She's trembling, maybe from the high altitude, maybe from the lightening speed they are traveling at to reach this new Earth. Either way, she pretends she doesn't notice her own wobbly legs as she slowly waltzes up to the agent who is desperately trying not to cry. Her high stilettos click dangerously across the futuristic floors but Alex doesn't move from her position; hunched over a long conference table, grasping onto the back of her neck and hopelessly avoiding a good cry.
Lena gently sets down a glass of scotch. Alex peeks out from her arm barricade and hesitates for all of three seconds before she slowly pulls the glass closer to herself like Lena won't notice. A tired smirk tugs at the corner of Lena's mouth because all she sees in this moment is Kara, her dorky best friend. Alex tries to sip the alcohol without ever lifting her heavy head from the comfort of her own arms and Lena distinctly sees how the Danvers sisters are related.
"May I sit?" Lena quietly whispers.
"Of course," Alex mumbles before relenting and lifting her tired head to down the rich amber liquid offered to her. "Thanks," she mutters again, lifting the glass in a silent cheers.
"I thought you could use it before we land on some unknown Earth."
"Hopefully this Earth has clouds in case I get hammered."
"What?"
"Nothing," Alex sighs heavily, hating how only Kara understands all of her inside jokes. "What about you? How are you holding up?" And finally, Alex sets down the glass, half empty now and turns her attention toward Lena.
Lena who shifts uncomfortably under the weight of Alex's hard gaze. "I'm alright, now that I know we are on the right track to saving your sister."
"Your best friend," Alex counters, yet...yet, there's still an accusing insinuation in her tone.
"Yes, a best friend who couldn't possibly share her secret with me all because of my last name. Some best friend," she bitterly deflects, tossing back more liquid than her mouth is capable of but at least it will keep her quiet for now.
Alex is dead silent, her eyes boring into the side of Lena's face, her chin tilted up in that smug intimidating way like she has all the answers in the world. Lena refuses to say a damn word and for a long while, she is convinced neither one will ever speak again.
Alex chuckles humorlessly to herself before she scoops up her glass and tosses back what's left. Lena takes this time to gently sip her alcohol, savoring it, buying herself more time.
"You know..." Alex begins in a tone that is cryptic, almost teasing, "I have never, in my life, seen my sister defend someone so wholeheartedly before. Of course, she's Supergirl," she mumbles to herself, playing around with her empty glass while Lena stiffens, "she defends everyone, good or bad," she claims before lifting her gaze and latching on so severely to Lena's wide eyes, "but never the way she defends you so adamantly," she whispers like she's revealing Kara's deepest, darkest secret.
"I don't-I-"
Alex holds up her glass in a gesture that urges Lena's mouth to snap shut. The agent rolls her chair a tad closer until she is directly in front of Lena's face and has her undivided attention.
"I was skeptical," she scoffs, "we all were. Constantly urging Kara not to trust you, to keep her guard up and my sister, my stupidly brave-hero of a sister continuously defended you without ever taking a moment to breathe through the situation. She blindly defended you, over and over again," Alex breathlessly confesses, persuading a boulder of emotions to swell in the back of Lena's throat. "And now, I see why. I saw it before, I did, but I was in denial. I see the way you look at her and I see right through you."
"Alex, what are you-"
Alex holds up her hands in surrender. "All I know, is if someone looked at me the way you look at her, yeah, I'd probably defend them to my grave too."
And with that Alex stands up, hands the glass back to Lena and shuffles her heavy feet toward the door. Lena is too stunned to say a damn word, she really thought she was being discreet with her affection toward Kara and now every damn moment with the Danvers sisters are playing through her mind.
"And Lena," Alex softly whispers, causing her to jump in her own skin and pivot in her chair to find the agent softly smiling at her. "If Supergirl was willing to tell me, J'onn, James and Winn about her secret identity and risk our safety, even though she loves us so deeply...well, imagine where her heart must have been if she couldn't even run the risk of endangering you because of who she is."
Lena slumps a little in her chair, her lips parted, her mouth slightly agape as she watches Alex confidently leave the room.
