A/N: Hi all, sorry for the long update delay. Please be aware this chapter focuses on some adult natured themes that could cause distress.
Regina wandered into the lobby of the office building still feeling exhausted. It wasn't that she hadn't slept, it was just that everything was still buzzing around in her head and it was tiring. She had tried so hard to dissociate Emma from the blanket, trying to work out a way it may have come into her possession but she was turning up blanks with each, and every dreamed up scenario that she could possibly imagine.
She desperately didn't want this to be the truth. Regina wasn't in denial at all, she had fallen for Emma quite badly, and with this revelation there was every possibility that it would be Emma who couldn't handle their other relationship of the family sense. It would ruin everything, she knew the young girl had a right to know, but she really wanted to keep it from her.
Lost in thought, her mind boggling with ideas of ways she could have this difficult conversation with Emma, Regina wandered right passed reception. Belle only happened to look up and note her arrival moments after she had swanned passed.
Although Regina's mind swam with thoughts of Emma, she hadn't actually checked in on her that morning. Sleeping in the master bedroom had been a challenge, and an uncomfortable one at that so when she hadn't been able to settle she had headed to the living room and crashed on the couch. It wasn't comfortable either but it bought back less memories of Leopold than their bed did.
"Mrs White. Mrs White!" Belle called, desperately rushing after her.
Her heels clicked loudly on the floor as she tottered at the fastest pace she could muster, chasing after her boss, not that Regina heard those, or the thick Australian voice calling to her. She was lost in thought as she stepped in to a waiting elevator.
It was only as the doors were about to close that she was pulled from her thoughts. Belle's petite, heel clad foot stepped between the narrowing doors, and they sprang back open revealing her to her boss. Regina looked at her for a moment in surprise, the two of them stuck in a stationary position until the doors threatened to close again and squish the little receptionist between them if she didn't make a decision as to whether she was in or out.
Belle quickly slipped into the elevator and she was suddenly alone with Regina. The atmosphere between them was heavy and awkward. They shared a look in silence before the lift jolted into action and started up the floors. They wouldn't be alone for long, and Belle had been so desperate to catch Regina, she couldn't just wait for the older woman to break the silence for the sake of being respectful and polite.
"Mrs White, I am glad I caught you. I did try to call you this morning but your phone was going straight to voicemail and it was so important but your landline number wasn't connecting either, and so I was just praying you'd walk through, because it was so important,"
Regina held her hand up to silence the babbling brunette. She wasn't making an ounce of sense, other than about the telephones. The landline Regina had disconnected weeks ago to stop Leopold trying to contact her, unlike her cell phone she couldn't just turn the thing off, so she had unplugged the charger and let her landline handset die. Her cell phone had obviously done the same. With all the palaver that evening she hadn't charged it up.
"What has happened now?" she sighed.
"Well, I came in this morning, just going about my usual jobs and such," the receptionist began, still rushing as she was aware she hadn't much time. "Anyway, I just happened to look up from my screen to the lobby. It was strange because it was too early for any visitors to be hanging around, and there was this thing, like a body on the floor so I went to look and that's when I noticed it was Emma."
"Emma? Emma was here? What was she doing here?" Regina quickly interjected, her dark eyes wide with concern at the mention of the blonde she had just assumed was keeping quiet in the guest room.
The elevator pinged suddenly, a gentleman stepping in with them not giving Belle the opportunity to answer her boss' questions. Regina's elegant manicured finger stabbed at the ground floor button again and she tapped her foot impatiently waiting for the doors to close again. The gentleman, and Belle just glanced at her and said not a word, they knew Mrs White was going to grow impatient if the elevator didn't immediately start making its descent. Luckily, it did.
"Mrs White, she's not still here" Belle cried as she flew out of the elevator behind a marching Regina.
