A/N: First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who continue to give this story a chance since the very beginning. I greatly appreciate your endless support and I hope to keep reviving it. Now, I know that for some of you this story may be a little too slow and that you are eager to have Emma and Regina become intimate already. Let me just take this quick note to remind you, that this is a slow burn, and that Emma and Regina's time will come. I'm sorry if maybe some of you are unhappy with how slow things are progressing, but this is how I want it (as its author), and keep in mind, Regina has been a victim of rape for so many years, it's hard for her to just jump right to sex. I have a few moments I want Emma and Regina to share before 'the other shoe drops,' in this story. BUT IT WILL. The more I write, the closer I am getting to that moment, as you will see from reading this chapter. Personally, I feel this has been my best creation yet, compared to my other stories and I refuse to be rushed on my ideas. So, sit back, and enjoy each chapter as they are becoming longer for your enjoyment. :) Happy reading!
"You're going to be a cop?"
Emma smiled at Regina's question as she heard it over the phone while she lied in bed. "Not a cop. Security. I'm simply going to be keeping watch in case anything suspicious happens around the station. Nothing too threatening."
Regina scoffed as she sat up in bed. "Well, I certainly hope not. The last thing I need is to receive a frantic call from your mother saying that you've been shot."
Emma grinned. "Well, I must admit. You coming here to take care of me and becoming my own personal nurse sounds heavenly."
The brunette chuckled and shook her head. "Emma, this is no joking matter."
"Who's joking? I'd give anything to make that happen." Said Emma. "No, but seriously, it's nothing dangerous. It's every other Saturday and it'll be during the daytime."
"People get shot during the daytime, Ms. Swan." Regina rolls her eyes.
"You're going to hate me for saying this, but you're starting to sound a lot like my mother."
Regina's brow lifted. "I wish I was your mother, Ms. Swan. Then, you would think twice about accepting this part time job."
Emma scrunched her nose, but was unable to help a chuckle from escaping her. "Well, thank God, you aren't. Because if you were my mother, then the feelings and thoughts I have of you and for you would be sinfully and morally wrong. Not to mention, it would be even more wrong that I wouldn't stop having them for you."
Regina smirked. She loved messing with Emma on that subject. "Yes, it would be. It's not enough that you once dated my daughter, but can you imagine how wrong things would seem if you were her sister and my daughter all at once?"
"Okay, I think that's enough of that conversation." Emma shifted in her bed. "How was your day?"
"It was fine. Well, as fine as it can be when I'm not with you." Regina shrugged.
"You miss me that much?" Emma smiled, feeling as if her heart was ready to explode.
"Without a doubt." Regina's head turned to the empty spot next to her on the bed, seeing only her book. "I only wish you were here right now, holding me, like you always do."
Emma sighed, "I wish for that for every second that I'm not with you. And someday, not far, we'll be together for good. We'll have our own place to live together. Maybe not as luxurious as the house you're in, but it'll be more than enough."
Regina chuckles and her eyes light up. "That's the second time you've mentioned us living together."
"Does it bother you? I mean, it's not like I'm asking you to come live with me by next week either. It'll take some time, but it'll be doable."
"No." Regina smiled. "No, it doesn't bother me. And to be perfectly honest with you," her eyes look around the room. "I may have it all with Leopold, a roof where to spend my nights- alone- but… I've never cared where I lived. Believe me, if I could get out of this house, I would. In a heartbeat. I would gladly live under a bridge inside a cardboard box if it meant I could leave this place."
"We can do that, Regina. You can do that. You can do anything you set your mind to. I believe in you." Said Emma.
"The problem isn't you believing in me, Emma. It's that I don't believe I can."
Emma frowned. "Well, then I'll just have to make you believe it. Make you see what I see in you."
"And how on earth are you thinking about doing that?" Regina chuckled.
"I don't know, but I'll come up with something." Emma smiled.
"Has anyone ever told you how stubborn you are?"
"Mm, once or twice." Said Emma.
Regina grinned. "I love you. And thank you for an amazing weekend."
"Thank you for loving me." Emma's eyes light up. "And I promise, that's only one of many amazing weekends together. Speaking of, I talked to August, and he assured me that Audrey won't be at his beach party."
