Chapter 15
"You're joking, right?", Lily look unamused while staring at Emma and Mal at the kitchen table. The ice in the tumblers in front of them was slowly clinking as it melted. Emma's face stayed serious letting Lily know that she wasn't joking and then Lily turned to Mal.
"I'm supposed to believe that magic is real, we're all some fairy tale characters and that you", Lily looks at Mal, "are my mother who just happens to be the dragon witch from Sleeping Beauty?"
Mal's eyes tried to stay dry and her posture was ramrod straight. "I know this is a lot to take in, but you have to believe us.", Mal pleaded.
"You see, that's where you're wrong. I don't HAVE to believe anything." Lily stood up and grabbed her jacket preparing to walk out when Emma flew out of her chair and grabbed her arm.
"We're not done here. How can you not believe what we just told you, but you believe in vampires?", Emma scolded her old friend.
Lily walked into Emma's personal space and stood nose to nose with her, "I've seen vamps up close. You can't deny something you see."
Emma smirked and held out her hand next to Lily's face and within seconds, a blue flame formed in her palm. Lily stayed in place, but looked to her right to see the crackling blue flame in Emma's hand and her eyes grew wide. "Holy shit!"
Emma stepped back and walked to the doorway facing the living room and tossed the flame into the fireplace across the room to light it up. Lily slowly followed Emma and watched as the blonde then held up both hands and candles materialized all around the room, floating in mid-air. Lily walked around, touching the candles and quickly pulling her hand back when one of the flames licked her skin. "How did you do this? This is Harry Potter dining hall shit."
Emma just shrugged and rolled her eyes, "Magic." Emma the walked over to Lily and put her hands on Lily's shoulders, "Lil, you have a chance at something you and I always dreamed of. You've found your mother. Do you remember how we dreamed of doing just that?" Lily's eyes grew wet, yet she still kept the tears from falling. "Your mother is an amazing woman and she went through hell to find you. She's come such a long way. The least you can do is listen to her. Get to know her."
Lily stared at Emma, frowning, and willing the tears to stay put. She knew her friend wouldn't lie to her. Staying silent, Lily simply blinked and then nodded. They both turned around and walked back into the kitchen where Mal was standing up next to the table and holding her breath while staring at Lily.
Lily walked up to Mal, finally allowing her tears to fall as she stared at her mother. Mal didn't move for fear of scaring Lily so she stayed still. Lily waited another minute while studying Mal and then finally she smiled, tears falling down her cheeks and nodding her head in acceptance. Mal choked back a sob and nodded in return. She was unsure what to do with her hands, but Lily made the decision for them when she walked into Mal's arms and pulled her into a hug.
Emma smiled from the background and pulled out her cell phone to text Regina.
Emma: Hey, it's me. I'm back and need to talk to you about what we found. Can I come over?
Emma put her phone away and turned around to magic the candles away. "Hey, guys. I need to go to Regina's and update her on what happened."
Mal and Lily stayed in their hug and nodded in response. Emma smiled and felt her phone vibrate so she looked at the screen.
Regina: That's fine.
Emma used her super speed to leave and go to Regina's.
"Emma is on her way over." Regina had poured another glass of cider for herself and Zelena.
"Oh, perfect. I haven't seen the Savior is years." Zelena took her glass and sipped in giddiness.
Regina glared at her sister. "You will behave, Z. Emma is under a lot of pressure right now.
DING DONG
Zelena jumped at the sound, "That can't already be her, can it?"
Regina got up and began walking to the door, but Zelena grabbed her arm, "Wait! You can't answer that. What if it's a vampire? Or Robin?"
Regina just laughed, "It's Emma. She used her super speed to get here."
"Super speed?"
Regina nodded, "It's part of her vampire abilities. It can't be Robin because he was in bad shape earlier and vampires need an invite in order to enter your house."
Zelena nodded and watched her sister go to answer the door.
Regina closed her eyes, took a deep breath and opened the door smiling. "Emma.", but her smile faded when she saw Emma's face. "What's wrong? Are you ok?"
"I'm fine.", Emma responded "May I come in? There's a lot to discuss."
"Of course." Regina stepped aside, allowing Emma in and they both walked into the study.