Where Regina was heading she didn't know, and why she was searching for Emma in a lobby she had just crossed, swarming with business people who clearly weren't her she didn't know either, but she knew one thing. If Emma had been there, the CCTV would show her why, and tell her what happened. Instead of marching through the lobby, she headed for the counter where Belle's desk was situated and grabbed the phone. She stabbed at the buttons on the phone, dialling the extension for security and demanded to speak to someone in charge.
Belle's eyes were wide and fearful. She had never seen Regina in such a worked up and frustrated state. It was unclear how Regina was really feeling but to the young assistant she looked as if she were seething. A few moments later, after an angry raised voice conversation with the head of security, Regina slammed the receiver down with such force Belle thought the plastic exterior casing might have cracked. It confirmed her suspicions though as to the state of Regina's emotions.
"What's wrong? Couldn't they help?" Belle enquired carefully.
Regina had to take a deep breath to keep herself from snapping at the spritely young woman before answering. Even when she was asking a question with concern, she still sounded annoyingly enthusiastic.
"No footage. That's all they said, no footage of last night after 9pm." Regina shook her head, a look of disbelief on her face. "It's ridiculous!" she boomed suddenly, making Belle jump.
Before Belle could agree or disagree, or even offer a possible reason for such an event Regina had barged passed her and back to the elevator. She could see if she was going to find out where Emma had gotten to, or why she had been there she was going to have to do it herself. Belle dutifully hurried after her. Being overly attentive to Regina and whether she had any needs, but her boss quickly dismissed her.
Regina rushed across the office floor towards her office as quickly as she called. No idea where to begin she shut herself safely inside, started her computer and sank in her chair trying to think clearly. She just couldn't though. The stress of it all was getting to her much worse than problem solving tasks usually did. Regina supposed it was the worry mixed with all the emotion this time that was making it so much harder.
Many dead ends later, pointless calls to unhelpful hospitals, police stations and hostels left her no closer to finding Emma. She blamed herself. She had acted so badly to her when she had slipped beside her in the bed. If she had just handled that better perhaps they wouldn't be in this position. It was almost hopeless, or so Regina thought until there was a knock at her office door.
"Come in," she called with a sigh.
Leaning back in her chair, Regina was relieved to see it was her assistant Sidney, and he had a refreshing cup of takeout coffee from diner in his hand. Thankfully, Regina nodded as he placed it down on her desk, enquired as to how she was, even though he had already heard in a warning phone call from Miss French on the front desk, and held in his hand a memo pad. Regina watched as he tore off a single leaf and handed it to her with a small smile.
"Killian Jones had a messenger call for you. They haven't left much of a message but could you please contact him." Sidney informed.
Regina seemed to dismiss the ides, somewhat still distracted by Emma's whereabouts and not really wanting to deal with business matters right now. She waved her hand, signifying for him to place it on her desk. Sidney did as he was silently instructed, knowing the gesture meant she would get to it when she felt like it.
"Mrs White, please excuse my forwardness but the young man who called, did stress that it was an important message he had for you. If you excuse my impertinence, I think it was an urgent matter"
"Nothing with Killian Jones is ever important" Regina sighed.
Sidney nodded in acknowledgement of her reply. There was no point in arguing with his boss when she had made up her mind already, even he knew that. He bowed out of the office gracefully, leaving her alone once again.
As soon as the door clicked closed, Regina sat forward in her chair and stared at the memo. She really didn't want to make the call to the handsome young client. He would want a meeting about the deals they were currently in discussions over, and she just wasn't in the mood. She just stared and stared until the words written on the lilac slip of paper started to jump out at her. One in particular, the word urgent; which Sidney had written bigger than the others, all in capitals and ferociously underlined to the point his pen had been in danger of breaking the thin material of the paper.
Curiosity soon got the better of her and she found herself dialling the scribbled number for the hotel concierge who had called with the message, before she could stop herself. The phone seemed to ring for an eternity before it was finally answered. The greeter was professional in announcing who they were, and the name of the establishment she was contacting, before politely asking how they could be of assistance.
