They met early the following morning and Emma started their day by taking Regina for breakfast in Grannies,
"Because you've had every meal but breakfast here so far" Emma explained as they settled into their usual booth together "and Granny makes the best breakfast ever" she smiled as stacks of fluffy pancakes topped with crispy bacon and dripping with maple syrup were placed in front of them,
Emma had also insisted on driving Regina into town pulling up outside her trailer with a honk of the horn and laughing as Regina emerged with a look of disbelief on her face,
"You're actually expecting me to get into that death trap" she asked incredulously,
"Hey, don't you speak about my girl like that" Emma berated patting the dashboard affectionately "and it wouldn't be an authentic tour if we didn't take the bug" she laughed getting out of the car and pulling her seat forward to enable access to the back seat,
"So not only am I expected to ride in this tin can, but you're also putting me in the back!" Regina exclaimed indignantly,
"Of course, not" Emma laughed harder "but I assumed that Bert and Ernie" Emma jerked her thumb towards Sidney and Jefferson who were as always standing nearby ever Regina's shadows, "would be coming along to, the back seat is for them" she smiled,
The two men eyed the tiny space in the back wearily Sidney shifted his weight from one foot to the other and Jefferson cleared his throat noisily,
"I think we'll take the Mercedes if it's all the same to you mam" he said looking from the back seat of Emma's bug to Regina,
"What and leave me alone with her" Regina replied in mock horror "what if she decides to drive off with me?"
"If I may" Sidney interjected "I think that the chances of our Miss Swan here trying to kidnap you are minimal at best but in the highly unlikely event that, that should occur we would be more than capable of outstripping this" he eyed the bug his distaste obvious "yellow contraption and stop her before she got anywhere far, we will however preform a precautionary sweep of the car to make sure that there are no concealed weapons" he indicated for Jefferson to do just that and Emma moved to one side to make room for him to access all areas of her car,
"You can always ride with us as you usually do if you'd prefer" Sidney continued addressing Regina "you and Miss Swan if it pleases you both too and if you really want us to, we would of course endeavour to get into Miss Swan's car" he eyed the car again and shuddered at the very thought "but I fear that the lack of space would present somewhat of a problem"
Regina appeared to ponder over her security details plight for a moment and then her lips broke into a huge grin, and she began to laugh,
"Don't look so panicked Sidney" she continued to laugh at the same time as Jefferson moved away from the car and declared that it was all clear,
"I keep telling you that I don't need the two of you on my tail all the time anyway, take the Mercedes I'll be fine with Emma in her yellow contraption as you so aptly called it, I'm sure it safer than it looks" she concluded though she didn't look entirely convinced as she continued to eye the bug wearily,
"Regina, you don't have to ride in it if you're that worried" Emma laughed "I'll just park it back up and we'll ride together in the Mercedes"
"No, no" Regina looked directly at Emma smiling warmly now "it wouldn't be an authentic tour if we didn't take the bug and I wouldn't anything less than authentic now would I" she chuckled lowering herself into the front passenger seat and making herself comfortable,
"Regardless of what this thing looks like I trust that you wouldn't put me in danger Emma" she said as Emma slid back into the driver's seat after pushing it back into place.
"Ughh does this thing even have suspension" Regina asked after she had stepped out of the car looking a little queasy once Emma had parked in her usual space outside of grannies,
"Yeah, it's not the best is it, sorry about that" Emma replied coyly
"Remind me again why we couldn't have just come here in the Mercedes" Regina requested as she watched the two smiling security guards pulling into the space behind them,
"Well, we wouldn't have gotten rid of them for a few minutes if we'd done that now would we" Emma grinned mischievously as she quickly inclined her head in the direction of the two men now clambering out of the parked Mercedes,
"Emma Swan you devious so and so" Regina laughed as she realised Emma's ploy to get them five minutes without the security detail that she knew Regina hated having trail her all the time "I love it" Regina continued to beam and hooked her arm through Emma's leading her into Grannies for breakfast, Sidney and Jefferson trailing behind them as they went.
