Part Twelve: The One With The Kiss
Regina was kissing Emma with abandon, sinking her fingers deep into the side of her stomach.
She was alive!
In a way, she hasn't been in a very, very long time.
Suddenly, Regina felt like her body was on fire, everything inside her was awakened, chaotic and peaceful at the same time.
She wanted Emma desperately, needed her closer even though Regina knew she couldn't move any closer to the blonde woman.
That scent of wildflowers and summer breeze had enveloped her, taking over everything around, above, and below her to the point where nothing existed apart from Emma and herself and that overwhelming feeling that she had finally found what she have been looking for all these years.
Like she had finally found her home.
She moaned into the kiss when Emma pulled away slightly to suck on her lower lip before crashing their lips together again.
Regina pulled up on the hen of Emma's blouse, desperately needing to feel Emma's soft skin on her fingertips, needing to feel more of that electricity that seemed to move from Emma straight into her body.
It wasn't enough that Emma was holding her face between her hands, deepening the kiss in a beautiful mess of lips, tongue, and teeth. Regina needed more contact, the warmth of Emma's body was calling her name, begging her to come closer, to do more, feel more.
Regina pushed her body forward again, nearly moving on top of Emma without ever breaking the kiss.
One of Emma's hands moved down Regina's spine making her whole body shiver while she wished there were no barriers between them.
She wanted to feel Emma everywhere.
Her tongue moved inside Emma's, exploring her walls, savoring her tongue, tasting the faint taste of the apple cider.
She needed to breathe, but at the same time, Regina felt like she could die if she ever stop kissing Emma.
Because if this was a dream, it was one that Regina did not want to wake up from.
All Regina wanted was to be here and live in this moment forever.
But eventually, Emma pulled away from her, not enough to have some distance between them but just enough to break their kiss as she pressed their forehead together.
"Regina..." Emma whispered.
But Regina couldn't answer.
She was breathing heavily, the reality of what had just happened rushing all at once inside her mind.
And the truth was absolutely terrifying.
"Go on a date with me?" Emma asked, breathing heavily still.
"What?" Regina asked, still confused about her thoughts.
Emma pulled away slightly, holding Regina's face between her hands, and looked deep into her eyes.
"Go on a date with me?" Emma smiled.
"I can't," Regina shook her head.
"Regina..."
"We can't do this," Regina said.
Regina put her hands on top of Emma's and gently pulled them away from her face before getting up from the couch.
And the lack of Emma's touch hurt more than any wound she had ever suffered in her life.
"Why not?" Emma asked.
"Well, first of all, I dont like you," Regina said lamely, trying to recompose.
"Yeah, I could tell," Emma laughed and rose from the couch.
She walked to where Regina was standing near the fireplace and took her good hand between hers.
"But unlike you," Emma said softly "I sort of like you a little bit"
And Regina couldn't help but smile.
And feel her heart melt into a puddle at the smile on Emma's face and the fire behind her eyes.
Because knew she liked Emma.
More than she ever should.
But Regina couldn't do this.
How could she do this?
This was something that was lost to her a long time ago, a curse she had put upon herself with her actions.
And now Emma was here and everything was so damn confusing and Regina had no idea of what to do.
"You know what? It's late," Emma said, squeezing Regina's hand to bring her back to her "Why dont you say yes tomorrow?"
"That is very presumptions of you, dear," Regina arched an eyebrow.
"Maybe I am just that good kisser," Emma gave her a half-smile.
Regina rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling softly at Emma.
"I'll walk you to the door," Regina said before letting go of Emma's hands and walking out of the study.
She really hated how much she hated losing contact with Emma.
They stopped behind the closed front door, both of them staring at each other, none of them wanting to let go of the other.
"Thank you for dinner," Emma said.
"Why dont you thank me when I actually cook something," Regina said back.
"Is that na invitation, Madam Mayor," Emma asked teasingly.
"You wish," Regina smirked.
"I do, yes," Emma smiled.
Regina bit her lower lips, her heart heavy with the next words that were about to come out of her mouth.