"My name is Regina White, I have a message to call and ask for Killian Jones"
"Right away Ms. White. I will put you through to his room" the polite young man advised, before Regina's ear met with ringing once again.
Killian took three rings to answer. Regina had counted them, impatiently waiting and ready to tell him she hadn't time for any business matters today. If she just got him out of the way she would be able to refocus on finding Emma before the worst happened.
"Mrs White," he greeted, but she cut straight to it before he could explain the reason for his call.
Killian knew why she was calling back, and it had been hours so he had hoped it would be sooner. He had already missed three meetings that morning, and although he didn't particularly mind having to cancel them last minute, he had thought Emma meant more to Regina. Then again he had to assume that perhaps his message had been delayed in getting to her. After all, the first concierge attempt to get hold of her at the office had learnt she wasn't in yet, and so he had instructed them to call back with a vague message for her. He didn't want staff causing speculation by having a message with too much information.
"Killian, apologies I have your note but I don't really have the time to discuss business right now, can we arrange for a call another time?"
He almost chuckled at her presumption his call was business related when they had nothing scheduled.
"Forgive me, Mrs White. I wouldn't be in touch if the matter wasn't pressing."
Once again Regina interrupted him before he could actually make his point.
"I doubt it as pressing as what I am dealing with at the moment Mr Jones. If you wouldn't mind, I really have to go,"
"Wait, Mrs White, wait please just a moment," Killian could hear the irritation in her voice, and the huff as she demanded he make it quick. "As I said, I wouldn't be in touch if the matter weren't pressing. This morning as I was leaving my hotel I bumped into someone, Miss Swan,"
Killian didn't get a chance to finish what he was going to say as Regina interjected suddenly.
"Where is she? Is she ok?!"
The woman sounded frightfully worried and he was glad he could put her out of her misery by confirming she was with him at his hotel, but again he didn't have a chance to speak. This time because Regina promptly hung up the phone and practically went running from her office. She had to get to Emma.
Regina was breathless when she rushed into the hotel lobby, only stopping when her body slammed against the front desk, and she wordlessly tried to spit out Killian's name. It took her a few moments of composing herself before she was finally able to ask in an audible way the greeter understood.
"I am here to see Mr Killian Jones" she panted a little.
The young man nodded.
"May I take your name mam?"
"Mrs White."
Regina was still trying to catch her breath and she watched the young man slowly push buttons on his old fashioned telephone set to call Killian's room. She desperately wanted to snap at him to put some urgency into his movement, but she knew that would be of no assistance to her, nor get her the desired result of making it to Killian's room any quicker.
The phone was answered quickly, and of course the young man confirmed she could go up, however, she would need to be escorted. They didn't run the type of establishment that just meant anyone could trawl the corridors. They were too exclusive for that.
Once again the young man irritatingly slow at doing that, and the trip up to the third floor where Killian was staying was painful. No matter how hard Regina willed the young man to quicken his pace, he didn't seem to and she just followed behind in silence gritting her teeth. When they finally reached the room, he stopped just outside the door and she wasn't even allowed to knock herself; he did it for her. In fact, he waited with her to introduce her until Killian opened the door and confirmed he knew who she was, and that he was expecting her.
"Very anal here aren't they" she quipped as she marched into the elaborate suite and threw her bag down on a chair.
Turning to Killian immediately, she didn't give him a chance to speak before demanding to know where Emma was.
"Please, keep your voice down. She is sleeping."
"Let me see her!" she barked, causing him to shush her again.
He already knew she was quite feisty when she wanted to be, but this was ridiculous, as if her frustration was on steroids. Before she saw Emma there was something she needed to know.
"Just one moment. Look, before you see her you need to know she was in quite a state." He explained, Regina suddenly calming a little and finally listening to him. "She ran into me as I was leaving and fell to the ground. She is quite battered and bruised. Before she went to sleep, I did manage to get a little out of her,"
"And?" Regina quickly cut in.