"You're right that was amazing" Regina sighed placing her knife and fork together on her empty plate and sitting back in her seat "but I'm sure I won't be able to move for the rest of the day I'm so stuffed"
"Well, it won't be much of a tour if we stay sat in here all day" Emma laughed sliding her last mouthful of sweet pancakes from her fork and mirroring Regina's actions putting her cutlery together on her plate and sitting back to take a breather,
"Still at least Granny will keep feeding us I suppose"
"noo" Regina groaned making Emma's laughter grow "I couldn't possibly eat another thing, please tell me that we aren't going back in the bug just yet, I don't think my stomach can handle it,
"Nope we're on foot from here on out" Emma grinned turning to Ruby who had arrived at their table to gather up their plates, "Would you mind driving my car home after your shift?' she asked holding out her keys,
"Sure" Ruby replied taking the keys and dropping them into her apron pocket "Enjoy your day ladies, see you both later" She smiled and winked at Emma who rolled her eyes in response,
"Thanks Rubes" she called after the brunette waitresses receding back, "So you ready to go?" she asked turning back to Regina,
"I think so" Regina heaved herself up to her feet "I just need to use the bathroom first"
"Well that makes two of us" Emma laughed following behind Regina, seeing the ladies on the move Sidney and Jefferson rose to their feet to and moved to follow them,
"I'm pretty sure that the bathroom is safe" Regina sighed the two men shrugged and held back standing around awkwardly while they waited for the women to return.
"There's not an awful lot to see" Emma explained as they walked down the main street, but they had barely walked half a dozen steps when the slimeball who had published the article about Emma jumped out in front of them walking backwards brandishing his camera as he snapped shots of them,
"What the hell is wrong with you!" Emma demanded recognising him immediately "is taking pictures and making up stories to go with them how you get your rocks off?"
"No, it's just how I make my money" he sneered snapping more pictures "liked my little piece did you?" he goaded,
"It was good, but Emma's was so much better" Regina spat back at him, taking him by surprise and causing him to pause in his tracks so that they nearly crashed into him,
"Take a hike mister" Jefferson spoke up stepping between his charge and the pap, who for a second seemed to reconsider his position before he shrugged and brought the camera up snapping the shutter in the guard's face with a malicious glint in his eye,
"Welcome to the first stop on your tour" Emma announced coming to a complete halt outside of a building a few minutes later "It wasn't a planned stop admittedly, but I fear it a necessary one if we're going to shake this idiot" she said strolling past the guy with the camera and into the sheriff's station, Regina and her guards following right behind her,
"I'm sorry Emma, I really am" Sheriff David said after hearing their story he was rubbing the back of his neck anxiously and really did look sorry "there just isn't much that I can do, I can warn him to back off and not invade your space and if he carries on I can arrest him for harassment but I can't lock him up for the day for publishing a crappy article and taking photos of the two of you, I really wish I could but freedom of the press prevents me" he sighed frustrated ,
"It's okay" Regina replied gently "I understand, but if you could give him that warning we'd greatly appreciate it, at least we won't have to put up with him in our faces all day" she smiled warmly at the officer,
"I'll do what I can" David promised leaving them in the station while he went out to talk to the photographer.
"He's gone and he won't be bothering you anymore today" he smiled triumphantly when he returned a few short minutes later,
"Thanks David" Emma beamed pulling the man into a quick hug before turning her attention back to Regina "Shall we resume our days activities then?" she asked offering her arm,
"I think we shall" Regina smiled accepting the offered arm and allowing Emma to guide her back outside.
"Welcome to the clock tower" Emma announced as they approached the tallest building in the town and beneath it is the library" she continued as she pushed open the double doors and led Regina inside, "The story goes that years ago the town had a mayor who had the library installed for his very reclusive wife, some people say that her spirit still haunts the place to this day"
"Ooo spooky" Regina laughed as she watched a couple of small children lounging on a giant bean bag giggling over a book that they were looking at together in the bright cheerful children's corner their mother sat on a nearby settee tapping away at the laptop that rested on her knees pausing every few sentences to peer at her children over the top of her computer before returning her attention to her work for a few minutes more.