Emma recognized the fiery redhead on the sofa, "Zelena!" Emma turned around to look at Regina in silent question.
"Henry called Z earlier to repair the front door you ripped off.", Regina grinned at the blonde who blushed in embarrassment.
"Yes, Savior. Quite the feat. You've been busy while you were gone.", Zelena playfully commented.
Regina placed a hand on Emma's lower back directing her further into the room, "Would you like a glass of cider?"
Emma smiled to herself remembering the night she had brought Henry home and Regina had offered her a drink in this very same room. "Sure. Thanks."
Regina handed Emma her drink and sat down in the love seat across from her sister. Emma sat next to Regina and took a large sip. Zelena could see how uncomfortable Emma was, "I should probably leave so that the two of you can speak."
Emma looked up quickly, "No. I think you should stay. You need to hear this since it pertains to you too." Zelena raised one eyebrow intrigued.
Emma ran her fingers through her unruly curls, unsure of how to begin. She knew from Henry that Zelena and Graham had become close. After taking a deep breath, she began, "As you know, Mal and I smelled blood in the direction of the hospital. When we got there…", Emma swallowed hard and closed her eyes, "we found Graham lying on the floor in front of Robin's room." Emma looked up at Zelena to gauge her reaction.
Zelena stared at Emma confused, processing what she was implying. "So, he was unconscious?"
Emma shook her head, tears filling her eyes. At the realization of what Emma was unable to say, Zelena paled and ran over to the nearby trashcan next to the desk to throw up. Regina ran over to her sister to hold back her hair and rub her back.
"It can't be true. I just saw him a little while ago! He was fine. I brought him something to eat while he guarded Robin's room.", Zelena tried to reason. Regina was at a loss as to how to help her sister. Emma remained seated, trying to figure out how to tell them the rest. She waited until both women had returned, this time with Regina sitting with her sister comforting her.
"I'm so sorry, Z. Henry told me how close the two of you had become.", Emma consoled.
Zelena nodded, "We were planning our three-year anniversary date. I think he was planning on proposing." Zelena broke down in Regina's arms.
Emma watched the sisters, but realized she needed to finish telling her story. "Um, there's more." Both women looked up at Emma and Regina nodded her head for Emma to continue, "We found Robin dead in his room."
"What?!", Regina yelled. "How can he be dead? He was stable when I left the hospital."
Emma nodded and continued, "He was murdered. I won't get into the details, but it was obvious there was foul play." Regina may not have been in love with Robin, but she cared for him. She began sobbing in Zelena's arms and the sisters comforted each other in their losses. 'She really did love him. This is exactly why we could never be together.'
Emma was uncomfortable now. It was difficult enough telling them about Robin and Graham, but they still didn't know about the Merry Men. She couldn't add more to their misery. They were overwhelmed enough. "I'm sorry for both your losses. I'll see myself out."
Regina looked up, "Wait. Is there more?"
Emma nodded, "Yes, but it can wait." Regina stayed seated with Zelena as Emma rose and began walking towards the front door. She turned at the last minute, "Don't let the boys outside at night."
No sooner than Emma warned her, did a brick shatter the bay window in the study. It was followed by a Molotov cocktail. When the bottle shattered in the study, a fire quickly spread across the floor and rose up the bookshelves. Zelena used her magic to thwart the flames and extinguish the rapidly spreading fire while Regina followed that up with magic to repair what was damaged.
Emma's eyes glowed red as she smelled the culprits so she exited the house and caught up to the group responsible. There were 3 vamps standing in the middle of the street; a young blonde girl around 18 years of age, a 20-something male with long, ratty, sandy blonde hair and another male who was built like a pro wrestler. Emma could sense their power levels. 'Hmm, this will be interesting. The two younger ones are fledglings, but the bigger dude could be a problem.' "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"Hey, Bill, check out this chick.", the younger man commented. "What some of this, sweetheart?", the man grabbed his crotch and slowly approached Emma.
'So, he has no idea who I am.', Emma thought.
"Careful, Chad. She's stronger than she looks.", the larger one commented.
'Dammit. He knows. He's definitely an older one. This may be harder than I thought.'