"You should go," Regina said.
"I know," Emma nodded "I'll see you tomorrow,"
Emma leaned forward and pressed her lips tenderly with Regina's.
"For good dreams," Emma smiled before opening the door herself and walking away.
But Regina did not have good dreams.
Or maybe they were a little too good.
But overall, the night was hell.
She couldn't take Emma out of her mind.
She craved Emma desperately, her touch was burned in her skin, and Regina wanted nothing more than to let herself be consumed by the flames that were Emma Swan.
But at the same time, Regina wanted nothing to do with this feeling anymore.
She wanted Emma near as much as she wanted her far, far away.
She couldn't possibly do this.
All that was left of her heart was dedicated to Henry and now Emma was a bigger threat than she even was before.
Because what she could offer Regina, the possibility of a happy...
No!
Regina pulled the pillow over her head and grunted!
Damn that woman.
Damn that scent of wildflowers and summer breeze that made Regina's whole soul feel at peace.
Damn that pull towards Emma Swan and that shock wave that made her whole body come to life.
And most of all, damn that lustful feeling that invaded Regina's dream making her desire to run her tongue slowly in every inch of Emma's body while the blonde woman screamed her name.
Regina pulled the pillow from her head and turned around in bed.
She looked at the chaise longue near the window where the sun was shining gently on Emma's red leather jacket that she brought home with her the night before and carefully laid out in there.
Yes!
Damn Emma Swan indeed!
A few hours later, Regina was at the Mayor's Office, reading the report the infrastructure department brought her about the mine.
Everything was still very preliminary, it was mostly about their work the night before and the inspection they did in the morning.
But as it turns out, there was no real damage inside the mine and they had no idea what caused part of the collapse in the first place.
But Regina had a feeling about what have happened.
It was the curse.
It was getting weak, she could sense that.
Not enough to make her worry, but still.
Regina bit her lower lip, thinking about what to do.
Perhaps she should bring the whole place down.
It was just the old mine where the dwarfs used to work anyway and Regina very much doubt there was any pixie dust in there to explore.
And even if there were, they were worthless in a world without magic anyway.
But the budget for that kind of action was huge and Regina would have to schedule a council meeting before doing anything.
Even if the meeting was fake and they would agree with whatever Regina decided, she still had a role to play.
Regina sighed and scratched her forehead, staring at the report.
Perhaps it was better to just isolate the entrance and leave it as it is for now.
The work on bringing that thing down was not worth it.
Besides, if she took the mine down she might never be able to put Snow White inside that beautiful glass coffin again, Regina smiled.
"That's a smile we dont see every day,"
Regina looked up from the papers and saw Emma leaning by the door, smiling at her.
And Regina cursed herself for the smile that was now on her face but for a whole different reason.
"What's so entertaining about that report?" Emma asked, entering the office.
"Absolutely nothing," Regina crossed her arms "What are you doing here, Miss Swan?"
"You can call me Emma," Emma said and held up two brown bags "And I brought lunch"
"I wasn't aware we had a lunch appointment," Regina crossed her arms.
"Well, you are aware now," Emma said cheekily opening one of the bags "Did the kid have his pizza for breakfast?"
"Of course not," Regina scoffed.
"Regina?" Emma gave Regina a knowing look while taking the contents out of the bag.
"He had half a slice after he had his oatmeal breakfast," Regina said.
"Half a slice?" Emma asked.
"Okay, one slice," Regina rolled her eyes.
"Regina?" Emma laughed.
"Fine, he had three slices before I was even in the kitchen to make his breakfast," Regina said half angrily "Are you happy?"
Emma cracked out laughing while putting the empty bags on the floor.
"You spoil him," Emma pointed at her.
"Well, there wasn't much I could do," Regina sighed "The pizza was already inside his stomach"
"You do realize he put the pizza in his lunch box too, right?" Emma asked.
"Yes, but he is going to have quite a surprise when he opens his lunch box today," Regina smirked.
"Oh God," Emma laughed again, handing Regina a container.