"Yeah, not the scariest ghost story I agree" Emma laughed as they left the library "but it's about the only one we have here"
"I never really cared for ghost stories anyway" Regina shrugged as they paused outside of a shop with a window display of the most ornate beautifully hand carved furniture that Regina had ever seen, "But this" she breathed
"This" Emma said "Is Marco and son, they carve everything by hand"
"It's amazing" Regina replied drifting towards the entrance and reaching for the door pausing to turn back to Emma "do you mind if we go in?" she asked
"Not at all" Emma beamed following Regina through the door and watching intrigued as the brunette ran her fingers over the intricate designs carved into the tables and chairs that she passed as she moved deeper into store, Jefferson and Sidney opted to stay outside flanking the door fearing that the cluttered little shop would quickly become overcrowded if they too squeezed inside.
"Emma" Marco boomed jovially, startling the blonde,
"Hey there Marco" Emma smiled returning the embrace that he had immediately initiated upon seeing her "It's great to see you, you look well"
"You too il mio tesoro, the acting life is treating you well, no"
"It sure is" Emma's smile grew "there's been some challenges but overall, the experience has been amazing"
"And you've made a beautiful new friend I see" Marco stated looking over in Regina's direction who was standing a short distance away fingering the intricate details on one of his smaller pieces, a jewellery box admiring the skill and technique that had gone into making such a beautiful thing,
"I certainly have" Emma gushed following Marcos's gaze "That's Regina she's a colleague and a friend"
"Ahh another star in my little shop" Marco beamed working his way over to Regina closely followed by Emma,
"Have you found something you like my dear" he asked as he approached her
"It's all so wonderful I'm finding it difficult to choose, you and your son are wonderfully talented" Regina smiled putting the box back on the shelf eyes still raking over all the other items,
"Perhaps you do not know what you want because the item that belongs to you simply hasn't been put on the self yet" Marco responded mysteriously, eyes shining,
"Maybe" Regina agreed "but I will choose something, I can't possibly leave here empty handed" she said picking up another box to examine,
"You wait" Marco said excitedly looking between Emma and Regina "I have the perfect thing for you out back"
He scurried off returning seconds later holding a small round box in his hands
"I just finished working on this one this morning" he smiled proudly as he handed it to Regina who immediately discarded the box that she had been holding and began to turn the new one over in her hands to examine it from every angle,
"I rather enjoyed engraving the swans on your picture frame" Marco admitted winking at Emma as Regina ran her fingers over the beautiful swan sitting on the lid "I'm thinking of starting a whole line of swan themed items" he laughed and continued to watch Regina turning the box over in her hands moving her fingers over the waves engraved all around its sides now.
When she was finally done examining it, Regina carefully lifted the lid and gasped, inside a little ballerina twirled on her spot while Tchaikovsky's swan lake filtered into the room beautifully and delicately,
"It's wonderful" Regina breathed her eyes never leaving the ballerina, "How much is it?" she asked
"This, it Is not for sale" Marco replied shaking his head,
"What" Regina retorted finally tearing her eyes from the box, closing its lid silencing the music eyes brimming with disappointment "but you said…"
"It is not for sale" Marco smiled moving closer and reaching out to place his hands over the top Regina's which were still cradling the box with great care "because it is a gift for you"
"But I couldn't" Regina exclaimed amazed at the generosity that this man she had only just met was offering her, "you must let me pay you for it"
"Nonsense, you're a good friend to il mio tesoro you make her happy, so you make me happy and when I'm happy I give gifts, now please take it" Marco insisted
"You should really take it you know" Emma interjected when Regina moved to argue further "You'll only end up offending him if you don't and then he won't let you buy anything" she laughed and Regina nodded her understanding,
"Thank-you" she said in awe holding her box close "I'll treasure this forever" she promised smiling down at the swan sitting on her box,
"Oh, I know you will" Marco replied beaming at Emma.
