Feather of a Swan

Chapter 28:

Emma once again groaned as her body collided with the floor with a hard thud. She felt sore everywhere, and she was sure that her body was one big bruise from travelling like this.

,,Ow," she complained and rubbed her elbow.

,,Are you alright?" Henry asked.

,,Yeah, I'm good," Emma assured as she stood up and ran a finger through her ruffled hair. She watched as Regina helped Lucy up and then stretched a hand out towards Ella. The young woman quickly accepted it and took Regina's hand.

,,If you aren't too tired," Regina said and smoothened her hair. ,,Then I would really like to get back to Storybrooke tonight."

,,So would I," Henry nodded and rubbed his face.

,,I want to go home," Lucy agreed, and Emma saw how her brave façade crumpled, the little girl was on the verge of tears now that everything was over.

Henry quickly gave her a hug and Emma heard him whisper: ,,It's okay. It's over, kiddo. Everything is going to be fine from now on." He took Ella's hand and squeezed it gently.

,,Let's get on the road," Regina muttered, and Emma saw how tired she looked. Completely worn out.

Emma nodded and hauled the half unconscious lady Tremaine up from the floor. Then all five of them left the hotel room, and Emma couldn't help but feel a bit impressed when Regina sweetly returned the key and praised "the lovely room" to the receptionist. God, that woman could act.

Luckily, they all five fitted into the Mercedes (lady Tremaine was placed in the backseat between Henry, Ella and Emma. Lucy took the front seat, and the young girl chatted on with Regina about her experiences in Hyperion Heights.

They drove mile after mile, and Emma thought she could feel Henry glancing between her and Regina every so often, but she couldn't quite figure out why. Maybe he was just tired from everything that had happened so far. Emma reached over and patted his hand reassuringly. Everything would be good from now on.

Emma repeatedly offered Regina to drive the rest of the way, but Regina almost coldly snubbed her off. No, she wasn't tired. Of course she could manage to drive the rest of the way.

Once they were getting closer to Storybrooke, Emma finally called home, and the blonde involuntarily cringed when Killian answered with a worried: ,,Luv! Are you alright?"

,,Yeah. I'm alright. We're on our way home with Henry and Ella and Lucy. And a prisoner."

,,You caught lady Tremaine," Killian said and grinned. ,,I knew you could do it, Swan."

,,It wasn't me," Emma snapped. How dared he to give her credit for something she had no part in? ,,It was Regina."

,,Don't be so modest, Swan," Killian said and then, more softly: ,,I can't wait to see you again. I've missed you."

,,Mhmm. Missed you too," Emma answered stifled, but truthfully, she hadn't given her husband much thought the past two days. And she certainly wasn't thinking about him last night when she ki..

,,I love you, Emma," Killian interrupted her train of thoughts.

,,Yeah, me, too," Emma parroted and hung up. That was the second time within two days she had failed to say it back, she noted. God, she was digging herself in too deep.

And much like when they ventured out on this trip, Regina's eyes were stubbornly focusing on the road, and she didn't say anything to Emma, unless Emma spoke directly to her.

Emma sighed quietly. Just how the hell was she supposed to go home and put on a smile for her husband?

They drove all night, and finally, by midday, the next day, they reached the "Welcome to Storybrooke" sign. Emma held her breath as they crossed the timeline. Her wedding ring glowed purple once more.

,,Does everybody remember who they are?" Regina asked. It was the first time she opened her mouth since they had started the journey home.

,,Yeah," Emma said and Ella, Henry and Lucy nodded.

Lady Tremaine muttered something that sounded like "sadly yes," but no one took interest in her.

Half of Storybrooke seemed determined to give them a proper welcome home, all the dwarfs, Snow, David, Killian, Zelena, Archie, Gold and Belle all stood lined up on the pavement when Regina parked the car.

,,That's what I call a welcome home committee," Henry said and grinned at Lucy. The young girl immediately jumped out of the car and threw herself into her great grandparent's arms. Snow and Charming instantly enveloped her in a family hug. Ella and Henry exited the car as well.

