The following morning Mary Margaret was dashing about in the apartment. The two couldn't seem to tear themselves apart this morning. Emma had come down stairs and stepped into Mary Margaret's room to ask if she wanted breakfast.
She went to give her a quick kiss as a way of greeting as Mary Margaret finished slipping on her turtleneck to cover the bruises from their previous night's activities. However the moment their lips met, the passion from the previous night was reignited and soon both women were out of breath and their respective shirts flung randomly about.
"I can not believe you threw my shirt over my coffee." Mary Margaret said as she finished brushing her teeth over the kitchen sink.
Emma at least had the ability to look bashful as she handed Mary Margaret her bag. "I am sorry about that." She looked down at the deep purple marks following Mary Margaret's collar bone. "Those not as much."
Mary Margaret just sent the blonde a half hearted glare as she wrapped her scarf around her neck. She was running behind so she could only hope she would have a few seconds before school started to attempt to cover the bruises. Her only clean turtleneck now was soaked with coffee so she had to settle for a button down shirt.
Emma gave her another kiss then opened the door for her. As Mary Margaret walked out, she felt a light tap to her backside which had her hurrying along while throwing a smile to the responsible party.
Mary Margaret dashed into her classroom, tossed her scarf and jacket onto the back of her chair before grabbing her small makeup bag out of her purse. She looked quickly at her watch. She had roughly 10 minutes before her class would start pouring in.
She hadn't taken notice to her classroom so when she heard someone clearing her throat she jumped. She turned to face Mayor Mills who was leaning up against one of the desks at the front of her classroom. She saw the other woman's eyes dart quickly to her neck. Mary Margaret immediately grabbed her scarf to cover up the marks.
"Mayor Mills, what can I do for you?" Regina was still in shock from the obvious hickies adoring Mary Margaret's neck. She had eyes all over this town. She knew that Mary Margaret hadn't been around David so that only left one other possible culprit.
"Well for starters, I'd like to know if you plan to teach my son with your indiscretions so clearly visible." Mary Margaret seemed to shrink into herself.
"I would do no such thing. I just was running late this morning.." Regina huffed.
"You must have been rather occupied." Mary Margaret started to fidget with the bottom of her scarf. "I will take that as a yes." Regina moved closer to her step-daughter. "I would be careful there Ms. Blanchard, Emma isn't one to stay for long."
"She's staying for Henry. She's sheriff now." The boldness of the statement shocked even herself. Mary Margaret wasn't sure why Regina was interested in what she did outside of the classroom anyway. Regina didn't want her to get close to David and she distanced herself. What was her issue now?
"She may be sheriff for now but that doesn't mean she won't leave sooner or later." Regina could see the doubt her words planted. "Emma doesn't seem like the type to do relationships. I highly doubt she is wanting anything more than to finish the job."
A thought occurred to Regina that immediately made her want to puke in her mouth. "Unless of course she already has?" Mary Margaret shook her head slightly.
"No.. uh.. No…" Mary Margaret wasn't even sure why she was talking to Regina about her relationship. It was a relationship, right? Emma wasn't running and they had discussed trying to start one but… they never put a name to it.
Regina watched in satisfaction as her words seemed to pull doubt into Mary Margaret's thoughts. She just needed to make sure the coffin was nailed shut. There was another reason she needed to ensure this didn't go farther. The last thing she needed was for Henry blaming her for not stopping the incestrous relationship if the curse was ever broken. She would not lose him to something as sinful as two lonely adult women seeking comfort in each other.
"I don't want Henry thinking that sex with a roommate, of the same sex even, is normal. That's not the example I want set for him. Be sure to ensure Emma knows that." Regina watched the hurt and shock hit the other woman as Ms. Blanchard realized that Regina would use this to hurt Emma if she needed to.
"I wouldn't want to have to stop him from seeing her." With that, Regina left the classroom, leaving Mary Margaret to her thoughts. Mary Margaret just barely made it back from covering her neck before her students started filing in.
Mary Margaret watched as the children filled out of her classroom. She needed to think and as much as she loved having Emma around, she knew she needed to be alone. Emma would be out preparing for the storm but would likely stop at the loft soon for a shower and some sleep before the storm hits tomorrow.
Mary Margaret decided she would run to the store and pick up a few things they may need. She knew she needed a new flashlight and could probably use some kind of alcohol for once it was all over so Emma could relax.
The school teacher wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings as she manavoured the store. She had picked up most of what she needed, the last thing she was wanting to grab was alcohol which would be near the front.
As she rounded a corner she collided with another person, both baskets lay on the ground with contents spilled out. She looked up and was surprised to see Kathryn.