Back outside Emma wasn't sure how she was going to be able to top Marco's, so she didn't try, she simply showed Regina the rest of the main street finishing where they started outside Grannies where Ruby was waiting for them with a cool bag in hand,
"Ah I see you've been to seen Marco" Ruby grinned a certain twinkle in her eye as she caught sight of the box still sitting in Regina's hands
"What exactly have you been saying to him" Emma asked eyeing Ruby suspiciously
"Me" Ruby exclaimed hand pressed to her chest in feigned innocence "Nothing, well nothing much, I just mentioned how nice Regina Is, it was Granny that couldn't stop raving about her" she laughed "and you know Marco Emma" Ruby continued "He loves the bones off you so if someone makes you happy, he loves them to"
"He loves you just as much" Emma smiled
"Yeah, then how come you're his precious treasure and I'm just his little scamp" Ruby scowled, and Emma laughed,
"He really thought that you were going to lead me astray when we were younger didn't he" Emma giggled
"Yep, you got me in all sorts of trouble little miss not so innocent" Ruby said holding the cool bag out "Now do I have to stand here all day or are you going to take this already" she smiled.
"So, Marco" Regina said glancing down at her box as she followed after Emma once Ruby had returned to work "He's a good friend of the family?" she enquired,
"Friend" Emma replied "Nah, he is family, he's the uncle I never knew I wanted" she laughed leading them through a set of gates and into a park where they walked for half an hour before Emma led them to a secluded area that didn't look as though it was visited much and settled them down for some lunch,
"mmm" Regina groaned into her sandwich sending shivers through Emma's body "I've said it before and I'll say it again, Granny makes the best sandwiches"
"That she does" Emma agreed tucking in to her own.
Once lunch was over Emma took Regina to see the final few places on her itinerary then she dropped off the empty cool bag at grannies, Ruby having finished her shift a couple of hours earlier was no longer there so Emma just handed it off to the waitress that was in and left with Regina taking her on the well-trodden paths to her home.
"I know it's not much" Emma shrugged as she opened the loft door "but it's home"
The second that she opened the door music assaulted Emma's ears and Ruby skidded past her wrapped in nothing but a towel singing wicked enthusiastically into her hairbrush making both Emma and Regina burst out laughing,
"Shot ladies" Dorothy asked approaching the little gathering balancing a tray of acid green shots on one hand,
"Not for me thanks" Emma politely declined the offer while Regina accepted one and downed it immediately shuddering as she swallowed,
"I'm the designated driver for tonight" Emma explained "I have to make sure that this one gets home safe" she smiled fondly at Regina who had just accepted a second shot,
"And on that note, we have to get ready" she smiled relieving Regina of her empty glasses and replacing them on the tray, "Did you bring the bag in from my car?" she asked Ruby,
"I did, it's up on your bed" Ruby shouted over the music,
"Great thanks" Emma called back directing Regina up to her room where the brunette promptly plopped herself down on the end of Emma's bed kicked off her shoes and leaned down to rub her sore feet,
"Here let me" Emma offered sitting on the floor in front of her and gently taking Regina's foot into her hands,
"God that's good" Regina moaned as Emma pressed into all the right area's moving onto the second foot once the first was done,
"Better?" she asked looking up at Regina once she was finished
"Much" Regina smiled back "thank-you, now where can I grab a shower" she asked as she rummaged in her bag pulling out a hanger with a garment bag attached and hanging it on the front of Emma's wardrobe then rooting further pulled out her wash bag,
"It's downstairs" Emma replied grabbing her clean towelled robe and handing it to Regina, "you can go first and change up here when you're done" she said "I'll take my stuff downstairs and get ready in the bathroom" she smiled, and Regina nodded following Emma from the room robe and wash bag in hand.
"Soo" Ruby waggled her eyebrows at Emma while she was waiting for Regina to finish in the bathroom "have you two made with the smooches yet or what" Emma rolled her eyes and went to retort but Regina apparently out of the bathroom now cut in before she had the chance,
"Oh yes" she said, "and she took me to bed" Both Emma and Ruby turned to face her with matching stunned looks on their faces and Regina burst out laughing,
"You've been holding out on me Emma" Ruby accused
"What, uh what no I haven't" Emma spluttered,
"Yes, things certainly have heated up between Isabella and Leah" Regina added innocently then turned and walked away leaving the other two women to work out what the hell was going on.
