Part Six: The One With The Beach
Emma woke up with the first rays of sunlight entering her car windows, tickling her eyes.
She stretched her body in the small compartment, hearing her bones crack here and there.
Her back was stiff.
And so was the rest of her body.
Emma couldn't even remember the last time she slept inside that car.
Probably when she got out of jail when she was only eighteen years old.
That car was literally all she had in the world for a very, very long time.
She could never let go of that old thing, even now when she could afford something better.
Shiner.
Emma grunted when she stretched her legs but the car door did nothing but stop her long legs from stretching.
She was far too big for that car.
She had walked to Regina's office the night before.
Thanks to her, Emma was not only homeless but she was also out of options when it came to moving.
That damn woman had trapped her car which was very stupid of her part considering how badly she wanted Emma out of town.
So Emma walked to the Mayor's office but when she arrived there, thirty minutes late, the place was empty.
Regina's office was completely dark and there was no one else working in the building.
Emma supposed she couldn't blame her.
But then again, Emma was only late because of what Regina did to her car, so fuck it.
She would blame her for everything and anything that happened to her while she was in this damn town.
Emma sat down on the back seat and cracked her neck from one side to the other.
And then she felt that lower pressure down her bladder, telling her that she needed to pee.
Damn that woman.
If there was one thing Emma had learned to appreciate in life that thing was having her own bathroom.
At least she was parked in front of the diner. She might not be able to stay there any longer but she could still use the bathroom and have some breakfast.
She was starved too.
Emma looked at the rear mirror and tied up her hair in a low ponytail.
Then she ran her hands along her face to make it look more… presentable.
Emma opened the car door and crossed the street in the direction of the diner.
The place was empty, it was still fairly early, but Emma knew it wouldn't take long before that change. So Emma walked directly to the bathroom without bothering to say good morning to Ruby who smiled sweetly at her and Granny who was already arguing with her granddaughter.
Emma took care of her business in the diner bathroom and then washed her face in the sink.
She looked at herself in the mirror, lightly slapping the sides of her face, forcing her brain to wake up.
She needed cocoa. With a dash of coffee.
And eggs, and toast and… bacon.
Emma's stomach started to snore exactly when her last thought of food finished.
And when Emma made her way back to the diner, the place was already filling up with people.
Emma walked to the counter and sat down heavily on the stool, picking up the menu from its place between the salt and pepper shaker.
"Hi, there," Came Ruby's cheerful voice from behind the counter "What can I get ya?"
"I'd like a cocoa, please," Emma said moody "With a splash of coffee and cinnamon"
"Anything else?" Ruby asked, writing the order in the little notebook.
"Eggs, bacon, and a few toasts," Emma said.
"Coming right up" Ruby smiled.
"Thanks," Emma said back.
Emma stretched her back on the stool, hearing a few bones cracking up and down.
Fuck that woman.
She couldn't stay on the stool. She needed support for her back.
Emma looked behind her and saw a family leaving the booth next to the door, in front of the window.
She quickly rose from the stool and walked to the booth, not caring if she was there all alone and if the table was big enough for five or six.
The bell rang beside her and Emma turned her head to see who was entering the diner.
And she would forever deny the little moan sound that escaped her lips when she saw Regina walking inside the diner as if she owned the place and the sight of her body molded perfectly inside a tight red dress that should be considered sinful at this hour.
How could anyone look like that early in the morning?
Emma watched Regina walk to the counter and place her order.
She couldn't hear what she ordered but she could sense the way both Granny and Ruby went very rigid, straightening their backs when Regina talked to them.
What was up with that?
Emma bit her lower lip, observing Regina looking for a place to sit.
She seemed to be staring very eloquently at a particular stool by the counter and seemed ready to bite the head off the poor bastard who was eating his breakfast sat in there.
Emma figured she could, for once, be what Henry claimed her to be and save the poor bastard from the wrath of the brunette woman.
"Regina," Emma said, louder than she expected.
Regina turned around and looked at Emma, a mix of rage and curiosity burning behind her brown eyes.
"Miss Swan," Regina said uncertainly.
"I have extra space," Emma gestured to the seat in front of her.
"Thank you, dear," Regina smiled politely at her "But I'm fine"
"Everything else is taken," Emma said, rolling her eyes "Besides, we need to talk"
"Indeed we do," Regina said back.