,,Henry! Ella!" Snow squealed and hugged both of them tightly.

Emma couldn't hear a thing. Everybody was talking at once; her head was spinning and she was so tired.

,,Welcome home, luv," Killian said softly and dropped a kiss on her forehead.

,,Thanks." Emma allowed herself to lean into his touch for a moment.

,,I hate to bust up the party," Regina said tiredly and dragged a reluctant lady Tremaine over to Killian. ,,But she's all yours, sheriff."

Who are you talking about. Me or lady Tremaine?

,,Aye. We have a nice cell waiting for you," Killian sneered and grabbed lady Tremaine's arm.

Lady Tremaine seemed completely unfazed by that, and she smiled provokingly at Emma as her eyes darted back and forward between Killian and Regina who was receiving a hug from her sister.

,,This is wonderful," Snow said and smiled broadly. ,,Finally having all of you home again."

,,It's good to be back again," Henry smiled with an arm around Lucy and Ella.

,,This definitely calls for a celebration," David nodded.

,,Aye. We should have a party," Killian added and squeezed Emma's shoulder. ,,What do you say, luv? A good old-fashioned party with plenty of food for everybody."

,,That sounds great," Emma replied, not completely truthfully.

,,As long as it won't be tonight," Regina interjected. ,,I haven't slept in two days."

Neither have I. And not only because I was worried about Henry.

,,Tomorrow then," Snow said firmly. ,,Tomorrow there will be a celebration at Granny's."

The dwarfs seemed chuffed, and so everybody else. But Emma could have lived without a party. And she could also have lived without Killian's arm around her like a chain, but she didn't dare thinking that thought.

The small welcome home committee parted ways, Regina left with Henry and Ella and Lucy. Probably to help them get installed at a room in Granny's, and Killian gave Emma's shoulder a little squeeze. ,,Come on, luv. Let's get you home in bed."

,,Aye," Emma joked half-heartedly. Maybe some sleep and a nice meal would get her in the right party-mode.

But that definitely wasn't the case. Emma still felt completely miserable the next evening as she prepared herself for the party. She constantly found herself thinking back to that damned kiss she and Regina had shared in Seattle. And then she felt guilty. Not for having kissed her or for thinking about it, oh no. She felt guilty for not feeling guilty. God, this was so confusing. Constantly thinking about that kiss and…

,,You ready, luv?"

Emma turned around when her musings were interrupted by her husband standing behind her with a hand on her shoulder.

,,Almost," Emma said and put a finishing touch on her light lipstick.

Killian rubbed her shoulder lightly and dropped a light kiss on the nape of her neck. ,,You look beautiful tonight, my love."

,,And you clean up nicely," Emma tried her best to quip as she smoothed her green halter-neck dress. And he did look nice in his white button up shirt and his dark jeans. Emma turned around and scrunched up her golden curls one last time. Killian instantly put his hands on her hips to draw her closer. Emma willingly stepped into his arms and let him embrace her tightly.

It's not your fault that your hands don't feel right anymore. And they really didn't. His broad palm skimming up and down her bare arm suddenly felt completely wrong, and Emma felt herself yearning after softer, more delicate hands and olive skin.

She gritted her teeth and bit the inside of her cheek not to reveal anything, but when Killian suddenly dipped down to kiss her, she took a step back.

,,Woah!"

,,What is it?" he asked and frowned.

,,Lipstick," Emma said quickly, grappling for an excuse. ,,No smudging up my masterwork, mate!"

,,Oh," he chuckled warmly. ,,Sorry, luv."

,,Let's go," Emma insisted and grabbed her coat from the closet.

,,Aye."

There was already a group of people at Granny's Diner when Emma and Killian arrived. All of the dwarves, David and Snow who quickly hugged Emma. Henry, Ella and Lucy happily chatting on with Granny and Leroy. Belle, Rumple with their son. And finally, Zelena and Regina and Robyn. Emma watched as Robyn demanded her aunt's attention, and Regina flashed the young girl a rare smile.

God, she's beautiful when she's smiling.