Emma was back in her best jeans and favourite glittery red top, her curls perfectly defined and her face shaded with a light touch of make-up watching Regina's heels appear on the stairs as she descended, the more of her that became visible the more that she took Emma's breath away, the little black number that she wore hugged Regina's figure in all the right places, she clutched a small bag in her right hand and the bigger bag that Ruby had brought in from the car in the other,
Her make-up was a little heavier than Emma's not that she needed and though she looked flawlessly stunning, and her full glossy red lips looked incredibly inviting as she stopped at the bottom of the stairs in front of Emma, Emma couldn't help but think back to casual fresh-faced Regina in the trailer.
"You look amazing" Emma whispered reaching up to tuck a stray hair behind Regina's ear,
"You don't look so bad yourself" Regina smiled looking Emma up and down
"Thanks" Emma blushed clearing her throat, "Let me take that bag from you" she said reaching for the bigger of the two "I'll just go put it back in the car"
"Are we taking the car to the club?" Regina asked
"No, we're walking" Emma grinned following Dorothy and Ruby out of the loft Regina hot on her heels.
The club was loud as always, the alcohol flowed though Emma for a change stuck to soft drinks laughing as Regina's inhibitions began to lower with more alcohol she consumed, and she began to let her hair down, pulling Emma onto the dance floor,
"you're friends seem to be watching us" Regina laughed nodding towards Ruby and Dorothy who indeed had their eyes glued on Regina and Emma as they danced, "Maybe we should give them a show" Regina added eyes glinting mischievously as the music slowed and she pulled closer to Emma moving her body suggestively against the blondes momentarily robbing Emma of her breath as she attempted to make her own body move in time with Regina's hands resting on her hips,
"Are they still watching" Regina whispered her face impossibly close to Emma's,
"mmm hmm" Emma nodded glancing over Regina's shoulder, and then Regina's lips were on hers, it was a ghost of kiss, so light and quick but none the less Regina had kissed the very stunned blonde before twiring away and pulling Emma closer again, with her back facing Emma now she pulled Emma's hands around her waist and reached one of her own hands up draping it behind Emma's neck and continued to wriggle her body.
As soon as the song finished, they moved apart laughing at the shocked looks on Ruby and Dorothy's faces as they moved over to the bar.
"On the soft stuff tonight, I see" Killian's voice sounded as he sidled onto the chair next to Emma's
"Who's this" Regina asked moving closer to Emma's other side and wrapping a protective arm around her waist,
"Killian" he introduced himself offering a hand which Regina reluctantly accepted "Emma and I go way back" he smiled
"Oh, you do, do you" Regina pulled her hand back eyebrow raised,
"Not like that" Emma giggled unsure of why she felt the need to explain herself, so what if they had dated in the past "He's a good friend" she explained non the less and Regina seeming satisfied returned her attention to her drink.
"Waz up" Ruby said her grinning face suddenly appearing in-between Emma and Regina arms draped over their shoulders, "wanna come dance?"
"Count me in" Regina grinned slipping off her stool and grabbing Ruby by the hand,
"Not me" Emma smiled "I need a break"
Emma laughed as she watched Regina and Ruby clowning around on the dance floor, the truth was that she would have loved to have been up there joining in with them and if she had have had a few drinks on board then maybe she would have been but as it was in her current state of sobriety with her mind still on her last dance with Regina she didn't think that she could face another at least not yet she still needed a bit of time to cool off,
"You like her huh" Killian suddenly cut through her thoughts,
"Is it really that obvious" Emma sighed taking a sip of her drink,
"Little bit" Killian laughed
"I'm so completely screwed" Emma sighed again looking glum,
"Not if she likes you back" Killian winked and took a sneaky swig from his ever-present rum flask,
"As if" Emma replied feeling thoroughly defeated,
"I think Regina and Ruby are ready to go home now" Dorothy cut in pointing at the two giggling women falling about on the dance floor,
"Definitely" Emma agreed forcing her face into a smile that turned into genuine laughter as she watched her two friends wobbling towards the bar desperately trying to keep each other upright,
"Come on" she said wrapping a gentle arm around Regina and guiding her out of the door while Dorothy supported Ruby, outside the fresh air hit and Ruby wobbled more precariously than ever and in one swift well practised movement Dorothy had her in her arms while Emma continued to support a very wobbly Regina on foot behind them, further back in the shadows remaining as inconspicuous as they had all night Sidney and Jefferson followed.