She looked between Emma and the stool by the counter as if she was debating on what she should do.
Eventually, Regina just sighed and walked to the booth, taking the seat in front of Emma.
"Good morning, Madam Mayor," Emma smiled charmingly at her.
"For who?" Regina asked annoyed.
"Neither one of us, apparently," Emma said back "Thanks for kicking me out of the pension"
"Thanks for destroying my tree," Regina barked.
"You got me arrested," Emma said "Have I thanked you for that yet?"
"I didn't do anything" Regina cleared her throat "And you stood me up last night," Regina said back, just as fast.
"You blocked my car," Emma pointed at her "By the time I arrived there you already left"
"Unlike you, dear, I have things to take care of," Regina said "I had to take Henry to dinner and then his therapy session"
"How is he doing?" Emma asked.
"Why do you care?" Regina asked back.
"Look, I know you think that I'm out to get Henry from you or whatever," Emma gestured with her hands mid-air "But I just want to make sure he is fine"
"Ten years too late, don't you think?" Regina crossed her arms.
"He got to me," Emma said seriously "I can't help it"
"Henry is fine," Regina said between teeth.
"Regina, he is not," Emma sighed "There is obviously something seriously wrong with him"
"Are you saying my son is crazy?" Regina asked seriously.
"I'm saying that there is a reason why he believes his fantasies to be true," Emma said "And the reason is either you or me. Or even both of us"
"You are delusional," Regina scoffed "In ten years he never needed you…"
"And yet, he came after me," Emma said interrupting Regina.
The silence stretched between them, both women just staring at each other.
One less murderous than the other.
Emma watched Regina, the way her features hardened making her beautiful face look like a block of ice, and the way she closed her hands into a fist so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
And then Emma felt something deep inside of her, a mix of pain and sadness inside her chest.
And the overwhelming feeling of making things better.
Make Regina better.
"He is going through a rough time, I get it," Emma said softly "I know he did it to spite you"
"Excuse me?"
"He thinks you don't love him, Regina," Emma said seriously "That's why he went looking for me"
"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard," Regina's voice choked "I love him. Henry is everything to me"
"I know," Emma smiled softly "I actually believe in you in that part"
"That part?" Regina asked looking outrageously at Emma "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
"Sorry to interrupt," Ruby said awkwardly making both women look at her "Here is your order"
Ruby smiled sympathetically at Emma before putting their respective order in front of the respective owner.
Eggs, bacon, toast, and cocoa for Emma. Omelet and coffee for Regina.
"Can I get you anything else?" Ruby asked, looking intensely at Emma her back to Regina.
"No, thanks," Emma smiled softly.
"Are you sure, Emma?" Ruby asked, glancing at Regina while making a face at Emma.
And that little gesture bothered Emma to the core.
Was that like everyone treated Regina in this town?
Including Henry?
Emma smiled at Ruby one more time, without really feeling the humor, before turning her attention to Regina.
"Do you need anything else, Regina?" Emma asked.
"Oh, no, Im…" Regina shook her head looking slightly confused at Emma "I'm good"
"We are fine, Ruby," Emma said seriously, looking at the waitress.
"Okay," Ruby said slowly "Call me if you need anything"
And then Ruby left, leaving the two of them alone. And Emma looked at Regina again, just to make sure that she was okay.
For whatever reason.
But Regina's features were hard.
And beautiful.
Just like the children's books described her to be.
The fairest of them all.
Emma smirked and shook her head before looking down at her food.
And her tongue took longer than usual savoring the crispy bacon, the warm eggs, and the buttery toast.
God, she was so hungry!
"Why did you do that?" Regina asked, after a moment.
"Sorry?" Emma asked, between chews.
"Why did you talk to her like that?" Regina asked, "Why did you put her in her place?"
"I didn't like the way she looked at you," Emma said, surprising herself with her honesty "It didn't feel right. You were right here and she was ignoring you"
"I don't care about being ignored by the servents," Regina said.
"Of course, you don't," Emma laughed "But that wasn't very nice of her and I won't stand for it. Even if I'm sure you deserve it"
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"I'm kidding," Emma smiled "Partially"
"I'm not laughing"
"Of course, you are not," Emma laughed, taking a slice of bacon between her fingers.