Emma smiled at the younger vamp, Chad, and used her index finger to motion for him to come closer. When he was close enough, Emma grabbed his neck and twisted it off his body, causing his body to liquify into a puddle of blood. She then directed her attention to the young girl who was screaming in anger and charging her direction, fangs protruding and eyes glowing. Emma extended her nails till they were sharp talons and used them to slice the neck of the young vampire as she was just about to reach her. The younger blonde's speed was no match for Emma's.
Bill watched Emma in fascination. He could tell by her scent that she was still a youngling, but her abilities confused him. 'She shouldn't be able to do these things. I can see why Russell in so infatuated.'
"Looks like it's just you and me now, Girl.", Bill drawled out while chewing on his Skoal. He then spit onto the ground which made Emma turn up her nose.
"That stuff is bad for you, ya know. It could kill ya.", Emma smarted off as she circled around him.
Bill watched her while formulating a plan. 'Normally I could use my words to subdue a youngling, but Russell says that won't work with her. Couldn't hurt to try though.' Bill smiled, "Stand down, Girl."
Emma knew what he was trying to do. She could feel it. With a cocky grin, Emma stopped circling and immediately charged the ripped vamp. She could hear a voice yelling at her from behind, "Emma!"
Emma turned around for a split second when she heard Regina's voice calling her name. It was enough time for the Bill to take advantage of her distraction and attack. He grabbed Emma's throat and threw her down onto the ground. When her body hit the pavement, she coughed up blood as the wind was knocked out of her. Bill threw Emma onto the ground over and over again. She tried to counter, but it was useless. Eventually, Emma summoned her magic to try and get out of Bill's grasp, but her emotions were too disrupted to focus on what was needed. Her concern for Regina trumped her concern for her own wellbeing.
Just before Emma lost consciousness, she saw a flash of bright green flame hit the bulky vampire setting him alight. His screams could be heard for blocks. As Emma's eyes closed, she could feel the warmth of blood splashing over her face.
"Will she be okay, Mom?"
"I hope so, Henry.", Regina stared at the unconscious blonde on her bed while she used her magic to heal the superficial injuries she could see. The bruising on Emma's neck made Regina sick to her stomach, but she stayed strong and stoic for Henry. After healing the neck, she knew the worst injuries would be on Emma's back. "We need to turn her over and check her back. That is where most of the impact came against the pavement."
Zelena used her magic to gently turn Emma over. Her gasp said it all. Emma's back was exposed from the shredded shirt she was wearing. The blood drenched fabric had balled up in spots allowing her raw, lacerated skin to show.
"Henry, can you go get me my cell phone? I think I left it in the study.", Regina asked. "We need to call Mal for help. She'll know what to do."
"Sure.", Henry ran out of the room and Regina turned to her sister.
"She needs to be alright, Z. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to her."
Zelena put her hand on Regina's shoulder, "She'll be fine. She's too stubborn to die." Both women worked on repairing Emma's injuries when Henry returned with the cell phone.
"Can you continue while I call Mal?", Regina asked her sister. Zelena nodded allowing Regina to step away and call her old frenemy.
Henry watched his aunt work on his birth mother and Zelena could tell he wanted to ask her something. "What's on your mind?", Zelena asked without taking her eyes off of her patient.
"I thought Ma could easily defend herself. How come this happened? It doesn't make sense when she has magic plus her other abilities."
Zelena let out a heavy sigh. "Your mother saw Emma about to attack the vampire and screamed. Emma got distracted worrying about your mother. I think she was worried that Regina was outside and in danger of getting attacked.", Zelena finished as she slowly withdrew her healing magic. She had done all she could for Emma's physical injuries.
"Yeah, but she could've fought back still."
Zelena looked at her nephew. "Magic is emotion. My guess is that your mother was caught off guard and couldn't calm down enough to focus on her magic. She had already taken too much abuse.
Henry nodded and looked down at the floor, "Oh."
Regina had been listening after ending her call with Mal. Guilt was slowly swelling inside of her. She swallowed hard and began to walk back into the room when she sensed Mal's magical signature. A cloud of purple magic materialized and when it dissipated, there was Mal standing with a strange brunette woman.
