Chapter Six: You

Emma had no idea how Regina would react to what happened last night. She was hoping it would be good. A small part of her expected a negative reaction, but didn't quite expect the one she got.

"This is the first time someone has thrown up at the sight of me," Emma can't help but comment as she watches Regina race back to the school's bathroom stall and retch.

Emma follows in after her and holds her hair behind her as Regina empties the contents of her stomach. When she finishes, she flushes and wipes her mouth with paper, Emma stepping back to give her space. Regina stands on shaking legs. "Do you mind?" she asks, with an edge to her voice.

"I only want to help," Emma says softly and watches as her tone melts the tension in Regina's shoulders. "I'm fine," the brunette says, cheeks flushed to be found in this state. Knowing Regina, she probably is mortified Emma saw her like this but Emma wants to say, that it's fine. No one is perfect always and that Emma doesn't mind seeing all the different sides of Regina.

But she doesn't say that, because she knows Regina will debate her on the merits of such a point. "Why didn't you just stay home?"

"I can't afford to," Regina answers. "I must have perfect attendance."

"Yea, but at what cost? You look like shit."

Regina shoots her a glare.

"What, it's the truth," Emma shrugs. "Look, this is your first time dealing with a hangover. I'll get you some Tylenol and water and you'll feel better soon."

"I don't need hand outs-"

"Like hell you don't," Emma cuts in, angry that Regina won't take care of herself. "You don't feel well so you need to take care of yourself, especially if you're not going to stay home. Wait here, I'll go back to my locker and bring you the medication."

Regina has no choice but to grumble under her breath and cross her arms and lean against the wall. Her face is pale and pinched and she no doubt has a raging headache. Emma half expects Regina to not be there when she returns with the pill, but Regina is there, arms crossed over her stomach as if holding herself together. She reluctantly takes the medicine and offered water and gulps it down.

Emma shuffles her feet, unsure what to do next. She wants to talk more with Regina and ask if she's alright but there's something more important that happened between them. At the party

But Regina's not well and Emma's not an asshole to ask her about such an important thing when she's clearly not feeling well. "Um, see ya around," Emma gives an awkward wave and heads out.

"What is going on with you and Emma Swan?" Cruella asks at lunch time, as Regina's close friend group open up their salads collectively and begin to daintily eat. Regina nearly chokes on her tomato but manages to swallow it down with minimal pain. "What do you mean?" she asks.

"Just that we've seen the two of you talking to each other outside of tutoring," Ursula offers and they all lean in, eager to know. Regina feels the urge to recede within herself but instead squares her shoulders.

"Just casual comments, about homework is all," Regina says quickly, stabbing down onto another tomato.

"She isn't bothering you, is she?" Kathryn asks, twirling some cold pasta onto her fork.

"No...she stopped. Perhaps she realized how puerile she was being with all that," Regina responded with, trying not to squirm in her seat. She was uncomfortable with this line of questioning. She didn't like talking about Emma because she decidedly felt way too much for her once enemy. And then there's the matter of what happened at that party. Emma still hasn't mentioned it and Regina hopes it will stay that way.

Because Regina had come so easily and it bothered her alpha side that she hadn't lasted longer. That she hadn't seen Emma come undone above her. That desire has her flushing and she quickly bites the inside of her cheek hard to keep her naughty thoughts at bay.

Before more can be discussed about Emma, a boy comes up to the table, radiating with nervousness. He smells like beta. Very unappealing beta. "Hi," he says, clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck. They all stare him down, wondering who he is here for. Mal is already spoken for, Ursula is fuck buddies with about two long term boys, Cruella doesn't date, and Kathryn doesn't either. Surely he can't be here for Regina?

"Do you need help with something?" Regina asks, putting up her star student facade.

"No...I mean..." he shrugged and looked back as if drawing strength from two male friends who gave him a thumbs up. Regina catches a whiff of his scent now. She can recognize the touch to it that means he's either in heat or about to be. Oh. She had a feeling she knew what this was about. Her stomach sinks. "Um, I was just wondering-"

"No, she's not interested," Kathryn cuts in coldly from behind Regina's turned head. The response startles Regina who was not expecting it to be spoken with such vitriol. "So don't bother her with your heats, she has more important things to tend to, like her work."

