CW/TW Violence, assault, domestic violence type behaviour.
Somehow the next few days simultaneously flew by and dragged and finally or in no time at all Friday morning had arrived and they were in their separate trailers texting back and forth while they put the finishing touches to their packing, Emma was stood looking in her bulging new suitcase which Ruby had picked up for her the day before and brought round earlier that morning when Emma had realised that her trusty old backpack just wasn't going to suffice and she really didn't relish the idea of packing her stuff into a plastic bags, racking her brains as she performed a mental checklist in her head, one more thing to pack she concluded looking at the space on the wall above her bed and moving to take down the dreamcatcher that hung there carefully nestling it in between a couple of sweaters then closing her case and zipping it up she wheeled it to the door with a satisfied smile.
Leaving it in place Emma read her latest text from Regina informing her that their car had arrived and hurried to the fridge pulling out the cool bag that Granny had packed hers and Regina's lunch into then hurried out of the trailer securing the door behind her and making it to the back of her trailer just as the car was pulling in with Regina already sitting inside smiling up at her through the back window, Emma slid into the car beside her while the driver got out and loaded her things into the boot alongside Regina's and then they were on their way.
They passed the first half of the journey reading through their scripts together then their driver pulled over in a peaceful pretty spot where they got out for their lunch, Emma spread out a blanket that Granny had sent over with their food and opened the cool bag on top taking out its contents,
"Granny really does make the best sandwiches" Regina sighed contentedly between mouthfuls,
"That she does" Emma agreed taking another bite for her own and reaching for some potato chips,
They spent the rest of the meal sat in silence listening to the birds sing and throwing a few breadcrumbs for a family of ducks that ventured by, when they were finished Emma wrapped up what was left and packed it all away in the cooler while Regina lay across the blanket and stared at the sky, after a moment's hesitation Emma moved the cool bag to one side and followed suit laying on the opposite side of the blanket so that their heads were level side by side in the middle,
"What shapes do you see?" Regina asked pointing at a white fluffy cloud moving slowly overhead, "That one looks like a rabbit" she said,
"Umm, there's an elephant" Emma said pointing to a different cloud "and an old woman with fluffy hair" she pointed at another, Regina giggled, and Emma's heart sped up at the sound,
"I see a skull" Regina pointed again, "and a cat"
"Yes, I like the cat" Emma grinned turning her head to face Regina, catching the movement out of the corner of her eye Regina turned towards its source her eyes locking with Emma's. They were much closer together than either of them had realised and for a moment neither of them seemed able to speak as they continued to gaze into one another's eyes, then Regina cleared her throat and blinked breaking the spell,
"I guess we should get back to the car" Emma smiled suppressing a sigh standing and offering Regina a hand to help her up which she gratefully accepted, then they headed back to the car. The remainder of the journey was spent looking out of the window watching the scenery go by as they chatted happily.
"We're here" the driver suddenly announced as he pulled up in front of the house, Emma thought her jaw might hit the ground when got out and saw the house looming in front of her for the first time,
"The pictures really didn't do it justice" she murmured,
"No, they really didn't" Regina agreed from beside her, "Come let's get our things up to our rooms before Gold gets us filming, she urged, Emma nodded and followed in her wake.
The inside was every bit as beautiful as the out, Emma followed Regina up a sweeping staircase then they walked down a hallway full of closed doors until they found the two with their names on them,
"We're neighbours" Emma grinned
"Looks like it" Regina smiled back hand on the handle of the door next to Emma's.
The room inside was the biggest that Emma had ever had a beautiful ornately carved solid wood bed dominated its centre and matching furniture rested against its walls, long heavy red velvet curtains hung at it windows ending in pools of fabric on the polished wooden floor, a red velvet sofa sat across the room from the foot of the bed and a matching red throw covered the bed itself, It was beautiful and for a second the thought that this was her room even if it was only for ten days felt a little overwhelming.
Smiling Emma lifted her suitcase placing it onto the end of the bed running her fingers across the velvety throw before she undid the zip and began to unpack, she put her night clothes on her pillow and her clothes into two of the drawers in the large chest which she also placed her toiletry bag on top of, when everything else was unpacked she turned her attentions to the final item which had placed to one side when she had first begun, the dreamcatcher, she picked it up and turned it over a few times in her hands then climbed onto the bed carefully removed a picture that was hanging above it, made sure it was safe then used its nail to hang her dream catcher from then she stood smiling happily as she admired the affect.