Regina sighed with relief. "I have to see what Leopold will be doing on Saturday." Her head turns to glance at the clock by her bedside table. "For now, I'll let you get some sleep. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow, Ms. Swan."
"Is that the mom in you talking or is that… Professor Regina Mills?" Emma grinned.
"Emma." Regina threw a glare, even though it was not directed at Emma, but she smirked as she suspected Emma was, too.
"I'll message you tomorrow as soon as I'm able." Said Emma with a smile.
"You better."
"I love you. Have a good night, Gina."
To hear Emma say she loved her always sent Regina's heart in an uncontrollable spiral.
"I love you, too." Pressing the end call button, Regina placed her phone by her bedside table, her eyes glancing down at the rose that rested on a vase. She smiled, thinking about their weekend together and about how incredibly patient Emma was.
Emma walked along campus, her camera hanging around her neck, books in hand while she smiled down at a text from Regina. She was off early today, and she couldn't wait for tomorrow. It had been days since Emma and Regina had seen each other, and tomorrow (being Saturday) would finally be a day to spend together. And it would be her first day as a security guard.
Her thumb tapped along the screen when she felt something, or someone ran into her, her books and phone landing on the floor.
"Shit, I'm sorry-"
"It's my fault, I'm-"
"Audrey. Hi." Emma froze.
Audrey looked just as surprised as Emma did. "Hi."
Emma shouldn't be surprised that she would run into Audrey here. It was only a matter of time.
Emma quickly bent down, picking up her phone and tucking it inside of her back pocket. She picked up Audrey's books, which had fallen to the floor and handed them to her.
"Thank you." Audrey gave a small smile.
"Um… How are you?" Asked Emma.
Audrey shrugged, "Good, I guess. Busy."
"Y- yeah, me, too."
Talk about awkward situations. They stood in silence for what felt like a minute.
"Well, I'll see you around?" Said Audrey, brushing back a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah. See ya." Was all Emma could reply. She turned to watch Audrey walk away before releasing a much needed sigh and continuing on her way.
"Come on, Ruby." Graham leaned against the front desk, his eyes locked on Ruby, who was too focused on typing up on the computer, then giving him at least a second of her day. "One date." He held up his pointer finger. "How about dinner tonight?"
"Sorry, Grahammy-bear," Ruby shook her head, finally taking pity and looking into the man's eyes as she said, "I can't." She sees him frown. "I already have plans to go to a movie tonight."
"Well, great! I love the movies." Graham rushes to the other side of the desk as Ruby slides her chair across the floor.
Ruby chuckles, "I doubt you'll like this one. It's a romance." She takes a stamp and begins to stamp a few papers.
"That's perfect!" Graham perked up, or pretended to. He wasn't the type to like a good romance film, too cliche for his taste. But for Ruby Lucas, there wasn't anything he wasn't willing to try just to get an ounce of her attention.
Ruby however, wasn't buying it, given the glare in her eye and raised brow. "You like romance films? A tough looking guy like you? Get out." She smirks and slides her chair across the floor to get to the other side of the desk.
"I do! Very much!" Graham rushes over, hearing her nails type up on the keyboard of the computer. "A guy could enjoy a good romance film. What's wrong with that?"
"Well, I'm no expert, but in my experience," Ruby brought her typing to a halt and sighed as she looked at Graham. "There are two reasons. One," she holds up her forefinger. "He possibly still lives with his mother."
"I have my own apartment."
"Or two," Ruby holds up her fore and middle fingers. "He's gay." She goes back to typing as quickly as Graham deflates before her. Her eyes look up at him from behind the computer screen. "Which, I'm sure you're not of course."
As if on command, Graham's chest puffs out and his stance straightens proudly.
"Good morning, all." David smiled in greeting, coming into the station with Emma beside him, dressed up in her security uniform, along with a baseball cap that read security up front.
"Morning, Sheriff!" Ruby waved from behind her computer.
"Sheriff, Nolan." Graham nodded, looking over at Emma.
"Working hard as always?" David asked with a grin.
"The station won't run itself, Sheriff." Said Ruby, her typing coming to a halt.