"Well, it appears she has had some sort of run in with your husband. That's all I know though!" he quickly threw his hands up in surrender before she could ask him what else he knew.
"I need to see her" Regina stated as she blew out a deep breath and started to pace. "Please, can I see her?"
Killian nodded and led the way through to the small sleeping area of his suite. Regina followed in silence, nervously chewing on her thumbnail and chipping the pale nail enamel covering it.
Emma lay in the middle of the huge bed. Regina had never seen her looking so small and vulnerable. She choked back a tear and stepped past her business associate when he gestured for her to pass him. As she approached the bed Emma shuffled, moving her head and showing the wound on her head.
Killian had done his best to clean it up with the supplies he had managed to obtain from the hotel facilities, but it was still somewhat a mess. Lots of dried blood meaning it wasn't easy for Regina to decipher the severity of it without closer inspection.
She perched beside Emma on the bed. The blonde didn't stir and the room remained silent as Regina just took a moment to drink in what she was looking at. So many questions ran through her head. Why did you run Emma? Why didn't I check you were safe in your bed?
Regina blamed herself for Emma's current state.
After a few moments Killian coughed gently to break the silence, regaining Regina's attention momentarily. He smiled and gently.
"Excuse me Ms. White, I have a meeting to attend to, however please feel free to stay. Anything you need, please do not hesitate to charge it to my room" he offered kindly.
Regina thanked him with a nod of recognition for his outstanding kindness. He had been most attentive and helpful. She mentally noted she must find a proper way to say thank you. They shared in a friendly smile before Killian grabbed his suit jacket. In a heartbeat he was gone, and she was finally alone with Emma.
"Oh sweetheart, what happened?" she sighed.
She felt a rage towards Leopold suddenly. He had caused this hurt, all of it, all of this was his fault. If he had done anything else to the young blonde last night, Regina also vowed she would make him pay this time, and he would regret it. Unfortunately he didn't have the knowledge about Emma as she did, but she was certain when he found out he would be sickened by himself.
Regina reached out, the back of her soft hand gently brushing Emma's soft cheek. The blonde coughed gently, wriggling under the throw over her and her lashes began to flutter. Regina quickly apologised. She hadn't meant to disturb her.
"R-Regina" the blonde stammered, her bleary eyes only seeing a shadow of someone sat beside her.
"Yes Emma, it's me. You are safe. It's all right."
Emma's eyes fluttered closed again for just a second before she opened them again. Mumbling she questioned where she was, as if she hadn't properly computed the morning's events, so Regina did her best to explain. Based on what she knew so far, she was able to fill in for Emma that Belle had found her on the office lobby floor and assumed she had been there a good few hours, and that she had bumped into Killian Jones outside his hotel, in a state and needed some sort of assistance.
Emma winced as she moved gently to sit up a bit and converse properly with Regina. Her body ached, but from what Regina had told her she suspected it probably should. She stared at Regina as soon as she was comfortable and the brunette could tell that Emma was contemplating a question.
"What is it?" she encouraged gently.
The blonde shook her head dismissively, so Regina pressed. Whatever it was bothering Emma, they had to sort it.
"Is this because of last night, Emma?"
She hesitated and then nodded. Regina felt her heart sink. This really was all her fault then. Reaching out gently she took Emma's hand and squeezed lightly.
"I should explain," she started and sighed gently, making sure she made eye contact with Emma to show her sincerity. "I didn't mean for you to leave Emma. I had a lot going on yesterday and I, well I errr I was struggling. I was just taking a little time for myself."
Regina knew she should be honest with Emma about her discovery, and was going to but quickly changed her mind. She couldn't bring herself to say the words. It would only complicate their situation and potentially hurt Emma. It was wrong to deceive her but Regina felt it was best for now at least.
"I know that now" Emma muttered in admission.
"Oh?"
"I didn't go looking for him, your husband I mean. But, I was walking passed the building and suddenly it hit me. I went to confront him, I know I did but I don't really remember all of what happened Regina. He did something to you though, didn't he?"