A knock on the door tore her attention away from admiring her finished work and she turned away to open it finding Regina on the other side,
"As soon as you're finished in here, we're wanted downstairs" she said,
"I'm already done" Emma smiled, and Regina moved to one side as she exited the room closing the door behind her "Any idea what we're wanted for?" she asked as she followed Regina knowing that they weren't due to start filming for another couple of hours,
"No idea" Regina shrugged in response as they reached the ground floor "but we're abouts to find out" she said as they entered the huge reception area that they had been summoned to,
"Ahh ladies you're here" Mr Gold smiled "I wanted to introduce you both to our newest guest star, though I believe that you and he may already be acquainted Miss Mills" he smiled beckoning someone who moved next to him forwards Regina was looking at the newcomer but Emma was focused on Regina and she saw the muscles in her jaw suddenly clench and her whole posture tense, whoever the new comer was Regina wasn't a fan,
"Yes" Regina seemed to force out eyes narrowing as she spoke "I've worked with Mr Locksley before"
"Now, now Regina" a male voice spoke up drawing Emma's attention away from Regina and towards its source "call me Robin" he insisted leering at Regina in a way that made Emma's skin crawl, "and you" he continued turning to look Emma up and down his immediate disapproval of her evident in his features "must be Emma"
"Yep, that's me" Emma confirmed in her usual jolly tone her eyes remaining cold as she stared back at him,
Moments passed after that in awkward silence until Mr Gold finally broke it,
"Robin is here to be play Thomas" he said unnecessarily because both Emma and Regina had already deduced much for themselves "I trust that that won't be an issue" he continued looking back and forth between the two women and Robin still staring at each other in awkward silence,
"No not at all" Regina replied smiling sweetly at Gold, "But if there's nothing else, I still have some unpacking to do" she turned and began to walk away pausing in the doorway and calling over her shoulder "Are you coming Emma?"
"Sure" Emma replied quickly following Regina out of the room,
"What was that about?" Emma whispered as soon as she was sure that they were out of ear shot,
"Remember I told you that I'd met some creeps in my time?" Emma nodded eyes wide as she guessed what was coming next "Well let's just say that he is one of them, if you'll take my advice, you'll stay well away from him" she shuddered and Emma reached to take hold of her hand giving it a little squeeze,
"I will" she whispered, Regina nodded apparently satisfied by that answer gave Emma's hand a quick squeeze then let it go and headed into her room.
They didn't see Robin again that night and with Emma keeping her promise to avoid him outside of work and them not having had any scenes with him yet, neither of them saw much of him over the following two days either, but Emma had always known that that couldn't last and sure enough three days later they filmed together for the first time.
Somehow Emma felt that it hadn't taken much acting for Robin to become the vile character that Thomas was and that only made her dislike of him grow, both on and off set he sent shivers through her body and not in the good way that Regina so often did.
Each time he lay his hands on her Emma had to fight all her instincts telling her to fight and run, she used some new exercises that Archie had taught her to help her focus and stay in the room so that she wouldn't end up lost in her memories again but it was an extremely taxing and exhausting task and Emma was relieved when the actors dressed as police officers dragged Robin off for the last time and a wrap was called on filming for the day.
Exhausted Emma wished everyone a goodnight and trudged up to bed she was snuggled into the depths of her warm duvet on the edge of sleep when a noise out on the landing dragged her back to consciousness, blinking she strained her ears to figure out what the noise that had disturbed her was but she was met with silence, sighing she rolled over and closed her eyes whatever it was all was quiet now, but before she could fall asleep she heard it again, raised voices coming from the landing she sat bolt upright trying to make out what was being said and wondering whether she should interrupt the argument ensuing out there or just keep out of it when one of the voices rose louder still,
"I said get away from me" she heard Regina shout and she was out of bed wrenching her door open like a shot,
"Aww come on Regina, stop playing hard to get, you know you want me" Robin replied pinning Regina to the wall by her wrists,
"You heard the lady" Emma yelled squinting against the sudden onslaught of light in her eyes after the much lower light cast by the lamp in of her room, rage boiling inside her from what she was witnessing "get away from her"
"Nobody asked you bitch" Robin seethed releasing Regina's wrists and turning on Emma, "You already said your goodnights new blood now why don't you just turn around go back in your room and get back in your little bed and leave the grown-ups to it" Robin snarled backing her against the wall.