"She couldn't even run the risk..." she breathlessly whispers to herself as her stubborn mind tries to attack the idea of Supergirl ever loving her.
XXXX
She was so close. So close to finally backing Emma up against a wall until she had no other option but spew her truth. Except, that stupid, filthy pirate barged right back in to keep all of Emma's secrets buried, just like he always does.
Regina watches, through glossy eyes and a raging heart as Emma follows him again, away from her.
"Regina," and the plea of her name is so delicate, so damn tender, she is forced to break away from her heartache and meet those beautiful baby blues staring back at her. "Are you okay?" Kara gently questions, her voice almost drowned out by Ruby and Belle screaming, Ain't No Mountain High Enough.
"I'm fine," she sternly demands but her voice breaks, inspiring her to clear her throat before she speaks again. "You were great up there," she begins, persuading a beautiful scarlet hue to paint the hero's cheeks. "No, really, you have a gorgeous voice."
Kara fiddles with her glasses, her eyes drifting down into the space between them. "Nah, I'm only good because of the amount of shots I forced down your throat." She blinks, her long lashes fluttering behind those thick frames before her eyes twinkling with mirth meet Regina's gaze. "My master plan worked," she giggles, persuading Regina to join her.
"Ah yes, Miss Danvers, your plan to feed me shots has been a nice distraction this evening."
Kara's concerned eyes immediately flick toward the sheriff and her lousy sidekick. "I had no idea she had a boyfriend," she mumbles before redirecting her attention back to Regina. She feels so small under Supergirl's scrutiny but the worst part is, she knows Kara can somehow read every expression flashing across her face thanks to the damn alcohol. With the utmost care, Kara gently brushes Regina's hair off her shoulder. "You deserve better. I can help you get back at her," she whispers for only Regina's ears.
Regina searches her face for any signs of deceit but discovers nothing but sincerity and care in those crystal blue eyes. "It's not fair to you when I feel the way I do about-"
"This is strictly business, it's just a bonus that you're super hot," Kara murmurs just before she slowly drifts closer and captures Regina's tingling lips.
Regina hesitates for a moment, her mind screaming at her to stop this reckless behavior before someone sees and the rumors begin. Except, there is a softness to the kiss, one that so easily conveys the true protective nature of this hero. She feels compassion, comfort, but above all, safe and so she leans into all of that. She allows herself to let go of all her pain for just one night and free fall, knowing damn well Supergirl will catch her. And maybe it's a tiny bonus that Emma Swan will witness it all. She's frankly sick and tired of that woman's jealousy.
Kara cups her cheek, a warmth emitting from her gentle palm and soothing all of Regina's worries and doubts. She's never been one for public displays of affection but it seems the alcohol has completely burned that fear away. And again, she will happily place blame on her inebriated state that created a soft little moan which escapes her lips.
"I think someone is jealous," Kara murmurs into the kiss, a dopey grin spreading far into her cheeks as she giggles and pecks Regina's lips one last time before pulling away.
Regina pretends to reach for her martini, covertly spying through her long lashes to gauge Emma's reaction. She finds those thin little lips pressed firmly together as the Savior storms out the door with Hook following in her shadow.
"I think someone is bitter about a new hero in town," Regina mumbles mostly to herself as she sips her drink but of course, Kara can hear everything, loud and clear.
"A new hero?" She innocently inquires, cocking her head to the side as she nervously adjusts her glasses.
Regina stalls by taking a longer sip than necessary. "Of course, you swooping in to save the day when I'm finding myself a little down."
"Oh," Kara smiles proudly, "so does that mean she usually swoops in to save your day?"
"Occasionally." Regina shrugs noncommittally and then says a small thank you to the waitress dropping off their next round. "Emma tries, she has a heart of gold, but sometimes she's easily persuaded and other times she's being pulled in so many different directions that it's hard for her." Regina passes a shot glass to Kara and then keeps one for herself. "She truly is the closest friend I have ever had and I do cherish our relationship."
"But you want more," Kara states, clinking her glass against Regina's.
Regina nods and in unison they toss back their tequila. "I have for quite some time and there are moments when I believe she wants more too and other times..." she trails off, realizing a little too late that the tequila has made her lips extra loose this evening.