"You're right about that." David placed his hand against Emma's shoulder. "Anyway, I'd like you two to meet a new addition to our team. This is Emma Swan, my kid for all intents and purposes. She'll be working here part-time, helping Bill out with security detail."
"Finally, someone capable. Bill could surely use the help." Ruby stood from her seat and stretched out a hand to Emma. "Welcome, Em! I'm Ruby Lucas. I work the front desk, dispatcher, filing, that sort of thing. Unless of course we are short staffed, then I'm out there with the rest." She grins.
"Hey, Ruby." Emma smiled, shaking her hand.
"I hope you're a runner." Said Ruby with a raised brow. "Bill can't run two blocks without coming close to an asthma attack."
Emma chuckled, already taking a liking to Ruby. "Well, I ran track in High School, so you tell me."
"Track?" Ruby looked over at David, impressed. "Finally, Sheriff, someone more than capable."
"And this is Graham," David looked over at Graham, who nodded at Emma.
"Welcome aboard, Emma." Graham firmly shook Emma's hand. "You'll like it here. I promise you."
"Thank you. I'm sure I will." Emma smiled. She had butterflies in her stomach, but if she compared these to the ones she felt when she was around Regina- Regina's would win by a mile.
"Well," David clapped Emma's back. "Let me finish showing you around, and you can head on down to the garage with Bill."
"Bye, Em." Ruby waved before going back to her typing.
"So, how about it, Rubes?" Graham leaned on the desk. "Will you go with me to see a movie?"
Ruby glared up from her computer, keeping her poker face.
"I'm out of mind attending this party with Emma, aren't I?" Regina found herself baking a few apple turnovers in the kitchen with Sidney. No particular reason, just her nerves settling in about the college party Emma had invited her to later.
Sidney's chest rumbled with a light chuckle as he watched her go from one end of the kitchen to the other in a nervous step.
"I mean, what forty-one year old woman, who's a mother, would be finding herself at a college party with people younger than her?" Regina tossed her oven mitt onto the counter, sighing. "Sidney. Tell me I'm crazy."
"That's not the word I would use to describe you, ma'am." Said Sidney. "And you certainly aren't as old as you think you are. Even Ms. Emma sees that."
Regina scoffed, "Emma doesn't know any better."
"If she didn't know any better, ma'am, she wouldn't have fallen in love with you."
Regina sighed once more. "That's another thing that worries me."
"However so?" Sidney's brow creased quizzically. "You two love each other, I see nothing wrong with that."
"Sidney," This time, Regina glared. "There are about a hundred things wrong with that. Emma has a whole life ahead of her, she has plans, dreams. They… They can't possibly involve me."
"And why not?" Sidney's head tilts. "If she loves as much as she says she does, her plans- her life- includes you."
"Well, maybe they shouldn't. I would just put a stop to her life, if she continues to be with me."
Sidney shakes his head. "I think you do nothing more than brighten her life. I figured she would have shown you that by now."
"Well," Regina sighs. "I won't admit that my life has taken… Quite the surprising turn ever since Emma and I- I mean she's certainly different from anyone I've ever met before. Audrey was right, Emma is kind, and thoughtful… And very passionate." She smiles, but shakes her head soon after, fighting against the blush that settles on her cheeks, especially after witnessing a grin forming along Sidney's lips.
"Sounds to me like Ms. Emma isn't the only one who's over the moon, hm?" His grin grows, and his hand gives Regina's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.
"I am out of mind." Regina shakes her head. "And going to this party is even crazier. What will her friend's say when she arrives with a woman who is sixteen years older than her?"
"They will say that Ms. Emma is the luckiest person alive at that party." Sidney smiles.
Regina shares a small smile. "Audrey could be there. You do realize that."
"She could," Sidney nods. "But, she could not. You won't know unless you go. And if she is, I'm certain Ms. Emma will figure out a way to still enjoy her time with you. That's all either of you should care about. Especially you."
"Thank you, Sidney." Regina reaches for his hand as she smiles. "I just have one more problem."
"What's that, ma'am?"
Her shoulder's slump. "I haven't the faintest idea what I'll wear."
Sidney chuckles, "I'm certain you'll figure something out. You always do."
