"Make it easy

Make this easy

It's not as heavy as it seems

Wrapped in metal

Wrapped in ivy

Paint it in mint ice cream," -Tori Amos "Bouncing Off Clouds"

It was raining too hard to be leisurely as Regina jumped out of Emma's little car and dashed up the steps to the front door. The storm was getting intense: wind was blowing hard, soft droplets had turned forceful and cold, and the lightning was almost constant- followed by big booms of thunder.

She couldn't find her keys. She was shivering and cold, and just from being out in the storm for a few moments she was drenched from head to toe. Her dress was sopping wet and sticking to her skin, and her hair was dripping cold water over her face and neck. One look at Emma's worried cold expression told her that she was experiencing the same.

"I'm going to straight up murder Kathryn!" Regina growled over the din of the storm.

"No keys?" Emma winced, and hopped from foot to foot Regina flattened herself against her front door, which had a tiny overhang that kept her dry from the direct downpour- the wind was blowing too much water in her direction to avoid. She grabbed Emma's wrist and pulled her closer.

"I think there was a mix-up- Kathryn might have grabbed both of our sets. I should never have left my purse with her. She really is quite responsible in her day job," Regina tried to explain, as she searched through her oversized purse for keys she was positive were not inside.

"So what are we going to do?" Emma smiled warmly and leaned closer, gently and shyly reaching out to push her wet strands of hair behind Regina's ear. Regina felt her chest tighten and her neck extend automatically toward Emma's touch, as a hard tremor ran through. If it was because she was cold or because her body just had that strong of a reaction to Emma's simple presence and soft touch she didn't know. She was willing to bet it was a combination of factors.

"We?" Regina, distracted by the touching, was confused as to what Emma meant.

She heard a faint chuckle before Emma pressed up against her, and wrapped an arm cautiously around Regina's shoulder. She was being enveloped in a cold, wet hug, but suddenly Regina had never felt warmer.

"We're soaked and freezing, the storm isn't letting up anytime soon- are we going to stand out here forever and like wait for the door lock to like rust off and let us in? Or like do you want to go sit in my car that boasts both heat and a roof to keep us dry while we figure out what to do?"

Emma was being practical and holding Regina in a hug. "Oh, yes…" In the short span of time, she had been standing out in the rain, Regina had convinced herself that Emma was going to say, "Peace out" and peel on out of the drive way and Regina's life and then she really would just crumple up outside her step and sit in an endless dark rainstorm.

Fundamentally, Regina knew Emma was a good person, sweet and caring- as evidenced by moments like this and the simple way she offered Regina things: food, water, jackets, touch, hugs, warmth…super strong orgasms...

Yes, that Emma was a natural giver. So why did Emma try so hard to appear uncaring? Regina had the tendency to do that too sometimes. She would pretend to be aloof, over it and just headstrong as a form of protection. She had to look out for herself, and she suspected Emma was much the same. If she gave and gave pieces of herself to everyone who wanted one there'd be nothing left.

But Regina was greedy, she'd always been quite selfish. It was a bad natural habit, and she had to check herself before she spoke sometimes in effort to not be too snappy. She had to remember to share and thing of others. It wasn't very hard with Emma- the things she wanted with her were special things she didn't want with anyone else.

Most of all she wanted to get into her damned house and out of the rain, where they could both be dry and drunk and warm and just be themselves. She wanted to see Emma's self. The one not worried about giving too much away.

"Okay so I never ask a woman this, but can I look through your purse?" Emma asked nervously as they had somehow gotten back into her car and were both waiting for the heat to kick in and warm them up. Emma's teeth were chattering. "I have an idea."

Regina shrugged and knotted her eyes in confusion. "You can go home, or drop me off at Kathryn's it's really fine." (It wasn't fine, but Regina felt like she needed to make that offer.)

"No, I'm positive Kathryn is passed out and you'd just be standing outside her house all night. If anything I'm taking you to my place for the night." Emma was rummaging non-stop around in Regina's purse, looking for something.

"What are you looking for?" Regina questioned, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Hairpins- paperclips, I know how to pick locks…"

Regina didn't want to burst her bubble, but this was Storybrooke and she was a woman who lived alone. Her lock was a bit more intricate than what a hairpin could tackle. But it was another noble gesture and Regina wanted to reward her for the effort and give her a kiss.

Just as she was working up the nerve and Emma gasped in surprise, and Regina looked down at her hand.

The garage door opener.

She had completely forgotten that she hadn't even brought her house keys along, that night. She had parked her car in the garage and grabbed her opener to get back in when she returned because Kathryn had picked her up straight away.

They both watched Emma punch the gray square and the garage door slowly lift.

"So was this your plan all along? Were you just trying to get me wet?" Emma asked with a smirk.