Chapter Thirty-Six: Little Lies

Emma woke up the next morning with the sounds of Regina moving in the bathroom. It was still fairly earlier, only seven in the morning, according to her phone. God, what time did she even come home last night? She felt pretty tired and wouldn't mind an hour or two more of sleep.

"Hey," Regina said leaving the bathroom.

"Hi," Emma said back "Good morning"

"Where were you last night?" Regina asked.

"What?" Emma asked.

"I woke up at one in the morning and you weren't in bed," Regina said "I went downstairs but I didn't find you anywhere"

"Oh yeah, I was…I was out on a walk" Emma lied "I needed to clear my head"

"Oh!" Regina said "And at what time did you came back home? I didn't even hear you"

"Honestly? I'm not sure" Emma said "I'm sorry about yesterday"

"Me too," Regina said, "Did you take my car to Billy's yet?"

"No, not yet. I'll do that today," Emma said, "Are you going to work?"

"Yes, there is a lot to be done after the festival yesterday," Regina said "I'll call for a cab"

"I'll drive you, Regina"

"Not, it's okay," Regina said as she sat down in bed next to Emma "Get some rest, it's still early"

"Are you sure?" Emma asked.

"Yes, I'm sure," Regina said and kissed Emma on the lips "But don't forget to take my car to Billy's"

"I won't," Emma said "I promise"

"I heard that one before" Regina laughed.

"Maybe I just like driving you to work," Emma said cheekily.

"Or maybe you just keep forgetting to take my car to the shop," Regina said "You are off today, right?" Regina asked.

"Yep," Emma said.

"How about we do lunch together? I should be off by one"

"That sounds great" Emma grinned "I'll pick you up"

"It's a date" Regina smiled down at Emma "I have to go now. I'll see you later"

"You sure will"

Regina rose from the bed and walked out. Emma let herself fall down onto the bed and closed her eyes. She shouldn't have lied. She should have told Regina that she was with Ruby last night but she knew Regina wouldn't appreciate it and she really didn't want to have another fight with her. It seemed like all they did was fight now and curious enough it was either about Robin or Ruby. But to be fair, Ruby has done a heck of a lot more than Robin and yet, Regina didn't have the same reactions as Emma. Did that mean she was mature or just didn't care about Emma enough? No, this is crazy. You can keep thinking like that, Emma thought. She would have to talk to Ruby though, and ask her not to tell Regina she was with her last night. And couldn't forget to take Regina's car to the shop either. Seriously, that was just getting ridiculous! Regina asked that over a week ago and even said she would take the car herself, but Emma was too stubborn to let her. If she said she would do it, she would. Emma closed her eyes determined to take just a little nap. Just those extra two hours she needed. Then she would wake up at nine, take Regina's car to Billy's, go to the diner talk to Ruby and hang out with Elsa and free ice cream until it was time to pick up Regina.

When Emma woke up again was to the noisy sound of her phone on the bedside table. Fuck, was it nine in the morning already? And did she put on an alarm clock for nine in the morning? God, she didn't even remember doing that. She stretched her arm to the bedside table and picked up the phone, surprised to see Regina's picture flashing on the screen.

"Hi, babe" Emma answered "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine. Are you on your way?" Regina asked.

"My way?"

"Weren't we supposed to have lunch today?"

"Yeah," Emma said "At one"

"Exactly. You are twenty minutes late"

"What?" Emma asked and checked the clock on the phone "Shit"

"Were you sleeping until now?" Regina asked.

"Noooo" Emma lied. Again. "I was reading something for work. I lost track of time"

"Another one of the Mayor's memo?" Regina laughed "I thought you hated them"

"I do" Emma growled "But I…ah…Had to catch up. Anyways, I'll be there in twenty minutes"

"Okay. I'm in my office, text me when you are near and I'll meet you in the parking lot"

"Will do," Emma said "See you in a few"

Emma fell down on the bed and sighed. Shit! She lost the whole morning sleeping. And she lied to Regina. Again. She had no idea why she kept doing that, she knew they weren't big things, just a little white lie or two, but still, she shouldn't have done that. Why couldn't she just say that yes, she was still sleeping? That she was more tired than she actually realized she was? Emma rose from the bed and quickly changed into a pair of jeans and a tank top. She drove to the stables as fast as her bug could handle and texted Regina when she was nearly there. When she arrived in the parking lot, Regina was already there waiting for her all dress in an amazon outfit and her heart skipped a beat or two. She looked so beautiful. She was so beautiful.

"Hey," Regina said when she entered the car.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you in that outfit?" Emma asked.

"Once or twice" Regina laughed.

"Were you wearing that when you left the house this morning?"

"No, I wasn't," Regina said "But I had a little accident earlier"

"What kind of accident?"

"Rocinante thought it was funny to splash water all over when he was been bathed"

"Oh," Emma laughed.

"Yes" Regina rolled her eyes "God, I'm starved"

"Where do you want to go?"

"Granny's," Regina said "I could actually kill for a burger"

"Oh, I don't think that's a good idea," Emma said quickly "How about Luigi?"

"I don't really feel like pasta" Regina answered.

"Well, we could go to that Chinese place that just opened"

"Since when you pass out the opportunity to eat a burger for lunch?" Regina laughed.

