was no different. Regina found her balance and composed herself before leaving Ingrid to eat her invisible dust.
"What happened to us staying close?" Ingrid shouted over the music.
"Catch me if you can?" Regina was feeling ten years younger as she got more comfortable on her roller skates. She turned to pay attention to where she was going as she whizzed around the rink. Ingrid was on her tail but was holding herself back with her constant bouts of laughter.
Their chase had turned into a little game of tag as they skated for what seemed like hours. It had only been about forty-five minutes. It was time for a food break and Regina was hungry.
They found a little booth in the back of the food court and rolled their way to the table. She'd ordered nachos and a slushie while Ingrid chose a hot dog and Pepsi. They weren't eating the healthiest of foods but it sure was good.
"So, how is this for a gourmet meal?" Ingrid asked before biting into her hot dog.
"It's fine." Regina nodded. "I like it. It has been so long since I have been out and having fun. I'll probably be sore in the morning but I'm really enjoying myself."
"I'm glad." Ingrid returned her smile. "Seeing you fly around the rink was great entertainment."
"Are you sure you weren't watching my ass?" Regina teased. She dipped her nachos, crunching loudly, covering her mouth in hopes of not spilling any food as Ingrid blushed.
"Do you have a nickname?" Ingrid decided to change the subject before she turned as red as a tomato. This was the only question that came to mind.
"I don't actually." Regina wiped her mouth. "Emma gave me one a few months ago. When we'd first met I guess she decided that 'Gina' was an acceptable name to call me. I've always just been Regina. What about you?"
"Well, as you know my sisters and I have less than normal names," Ingrid said. "I mainly got a lot of teasing in school for it. No nicknames really but I certainly caught a lot of slack."
"I think the name suits you just fine," Regina replied.
Just as Regina was about to speak a group of girls approached their table. A young brunette was the brave one to step up first.
"I'm sorry for interrupting but you look a lot like Mayor Mills from Storybrooke." The girl started out with. "Are you her?"
Ingrid was impressed that the girls had recognized Regina here. She wasn't really a famous mayor but everyone knew that Regina was a great politician. She was always making school tours to meet with kids, and helping at local events, even so much as attending the town fair. These girls must have been from Storybrooke.
"I am." Regina looked to Ingrid to make sure that it was okay. Ingrid gave a small nod. She was more than happy to watch Regina do her magic.
"Can we get a picture with you?"
"I'm sorry," Regina whispered to Ingrid before she stood to take pictures with the girls.
Ingrid was in awe as Regina put on her best politician's smile and took a picture with each of the girls. It was a little difficult in skates and clearly, Regina was struggling. She took a few minutes to chat with the girls before dismissing them.
"I'm sorry I would love to talk to you longer but I have to get back to my date." Regina sat in her seat once again.
"Is this your girlfriend?" One of the girls asked.
"I,"
Before Regina got the chance to answer one of the girls shrieked.
"I totally ship it."
"Ship?" Regina glanced over to Ingrid. Ingrid shrugged and laughed as she already knew what shipping was. She had two teenage nieces that kept her up to date on the latest trends and slang.
"Bye Mayor Mills and Mayor Mills' girlfriend."
They both waved one last time before looking back to each other.
"I apologize, that was incredibly rude of me." Regina laid her hand on top of Ingrid's.
"No, don't apologize." Ingrid dismissed what she was sure was a string of apologies. "I'm dating a celebrity. It comes with the job."
"I'm hardly a celebrity." Regina scoffed. "Merely, an influential figure close to home for many of these girls."
"Your council doesn't find offense to you being," Ingrid didn't know how to put it.
"No, no, I'm sure there are a few that agree with my 'lifestyle' as he would call it." Regina rolled her eyes. "But my work and my home life are two separate places and I won't allow anyone else to dictate that."
"I think it's incredible all that you do for Storybrooke." Ingrid continued the conversation. "You were quite young for mayor and I know it took a lot of hard work."
"A lot of schooling, campaigning and fake smiling." Regina joked. "I love my job. I love being in charge."
The conversation could have lasted all night but Regina heard a song that she hadn't heard in a long time.
"This is a couple's skate." The DJ said smoothly into his mic. "Will all couples please enter the rink for a couple's skate?"
"Want to go?" Regina stood and held out her hand for Ingrid to take.
"I'd love to." Ingrid took her hand again. As the song began to play they skated around the rink
You know I've been searching for someone
Who can share that special love with me
And your eyes have that glow
Could it be your face I see on my computer screen?
Need a special girl, ooh yeah
To share in my computer world, my computer world
I no longer need a strategy
Thanks to modern technology
Regina was content on being held as they skated slowly around the rink. She felt like a teenager on her first date with the school jock. This song took her back to those days. The song fits the mood perfectly and Regina danced to it as best she could.
"I truly had a lot of fun tonight," Regina said. They pulled up to her house and Ingrid put her car in park. "and I really want to ask you out on a second date. My treat next time."
"I would love that." Ingrid agreed.
Regina leaned over the console. She gazed into Ingrid's eyes before glancing down at her lips. Regina finally took the plunge and she almost moaned when their lips met. Ingrid didn't hesitate to kiss her back. They got lost in the moment and if it wasn't for the console Regina would have been straddling Ingrid's lap. Regina did moan when Ingrid's tongue slipped inside of her mouth. For a moment, she considered climbing over the console but was stopped when a car drove past. With headlights flashing across her face the moment was ruined.
"I should go inside," Regina said reluctantly.
"Yeah." Ingrid's eyes remained on her lips. She finally looked up and Regina could see that her eyes were a few shades darker and clouded with lust.
"Goodnight." Regina internally pouted as she exited the car. Usually, she would have invited Ingrid in and they could continue where they left off. With her ex-best friend/girlfriend and two children in the house that was a different story. Regina silently cursed herself for not telling Mal to babysit at her own home.
Ingrid waited for Regina to get inside of her door before pulling off. She would text her a final good night before she went to bed a little later.
Regina tiptoed to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Mal was sitting at the dining table working on some work things she assumed.
"How was it?" Mal asked as she glanced up at Regina. "It must have been good if your lipstick is smeared."
"It was great." Regina offered nothing more. "How was Emma?"
"She was an angel," Mal replied. "I was going to stay over in the guest room and take Lilly to her dad's tomorrow if that's fine with you."
"No, of course, it's fine." Regina grabbed a water bottle from the fridge and practically chugged it. "I'm going to go shower and sleep. It's been a long day."
Regina left with the intention to check on Emma. She and Lily were practically all over each other as they sleep. It couldn't be comfortable but Regina didn't have the energy nor the strength to break them apart.
Tonight, she had fun. She'd let loose and did something outside of her usual comfort zone. Maybe she could plan a few more nights like that. She needed them.