"I'm sorry," Regina smiled. "It's just with this whole sneaking around, the party invitation, not to mention Emma starting a new part time job as cop-"
"Is that so?" Sidney's brows skyrocket. "A cop!"
"Well, she says it's as a security guard, but still-" Regina shakes her head. "It's nerverecking. I almost feel as nervous as I did when Audrey went off to college."
Sidney chuckled.
Suddenly, they heard what sounded like the front door closing, and their whole world stopped. Regina and Sidney exchanged glances and froze.
"Are we expecting someone?" Regina asked.
"No, ma'am." Sidney frowned.
"I'll go look. You stay here with the turnovers." Regina walks her way out of the kitchen, through the living room and halts, her eyes wide as standing before her was, "Leopold. What are you doing here?"
"Last I checked, this is my house." Said Leopold, tossing his jacket onto the couch, his eyes looking over Regina, noticing the apron strapped around her form. "What are you doing?"
"Uh, baking. Sidney's helping me." Said Regina.
"Hm." He loosened the knot on his tie, and undid the two buttons of his shirt.
"Are you going back into the office?" Regina hoped so. He was supposed to be working from his office, which brought up her question: What could he possibly be doing here?
"No." He unbuttoned his sleeves and rolled them up. His head tilts as he notices a frown form on Regina. "Is that a problem?"
"No," Regina shakes her head. "Of course not. Why would it be?"
"Well, that's my question. Why would it ever be a problem for me to come into my house whenever I want." He walked up to her, leaving only an inch of distance between them.
"It's not." Regina assured him, wishing the ground would swallow her down.
Leopold hummed, his dark eyes glaring down into Regina's. "I'm going to be working from home for the rest of the day. Have Sidney bring me something to eat."
Regina waited until she heard the office door close and sighed. "Shit," she muttered. With Leopold here there was no way she would be able to go to that party with Emma. Let alone see her.
Sidney smiled as he withdrew the freshly warm apple turnovers from the oven, taking a whiff of the delicious scent. "Ah," his eyes light up as he sees Regina rushing back into the kitchen and holds the platter before her. "Have a look, ma'am. They came out absolutely perfect. Emma will love these."
Regina placed her index finger over her lips in a shushing motion, and grabbed Sidney by the arm. "Never mind that, Sidney." She whispered.
"What's happened?" He frowned.
"Leopold just arrived." She saw Sidney's eyes go wide. "He will be working from home, of all days." She sighs. "I need to call Emma."
"It's alright, ma'am." Sidney held onto her shoulders, and looked around the kitchen. "Go up to your bedroom, call Ms. Emma, I'll go see what Mr. White would like for dinner this evening. Go."
Regina rushed upstairs, being careful that Leopold didn't hear her. And once she came rushing into the bedroom, she shut the door, making sure to lock it before fishing for her cellphone inside of her apron pocket and dialing Emma.
She heard the line ring once, twice, until the third ring-
"Baby, what's wrong?" Emma's voice went into panic mode on the other end of the phone, knowing Regina would never call her unless something was seriously wrong. Not without sending her a message first.
Despite Regina's heart exploding into a flutter at not only the sound of Emma's voice, but also to how spontaneous and freshly new the sound the word 'baby' had taken for her.
"Emma," she whispered. "Listen to me, I don't have a lot of time. You can't come to pick me up for August's party."
"What's going on, Regina?"
"Leopold just arrived home. I can't possibly go anywhere without him noticing."
"Shit." She heard Emma sigh, and could imagine her raking a free hand across her hair in frustration. Just as frustrated as Regina felt right now.
Regina frowned. "I'm so terribly sorry, Emma. You have to believe that as nervous as I was, I was really looking forward to going with you. Are you mad?" She asked after hearing no reply come from Emma.
"No, of course not." She hears Emma sigh. "I mean, yeah, but I'm not mad at you. I'm mad at him for ruining our chances to see each other."
"So am I. Believe me. He wasn't supposed to be here."
"Don't worry about it. I'm more concerned about you having to be with him alone."
"I'll be fine. Sidney's here if anything happens." Said Regina. She couldn't feel more terrible right now. "Have fun at the party."