"Stop it Robin" Regina yelled running forward and trying to pull him away from Emma, but he brought a hand up which connected with her face with a resounding thwack and sent her stumbling a few steps backwards tears in in her eyes,
A long time ago Emma would have coward through paralyzing fear as this pig loomed above her throwing punches at anyone who moved, but not today, today Emma knew how to defend herself from jerks like him and even more than that today Emma wanted to protect Regina, who was stood a short distance away cradling her cheek with a shocked look on her face, today Emma cocked her head to one side starring Robin straight in eye and said,
"Go to hell asshole" she took a split second to watch in satisfaction as his eyes widened in response to her words which had been wholly unexpected on his part, brought up a knee connecting it forcefully with his crown jewels and quickly followed it with a swift headbutt to his nose an even stronger feeling of satisfaction coursing through her when she heard a satisfying crunch and saw and explosion of blood splat across his face, she moved away from him leaving him temporarily unable to speak as he stood doubled over hands between his legs with his mouth hanging open and his nose bleeding profusely, and joined Regina a short distance away,
"Are you okay?" she whispered for Regina's ears only, Regina nodded in response though the sparkling tears brimming her eyes betrayed her, Emma didn't say anything else she just opened her arms and waited for Regina to step into them before wrapping them securely around her,
"I'll have you arrested for this" Robin growled when he finally regained his ability to speak and stand upright, his hands now cupped around his sore nose,
"You run along and do whatever you need to" Emma smiled demurely over Regina's shoulder "but while you're cradling your poor bloody nose and spinning your tale about how a woman bested you, do try to remember that I acted in self-defence, it's not going to look so good on you when your bruised and bloody face is plastered over all the magazine's with the headline 'ROBIN LOCKSLEY GETS BESTED WHEN HE ASSAULTS FEMALE CO-STARS' now is it"
"You wouldn't" Robin spluttered outraged,
"Oh, but I would Robin" Emma replied, "and I'd do it with pleasure, pick your battles wisely Locksley and don't come anywhere near either of us ever again unless we are on set understand?"
"Whatever" he retorted turning around thoroughly defeated and stalking off,
"He's gone" Emma murmured into Regina's hair the second he was out of sight,
"Thank-goodness for that" Regina sighed giving Emma a final squeeze before she stepped out of her embrace "Thanks Emma" she smiled
"Anytime" Emma replied returning the smile and frowning slightly at the angry red mark smarting on Regina's cheek, "I can come in with you with you for a bit if you need some company" she offered,
"Thanks, but I'm fine" Regina said shaking her head slightly and setting alarms bells ringing in Emma's head, she was lying of that Emma was sure, Regina wasn't okay but regardless of her own personal feelings Emma had to accept and respect what Regina said so with a nod and small smile Emma retreated towards her own room pausing with her hand on the handle,
"I'm only next door if you need me" she said looking back towards Regina,
"Thanks" Regina replied pushing her door open "I'll see you in the morning" she smiled and stepped through the door allowing it to click back into place behind her and with nothing else to do Emma followed suit.
It took her a while to fall asleep, but she must have done eventually or the knocking on the door wouldn't have just woken her up,
Grabbing her glasses Emma put them on and stumbled towards the door she could hear the muffled sobs coming from the other side before she had even opened it,
"Regina what's wrong, did he come back?" Emma asked suddenly wide awake at the sight of the crumpled crying mess that was Regina Mills outside of her bedroom door,
"Oh Emma" Regina gasped taking Emma by surprise by throwing herself into her arms "thank God you're okay"
"Of course, I am" Emma supplied wrapping strong comforting arms around Regina "why wouldn't I be?'
"It was awful" Regina choked out causing Emma's alarm to grow,
"What was sweetie" Emma soothed trying her best to remain calm so as not to feed into Regina's panic.
"y you were dead and I, I couldn't stop him" she sobbed
"It's okay" as realisation settled over her, Emma felt relief flood through her, between the disturbing scenes they had filmed yesterday and Robins behaviour towards them later Regina had, had a horrible nightmare, but that's all it was, a bad dream, it couldn't really hurt her.
Pulling back a little with Regina continuing to cling onto her waist as though her life depended on it, Emma gently cupped Regina's face in her hands and began to wipe her tears away with her thumbs, careful not to put any pressure on the light bruising that was beginning to show up on her cheek.