"Oh! I am so sorry!" Mary Margaret said as she leaned down to start picking up the spilled contents. Kathryn knelt down beside her as well.
"It's fine! Don't worry about it." Kathryn assured her as they began collecting their things.
"Clearly you weren't watching where you were going." Mary Margaret looked up to see Regina's comment was directed at her. She just looked back at the items and picked the last one up.
"This must be…" She realized what the box was as she handed it to Kathryn. She didn't know why but it hurt to know they were trying. "Good luck." She choked out though it appeared Kathryn didn't realize it was so forced. A pregnancy test meant that there was a chance at a pregnancy which for some reason made Mary Margaret's chest tighten.
"Thank you." The married woman turned and made her way towards the check out while Mary Margaret stood there staring after her.
"Be discreet." She turned then to see Regina staring at her with a pointed look. "Wouldn't want rumors flying about in this town, we know the damage that can cause." With that, Regina walked away.
Mary Margaret finally came to her senses and moved to the liquor section. She was certainly going to need something strong even if Emma didn't.
Mary Margaret had gotten to the loft, unpacked the bags from the store and changed into clothing more fit for a walk. She didn't know why but she needed to stay away from Emma while she processed her thoughts and feelings. She felt like she needed to take a long walk in the woods. It was odd but she felt like she could find some comfort out there.
Dressed in her best boots for the job, jeans, a grey sweater, purple scarf and her jacket, she headed out for her hike. She was strangely hurt by the fact that David was moving on. She couldn't help but feel extremely hypocritical because that's exactly what she was doing with Emma. Moving on.
Emma. That was a whole other reason for her being out here. She didn't have a lot of one on one action with Regina but she knew that there was a reason no one questioned her authority before Emma came to town. For whatever reason, she was against the two roommates having a relationship and she was willing to use Henry to ensure it didn't happen.
Mary Margaret sighed. Emma would choose Henry, which she should, and she wasn't sure where that would leave them. She didn't know much about love that she could remember but she knew she cared deeply for the blonde. Maybe it would be best if she called it off.
She could save them both the pain of having to end it when they were both more involved. It seemed love wasn't in the cards for Mary Margaret and maybe she would have to be okay with that.
She had made it about a mile from her car when she heard a strange cooing noise. She noticed it coming from down the small hill so she made her way down the embankment slowly. She rounded a tree and saw a small white dove tangled in some netting that must have been tossed.
"Hey, how'd you manage that?" She tried to untangle the bird but it just seemed to make it worse. "It's going to be okay. Come on." She picked the bird up, netting and all, then made her way back to her car.
"The good news is there are no broken bones and she seems to be in good health." Mary Margaret flashed a glance at David who was staring at her with a smile on his face while the vet explained things to her. "I gave her some fluids because she was a little dehydrated, my guess from being trapped in the netting."
"And the bad news?" Mary Margaret asked, turning her attention back to the doctor.
"Well, she is a north atlantic dove. They are migratory species and they form strong monogamous bonds meaning-"
"If I don't get her back to her flock, she will be alone forever." She shot a look at David who looked down at the realization of the situation.
"The alternative, she will heal but she won't be happy here." Another glance to David and a small sigh.
"I'll take my chances. Thank you, doctor." The doctor placed the bird in a small cage before acknowledging the thanks and making his way to the back of the shelter.
Mary Margaret picked up the bird cage as David seemed to realize her intentions. "Mary Margaret there is a storm coming, you really shouldn't go out there." She shot him a tentative look as she headed for the door.
"The storm is coming tomorrow. If I wait, she could be lost forever. No one deserves that." Mary Margaret looked at the bird and couldn't help but notice the similarities in their stories thus far.
"Then let me drive you." Now that was a terrible idea. The last thing she needed was to be close to him while she tried to sort out her emotions.
"I don't need your help David. I'll be fine." With that she made her way out the door, completely oblivious to the concern on David's face.
David watched her go and wanted to run after her. He knew he chose Kathryn but he also couldn't deny his feelings toward Mary Margaret. He was worried about her. She wasn't at the diner this morning and whatever attempt at friendship they had been making, for some reason seemed to disappear. He may have a brain injury but he wasn't oblivious to the cold shoulder she seemed to be giving him.
There was a bad storm coming and something in his gut told him that Mary Margaret was putting herself in danger. He couldn't let her go out there alone. He had to make sure she was okay, even if he had apparently done something to piss her off.
He explained to his boss that he was going to help with the bird release and quickly made his way to his truck. He headed towards the woods with a strange sense of surety that he would find Mary Margaret even in their vastness.
Up next:: Mary Margaret has to confront her feelings head on when she is put into a dangerous situation. What does that mean for her and Emma? Or her and David?