And Emma caught the exact moment when Regina licked her lips staring at the bacon between Emma's fingers.
And did her best to ignore the low fire that started to burn down her belly and the way her toes curled inside her boots.
But the sight was over too quickly and soon, too soon, Regina was sipping her coffee and cutting another bite of the eggs.
"You know, I asked for too much bacon," Emma said casually "I can't possibly eat all of this"
"And?" Regina asked.
"Do you want to share?" Emma asked, before getting a bite of her crispy bacon.
"No, thank you," Regina said flatly "I prefer having my arteries unclogged"
"Oh my God, Regina," Emma rolled her eyes "Seriously?"
"Like a heart attack," Regina smiled wickedly at her.
"Now I know why Henry ran away," Emma murmured.
"What did you say?" Regina asked.
"Nothing," Emma shook her head "Please just get two slices? I promise you, your arteries are going to be just fine"
"No, thank you," Regina.
"Just one then," Emma said.
"I said no," Regina said back angrily.
"Okay," Emma nodded.
She knew Regina wanted them, she could see it in the way she looked at the slice between her fingers.
But there was no point in insisting.
And if Emma was honest to herself, she wasn't even sure why she did it.
Why she bothered.
But before Emma could think more about it, Regina simply rose from her seat in front of Emma and threw a few dollar bills on top of the table.
And then she walked out of the diner, without even bothering to say goodbye or spare a glace in Emma's direction.
Regina walked to the Mayor's office, opening and closing her hands on a fist as she hurried her pace.
She needed to get out of the diner.
She couldn't stand staying a minute longer there with that woman.
Not when…
Regina shook her head, forcing herself to ignore the warm feeling that spread on her chest when Emma told Ruby off in front of her.
Regina couldn't remember the last time someone bothered to… defend her.
Not that she needed that!
She swore to herself a long time ago that she would never be defenseless again.
In anyway…
But it felt nice.
The way Emma spoke with Ruby, the way she knowledge Regina's presence when the waitress was making a point to rescue Emma from the evil woman in front of her.
It felt nice.
Warm, even.
And then there was the bacon!
How did she know Regina was craving a bite of that good-smelling crispy bacon?
Not that she would ever admit that.
Ever!
Loving bacon was one of Regina's guilty pleasures one that only Henry knew about it.
But Emma noticed, she noticed and was gentle about it.
Tried to pretend she ordered more than she could eat even though there were only five slices of bacon on her plate.
Three by the time she offered Regina.
And when she did that, the warm feeling that rested on her heart spread.
Not even Regina's harsh words towards the blonde woman were capable of stopping the feeling.
So she left.
She just rose from her seat and left without saying a word.
She couldn't say a word, everything was… strange. Confusing.
Regina was angry!
Angry at Emma for a different reason now.
And by the time she arrived at the Mayor's Office and crashed heavily on her chair, Regina had one certainty in her heart.
She needed to get rid of this Emma Swan.
Regina focused on her work throughout the rest of the day, but every now and then thoughts of the blonde woman popped inside her mind.
Sometimes in ways of getting her to finally leave Storybrooke.
Others, in the way Regina's skin seemed to come to life every time Emma touched her, or how beautiful Emma looked when she smiled and how her green eyes seemed to spark when she did it.
Regina really hated those thoughts.
After lunch, Regina headed to the town meeting.
She hated every second of that torture.
The curse was designed to torture her enemies, not herself.
And in that particular afternoon, the meeting was so tedious that Regina caught herself thinking about the blonde woman again.
Over and over and over again.
And none of the thoughts she had were murderous or mischievous.
Evil!
No, all Regina seemed to focus on when her thoughts drifted off to the blonde woman were…
Regina tried to shake those thoughts away.
They had no place inside her mind.
But the meeting was so tedious that Regina caught herself thinking of the blonde woman a second after promising herself she wouldn't.
By the time the meeting was over, Regina had no idea what the hell did she agree on but everyone in there smiled at her, looking happy about the meeting result.
Regina knew it was something she would absolutely hate.
So she blamed Emma for this too.
God, what was wrong with her?
After the meeting, Regina walked back home.
She left her car at the diner when she left that morning and she had no choice but to walk back.