Regina felt like breaking down in tears. Was Emma really that intuitive she had worked out that Leopold had caused her pain? Then again, she supposed she had made that quite obvious with her behaviour the previous evening.
"Regina?" Emma questioned the woman's silence.
Her dark eyes had become teary as she looked away from the blonde and bowed her head. She felt so ashamed. Leopold had made her feel so vulnerable. She wasn't sure she was ready to share with Emma this time.
Taking a deep breath she forced herself to smile, and at least acknowledge the blonde's question with a nod. She instantly saw the pitying look in Emma's eyes and couldn't stand it.
"I am sorry I took it out on you Emma, or if you felt I didn't want you because that isn't true."
Emma nodded in understanding.
Regina prayed she wouldn't ask what exactly happened, and silently cursed herself when that was just what Emma innocently did. She took a deep breath to compose herself, hands shaking and heart thumping in her chest as she thought about the meeting.
"You must understand Emma. He has never done this before," Regina started, only to find Emma quickly interjecting.
"Yes he has. You told me he has" she seemed to scowl.
"Emma, please." She took another deep breath. She hadn't finished yet. "He has never done anything like this to me at work before."
"What, slapped you?"
Emma continued to scowl, interrupting again and causing Regina to frown at comments. Regina shook her head dismissively and asked if Emma would mind letting her finish before jumping to conclusions about what had happened, and what she meant.
"No Emma, he uh, he did much worse this time. As I say, he has usually refrained in the office and waited until we are behind closed doors. You and I, our relationship really has him angered, but I don't want you concerning yourself with that and getting hurt again."
Regina motioned to the wound upon the blonde's head. Emma frowned confused, reaching tentatively with her fingertips to her forehead and wincing as they made contact with the gash upon her head. She hadn't even felt it before now. Emma had just assumed the fuzziness she was due to an oncoming headache.
Suddenly she was quiet, with nothing she wanted to say. No quick remarks or quips about Leopold as she continued to stare at Regina. That revelation short of shocked her. Not that it should have given what she already knew, but it did.
For a long while the two women just sat in an awkward silence. Regina replaying the previous day in her head as if she needed to go through it once more, which of course she didn't; and Emma was just trying to process everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours. One thing in particular was really niggling at Emma now, when Regina had gotten home.
"You came home, you were in bed with me, we were going to, to," Emma stammered her words as if trying to think and talk before her brain had given any thought to what she actually wanted to say.
Regina nodded.
"Yes, I know" she admitted quietly.
"How? Why?"
Emma's head was reeling as she tried to work out how a woman who had been through what Regina had at work that day, would come home and want to, well do that. She just couldn't process such a fact. Regina was going to have to explain.
"I, I needed to feel loved Emma. It wasn't the best idea I had and you being ill, probably saved me from chickening out. I am sorry Emma. It made me realise I just needed some time alone." She sighed, choking back her tears again.
"And that's why you went to 'your' room?" the blonde questioned gently.
"Yes" Regina nodded.
Emma seemed to understand so Regina didn't clarify any further. She waited, the silence once again becoming uncomfortable between them.
"Why didn't you just come back to bed with me?" Emma eventually asked.
"As I said, I just wanted to be alone and cry. Emma, I didn't want you to see me like that. That's all." Regina admitted.
"And when I…" Emma started, but Regina knew what she was asking before the words had even fallen from her lips.
"When you came and lay on Leopold's side of the bed it scared me. I didn't want you to be near him, not even in that sense. Emma, it's important that I don't associate the things I do with him with you, especially his side of the bed. Do you understand that?" she queried gently.
Regina found herself holding her breath as she waited for acknowledgement from Emma. The blonde seemed to be properly analysing everything that had been said. Regina was so relived though when Emma finally, even though slightly teary herself, nodded and gently admitted that she did understand what she was saying to her.