"It won't be the same without you. But, hey, next weekend I don't work, so you can count on me driving up to see you. As soon as I know Chief Irons won't be around to ruin another moment."
Regina sighed, "I hope not."
"Come on, cheer up. We knew this would have its complications, right? But that won't stop me from seeing you, Gina. I promise."
Regina smiled, "I have to go before he wonders where I am. I love you."
"I love you, too. Text me later, once the coast is clear."
"Always." Regina sighed as soon as she heard the line click. She didn't think she could hate Leopold more than she already did. Suddenly, imagining Emma alone at that party with possibly girls her age roaming about made her worry. She could use a drink.
As for Emma, she found herself angrily tossing her phone onto the mattress of her bed, seeing it bounce a couple of times before falling to the floor.
Emma sat by a bonfire with August, while others mingled behind them. The music was playing at a decent volume, and everyone invited was having the best time. Everyone but Emma, who sulked every single time she glanced down at her phone, reading a latest text message from Regina that told her Leopold had no intention of leaving.
"Another?" August held out a brand new bottle of beer toward Emma before joining her on the sand.
"Thanks." Emma twisted the cap of her beer bottle off, tucking her phone back inside of her pocket before she took a sip.
August nudged her arm, "Come on, Em. Cheer up. I'm sure Regina is feeling just as miserable as you are right now for not being able to see you. But, there will be other parties and you'll be able to bring her to every one."
Emma took another sip. She turned to August who chuckled and shook his head. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing," August shrugged. "I just can't help noticing how much you like this woman. I mean, I don't think I've ever seen you sulking over someone before. Not even when you and Lily broke up for good. Not to mention Audrey." He takes a sip.
Emma sighs, and watches the dancing flames before her. "I don't know, Aug. Regina's just different." A sideways smile forms at the corner of her lip. "She's so strong, but doesn't even know it yet. You know? She truly is an amazing woman."
"You got it bad, Em." August takes a sip. "But you're right. I've only had the pleasure of meeting her once when Audrey threw you that surprise party, but I can definitely see what you see in her." He turns to Emma. "Speaking of which, have you two… Already…?" He wiggles his eyebrows.
"No." Emma shakes her head, and she sees August's eyes bug out.
"What do you mean no?! Are you kidding me?"
"No, I'm not kidding you. Nothing's happened."
"Nothing?!" August's jaw drops.
"Okay, well not nothing." Emma rolls her eyes. "I mean, we've made out a couple of times. And I do mean, heavy." Her cheeks turn a shade of pink, especially once August grins.
"Wait a minute." He frowns, not understanding. "So, you're telling me that you made out with her- heavily-" he nods as Emma does. "And yet nothing went beyond that?"
"That's right." Emma takes another sip.
August scoffs, "What, was she that bad of a kisser? Are you bullshitting me and don't want to tell me because you think I might suggest a threesome?" He glares.
Emma's brow crease. "First of all," she holds up a single digit. "Never in your life say that to me again. Secondly, you have to keep in mind, Aug, Regina's been through hell all of her life. I mean, she's been married to a man who practically rapes her any chance he gets. Who doesn't appreciate her." Her jaw sets in anger. "Regina doesn't need me rushing her into something she's clearly not ready for. Besides, I don't mind waiting. When the time comes, I know it'll be every bit as beautiful as she is to me."
August blinks and turns to face the dancing flames before them. "Wow." He turns back to Emma. "That's very deep, Em. She really has you hooked in, huh?"
Emma lets her back collapse onto the sand as she holds her bottle in a standing position against her stomach. She sighs deeply, "More than you know, August."
"Yeah?" August looks straight ahead. "And… Tell me something, Em. Have you thought about how Audrey will react to all this someday? I mean, you can't possibly keep it from her forever. I think eventually she's going to find out."
"That's something that we haven't discussed as of yet. Regina and I are just taking it a day at a time." Said Emma, all while looking up at the stars in the sky above her.
"Well, life works in mysterious ways, and as it would seem- in your favor because had Regina come tonight with you, then this would have been a pretty awkward and questionable moment for the both of you." Said August.
Emma's brow creased and she sat up. "What the hell are you talking about?" As August motions with his bottle, Emma follows his line of sight and sees no other than Audrey saying hi to a few friends before glancing her way.