She didn't mind that, not today anyway.
Maybe the fresh air would help to clear her mind and the sights of Storybrooke would be enough to take her mind off that damn woman.
It didn't.
But at least this time Regina was capable of thinking of ways to get rid of her.
For most of the part…
Regina was relieved when she arrived at the mansion.
Her feet had started to hurt about two blocks away and thinking about that blonde woman all the time was starting to be exhausting.
At least now she was home, surrounded by everything that was so familiar to her, and hopefully, tonight she could spend some quality time with her son.
"Henry?" Regina shout when she opened the door "Honey?"
No answer.
Regina looked at the clock on her wrist noticing it was five-thirty in the afternoon.
Henry was supposed to be home.
He didn't have a session today and he knew that she didn't like when he was wandering around Storybrooe after school.
At least not alone.
"Henry?" Regina tried again.
And again, no answer.
Regina felt her heart start to race inside her chest as she walked up the staircase, two steps at once.
What if he had run away again?
What if he went to her?
What if she lied and took him away from her?
Regina felt her eyes fill with tears as she nearly raced the hallway in the direction of Henry's bedroom.
Her hands were trembling when she placed them on the doorknob and Regina prepared herself for the sight of the empty bedroom.
But what she saw was the very opposite of what she was expecting and Regina let out a sigh of relief when she saw her precious little boy laying in bed, reading a comic book.
And one second later, that same relief was replaced with anger.
"Henry!" Regina said, her voice slightly choked "I call you twice, why didn't you answer me?"
"I didn't feel like it," Henry said, not taking his eyes from the comic book.
"You didn't feel like it?" Regina asked, entering the bedroom.
"Nope," Henry said, rolling in bed, giving his back to Regina.
"Henry, when I call your name, I expect you to answer me," Regina said firmly.
"Fine, whatever," Henry rolled his eyes "I'm hungry. Call me when dinner is ready and I'll answer you"
Regina took a big breath in and closed her eyes letting the tears run down her face.
She closed her hands into a fist and release the air, defeated.
And then she turned around and left his room, going straight inside the kitchen.
Apparently, tonight wasn't going to be the night where she and Henry make amends.
She hated this.
She hated this situation to the core.
She just wanted her little boy back, that little boy who loved her fiercely.
That little boy who thought she was his whole world.
That little boy who was still her whole world.
Regina cleaned the new wave of tears that ran down her face with the heel of her hand.
And then she shook her head, walking to the fridge to see what she could make for dinner.
Lasagna!
That was the first thing that popped into her mind before se even opened the fridge.
Henry loved her lasagna.
Maybe if Regina could do his favorite dish, maybe…
Maybe the night wasn't completely lost.
Maybe they could have a delicious dinner together and have ice cream for dessert and maybe, maybe they could go into the living room and watch a movie together.
Whatever Henry wanted to see.
As long as it was funny.
Regina could really use hearing his laughter tonight.
Regina opened the freezer, took off a container with her homemade tomato sauce, and then all the ingredients she needed to make the lasagna.
By the time the lasagna was in the oven, the kitchen was smelling amazing.
Smiling to herself, Regina cleaned the kitchen and then set the table in the dining room.
And when the oven beeped, Regina brought the steaming dish to the table before going to the base of the staircase to call for Henry.
"Henry, dinner is ready," Regina shout.
She hated shouting inside the house.
But she was tired from the day, walking from the diner to her office and then from her office back home and then staying up for nearly an hour in the kitchen.
The day had been long.
And she could only hope that the night would be good.
Henry appeared at the top of the staircase and Regina smiled at him, waiting for him to come down.
She wanted to walk with him to the dining room and see the smile on his face when he saw the lasagna.
He loved that dish so much but Regina didn't make it as often.
Perhaps she should change that.
"What took you so long?" Henry asked when he reached her "I'm starved"
"Sorry, sweetie," Regina ran her hands in his hair "Dinner took a little while longer tonight but I think you are going to like what I made for you"
Regina smiled at Henry and then looped her arm around his shoulder before pulling him with her.
But his reaction was not what she expected.
Henry moved the lasagna around his plate only eating small bites at a time.
Looking like he rather be anywhere but there with her.
"Henry?" Regina asked softly "What's wrong? I've made lasagna it's your favorite"
No answer.