"you're safe now, I'm safe, it wasn't real it was just a bad dream" she whispered her eyes locking with Regina's fear filled ones for a second to long before Regina tore hers away and buried the side of her face into Emma's chest, without thinking Emma dropped a gentle kiss atop her head and began to rub gentle circles on her back eliciting small sighs of satisfaction from Regina as she completely melted into her arms, snuggling in closer, listening to Emma's heart beating steadily, as the remaining remnants of the nightmare left her,
"Would you like me to walk you back to your room now?" Emma asked a little while later when the two still hadn't moved from their positions in each other's arms,
"I'd much rather stay here with you, if that's okay" Regina implored squeezing Emma a little tighter to emphasize her point,
Emma didn't answer she merely shrugged and led Regina over to the bed of tangled sheets, straightened them out and invited her to lie down, Regina not needing to be asked twice immediately snuggled into the warm blankets Emma's comforting scent surrounding her and filling her senses, she closed her eyes, breathing deeply as she relaxed,
"Where are you going?" she asked eyes suddenly snapping open as she felt Emma retreating away from the bed,
"I was just going to" Emma floundered holding up the red bed throw and pointing towards the sofa across the room,
"You can't sleep on there" Regina exclaimed quickly catching on "Please, when I said I wanted to stay with you, I meant with you, please Emma" she pleaded eyes wide again now with fresh tears pricking in the corners of them "I'm afraid that the nightmare will come back, I feel safe with you, please don't leave me here alone"
"Hey, it's okay" Emma soothed slightly alarmed because she had never seen Regina this vulnerable before, "I didn't want to assume anything and intrude on your space that's all, but if you want me here then I'm here" she said reiterating her words by slipping between the sheets beside Regina and pulling her slight trembling frame into her arms, dropping another gentle kiss on top of her head without a second thought as Regina cuddled in close and relaxed against her.
"Thank-you" Regina whispered snuggling in even closer, her breathing evening out again as her panic receded, "Thank-you"
"That's what friends are for" Emma smiled in response resting her cheek on the top of Regina's head and allowing her eyelids to drop closed.
The familiar sound of the alarm blared and sunlight filtered through a small gap between the curtains, Emma blinked hazily confusion setting in as she became aware of the soft warmth that was her bed partner who was currently wrapped tightly around her resting their hand on Emma's bare midriff which had been exposed when her tank top had ridden upwards somewhen during the night, Emma's own hand rested on a soft and mercifully covered mound that was unmistakably a breast that was not her own,
"Regina" Emma mumbled her memory suddenly catching up with her as she whipped her hand away from where it had fallen uninvited while she had slept and fumbled about for her phone as the brunette in her arms began to stir, snuggling closer to Emma as she murmured,
"Good morning, Emma"
"Morning Regina" Emma smiled finally retrieving her mobile and shutting the racket coming from it off,
"How do you feel this morning?" she asked concern creeping into her face as she gave Regina a quick reassuring squeeze,
"My face is still a bit sore, but I feel much better thanks to you" she mumbled from her position snuggled into Emma's side,
"Hey, let me have a look" Emma requested, and Regina complied creating enough space between them to allow her to tilt her head up for Emma to see her face,
"I should have hit that prick harder" Emma seethed, anger flaring in her eyes as she looked at the purplish bruising that was so much more pronounced this morning,
"Oh, I don't know, I think you definitely gave him something to think about" Regina winked and winced,
"Yes well…" Emma grumbled climbing out of bed and pacing the room,
"Hey" Regina scrambled out after her stopping her in her tracks "This isn't your fault and you gave that asshat what he had coming so don't beat yourself up after this okay" Emma looked into Regina's earnest eyes, sighed, and nodded,
"Okay" She replied, "but at least let me walk you to your door, we've got to get ready now"
"Sounds reasonable to me" Regina smiled leading the way.
Gold wanted to know how Regina had acquired her bruising when he saw her over breakfast and as soon as she and Emma had filled him in, he had insisted on calling the police. Robin had been escorted off the premises in handcuffs for real later that day while Emma and Regina had been separated to give their statements and pictures had been taken of Regina's face, Emma had also taken some photo's using Regina's phone as a back-up just in case the police officer's photos ever got lost.
Robins' untimely removal had presented them with another problem because they hadn't finished filming all his scenes yet and even if they had Gold announced that evening that in light of Robins disturbingly inappropriate behaviour, he was being removed from the cast which would mean that a replacement would be needed, and all the scenes would need reshooting with them. So, the next few days were spent filming the rest of Emma and Regina's scenes together with plans for them to return for a few days at a later date when a new Thomas had been cast.
By the time they were heading back towards Storybrooke Regina's bruising had begun to heal and purple bruises were now tinged with a sickly yellow hue, Emma felt renewed anger towards Robin every time she saw it and the fact that he had been charged with assault brought her very little comfort, with his money and contacts excuses would be made and it would soon be swept under the carpet as though it never happened, Regina would never see any kind of justice and Robin would walk free, damn corrupt legal system.
Regina however was in high spirits as they shared a car again for their return journey, her focus was on the tour that Emma was going to give her in a week's time and Emma had to admit that even though she was still upset by what had happened between them and Robin, Regina's enthusiasm was extremely contagious and soon she was joining in with Regina's excited babble telling her all about all the places that she was planning on showing her.