The little party hadn't made it more than ten steps from the club when the slimeball photographer suddenly appeared again snapping more pictures,
"Don't you ever get the message" Emma shouted "stay the hell away from us arsehole"
But most frustratingly he wasn't going anywhere this time, Grannies was just across the street, so Emma opted to duck in there with Regina handing her car keys to Jefferson asking him to bring her car to them.
Inside she guided Regina to their usual booth and ordered them both a coffee and a pint of water for Regina,
"You've gone very quiet" she murmured to Regina
"Sorry" Regina replied
"Don't let that idiot spoil your day" Emma said
"I just wish I could get away from the damn paps for one day" Regina sighed her brow suddenly wrinkling into a frown,
"Downside of a small town I'm afraid" Emma sighed taking a swig of coffee "not anywhere to hide"
"I guess" Regina replied eyes cast down in defeat,
Emma considered the beautiful woman sitting in front of her for a moment, there was a place where Emma knew they could escape for a while, but it was one of her best kept secrets, she'd never shared it with anybody else before not even Ruby, was this the time to break that habit, finally share her special place with someone else?
She continued to contemplate as she watched Regina finish her coffee the silence stretching between while an internal battle waged unseen inside of her, should she show Regina her secret place away from prying eyes? Would she be able to even if she wanted to because there was no way that she was taking Bert and Ernie along and they were always glued to Regina whenever she left the complex,
"Penny for them" Regina murmured
"Hmm" Emma replied looking into Regina's curious face meeting warm brown eyes with her own,
"Your thoughts" Regina laughed "You've been sat there in silence for the last five minutes pondering over something, what's on your mind?" Regina asked smiling fondly at her,
"Oh" Emma smiled finally getting it and making her decision, "There is a place" she continued softly, "I'm pretty certain that I'm the only one in town who knows about it, so you could use it to escape for a bit if you wanted"
"Really" Regina replied eagerly, eyes lighting up,
"If I take you there you have to promise you won't tell anybody, and we'd have to by-pass your security, I'd like to keep it my secret for as long as I can, of course I'd understand if you didn't want to go" Emma added hastily and paused to watch Regina mull over her words,
"I find your terms acceptable" Regina eventually replied, "Now when can we go?"
"And you promise that you won't tell anybody about it" Emma pressed heart racing in anticipation,
"You have my word" Regina promised
"Okay" Emma nodded satisfied "We'll leave first thing in the morning; you'll want to wear something comfortable and inconspicuous with trainers" Emma listed glancing towards the door when bell jangled, and Jefferson walked in "I'll bring breakfast" she added quietly watching his progress "and be warned it's a bit of trek" she smiled standing up "I'll knock for you when I'm ready"
"And I'll be ready and waiting" Regina smiled back her own excitement rising as she to stood up,
"We'll go out the back way" Emma told Jefferson who nodded and left alone to move the bug, leaving Emma to lead Regina through the kitchen and out the back,
They got in the car and back to the complex without any further incidents, Emma completed the day how she had started it driving Regina in the bug, once she had dropped her home safe, she pulled into her parking space and let herself into her trailer, sent Regina a quick goodnight text then sent another to Ruby before turning in for the night.
Hey Rubes, it was great seeing you tonight, I really need a favour in the morning, I'll owe you big time………….
A/N Google translate tells me that il mio tesoro means my treasure in Italian