He was doing that a lot to her now.
"Isn't my lasagna good tonight?" Regina tried again.
"It's okay," Henry shrugged.
"Just okay?" Regina bit her lower lip.
"It's fine, mom," Henry said, taking another small bite.
"You know, after dinner," Regina smiled "Maybe we could have some ice cream and watch a movie together. It's been a while since we have last done that"
"I can't," Henry said simply "I have homework to do"
"Henry…"
"May I be excused?"
"You barely ate your dinner," Regina said.
"I'm full," Henry said already pushing the chair.
And before Regina could say anything else he was already leaving the dining room as fast as his legs could carry him.
As if he couldn't stand being in the same room as her.
Regina closed her eyes and scratched her forehead, feeling like she could melt into tears, right there and then.
She was losing him.
And acknowledging that was scarier than anything else Regina ever faced in her life.
Regina looked at the dining room table and all the barely touched food on Henry's plate and sighed.
She was so tired!
Physically and mentally.
Just for tonight, Regina wished she could have her magic back, even if only to clean the table.
After putting everything away in the fridge and loading the dishwasher, Regina walked up to her bedroom.
She saw the lights on Henry's bedroom and wanted to go there to ask if he was okay or if he needed anything but she stopped herself before she could do it.
She should at least have a bath before dealing with another rejection.
So Regina went to her bedroom and then her suite, making sure the water was scalding in the tub before letting herself in.
Her whole body relaxed the second the hot water touched her bare skin and her feet were thankful for the break.
Regina was so tired tonight that even thinking seemed like an impossible thing to do.
She supposed her vengeful plans could wait until tomorrow.
Right now, the only thing Regina was interested in was the way every muscle on her body seemed to loosen up a bit under the water, and how good the crack on her back felt when Regina tensed up and then relaxed.
Regina had no room for other thoughts.
Not even lustful blondes and how would it feel to have her back pressed against her front while one of her hands lowered further and further down between her…
God damn it!
Regina grunted and buried her face between her hands before lowering her whole body under the water.
After an hour-long bath, Regina felt more alive and more human than she felt during the whole day.
She dried her hair and then changed into a simple gray sweater and black slacks.
And then she walked to Henry's bedroom to try and convince her son to at least have a scoop of ice cream with her.
"Henry?" Regina said, gently opening the door.
"What?" Henry asked from the bed.
"I was wondering if you would like to have some ice cream with me?" Regina asked.
"No, thank you," Henry said back.
"Henry," Regina sighed heavily "This needs to stop"
"I agree," Henry said looking back at her "But I don't think we are talking about the same thing"
"Henry…" Regina said giving a step inside the bedroom.
"I'm tired," Henry cut her off, pulling the blankets over his body, "I think I'll go to sleep now"
Regina walked around the bed, sitting on the edge.
She ran her hands on Henry's hair and then leaned forward to kiss his forehead.
"I love you, Henry," Regina said simply.
"I don't believe you," Henry said back.
"You are my everything," Regina said softly.
"You are evil," Henry said petulantly.
"That's not true, Henry," Regina said in a choked voice "Please don't say that. It hurts me when you say things like that"
"Then tell me the truth," Henry said, looking deep into Regina's eyes.
"What truth?" Regina asked.
"About who you are," Henry said "About who everyone in this town is"
"I can't tell you that," Regina said seriously "I don't know who everyone in tow is"
"Yes, you do," Henry said "You cursed them all"
"Henry this is crazy," Regina said desperately "You can't possibly believe that book is real"
"It is," Henry said angrily "It is and I know it and you know it too"
"Henry…"
"You are The Evil Queen,"
"Stop it!" Regina shouted, "Stop this Henry!" Regina cried, not bothering to clean the tears "Please, stop this. I am begging you, please. Please, drop it"
"I want to sleep now," Henry said, pulling the covers over his head.
"Henry, please," Regina choked, the tears running freely down her face now.
"Close the door when you leave," Henry said from under the covers.
Regina rose from the bed, feeling completely defeated.
Her feet carried her to the door without her even noticing the movement.
She needed air.
That bedroom was suffocating her.
The whole house was.
Regina stood by the door looking at the covered form of Henry on the bed.