Regina surrounded herself by the silence of the library, a fresh drink of bourbon in her hand. It was eleven thirty at night, but there was no way she could sleep. Nor read to keep her mind from swimming around with thoughts of what Emma could be doing right now. Was she jealous, anxious, saddened and angry that she couldn't be there with her? All of the above, yes. And the void in her heart only continued to grow.
The only source of illumination that gave her a bit of light was a small lamp that had been placed against a tea table that sat by the window.
Fishing out her phone, Regina turned on the screen and tapped on her photos. She didn't have many, so it was easy to come across a picture she and Emma had taken together the time she had gone to visit her in Portland. Now, Regina had never been the type of woman to want to take pictures of herself, especially when she had to worry about walking around with bruises. But, Emma had changed that, just like she had come to change a lot of things.
Including how Regina began to look at herself.
Like in this picture they had taken together. Regina didn't care to save it on her phone because Leopold would never go through her phone to begin with, and even if he did, he didn't know the password to unlock it. She made sure to create one as soon as she and Emma began their relationship.
She looked so happy in this picture, smiling as if nothing in the world troubled her. Regina just matched Emma's happiness, and she wanted more of it. Emma continuously kept reminding her how beautiful she thought Regina was. Maybe some of it was beginning to become true.
"What are you doing?"
Leopold's voice startled Regina to the point that she quickly tucked her phone inside of her apron. She thanked God in that moment that the chair had been placed with its back toward the entrance, so that gave Leopold a chance to not have seen her looking at her phone as she quickly stood from her chair.
"Just reading through recipes." Said Regina, hearing Leopold's shoes click along the wooden floor of the library as he approached her. She watched his eyes glance down at the half empty glass of bourbon before picking it up.
"Bourbon?" Leopold asked after having raised the glass up to his nose to take a sniff. "You've never cared for anything but wine. What's changed?"
"I just… Felt like it." Replied Regina.
"You just felt like it?" Leopold repeated, moving the glass up to his lips and gulping down the last bit of liquor before setting it down against the table.
Regina jerked as she felt the man's hand come up her cheek, causing her to remain perfectly still. She didn't like the way he was looking into her eyes at that moment. It produced chills.
"Something's different about you, Regina." Leo murmurs as his head tilts.
Regina blinks. "Whatever do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. But something… Something's changed." He could feel Regina begin to struggle a little as he gripped the back of her neck with force. His jaw sets tightly. "The fear in your eyes has somehow minimized. Ever since I've been back, there's been moments where you've even dared to challenge me."
"I can assure you, you're wrong." Regina grunted, feeling her hair being yanked so that she was forced to face him directly. But, even through that pain, she glared up at him. "Let go of me."
"Tell me the truth, Regina," He yanked harder, making Regina grunt louder. "Is it Daniel? Is that who you've been seeing?"
"You don't know what you're talking about, Leopold." Regina hissed, her eyes glaring harder. She was too angry right now to care about the consequences of her behavior toward him. "You're drunk, as usual."
"Do not think I'm a fool, Regina." Leopold hisses, pulling her closer to him, very roughly, it hurts. "Tell me who you're seeing!"
Regina struggles a little longer as he proves to be stronger. He was always much stronger. But the more she struggled, she was able to grip free. "No one! I told you!" She yelled, to Leopold's surprise. "I'm seeing no one! If I were you I would sober up before you go drawing up conclusions that aren't real!"
Regina gasped for a breath, finding herself hunched over on the hardwood floor as a result of Leopold's fist striking her directly in the stomach. Then came a kick, in the exact same spot to make matters much worse.
"Don't ever try to cross me again." Leopold warned, glaring down at her. He kneels down and forces her to look at him as he yanks her by the hair. His face only inches apart from hers. "And make no mistake, Regina. If I find out that you are bringing someone into this house, much worse, fucking them in my bed." His breathing is heavy. "I promise you, that you and Daniel will be buried six feet under ground. Now, you wouldn't want Audrey to be left without a mother now, would you?"
Despite her gasping and lack of breath, Regina dared to glare up at him, feeling his grip loosen as he stood, towering over her once again.