Regina took the container from Emma's hand, feeling that pinch of shock she was now so familiar with when their fingers brushed.
"Kale salad?" Regina asked when she opened the container.
"Ruby said it was your favorite," Emma said back, opening her own container.
And Regina did her best to avoid that stupid silly grin that was threatening to make an appearance on her face.
Why couldn't that count as a reason to hate Emma Swan too?
"So," Emma asked casually "Our date?"
"What date?" Regina asked.
"The one you are going to say yes to today," Emma said.
"The one you were hoping I would say yes to today," Regina arched an eyebrow.
"Come one, Regina," Emma put her container down "Why is it so hard for you to just say yes?"
"Perhaps because I don't want to say yes," Regina put her container down too "Because you are very annoying"
"Oh, trust me, you are no Princess Charming either," Emma laughed.
"And thank God for that," Regina scoffed.
"Go on a date with me," Emma smiled softly at Regina.
"Emma…" Regina cleared her throat "I'm a very busy woman, Miss Swan. I don't have time for something as juvenile as going on a date"
"Go on a…" Emma started to say but they were both annoyingly interrupted by a knock on the door.
And two seconds later, Graham was entering the office.
"Emma!" Graham said surprised "What are you doing here?"
"I'm having lunch with Regina," Emma said annoyed "What are you doing here?"
Graham smiled at Emma, but his smile was a bit confused due to the harsh tone of Emma's voice.
Regina was surprised herself too.
But Graham didn't answer Emma, instead, he just turn to look at Regina and walked closer to her desk.
"I have the Sheriff's Department report about the mine incident," Graham said holding up the report "You need to authorize the extra hours for the next paycheck"
"Give me," Regina gestured with her hand before Graham passed on the report to Regina.
The lack of electricity when their fingers touched did not go unnoticed by her.
She opened the report already sighing at how thick it was.
"Did the Sheriff's Department really work this hard?" Regina asked "This is huge, Graham"
"It's because it also has the Fire Department report," Graham said.
"But we did not use the Fire Department in the rescue," Regina said back.
"Yes, but they were there, Regina," Graham said "You also have to open an extra budget for the Hospital and Marco"
"Wasn't Marco with the Infrastructure Department?" Regina asked.
"No, he was there solo," Graham said.
"Fine," Regina sighed again "I'll put everything on the agenda for the next Councils meeting,"
"Okay," Graham nodded.
He stood there by Regina's desk looking curious between Emma and Regina and their food.
And just one look at Emma, she could see how incredibly annoyed she was by his presence.
Which was weird and Regina wondered if she wasn't imagining the whole thing.
She was sure they liked each other.
As friends, at least.
"Is there anything else you need, Graham?" Regina asked.
"Ah, Emma actually," Graham said looking at Emma.
"Me?" Emma asked.
"Yes," Graham said "We are doing rounds"
"Okay," Emma said "What do you need me for?"
"This town is bigger than it looks," Graham said "I need you to be familiar with the area because soon you are going to start doing rounds alone"
"I can get by," Emma said simply and slightly irritated.
"I'm sure you can, but it is mandatory," Graham said "It's in the book"
"What book?" Emma asked.
"The Sheriff's Department manual," Regina answered "It states that new deputies need to make at least three mandatory rounds with the Sheriff in order to get to know the town"
"Oh!" Emma exclaimed "Can that wait? I'm having lunch"
"You can eat in the car," Graham smiled at Emma.
"Fine," Emma rolled her eyes.
She rose from the chair and picked up her container and drink from the desk before looking at Regina.
"I'll see you later," Emma said.
"I hope not," Regina smiled.
"Funny," Emma pointed at her smiling too.
Emma walked side by side with Graham to the door until he stopped abruptly and turned to look at Regina.
"I might be late for our appointment this afternoon," Graham said.
Regina swallowed dry, feeling her heart sink to the pit of her stomach at the idea of a meeting with Graham.
"I can't this afternoon," Regina firmly "Consider the meeting canceled"
"Are you sure?" Graham asked surprised.