The beta male balks and ducks back to his seat, ears red with shame. Regina turns to Kathryn, open mouthed. The blonde looks furious but the anger melts off her face for one of forced casualness as she turns back to her salad, a shrug on her shoulders. "He's way below your station, Regina. You're a top alpha, and you deserve someone of your status."

Regina just doesn't say anything for a long time, even her other friends a bit quieted by Kathryn's words. The blonde hums under her breath and tries to ignore the tense atmosphere.

Regina cannot be happier when mid winter break is here. She needs some respite from school and from having to fend off omegas and betas who are in heat. It had been a trifle before, when she was asked out by the occasional brave soul. But now, it was simply too much.

With the break here, she could focus on her work, relax, and learn to control her body a bit more. She no longer got as many random boners but it was still annoying to feel excited when she caught whiffs of heats. She had texted her father on advice on how to deal with this and he had sent her many links to educational sites and told her to call him if it ever got to be bad.

Naturally, Regina's break does not go the way she wants it to, with absolute isolation, because she gets a text on her phone from an unknown number. She stares at it, wondering who it's from. All it says is Hi and has a waving hand on it. She's about to delete it when another message pops up.

It's Emma.

Regina's heart clenches. Oh. Emma's texting her. How did she even get Regina's number?

Before she can type, Emma is already typing more. I got your number from the school. I hope your break is going well :) I have some homework questions I was hoping you could help me with? Do you have time to tutor me for at least one day?

Regina stares at the text bubbles, not sure what to say. A large part of her doesn't want to see Emma because it reminds her of their make out. But another part of her is responsible and takes her job as tutor seriously. Also...she kind of does really want to see Emma despite knowing it would be best to stay away from her. Kissing her had been so nice that thinking about it made Regina's stomach curl in on itself.

Okay, she types back. And they set about figuring out a time and place to met.

They decide upon Regina's house, since it would be more convenient for Regina to teach there since she wouldn't have to luge her stuff around everywhere. Emma shows up on time, a happy grin on her face. Her scent hits Regina full force when she opens the door and she blinks, trying to regain her thoughts.

Why is it so strong today? Could it be because Regina hasn't smelled it in a while? But no, it's noticeably stronger than normal. Regina tries to not inhale as Emma walks inside and Regina closes the door behind her.

They make small chat, Regina nervous at having Emma over. She's never really had anyone except her friend group over and this feels like new territory. Like something, almost sacred. But then she feels dumb for feeling this way and tries to shoo the thoughts away.

"Take out your homework and we can get started," she orders, so that they can get down to business. As much as she enjoys talking with Emma on inane topics, this isn't behavior she should condone. Emma's making Regina's head all muddled up and not in a good way. It's detracting Regina from her studies!

Emma complies obediently and they sit down from across each other, getting started on the chemistry work which always seems to be an issue for Emma. Halfway through it, Regina gets up to boil some tea for them. Emma takes it happily, scorching her tongue on the first sip.

"Shit," she curses and Regina can't help but laugh at that. Such a typical Emma move. It makes her heart swell with affection and she can't help it. But as time goes on, evening growing later, Regina notices something is a bit off about Emma.

Regina notices that Emma's face is red. It almost looks like she has a fever. "I think you should go home, Emma." She states, as Emma has also gotten a bit sluggish.

Emma nods her head, for once not arguing with Regina. "Yea, I'm not feeling that well. I don't know why." She gets up, packing up her supplies.

As Emma leaves the house, Regina can't help but think, could it be heat? Could Emma be going into an early one? If so, does she have anyone to take care of her?

Regina hopes she's wrong, but Emma's scent had been off today, and particularly strong. Regina will just be vigilant about it. Emma doesn't deserve to go through something like this alone like Regina had to.

Tomorrow Regina heads over for dinner at Kathryn's house. It's been scheduled for a while now and Regina has no idea what to expect. Kathryn has been acting a bit differently the past couple of weeks and Regina has no clue as to why. She can't outright ask Kathryn about it because it would be a very awkward exchange. But she sure as hell was curious as to why this was happening. She rings on their doorbell at five to eight and Kathryn opens it up shortly, wearing a very pretty skirt and shirt combination.

"Hello," Regina greets, lifting up a basket in which she brought some brownies in. "I brought dessert."