He was about to deliver another kick when-
"Sir." Sidney called out. "That's enough." As terrified as Sidney was to receive a glare from Leopold, he toughened through, swallowing down a heavy lump.
Leopold took the necessary steps to be closer to Sidney. His jaw clenched tight as he said, "From now on, wherever she goes- even if Belle is here while I'm not- or whoever is here, you," he presses his finger directly onto Sidney's chest. "Will become her own personal shadow."
Sidney nods. "Yes, sir."
"Her own personal shadow, Sidney." Leopold repeats before he exits the library, and as he does, Sidney quickly rushes to be by Regina's side.
"August, what the hell? You said Audrey wasn't going to be here." Said Emma, looking for an explanation.
"And I thought she wasn't. In fact, she assured me she wasn't." August glanced over Emma's shoulder. "Shit," he muttered.
"What? Is she coming this way?" Emma was too afraid to turn around.
"Yeah, too late to tell you to run." August smiles over at Audrey as she is nearer. "Audrey! What a surprise to see you here- what are you doing here? You aren't supposed to be here."
Emma elbows him against his ribs as she's now facing Audrey, hearing him hold in a grunt.
"Well, I didn't want to miss this party of yours, like I always do this time, so I figured- what the hell." Audrey smiled, taking a sip of her beer. She looked a little intoxicated, a clear sign of her having a couple of drinks before deciding to come to the party.
"Well shit," August grinned at Emma, who forced a smile. "Well, the more the merrier I always say. Cheers." He clanked his empty bottle against Audrey's, shaking it after. "You know, uh… I'm gonna go get another beer and mingle around."
"August," Emma glared in his direction, feeling his hand clap her back.
"I'll be back." He said, rushing off to get out of that awkward situation.
"August!" Emma hissed, her eyes closing on her for a moment before she turns back to face Audrey.
Them running into each other at school had been awkward enough. Another moment between her and Audrey was the last thing she needed.
"August always knows how to throw a party, huh?" That was Audrey's attempt to ease into a civil conversation with Emma.
Emma nods after having taken a sip. "Oh, yeah. Always."
Audrey frowned, feeling the tension around them becoming thicker and thicker. "Look, Em, I didn't come here to make things awkward for you. I just wanted to get out for the weekend, gather some clarity." She pauses. "I know things between us didn't end quite well, and I was angry… I am angry." She chuckles, "But, I thought about what you said, about us being friends and in each other's lives along the line. Sometime in the future and… As much as I'd love for you to be more, I'll just have to accept that."
Audrey sounded so serious, Emma dared to look in her eyes next. "Thank you," said Emma, feeling a wave of relief take over her.
"I'm sorry for spilling coffee on you when you told me about…" Audrey couldn't bring herself to say it yet. It was still hard to cope with the idea of Emma loving someone else.
Emma shook her head. "It's okay, Audrey. I can completely understand why you did what you did, and you had every right to be upset."
Audrey showed a little smile. "Well, do you want to go for a walk and maybe talk a little?"
Emma hesitated, "I don't know, Audrey. I-"
"Is your girlfriend here?" Audrey looked around, hoping she could finally meet who it was that stole Emma's heart from her. "She could come along."
"No." Emma shook her head. "She, uh, was busy. She couldn't come."
"Well, she's not the jealous type, is she?" Audrey grins. "I mean, it's just to talk. She won't mind that, will she?"
Another three seconds of hesitation passed before Emma replied, "I guess not." She motioned for Audrey to go ahead first, and Emma followed, keeping up with each calm step she took.
The music could still be heard, even once they reached a good quiet distance where they sat along the beach.
"So," that's when Audrey decided to speak first, in hopes of breaking the silence that now surrounded them. "What's your girlfriend's name?"
She pushed her luck, but Audrey decided to try anyway, gaining nothing but a shake of the head from Emma in response.
"Okay, too soon, I guess." Audrey chuckled, walking along. "Sorry. I'm just curious, you know."
Emma dared to smile a little. "I understand. It's normal to be curious." As Emma walked along, she thought about what August told her a few minutes ago. His voice playing in her head like a record, 'You can't possibly keep it from her forever. I think eventually she's going to figure it out.' "I promise you that someday…You'll know."