"I know you, Regina," Emma said "You'll regret later"

"I doubt it," Regina said "I really feel like eating Granny's burger"

Emma smiled tightly and gripped the wheel. Damn it! If she hadn't slept the whole goddamn morning, she could have talked to Ruby already, but then again, if she hadn't lie to Regina, she wouldn't have to this at all. Why didn't she just tell her the truth? Emma prayed to God for Ruby not to be working today, but her hopes only lasted until she parked the bug in front of the diner. Ruby was there. She saw her through the window.

"It looks crowded," Emma said "If you are really hungry, we better go elsewhere"

"What is with you today?" Regina asked, "Is there a reason why you don't want to go to Granny's?"

"No. Of course not" Emma said "Let's go"

They left the car and walked inside the diner. Ruby was behind the counter and Emma was grateful she had that section today. It meant she wouldn't be their waitress. They sat down and Ashley came to take their orders. Emma looked nervously every so often at Ruby, but she didn't even seem to have noticed they were there.

"What was the memo about?" Regina asked.

"What?"

"The Mayor's new memo" Regina repeated "What was it this time?"

"Oh…It was…God, I can't even remember" Emma lied. Was her third lie today? Fourth? "How was work?"

"Very excited" Regina smiled "We might host our very first equestrianism competition"

"Seriously?" Emma asked.

"Yes, it…it's still early to say anything and I don't want to get my hopes up in case it doesn't work," Regina said "But just being considered it's already a huge step"

"I bet" Emma smiled "I'm so happy for you babe"

"Thank you" Regina smiled "Want to celebrate when we come home?" Regina winked at her.

"Ohhh" Emma bit her lower lip "You bet I do"

Ashley arrived with their order and placed it in front of them. Regina told Emma a little bit more about the event and the negotiations and Emma paid her full attention to what Regina was saying. She was so happy for her. She really was. Her business had grown in such a small amount of space that Emma could hardly contain how proud she was for Regina. She deserved it. She worked so hard to make all that happened. Once they finished eating Emma rose to go to the bathroom quickly. Just a little pee and then home with Regina. She did her business in record time (if ever was a time for that) and washed her hands before leaving. She walked back to where Regina was and her heart nearly stopped when she saw Ruby talking to Regina. She was so lost in all the exciting news Regina had that for a moment she forgot all about Ruby and the lie she told.

"Hi, Ruby," Emma said standing next to her "Hey, babe, come on let's go"

"We haven't even paid yet" Regina laughed.

"Hey, Emma. Are you feeling better now?" Ruby asked.

"What do you mean feeling better?" Regina asked looking at Ruby.

"Yes, I'm fine," Emma said quickly "Ruby, put it on my tab and Regina lets go"

"No problem," Ruby said "Oh, and if you see Granny's and she's mean to you it's my fault. We woke her up at one in the morning apparently"

"Excuse me?" Regina asked and Emma felt her heart sink.

"Oh, you know, Emma was here last night, we were just talking," Ruby said looking at Regina "We ended up waking up Granny"

"I thought you were out walking?" Regina said looking straight into Emma's eyes.

"What? No! We were here at the diner" Ruby said and looked at Emma "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, dear. You've done nothing wrong" Regina said and stand up.

"Regina…"

Emma called her name but Regina didn't turn her way. Emma sighed and followed her out of the diner. She thought Regina was going to walk back home and that she would have to follow her there and that's why she was genuinely surprised when Regina got into the bug. Emma walked around the car getting in the driver's seat herself.

"I'm sorry" Emma whispered.

"Are you?" Regina asked, "Or are you just sorry because you got caught?"

"Of course, not!" Emma said "I shouldn't have lied"

"Then why did you?"

"I was trying to avoid this!" Emma said angrily "I was trying to avoid another fight between us"

"Emma, I'm going to ask you something and I want you to be honest with me," Regina said.

"What?" Emma asked.

"Are you and Ruby having an unfair?"

"Oh my God, Regina!" Emma said and looked at her "Of course not"

"Tell me the truth," Regina said angrily "Are you sleeping with her again?"

"No!" Emma said anger getting the best of her "Why would you even ask me that?"

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because you came home late last night and then lie about your whereabouts…"

"I'm sorry about that," Emma said "I shouldn't have lied and…"

"Can you please drive?" Regina cut her off "I can't stand Ruby looking out the window at us"

Emma looked up and saw what Regina was saying. Ruby was watching them from inside the diner. Emma sighed and turned the car on, driving straight to the mansion. Inside, things didn't get much better. Emma apologized hundreds of times for having lie to Regina but Regina wasn't in a forgiving mood and Emma didn't blame her. If it was the other way around, she would be pretty upset too. Later that afternoon David called asking if she could come to the station. It was her day off but Emma was happy that she got the call. She didn't know what to do with herself in the house and she and Regina weren't even talking to each other. She found Regina reading a book in the study and told her she was called in. Regina asked her if she was really going to the station and Emma felt her heartache. She kneeled in front of Regina and took her hands between hers apologizing again. This time, Regina was a little more receptive and Emma explained to her what had happened and why she was called in. Regina squeezed her hands and told her to be careful and Emma felt her heart a little lighter when she left the mansion. It wasn't their usual kiss before one or the other leave for work, but at least Regina had talked to her and all things considered, that was a win.