"Henry, I need to go get my car," Regina said tired "I left at Granny's this morning. Do you mind staying home alone for a little while?"
"Whatever," Henry said "Please close the door"
Regina just nodded to herself and did as she was told.
Outside the mansion, Regina felt almost relieved.
Like she could breathe again.
The night was cool but not cold, the streets of Storybrooke were nearly empty and the darkness of the night calmed her nerves.
Regina walked in the direction of Granny's diner, not even bothering to notice how her feet protested.
She knew they were sore.
But she couldn't care.
She just wanted to breathe.
She just wanted to fill her lungs with oxygen and looked at the representation of everything she sacrificed.
She just wanted to breathe the air of her victory.
Regina arrived at Granny's too soon for her liking and grunted when she spotted her car.
She looked through the diner window looking for something inside.
Or someone.
And she wasn't sure if she was sad or relieved when she didn't find them.
Regina opened her car door and entered the car.
She tapped her fingers on the wheel and bit her lower lip before twisting the key and maneuvering the car out to the street.
Emma parked her car in front of the gray-ish building and opened the car door, getting out.
She looked at the address written on the paper and then tried to find some sort of sign that would let her know she was in the right place but there wasn't any.
Emma bit her lower lip and then put the paper in the back pocket of her jeans before walking to the entrance door.
Henry had written the address for her earlier when they met at his castle and Emma only rolled her eyes once when he asked how did it feel to be closer to her mom again.
Mom!
Right!
As if Emma ever had that.
And the worse part of the whole process was that Henry didn't even realize how much he was hurting people around him with this curse nonsense.
It hurt her every time he spoke of her parents as if they were these great heroes.
They weren't.
They were just the worse of humans.
But Emma went along with him, for as long as she could before she shoved him off to school where she was sure he was supposed to be.
And then she spent the whole day looking for a place to stay while she was in town.
Which was one hell of a waste of time and exactly the reason why Emma hated small towns.
Emma sighed as she pulled the door open, entering the building.
She walked up the stairs, two steps at a time, and stopped in front of the door, checking on the paper if she right apartment number.
And then Emma checked inside her jacket to make sure the envelope was still in there before knocking on the door.
"Emma," Mary Margaret smiled at her when she opened the door "What are you doing here?"
"I came here to give you this," Emma said, taking the envelope from her jacket and giving it to Mary Margaret.
"What is this?" Mary Margaret asked curiously when she took the envelope.
"It's the bail money," Emma said "Thank you again for bailing me out"
"Oh, that was nothing," Mary Margaret smiled at her "Would you like to come in?"
"Oh, I don't know…"
"I just made cocoa," Mary Margaret said "Come on in for a second"
"Okay," Emma smiled awkwardly "Thanks"
Emma walked inside the loft and sat down on the chair Mary Margaret pointed to her.
She put her coat on top of the table and sighed heavily, rubbing her eyes.
"Tired?" Mary Margaret asked from the kitchen.
"You have no idea," Emma said back "I've been looking for a place to stay the whole day"
"Oh, you are going to stay with us?" Mary Margaret asked.
"No, I'm leaving," Emma said "Tonight. That's why I came over at this hour to give your money back"
Mary Margaret walked back to the table, placing the steamy cup of hot cocoa in front of Emma before sitting on the chair across from her.
"Cinamon?" Emma asked, bringing the cocoa closer to her.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I should have asked…"
"No, I like it," Emma smiled before taking a sip "But not many people do"
"Oh, I love cinnamon," Mary Margaret smiled "Speacilally on top of apples"
"Really?" Emma asked.
"Yes," Mary Margaret sipped her cocoa "So, you are leaving?"
"Yes, I am," Emma nodded "I couldn't find any other inn in town and there is nothing available to rent for a short period of time"
"Oh!"
"I can't keep crashing in my car," Emma laughed "It was fun when I was eighteen but now it just hurts my back"
"You know, If you want to stay," Mary Margaret said "I have a spare room"
"Oh," Emma said surprised "Thanks, but I'm not really the roommate type"
Emma reached for the cocoa glass again and took another sip, trying to cover both her surprise and discomfort for the offer.
"And what about Henry?" Mary Margaret asked.
"What about him?"
"You are just going to leave him again," Mary Margaret asked.