"You're not thinking about introducing us personally, are you?" Audrey's brow lifts, and Emma can't help to see a bit of Regina in that expression.
Emma chuckles, "Not exactly," she murmurs and decides to pay attention to the waves sounding beside them. She glances down at her hand once she feels Audrey's take over hers, and pulls it away.
"I'm sorry." Said Audrey with a frown to her as they stopped walking. "I'm sorry. It's just… A force of habit. You know, us walking like this, alone, talking, it brought back too many lived memories. Aaaaand I may have had a little too much to drink." She chuckles."
Emma dares to smile a little. "I noticed. Have you been drinking a lot?"
Audrey shrugged. "A few here and there. Just until my heart mends."
Emma frowns.
"That's if it ever does mend," Audrey chuckles again and shakes her head. "I mean it isn't easy to think of you kissing someone else, touching someone else- loving someone else-"
"Audrey-"
"Does she love you?" Audrey's eyes water so much, they sting.
"Audrey. Don't do this to yourself." Emma shakes her head.
"Just- answer me. Does she love you?"
Emma's lips become a thin line. "She does," she replies, seeing the pain in Audrey's eyes take over, so much that a few tears escape past her cheeks. "She loves me as much as I love her."
Audrey quickly wipes away another fallen tear and sniffs, her nose already as red as a strawberry. "When?" She asked, waiting a beat before asking again. "When did this happen, Em? Where?"
"Audrey-"
"Why won't you tell me anything about her? Why keep this woman such a mystery?" Then it dawned on Audrey. Her lips parted as she said, "Oh, my God…" Emma's heart had never accelerated so fast with those three words before in her life. "Is she a professor in our college? Are- are you sleeping with a professor and that's why you've kept-?"
"What?" Emma's brow creases. "No! Jesus, Audrey!"
"Well, then what is it?! Because you have told me about every single girl you ever saw before me, Em."
"Well, maybe I don't want to tell you everything anymore. Not this." Said Emma.
"But, judging from your reaction, am I right to guess that this woman is older?" Asked Audrey, getting no reply from Emma. "Oh, my God… She is… Isn't she?"
Emma paces from side to the other before standing in front of Audrey. "Look, Audrey-" She is surprisingly stopped, feeling Audrey's lips press against hers in a kiss that Emma is quick to pull away from. "What the hell are you doing?"
"Emma, I don't care. I'm sorry. I don't care who she is- if she's older- younger- I just want you back, okay?" Audrey followed with a rant, which followed a few more given kisses without consent, forcing Emma to push her away each time.
"Audrey, stop-" Said Emma, pushing her repeatedly away.
"You can't say you've forgotten all that we lived together. All of our plans. You can't replace me just like that!"
"Stop!" Emma yelled, seeing no other way to get through to Audrey until she did. "I agreed to come out here with you in an attempt to have a civil conversation, but you had to make things awkward." She wipes her mouth with the sleeve of her jacket, and not even Emma's rejection pains Audrey more than seeing her do that. "Now, I'm sorry," Emma decides to step forward, and cup Audrey's cheek, wiping away another falling tear. "I'm really sorry that I hurt you this way. I really am."
Audrey makes a sobbing sound in the back of her throat, her eyes locked onto Emma's, seeing no ounce of love for her at all.
"Please, stop doing this to yourself," Emma spoke more calmly. "I really hate seeing you like this."
"Not as much as I hate knowing that you love someone else." Audrey's voice breaks. "What I don't understand is why. Why Emma?"
"Because you can't fight matters of the heart." Emma pauses, maintaining eye contact with Audrey. "Because you can't fight true love."
Audrey sobs, wanting to hold onto Emma's hands tighter, to beg her not to go, but she lets her go. "You know," she says as she tries to compose herself. "Maybe coming here wasn't such a good idea."
"Audrey, you don't have to go-" The last thing Emma wanted was for Audrey to leave in such bad shape.
"No. No, I do." Audrey wipes away her tears. "I'm sorry for ruining your fun. I'll… I'll see you around school."
"Audrey." Emma calls out once she sees her walk away. She sighs as she can still hear her crying in the distance.