Lily looked around and saw her friend lying unconscious on the bed, "Em!" She ran over to Emma and placed her hand on Emma's cheek. Looking down Emma's body, she saw that Emma's back was exposed.
Mal walked up to Emma and placed her hand on Emma's back, closing her eyes and releasing her magic into Emma. After a few more minutes, Mal removed her hand and opened her eyes. "I see you've healed her wounds.", Mal commented while studying Emma.
Regina nodded, "We both did." As she watched Lily caressing Emma's face, Regina's jealousy flared and her fists balled up by her side. 'Who is this woman. How dare she? Is this another one of Emma's old flames?"
Maleficent watched Regina's expression and knew what she was thinking so she tried to diffuse the tension. "This is my daughter, Lily."
Regina gasped and looked at her friend, "What? How?"
Mal just chuckled, "It's a long story and we have more important things to worry about." She turned back to proudly watch her daughter turn Emma over and remove the rest of her blood-soaked shirt, exposing Emma's bra-clad front. Lily carefully pulled a sheet up to protect Emma's privacy and kissed her forehead which caused Regina to finally lose her temper. A light on the nearby table lamp shattered which caused Lily to jump and look back. That's when she saw Regina's murderous glare.
Never one to back down from a threat, Lily straightened up and walked up to Regina, standing nose to nose with the Queen. "Is there a problem here?"
Maleficent and Henry looked at each other and nodded in silent communication, each trying to handle their respective loved ones.
"Mom, why don't we go downstairs and get everyone something to drink."
"Lily, can you help me to get Emma to drink so we can help her?", Mal asked..
Lily and Regina didn't answer their loved ones. They continued their staring contest. Regina didn't blink as she asked her next question, "What is your relationship to Emma? I don't appreciate a stranger coming in here and touching her in such a way. I'm sure she wouldn't appreciate it either.", the corners of Regina's lips slowly showed signs up curling up.
Recognizing the challenge, Lily grinned, "We were foster sisters growing up. And what makes you think you know what Emma would and would not want?"
Regina smirked, "I am her True Love."
Lily smiled wider, as if knowing she had the winning poker hand, "And I was her first."
Maleficent closed her eyes tight, knowing that would be the final nail in this coffin of a challenge. Regina and Emma's relationship was fragile enough and her daughter's 'never back down' attitude wasn't helping things. She grabbed Lily's arm and pulled her out of the room to speak with her and set her straight while Henry gently touched his speechless mother's arm.
"Mom? Let's go get some drinks and let Mal help Ma. Regina stayed silent and simply nodded, allowing her son to direct her out of the room and downstairs. Zelena had
been watching the exchange and fuming over Lily's presence.
"What was that?", Mal asked her daughter. "You can't do that. Regina loves Emma and as much as Emma fights it, she loves Regina."
Lily rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't appreciate her threatening me."
"And how was she threatening you?"
Lily shrugged, "Her eyes were threatening me. Emma is like a sister to me and I won't allow anyone come between us. I just found her!"
Mal cupped her daughter's cheek, smiling in pride at how protective she was of those she cared about. "I know, Sweetheart. Regina would never try to break your bond. She was just jealous. You need to cut her some slack." Lily sighed and nodded.
After returning back to the bedroom, Mal walked up to Emma's bed and held her wrist to her own mouth, fangs starting to grow. Just before biting her own wrist, she saw Zelena's green magic in the corner of her eye. Zelena had used magic to pin Lily up against the wall, her feet dangling two feet off of the floor.
"I don't appreciate you antagonizing my sister. That's my job." Zelena walked up to look up Lily as she struggled against her invisible binds. Her palm raised and a green flame formed in her left hand. Mal's eyes grew wide so she acted quickly, summoning her magic to counter Zelena's attack against her daughter, but then Lily began laughing and flexed her arms, breaking the magical hold. Her eyes began glowing a bright yellow as a growl slowly grew from her throat. Zelena stepped back in shock, watching Lily's body begin to change. Her nails grew into talons and smoke began blowing from her nostrils. Her pupils went from wide, round openings to tiny little slits.