"You didn't need to," Kathryn says as she takes the basket and allows Regina inside. Regina hangs up her jacket and goes inside to meet Kathryn's parents.

"Thank you for you coming today, Regina," Kathryn's father says, shaking her hand.

"We're really glad you could make it," Kathryn's mom adds, hands clasped together in front of her chest.

"I'm glad to be here," Regina murmurs, more confused than anything else. Why is this so strangely formal? A pinching sensation settles in Regina's gut as she is instructed to sit at the table next to Kathryn.

Dinner is all laid out and it smells amazing, but Regina finds herself not having an appetite at all. Still, to not be rude, she piles on some warm food and begins to eat slowly.

"How is school going?" Kathryn's father asks.

"It's going well. Grades are high as usual and the college application process has all been completed," she answers. Normally she doesn't have to affect as much of a front with the Midas' since they are more lax than Mal's parents. But today, they seem to be asking her oddly interview like questions.

"Hear back from any schools?"

That is a sore point but Regina brushes past it. "No, not yet."

"Kathryn already has one school secured. Not the one which is our ideal school but we're still waiting to hear from that one as well." Kathryn's mother said, before diving into a deeper topic. "Your mother has told us so much about your future plans."

More like mother's future plans. Regina didn't have much say. Mother wanted her to work in an influential field. Either be a doctor, a lawyer or someone in power. Regina had chosen politics because she didn't want to be trusted with a scalpel or with someone's legal proceedings. Being a politician...well, she already had years of faking it in front of her mother. It should be easy to do the same with the public.

Conversation continues upon the view, Kathryn staying unusually quiet as Regina is questioned on her schooling goals, her future job goals, and her romantic goals, especially that of raising a family.

"Yes, I would like a family," she answers, discomfort prickling down her back. But that won't be for years to come.

"Kathryn would like one too, wouldn't you darling," and Kathryn nods her head to her mother's words. "She just needs to find a proper mate for it. Regina, I recently heard you presented into an alpha. You truly are your mother's daughter."

Why were they talking about this? It was private matters! Regina recalled her mother telling her that since she was an alpha now that she needed to find an omega. Surely mother wouldn't be so presumptuous as to...

Regina closed her eyes briefly. No. Mother wouldn't dare, would she? Not without at least giving a word of warning to Regina.

Regina decides to ignore what her gut is telling her. She doesn't want to believe it.

Regina suddenly feels a hand on her thigh and she's so shocked that her knee jerks up and bangs against the table. Pain blossoms.

And she also chokes on her water. She starts to cough viciously.

"Regina are you alright?" Ms. Midas asks and Regina nods her head.

She excuses herself to get some air and goes to the bathroom, letting the sink run as her coughs calm down. She doesn't notice the door opening until it creaks shut behind her and she turns to find Kathryn there.

"Are you okay?" the blonde asks.

"I'm fine," Regina answers stiffly, not sure what to make of this situation.

Kathryn looks uncertain as to how to proceed next. "Um, do you need me to pat your back or anything?" she asks timidly.

"No." Regina thinks maybe she's being extra harsh but she doesn't understand what Kathryn's playing at. "Why did you...grab me?" Regina asks, as they stare each other down. Kathryn makes a step forward, Regina bumps in closer to the sink.

Kathryn looks confused by the question. "Um, I was trying to make it romantic between us. You haven't been doing a good job of it."

Regina's eyes open wide. "What?" she asks. This response only serves to make Kathryn even more insecure.

"Don't you know?"

"Know what?" Regina suddenly realizes her mother would dare to do something so low. She's devastated to know this.

Kathryn tilts her head, even more confused. "Your mom called my mom as soon as you presented as alpha and said she wanted to arrange a marriage between us."

Regina is so shocked, she's silent. And she feels sick, her stomach dropping down below her. "I didn't know that," she says at last, gripping the sink hard behind her. But now it all makes more sense. The way Kathryn wasn't shocked when Regina showed up as an alpha at school. The way she's been so close and grabby. "And you're just okay with all this?"

Kathryn shrugs. "I don't...mind," she says.