She glances to her left to find Kara lost in thought. Supergirl seems to be struggling with something but Regina hasn't a clue as to what is bothering her. And before she can even interrogate the younger woman, Kara's already back to her normal peppy self.
"Well, like I said, I'm here for ya, babe," and because her laugh is so adorable, Regina allows the pet name to slip. "We can make that sheriff jealous. How about we call her to your office and she finds you in my lap?"
Regina really does try to portray her most intimidating Evil Queen glare but she's too warm and fuzzy inside from the tequila swimming so merrily along through her veins. Kara ends up bursting out into a fit of giggles from the expression.
"What are you giggling about?" Belle sweetly asks as she tumbles onto a stool, Ruby right beside her to assist.
"Nothing," Regina growls, officially ending the line of questioning from proceeding.
"You two were so cute up there!" Kara happily compliments while Regina wonders how sore her cheeks must be from smiling so hard all the damn time.
"Thanks," Ruby breathes as she claims the seat right beside her beauty. "I told you it wouldn't be too bad," she teases, lightly bumping her shoulder into Belle's. "And you have a beautiful voice."
Belle mumbles her thanks while she blushes profusely and Regina contemplates if Rumple ever paid that poor girl a compliment besides her cleaning skills. It's only a few breaths later when they notice Snow White on stage, transforming into a completely different person.
"Ooo-baby, baby!"
Regina is just as shell-shocked as everyone else around the table; all wide eyes, jaws hanging open as Snow jumps around stage, performing some kind of dance she clearly practices every day when she's cleaning that tiny loft of hers. And then it happens, she's belting out every lyric to Salt-N-Pepa, Push It.
Everyone is too consumed by the former princess to even notice Emma's presence again.
"What the hell is my m...sister...doing?" Emma bellows over her mother's rapping.
"Reminding us why we need to let her drink more often," Ruby howls, wiping the tears of joy from her eyes.
"Ugh, I love drunk Snow," Belle cries out, laughing so hard she needs Ruby's shoulder to support her heavy head.
"Who is Snow?" Kara curiously questions, her nose scrunching up in the most adorable way. "And seriously, why am I not feeling these drinks like you guys?" She pouts, adding one more empty glass to her castle.
"Snow is a nickname we gave Mary Margaret when we were little," Regina swiftly lies to avoid explaining why the woman of steel cannot catch a buzz this evening.
Mary Margret continues on with her dance, shuffling those happy feet and thrusting until Emma collapses into the booth beside Regina and shields her eyes.
"Oh my god," the sheriff groans, refusing to watch her mother's embarrassing dance and rapping anymore. "I'm definitely gonna have to call David soon to pick her up."
XXXX
Ruby insisted on taking Snow home, that way David didn't have to wake up their newborn to collect his inebriated wife. Belle tagged along and Regina briefly wondered if the wolf would make a move after they dropped the princess off. Maybe those two are cozy in front of Belle's fireplace now, wrapped in each other's arms and learning all there is to know about one another.
Regina blinks away her thoughts, her attention focusing on the way Emma tosses back a whiskey with her eyes securely shut. When those green eyes come into view again, they land directly where Kara's arm is casually slung over the back of the booth. A hard expression passes over the sheriff's face, her irises morphing into a deep forest green as they track long fingers lightly brushing against Regina's shoulder.
Regina may allow a smirk to slip.
"So..." Kara says to break through the silence suffocating their table, "how long have you been with your boyfriend?"
"He's not my boyfriend," Emma grumbles under her breath, provoking one of Regina's eyebrows to arch curiously.
"Oh, sorry, I thought-well, I assumed-"
"We went out on two dates, that doesn't make us a couple. That doesn't make us anything and I really wish people would stop assumingthat going out on a date with someone, makes them yours."
And Emma didn't necessarily direct her speech toward Regina, but her tone and her eyes were very implicating.
"No, no, you're right," Supergirl bashfully stammers. "It doesn't mean exclusive and it certainly doesn't have to lead to anything. It could just be fun," she rambles, shrugging so innocently. "He seems..." she pauses when both sets of angry eyes snap to her, "nice?" Regina huffs in annoyance while Emma rolls her eyes but neither says a word. Kara nervously fiddles with her glasses. "I think-I um, need to pee."