"The kid isn't doing well, I know that," Emma nodded "But it's also not my place to get in the middle of it. He has a mother and… I know Regina is difficult, but I believe she loves him"
"Oh, I agree with you," Mary Margaret sipped her cocoa "But I also think she loves him a little too much"
"And that's a bad thing?" Emma asked.
"It can be," Mary Margaret said.
"Right," Emma said back.
Emma smiled at Mary Margaret and sipped her cocoa again, an uncomfortable feeling setting upon her chest.
Regina was though.
Intense, even.
But Emma knew she loved Henry, she knew Regina loved her son and that she would never do anything to harm him.
Not intentionally, anyway.
But the way Mary Margaret spoke it was as if…
People in town didn't seem to like Regina.
They all feared her.
And Emma understood that, having known Regina.
But they also loved to say something bad about her the moment Regina turned her back.
There was always a little something here and there, a little comment, a little attitude.
A certain look, like Ruby this morning, and Emma wondered how much of that was fair.
Surely Regina wasn't the only evil in town.
"I think Henry could really use your presence," Mary Margaret said, taking Emma out of her thoughts, "I think it could be good for him to connect with you"
"Don't you think it's confusing?" Emma asked.
"I think he might need someone other than Regina,"
And there it was again.
Another unnecessary statement about Regina.
"Yeah," Emma nodded before pulling her chair back "Thank you for the cocoa, but I should get going"
"So soon?" Mary Margaret smiled at her.
"Yeah, it's… it's late," Emma said "And the road to Boston is long"
"You are really leaving?"
"The kid knows where I live and he has my number," Emma shrugged "He can call me when he needs me and I'll be here"
"Yes, of course," Mary Margaret said, standing up as well.
"Thank you again for the money," Emma said, already walking to the door "Thank you for helping me"
"It was my pleasure," Mary Margaret said behind her "So I guess this is goodbye?"
"Yeah, I think so," Emma nodded.
And next thing she knows, Emma was being enveloped by Mary Margaret and she wasn't really sure how to respond to that.
She moved one arm to the other woman's back and rubbed it awkwardly, hoping that the embrace would end soon.
"It was really nice to meet you, Emma," Mary Margaret said, still hugging Emma.
"Yeah, you too," Emma said awkwardly.
Mary Margaret let go of her taking a step back and Emma nearly sighed relieved.
That was exactly the reason why she didn't make friends.
It was easier to leave when you don't have anyone to say goodbye to.
Emma reached for the doorknob and opened the door, leaving the loft.
In the car, Emma drove her bug, ready to leave the town, but she ended up getting lost and couldn't find the main exit, so, instead of heading out of Storybrooke she ended up driving to the beach and as faith would have it, she parked her car right behind a familiar black Mercedes, and when Emma turned her head to look at the sea, she saw a familiar brunette sitting on the sand.
Emma tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, dueling with herself about why she wanted to go see Regina.
Emma laughed and scratched her forehead when she thought about the absurdity of her self-duel.
The question wasn't even about if she wanted to walk down the beach and see Regina.
Her self-debate was about if that was a good idea or not.
It wasn't.
She knew that.
If Regina hated to see her during the day imagine at late night while she was obviously taking a moment of solitude to herself.
Emma knew she should drive away.
She knew she should just turn on the car and drive, not only out of the beach but also, Storybrooke.
But there was this thing inside of her, this pull that seem to search for Regina, this unbelievable need to be closer to her.
Emma never felt that way before.
About anyone.
She supposed it was gratitude, Regina adopted her child when she couldn't care for him after all.
But deep down Emma knew that wasn't it.
And even deeper, she knew she would never allow herself to acknowledge whatever this was either.
Because Emma knew this could be dangerous.
And she vowed to herself she would never be in a dangerous situation ever again.
So, it was a surprise to her when her hands opened the car door and her legs carried her to the beach, to the woman sitting on the sand staring out the see.
Emma was insane.
Maybe Henry's problem did in fact begin with her.
But she couldn't help it.
It was that pull again, that invisible string that drew her to Regina.
"Hey," Emma said when she stopped next to her "Is that seat taken?" Emma laughed.
"Miss Swan," Regina said toneless, without looking at Emma "I'm not in the mood"
"I can see that," Emma said, sitting next to Regina in the sand "What happened?"