'Oh no. Her dragon is restless.' Mal ran up to Lily, infusing a calming magic into her daughter's body. Lily's talons receded and her eyes slowly changed back into their normal hue.
"Calm down, Lily." Mal stroked Lily's arm and placed her palm on Lily's cheek. "Come help me with Emma. Zelena will leave you alone." Mal turned back, "Won't you, Zelena?" Zelena nodded silently with eyes still wide.
Mal took Lily's hand and walked back over to Emma, "Hold her head up so she won't choke as I get her to drink." Mal then bit into her wrist and held it to Emma's lips. When the blood touched Emma's lips, they began suckling the puncture wounds. Emma's eyes quickly opened and glowed a bright red. Zelena watched fascinated while Lily just turned up her nose, but kept hold of Emma.
When Emma was done, Mal pulled her wrist back and licked her own puncture wounds which healed instantly. Emma leaned back against the pillow and closed her eyes taking a couple of deep breaths. When she remembered what happened, she quickly opened her eyes and yelled "Regina! She's outside! We need to….", but then she stopped talking when she saw the object of her concern walk in and stand at the foot of the bed.
Handing the drinks in her hand to Henry, Regina quickly ran into Emma's arms and buried her face in the crook of Emma's neck, crying tears of joy. "Thank God you're alright!" She then just kept saying "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Emma just wrapped her arms around the brunette and rubbed soothing circles on Regina's back while the other hand held Regina's head.
"I'm alright. It's okay. I'm just so relieved you're unharmed. I couldn't live if…..", she choked back the rest of the sentence. They continued to hold each other as the others watched.
Mal finally spoke up, "Let's give these two some privacy. I can fix us something to eat downstairs." She motioned for the others to follow her and Henry and Zelena complied, but Lily stood and watched the couple as if studying their rumored bond.
Zelena rolled her eyes and stopped in the doorway. "Either you come with us or I turn you into a flying monkey." Lily whirled around stunned, understanding now who the red head really was. Zelena continued to grin and glared at Lily almost daring her to call her bluff. Lily swallowed hard and finally relented, leaving the True Loves alone and closing the bedroom door.
"Don't ever scare me like that again.", Regina begged. Emma closed her eyes, enjoying holding the woman in her arms. She leaned into Regina's thick hair, taking in the sweet smell of the woman's shampoo. Regina placed small kisses on Emma's neck near her pulse point, tasting the soft skin for the first time. Emma's moans gave her encouragement to continue with her ministrations.
Emma's hands began roaming up the sides of Regina's body, brushing up the sides of her breasts. Emma then began pulling Regina's shirt up, untucking it from her pants to allow her hands to slide under the shirt. The warm olive skin felt so good to the blonde. Regina then trailed kisses down Emma's collarbone while her hands cupped Emma's breasts from the outside of her shirt.
Emma was getting so turned on that he eyes began to glow and her teeth slowly extended. 'Oh no.' Pushing Regina off, Emma quickly got out of bed and ran into the ensuite bathroom, slamming the door. Regina could hear the scream of "Dammit" echo into the bedroom.
Regina sat stunned at the sudden 180, confused about what she had done wrong. Her concern for Emma growing as she heard her talking in the bathroom.
After slamming the door and slamming her fist on the counter screaming "Dammit", a voice startled Emma. "You fail to save my daughter and then you try to take advantage of her?"
Emma rolled her eyes, "Not now, Cora. So not in the mood for your shit."
"Cora, Dear, she's trying the best she can to protect Regina.", came an older man's voice.
Emma looked up in shock at the second visitor, "Who the hell are you?"
Cora rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue, "He's Regina's father, Idiot."
Emma looked at the older gentlemen, "You're Henry Mills? I'm so sorry, Sir."
Henry chuckled, "No worries, my child."
Emma had grown used to these intrusions after becoming a vampire. Visits from the dead weren't uncommon, but were still few and far between while living outside of Storybrooke. She would get visits from former foster siblings who had died or from former coworkers. When it happened the first few times, Emma felt like Whoopie Goldberg from the movie Ghost. Now it was old news and nothing seemed to surprise her much these days. 'It seems magic is going to cause me to receive more visitors. Just fucking great.'