"This is it." Regina said pointing across the street.
Emma looked over at the busy club and whistled. "Is that the line to get in?" The line went all around the block and there were hundreds of people dressed in their finest and snapping photos as a few celebrities were allowed past the black barrier ropes.
Regina looked around the crowd trying to spot Zeze. She saw him standing against the wall on the opposite side from the line smoking a cigarette. "Come on. Let's go get our passes." She grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her along to the place where he was standing.
"Good evening Zeze. Smoking again, I see?"
The dark haired, impeccably dressed man smiled broadly and opened his arms out in an exaggerated greeting. "Gina, querida! You are my angel! Tonight we dance for the stars!" He hugged her warmly, kissing her cheek and she awkwardly hugged him back.
"Zeze, this is my girlfriend, Emma. Emma dear, this is Zeze."
Zeze looked back at Emma in surprise and nodded as he extended his arms again to hug the blonde and tried to kiss her cheek. "Nice to meet you Emma. So Gina, Gina, Gina.. you are sapatona?! Uau! Now is making much sense!"
Regina blushed. She had an idea what Zeze had said in context but didn't like what he had implied. Before she could say anything, Emma responded.
"Sim Zeze, somos sapatonas e muitos felizes também! E aí cara, beleza?" Emma extended a hand to shake and nodded at the guy.
Regina and Zeze looked at the blonde in shock. Emma Swan was just full of surprises.
"You speak portuguese very good!" Zeze said taking the offered hand and shaking it excitedly. "I like her Gina! Come, come ladies! I got extra pass for my friend mas he can forget it! I give to Emma minha brasileirinha friend!"
Zeze walked the two women across the street with his arms draped across each of their shoulders. His charm was infectious and he seemed harmless enough to Emma so she allowed the invasion of her personal space. Regina really didn't look too comfortable squished up under the guy's arm and Emma gave her a little wink of reassurance.
Once they were in front of the club, Zeze released the woman and greeted the bouncer with much the same gusto, hugging and fist bumping the guy. They struck up a conversation in Portuguese while Emma and Regina hung back. Regina slipped her arm around Emma and whispered, "What did you say to him and how do you speak portuguese?"
Emma chuckled and squeezed the woman tighter against her side. "I told him we were very happy lesbians and asked if he was cool!"
Regina beamed. "I knew he must have said something like that. He's not one for subtlety!"
Emma grinned and planted a gentle kiss on Regina's lips. "Neither am I!"
Zeze and the bouncer started hooting and Regina and Emma giggled. "Ladies, sorry to atrapalhar but we got to get in now!"
The bouncer removed the black ropes and let the three pass. Emma felt like a superstar as a group of people at the front of the line began snapping photos of them entering the club. Zeze winked at Regina and held up a hand shouting, "No pictures no pictures, please!" Emma laughed when Regina posed at the top of the steps and twirled around like she'd done this a million times. She held her arm out and Emma joined her on the steps in a demure hug as they posed for the photos. She could get used to this kind of treatment!
When they entered the club, Emma was blown away by the sheer size and decor. She now recognised it from a couple of movies and was extremely thankful she had listened to Mary M's dress advice. Zeze said something to Regina which Emma didn't hear and walked away. Regina held Emma's hand and led her to a separated seating area overlooking the dancefloor. Another bouncer stood in their way. Regina gave the name and he let them pass. Immediately, a bottle of champagne was placed down on the table for the woman and Regina winked at the blonde.
"Told you it would be fine!" She filled their glasses and raised one to Emma's in a toast.
"So, are you like, famous or something? Is there a movie I haven't seen that your in like one of those romantic teen dance things?" Emma asked only half joking.
Regina laughed. "Oh don't be silly! I'm old enough to play the grandma in those films!"
Emma gave her a scolding look. "You would be the hottest and youngest grandma I'd ever seen. Seriously, what's with the star treatment?"
Regina sighed. "I used to do a lot on Broadway and I may have been in a couple of commercials over the years. But tonight, I suppose I'm the entertainment." She took a shy sip from her champagne flute and looked down.
Emma was stunned. She knew Regina was a great dancer but she had absolutely no idea that she was so well known. What was she doing teaching classes at a low key dance school?
"I can't believe you let me take you to that burger joint! I am seriously starting to feel pretty inadequate about our date."
Regina reached out a hand and placed it on Emma's knee. "Dear, I loved that burger! And I'm really not that big of a deal. I haven't actually done anything recently and the only reason they treat me so well here is because I've trained a lot of their in house dancers. Trust me! I'm about as dull as they come!"
Emma was about to pick up on something but Zeze came over to the table and poured himself a glass. "So Emma, you a dancer too?"
Emma blushed. "Oh God no! I'm erm, well I..." She panicked. She really hadn't thought much about her career and had nothing to say that wouldn't make her sound like a complete loser.
"Emma is training with me at Mirror Mirror. That's actually how we met. She showed such promise since the first class and I suppose I was just drawn to her aura. There is a sensuality in the way she moves." Regina interrupted. She could see Emma was about to stumble over her words. She meant what she said and she thought Emma deserves to know how great she really was.
"Oh great! So after the show we can maybe have a dance, unless you prefer to lead and then I have to decline. I left my dress at home!" Zeze was so cheeky.
"Did you just imply I'm butch?" Emma feigned shock.
Zeze smiled and tapped the side of his nose laughing. "Is joke Emma! Come on, Zeze in a dress? No way querida!"
Emma really wasn't offended. The way Regina had talked about him she'd imagined much worse but he was actually a pretty decent guy. A little over the top and seemed to suffer from foot in mouth disease but nevertheless, a decent, happy-go-lucky guy.
Regina and Zeze exchanged a few last minute ideas over their choreography for the evening. Emma listened in trying to understand the lingo. Some of it was familiar but a lot was pretty alien. She didn't mind though. The champagne had gone to her head a little and she was enjoying herself. She was excited to see Regina dance, even if it wasn't with her.
Regina leant into Emma unexpectedly and kissed her deeply. Her tongue licked along her bottom lip seeking entrance and Emma obliged wrapping her arms tight around the brunette. Their kiss lasted for what felt like ages and then Emma heard an announcement as Regina slowly pulled away.
"Welcoming to the floor our very own Broadway star and exclusive choreographer Regina Mills and the Brazilian stallion Zeze Henrique Perreira!"
Regina planted one last kiss on Emma's lips and said, "I'll see you in a little while. Wish me luck!"