And how beautiful Regina looked tonight in a deep purple, strapless dress… and her hair in soft curls around her face.

Emma's heart sank. This really wasn't fair. Of all the hairstyles Regina could have chosen, she went for curly.

Snow stayed close to Emma and then she waved Regina over to them. The brunette slowly approached them, and Emma could spot her fake smile from about a million miles away.

But Snow didn't notice anything, and babbled on with Regina. The older brunette listened and answered politely every time Snow took a break. At one point Snow handed Regina a drink, and when Regina stretched her arm out to accept it, Emma spotted the familiar feather tattoo on her wrist. Her breath hitched in her throat as she in a flashback saw herself kiss that very same tattoo.

,,I didn't know you had a tattoo," David commented.

,,The new curse brought certain changes with it," Regina answered quietly. ,,I've tried to remove several times, but it seems to be permanent."

,,It suits you," Snow said and flashed Regina a beaming smile.

,,Thank you dear. Now if you would excuse me," the brunette said quietly and retreated to a quiet corner in the Diner.

,,What on earth is the matter with her?" Snow questioned. ,,She seems completely beside herself."

,,Maybe she's just a bit tired," Killian suggested. ,,I mean, being cursed and all was pretty tough on all of us."

Emma felt like screaming, or laughing hysterically. But again, nobody noticed and the party continued. People were happy to have Henry, Lucy and Ella home where they belonged, and relieved that the villainous lady Tremaine were safely behind bars.

Emma tried her best to enjoy the party, to chat with her parents and husband like she normally did, but it didn't take her long to notice that Henry kept glancing between her and Regina, looking worried each time he did it. And now, only now, Emma remembered that Henry actually had seen her and "Roni" in Seattle. Seen them laugh and joke around. And kiss each other. Good god. No wonder he choked on his beer during his stay in Roni's Bar. That poor kid. Like he hadn't already seen enough

,,I'm gonna get some air," the blonde muttered after a while. Granny's was crowded and it was pretty warm in here.

Emma turned her back on the partying lot and went outside. At first she assumed she was alone, but Regina was there too, leaning nonchalantly against the building with a cigarette in her hand and her eyes half closed.

,,Why aren't you partying with your sister?" Emma asked quietly.

,,No smoking indoors," Regina muttered and waved the cigarette. Emma tilted her head when the brunette finally opened her eyes. They were slightly unfocused. Was Regina drunk?

,,Are you drunk?" Emma blurted out, and Regina raised an eyebrow as she quietly corrected: ,,Tipsy."

,,How are you feeling?" Emma asked a bit out of nowhere. If sober Regina refused to talk to her, maybe tipsy Regina was a bit more willing to talk.

,,How are you feeling?" Regina shot back and took a drag on the cigarette.

Emma sighed deeply and closed her own eyes. ,,Why do you keep avoiding my questions? Is it really that impossible to get a straight answer from you?!"

For a moment, all she heard was Regina's breathing and her compulsive babbing on the cigarette, but then the older brunette laughed coldly, bitterly and without any amusement. ,,A straight answer, miss Swan? I'm afraid I can't give you a straight answer."

Woah. Okay. That's probably the most she had spoken to me since the curse. Emma blinked. As much as she wanted to talk to Regina, it still was a little sad to hear the "tipsy" woman joke around with her own sexuality like that.

,,Maybe you can give me a "straight" answer for a change?" Regina said and took another drag on the cigarette.

,,Uh.. sure?"

Regina looked around as to check that nobody was nearby, and then she lowered her voice to a whisper when she asked: ,,Why did you kiss me in Seattle?"

Emma felt how her palms got sweaty. She hadn't expected that. ,,I… I don't know." Oh, god, you are such a coward, Emma Swan. Don't act as if you don't know why you did it.

But it was too late to change her answer now. Regina simply nodded and took another drag on her cigarette. ,,Alright then."

,,Regina, I…"

But she ran out of words when Regina turned around slightly and gave the blonde a look that could mean just about anything. ,,Your husband is a very lucky man, miss Swan."

Wait what? What?!