Regina carefully watches Kara uncomfortably slink away from their table, weaving in and out and through the crowded room. The moment she's swallowed by the drunken patrons, Emma claims her seat. Maybe it's the whiskey, but the Emma Swan she first met is right before her very eyes once again.
"What are you doing?" The sheriff hisses.
"What am I doing? What are you doing, Miss Swan?"
"Don't Miss Swan me, we are way past that."
"Are we?" Regina challenges, her eyes narrowing and her face hardening but Emma only seems to drift closer. "Because you have been stomping your feet around and pouting as though we are still fighting over Henry."
"This has nothing to do with our son-"
"Then what does it have to do with? Your non-existent boyfriend?"
"Stop bringing Hook into this. I already told you, he's not my boyfriend. Especially after the little stunt he pulled tonight, I made damn sure he knew nothing more would ever happen between us."
"Because he followed you to girls night?"
"Because I am not a possession. He's not going to dictate my life, constantly demanding to know where I'm going or who I'm with. I never once answered to anyone and it won't be happening anytime soon," Emma scoffs, stealing Regina's martini glass and downing the rest.
"Be that as it may," she taunts, swaying a tad closer until she's in kissing distance, "we both know that's not what's really torturing you."
One of Emma's eyebrows leaps up her forehead while her lips curl into a deep frown. "Oh really. Well then, Madam Mayor, tell me...what keeps me up at night," Emma playfully teases right back.
Regina takes this moment to pause and really think about the woman before her. Emma has clearly had one too many, Regina can tell by the slight rosy tint to her pale cheeks, the way her permanent frown has morphed into a lazy grin and the way her green eyes have glossed over and sparkle with mirth. She's stunning.
"Your mother," Regina very seriously whispers.
Emma's head jerks back as if Regina's words just slapped her across the face. She squints, her head already shaking from left to right. "What?"
"What keeps you up at night? Your mother. What keeps you from expressing who you truly are? Your mother. Why? You're scared of rejection. You're terrified of your mother finding out the real you and you lose her all over again."
"I-I don't..." Emma hesitates her denial, her mouth snapping shut until her mind stops all this racing.
Regina can see the pain in her eyes, yet, the confusion straining in Emma's brain, so she takes pity on her. "Why else would you be so damn angry every time you see Kara near me."
Emma swallows thickly, her lips pressing firmly together until they lose all their color. "It's my job to protect this town...protect my family and you are my family. We share a son for god's sake."
"Keep telling yourself that, dear."
"God, you're so full of yourself. You know that?" Emma laughs humorlessly, her face expressing how agitated she is with the conversation.
Regina encloses the minimal space between them, her fingers delicately landing upon Emma's bare thigh, tantalizingly exploring the new area. She ignores the tremor that runs through Emma's entire body.
"Then tell me why you stormed right out of this bar when you witnessed Kara kissing me?" She husks, her voice purring the words with every intent on seducing.
"I wanted some privacy, so Killian knew it was really over," Emma vacantly answers as if her brain was programmed with such lackluster comebacks.
"Alright, have it your way," Regina quietly says, her hand instantly retracting from the warmth as her body provides some much-needed space. She quickly averts her eyes and spots Supergirl squeezing through a brick wall of people. "Kara, darling, are you ready to call it a night?"
Kara blinks, a frown already forming around her mouth. "You didn't sing."
"I told you, this really isn't my scene," she nonchalantly replies, handing over her credit card to the waitress. Kara opens her mouth to protest but Regina is more aware of the brooding sheriff beside her. "But maybe at home, in the privacy of my living room, we can duet."
Kara brightens like a house in the middle of a Christmas competition, which brings a genuine smile to Regina's face. She smirks, so damn proud of herself as she signs away her name for their tab. She expects Emma to object, to be pigheaded and snarky but that's not what happens.
Emma doesn't say a word. Actually, she seems to curl into herself, becoming mute and can only muster a frown when Kara and Regina say their goodbyes.