"But Kathryn, we're friends! We don't even like each other in that manner! And we never have! You don't need to force yourself to have feelings for me. You don't need to say yes to this marriage. It's fine. Your parents are more understanding than my mother. Just tell them you don't love me and I don't love you, and that the marriage won't work out. You won't have to be stuck with me." Regina began to ramble, losing her composure.

Kathryn just grips the edges of her skirt hard, crumpling it up. She looks like she's about to cry. Then, she turns on her heel and rushes out of the room.

"Kathryn...?" Regina calls softly, wondering what she had said wrong.

Emma doesn't show up to school and Regina quietly worries over her. Is it a heat? It must be, because Regina has never seen Emma out sick before. She chews on the inside of her cheek as she waits impatiently for school to be over. "Got a date?" Cruella asks and Regina arches a brow at her.

"What?"

"You're so jittery. Must be something exciting for you to be like this," Cruella points out and Regina stops bouncing her leg which she hadn't known she was doing. "Spill, who is it?"

Regina is uncomfortable with this, because she knows Kathryn will no doubt be upset by this. Kathryn has been so odd ever since the dinner. Regina texted her an apology but it went ignored. She is at a loss of what to do. She and Kathryn have never fought before.

"It's no one," Regina says evenly. "I think I may be getting an acceptance letter from a college soon and I want to get home already."

The fib doesn't convince everyone, or at least not Cruella who merely scoffs but doesn't comment on it more. There's a bite to Regina's words that leave it undesirable to purse this vein of conversation.

Once school lets out, Regina drives over to Emma's house, finding parking about a block away. She's never dared to visit someone's house like this- without invitation, or one who is not from her friend group. But, she's worried about Emma.

Regina goes up the stairs to the moderately nice looking house. It's clearly had better days. There's no one around to take care of it now except for Emma since her parents are away. But she's too young to have to take care of a whole house by herself. Then again, isn't Regina too? Regina feels a momentary connectedness with Emma over the fact that parents have been absent from their lives way too often than they should. At least Regina's had wanted her. She couldn't imagine how it felt to be unwanted.

Regina rings the door bell to Emma's house. She waits on the stoop. No answer. Her hands begin to get clammy. What if somethings wrong? What if Emma is hurt?

She rings the bell again. And again. Then she knocks. What the hell? Should Regina go and find Ruby? Maybe the brunette will know the answer. But to get to Ruby, Regina will have to wait another day and she's too worried to do so.

Thinking hard, she begins to check the potted plants for a hidden spare key. She knows some people do this. Maybe Emma's parents do because they're never around and would leave a spare key for Emma in case she got locked out.

Regina strikes gold when her reasoning pays off and she finds the key under the mat. She slides it into the lock and turns it. "Emma?" she called out tentatively to the dark house. No answer. Regina closes the door behind her, takes off her shoes and then goes to the stairs. Maybe Emma is in her room. When she gets to the bottom step, Regina is hit with a strong scent.

She can feel her body heat up, her alpha senses running onto auto drive. It's a heat. An omega in heat. Her nostrils flare and she barely remembers herself from running up the stairs. She's never felt such a pull before. It's intoxicating, this smell. And she wants to inhale it more. Wants to taste it.

The hair on the back of her neck rises and she can feel excess saliva pooling in her mouth. She swallows and follows the scent to Emma's room where even more of it is coming from.

She pushes the door open and finds Emma there, in a nest made of her bed sheets on the bed. Emma instantly sits up from how she'd been lounging, the two of their eyes meeting. Regina can feel the scent crawling under her skin, burrowing in her brain.

Her alpha side is growling. It wants it wants it wants. She tightens every muscle in her body in an effort to try to control this. But it's like drugs. She can't seem to want to stop. Emma looks to be in no better shape. Her cheeks are red, chest heaving, and blonde hair messy. She licks her lips and Regina's eyes follow that motion.

"Alpha," Emma says and it triggers Regina to approach the bed, stopping at the foot of it. Her heart is pounding and so is something else. She curls her hands up into fists. Something small in the back of her head says to stop this. To leave this house. But she barely hears the voice when Emma's is so much louder. "I need you alpha," a flustered Emma admits, throwing her sheets off of her, revealing that she's only wearing a tank top and boy shorts underneath. Boy shorts that are soaked thoroughly.

Regina swallows, slowly crawling up the bed to where Emma is.