"It's none of your business," Regina said back.
"Okay," Emma nodded, staring out the sea as well.
She stared out the sea for a whole minute before turning her head to look at Regina.
She was sad.
Her eyes were teary and slightly red.
It was obvious she had been crying.
She just looked defeated.
And Emma knew why.
"It's Henry, isn't it?" Emma asked softly.
"This is none of your business," Regina said coldly.
"I know," Emma nodded "But I'm sorry"
"Why?" Regina smirked sarcastic, turning her head to look at Emma "It's exactly what you want, isn't it?"
"Excuse me?" Emma asked confused.
"You want him against me," Regina accused her angrily "You want him to hate me so you can take him back"
"Oh my God, Regina," Emma sighed "How many times do I have to tell you this? I don't have any agenda to take Henry away from you"
"I don't believe you,"
"That's your choice," Emma said, staring blankly at the sea.
Regina did the same, and both of them remained there, looking out the dark night, the bright moon, and the waves crashing on the sand.
"I think Im leaving," Emma said calmly.
"So soon?" Regina try to joke but ended up swaling dry.
"I can't find a place to stay in town, thanks to you" Emma laughed trying to light up the mood.
"Well, you certainly won't be missed," Regina said dryly.
"And here I was thinking you were warming up to me" Emma pointed at her.
"Don't be ridiculous" Regina said, turning her head to look at Emma "When are you leaving?"
"Tonight," Emma nodded "I was actually on my way out but I got lost and ended up here"
"You lost the main exit," Regina said.
"Yeah, how did you… How did you know?"
"I know everything, Miss Swan," Regina smiled.
"Ha! Very funny," Emma smiled back.
"When you miss the main exit the road only leads to one place," Regina said "Here"
"At least this is a good place to be lost, right?" Emma asked
"Right," Regina said back.
She rose from the sand, elegantly cleaning the sand grains from her pants.
The wind blew in the dark night, filling Emma's nostrils with the smell of apples blossoming on a winter night.
Regina's smell.
Emma stared at Regina, stared at her face covered by a lock of hair that the wind insisted upon blowing on her face, stared at her lips trapped between her teeth, and then at the hand moving away the sand from her pants.
She was so focused on staring at Regina, so focused on the smell that she would forever connect with belonging to the brunette woman, so focused on the way the moon shined upon her skin, so focused on how unbelievable beautiful the other woman looked that she didn't notice that Regina had stopped moving.
And was staring back at her.
"Well," Regina cleared her throat "It was nice to meet you, Miss Swan. Have a nice trip back to Boston"
Regina turned around to leave but she hardly gave one step before Emma reached for her wrist, pulling her back.
And there it was again, that wave of electricity tickling her skin.
Stronger this time, nearly urging her for more.
"I could stay," Emma said seriously, looking up at Regina "If you need help, I can stay"
"I don't need anyone," Regina said, looking down at Emma "I never did"
"We all need someone, Regina," Emma said softly.
"Talking by personal experience, dear?" Regina asked sarcastically.
"No," Emma said, ignoring the bark "But I would like to"
Regina looked down at Emma, confusion written all over her face.
Emma didn't blame her.
She couldn't understand her actions herself.
"Henry is all I will ever need," Regina said.
She reached for Emma's hand, still holding her wrist, and gently slid Emma's hand down.
Emma missed the contact immediately.
Regina gave her back to Emma, walking away from her.
"Go straight ahead and take one left and then one right," Regina said walking to her car "The main exit is a long road, just keep on driving until you see the sign you destroyed"
Emma smirked and watched Regina climb inside her car and then drive away before turning her head to look out the sea again.
Emma closed her eyes and breathed in the fresh breeze of the sea, remembering Regina's smell that for some reason, made her believe that it wasn't her perfume.
That smell was deeper.
It was her soul.
Emma shook her head and laughed to herself, burying her face inside her hands.
When Emma opened her eyes, she had made a decision.
Emma drove her car back to town and parked in front of the gray building.
She entered the building and walked up the stairs, stopping in front of the familiar door.
She knocked on the door and shifted her weight from one foot to the other while she waited, not so patiently, for the door to open.
"Hi," Emma smiled when the door was open "Is that room still available?"