It has been 5 days. 120 hours. Since she had told Henry and Emma the truth. She had spent the first day in bed. Refusing to face the world now that Henry and Emma were not a part of hers. Messaging her receptionist that she was ill, and not to be disturbed unless the whole town were on fire.
On the 2nd day. She decided to at least get up. Finding her way to the coffee machine in the kitchen, she glances at the clock on the wall, 6am, on a normal day she would be ready for work and preparing Henry's breakfast. She felt the tears begin. 'No, no more' She thought. I have made my choices, and now I must accept the consequences. All magic comes at a price, she knew that better than anyone.
After her first coffee and a very long, very hot shower Regina decided to opt for more comfortable attire, reaching for her grey sweats, and a loose fitting black tank. She looks at herself in the mirror. No sharp suit, no Make up, she was a mere Shadow of the fearless Queen she once was, part of her was sad, part of her was happy, she couldn't really describe it, almost like a sense of freedom. She spent the day in and out of sleep, picking at food but not actually eating, making coffee but rarely drinking it. Until the sun started to set on another day.
Today I need to work, She thought on day 3. I can't let this town pay for my mistakes anymore, despite my shortcomings the town still needs to be run, still needs the paperwork, god forbid someone should see an irregularity and try to come to storybrooke, no I can't have that before I fix things here, today I Misty work.
Calling her receptionist, Katherine, she requests two things. 1 all her paperwork gets dropped off in the morning and collected the same evening. 2 no one is to know she is not at the office unless absolutely vital.
Her receptionist dutifully dropped off the first stack of paperwork half an hour later, also bringing the Mayor a coffee from Granny's just the way Regina likes it.
I had never really noticed the little things she does for me, Regina thinks, I shall have to find a way to thank her when I return. Staring at the stack of paperwork she knows it won't take her too long to do, to keep her mind focused she decides to take it slow, drawing out the time the tasks should take.
Day 4 comes and goes much the same as the previous one however on Day 5, as Katherine drops off her paperwork she hoovers for a little.
'Is everything alright Katherine?'
'Yes Madam Mayor. Sorry, I just thought you should know the deputy has been asking after you, I didn't say anything, I just wanted to let you know.' Katherine says in a hurry as if scared of an unjust reprimand
'Thank you Katherine.' She starts to look away 'Has the Sheriff mentioned anything?' She enquired
'No Mayor Mills. In fact, they deputy has been bringing their paperwork round, I haven't actually seen the sheriff in a few days, other than in her cruiser or stopping for coffee at granny's, she hasn't been to the office'
Feeling a pang of disappointment Regina smiles and says thank you to Katherine before seeing her out. Could it be that she has ruined her one and only chance with Emma. Surly in time, she dared to hope, maybe we can begin again. Sitting down to the slightly bigger mound of papers her mind again goes to that of the blonde. Less than an hour later her phone buzzes signalling an incoming message. Making Regina jump spilling her coffee, reaching across the table she sees who the message is from: 'Katherine' she chooses to ignore it, a little annoyed at the interruption. She clears up the spill and make a fresh coffee, settling once more, she hears the buzz again, sighing maybe I shouldn't ignore her she thinks as she picks up the device once more. Staring at the name on her screen 'MISS SWAN'.
She takes a moment debating whether to read it, what could it say? What does she want? Is she mad? Has she runaway? Knowing the only way to find out is to open the text.
Listen to this song, 'I'll stand by you the pretenders'. I'm so sorry. E X
The pretenders, I hope that's not a dig at me she thinks before navigating to Her music app and loading the track. She listens intently to the song, to the lyrics hoping Emma had known what the song is saying. The song starts to come to an end. Finishing with the thing Regina needed to hear the most. 'I'll stand by you, baby even to your darkest hour, And I'll never desert you I'll stand by you' she can feel fresh tears making tracks down her cheeks, and then a loud knock at her door.