Regina craned her neck and looked back into the diner where Killian was laughing with David. ,,I hope he appreciates you." She sighed. ,,Do you mind telling my sister that I got a headache and went home instead? I really don't feel like partying." And with that she scraped the cigarette on her heel, dumped the remains on the ground and left.

And maybe Emma had had a bit too much alcohol as well, because she thought: what if I followed her? if I just followed her all the way to the mansion? What would happen then? Would she be angry? Happy? Maybe I should follow her. Yeah. I definitely should. To hell with the rest of the world.

,,Mom? Can we talk for a second?"

Emma's momentarily madness about following Regina was crushed by her son's voice, and the blonde's head whipped up: ,,Sure, kid. What's up?"

Henry gently grabbed her elbow and her guided away from Granny's and the party and into a nearby alley.

,,Interesting place to chat," Emma half-chuckled. ,,What's on your mind, kid? Everything alright with Lucy and Ella?"

,,Yeah. They are fine. They've handled everything amazing."

,,What is it then?"

Henry looked like he found it mighty hard to get the right words out, and he fiddled with his tie and rubbed the back of his neck. Emma waited patiently. Whatever Henry had to say was apparently very serious.

Henry sucked in a breath, and then finally: ,,What happened with you and mom in Seattle?"

God, I don't know what to tell you, kid. What didn't happen with me and your mother in Seattle? This is so screwed up.

Emma felt how her brave façade was cracking. A huge lump formed in her throat and she felt something wet and treacherous slide down her cheek.

Henry immediately wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. And Emma allowed herself to break down for a second and weep silently.

,,I'm sorry," Henry murmured.

,,Why are you sorry?" Emma said and flashed him a little, watery smile. ,,It's not your fault."

,,But it kind of is," Henry said quietly. ,,I'm the reason you guys ended up in Hyperion Heights in the first place."

,,Henry, no." Emma said firmly. ,,You are not responsible for this. It was Regina and I who messed up, and we just have to live with that." She almost believed the words coming out of her mouth.

,,But you are not happy," Henry said and squeezed her hand. ,,I can tell you're not."

Emma didn't know how to respond to that. Of course he was absolutely right. Of course she wasn't happy. How could she be happy when she kept having flashbacks of another life, mixed the memory of kissing Regina in Seattle?

,,Mom?"

,,Yes?" Emma replied; feeling how her own head started to pound slightly. But whether it was from the alcohol, the loud music or the subject was unclear.

,,Are you in love with her?" Henry asked plainly, and completely without judgment.

Possibly. Maybe. Most likely. But what does it matter? She's the process of brewing a forgetting potion.

,,I…"

,,Are you?"

Emma sucked in a breath. Regina just want to forget the whole thing ever happened, remember that. ,,Kid, do me a favor and tell Killian that I went home. I'm.. I'm very tired and I need to rest, okay?"

,,Okay." Henry said and dropped a light kiss on Emma's forehead. ,,I love you mom."

,,I love you too, Henry."

But Emma didn't go home. Not straight away at least. Instead she went into the cemetery, passed the many tombstones and continued into Regina's vault.

Emma looked around. She had always found this place to be slightly creepy. And especially now, in the dead of night. The only sound was the potion bubbling quietly in the kettle.

Emma went over to the kettle and bent down. The potion almost burned her finger when she touched it. Maybe half-finished memory potion was supposed to be that warm. The blonde sneered. She didn't want Regina to finish the potion, and she didn't want Regina to drink it and forget everything. It wasn't fair. The brunette couldn't just erase those precious memories just like that. Like it was no big deal. Like it had never happened. It had happened. No matter how they turned and twisted it, it had. And nothing, not even a stupid forgetting potion could change that. No, Emma definitely had enough of this crazy masquerade. This silly hide and seek game. Her intoxicated brain seemed to know exactly what to do, and without thinking twice about it, she grabbed the heavy kettle, turned it upside down and poured the potion all over the floor, soaking several books lying around.

Emma immediately felt relived, seeing the potion drip all over the floor. There. Now she would be able to sleep peacefully tonight.

To Be Continued..