"Yes, dear, I'm sure," Regina said and lowered her head to look at the reports "You two can go now"
Regina kept her head down until she heard the door being closed.
Then she looked up again and sighed, covering her face with her hands.
She had no desire to be with Graham anymore.
But she couldn't be with Emma either.
She needed to be more firm with Emma.
To make it perfectly clear that she had absolutely no interest in going on a date with her.
As much as she wanted to say yes, this could never work.
Because what chance could The Evil Queen possibly have at something like… love?
Emma was eating her salad in the front seat of the cruiser annoyed to the core at the man beside her.
Graham had interrupted a perfectly nice lunch with Regina and Emma was very tempted to do something incredibly foolish like… throwing the rest of that soggy salad on his head.
He was lucky she was hungry.
"So, you and Regina are becoming friends?" Graham asked.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Emma smirked.
He was the second person throwing the friend word about her and Regina.
If he only knew she wanted much, much more than just that.
"That's really nice, Emma," Graham said "That is going to be good for Henry"
"Excuse me?" Emma asked.
"The whole war between you and Regina was really affecting him," Graham said "It's going to be good for him if the two of you can find some balance"
"Graham, I don't mean to be rude, but," Emma said "I don't see how Henry is any of your business"
"Well, he is Regina's son," Graham said.
"And mine," Emma said "What's your point?"
Graham turned his head to look at Emma. He opened his mouth as if he was going to say anything but then he just stared out the road again.
"You are right," Graham said "He is your son too"
After that, he just started to point out all nooks and crannies of Storybrooke and Emma had to admit Graham was right.
Storybrooke was bigger than it seemed.
After the tour around Storybrooke, Graham drove them to the mine.
There were a few curious folks out there that they had to send on their way home and after that, they isolated the place with tape again.
Emma wasn't exactly sure why Graham asked her to go around the place again with tape, it wasn't like it would do anything to keep curious eyes out.
But she supposed this was all the department could do for now anyway.
By the time they were done with the rounds, Emma's shift was already over.
They were silent in the car as Graham drove Emma to the loft.
And Emma used the opportunity to think about Regina.
It seemed like the brunette woman had invaded all of Emma's thoughts since the day she arrived in Storybrooke.
But at least this time the thoughts were… less conflicted.
Because now, Emma could no longer ignore what was happening between them.
Or most importantly, she had no desire in ignoring anymore.
The kiss they had shared the night before was something Emma had never felt before in her life.
The second Emma's lips touched Regina's, Emma simply knew she had found her home.
It was like her soul was finally complete and she had no idea part of it was missing.
Regina made her feel so many things at the same time, it was like Emma's whole body was on fire, like everything inside her had finally awakened, like the reason for her existence in this world were for the single purpose of kissing the brunette woman.
Emma should be terrified of that.
She was terrified of that.
But when the thoughts of living a life without Regina invaded her mind, when the idea of never having that feeling of home crawled under her skin, Emma simply knew she couldn't deny her feelings anymore.
The idea of not having Regina was scarier than anything else she have ever experienced in her life.
So denying wasn't an option anymore.
And Emma knew Regina felt the same too, even though she was more reluctant to admit it.
Which was ridiculously infuriating and so damn Regina.
Emma smiled as she turned her head to the window, looking out the idyllic constructions of Storybrooke.
Perhaps she could make a home here.
"What made you stay?"
Emma was pulled out of her dreamy thoughts by the sound of Graham's voice.
"What?" Emma asked.
"In Storybrooke," Graham smiled "What made you stay in Storybrooke. Apart from the obvious"
"The obvious?" Emma asked confused.
"Henry," Graham said.
"Oh!" Emma looked out the window again.
"So what was it?" Graham asked amused "Was it the calmness of the town or its charming residents that captures your heart?"
They were just driving in front of Granny's when Emma watched two familiar figures going inside the diner.
"Regina," Emma said simply.
"Excuse me?" Graham asked confused.
"Stop the car," Emma said looking back at Graham again "I'm going to stay here at the diner"
"Oh, okay," Graham said, maneuvering the car "You know, if you are going to grab a bite maybe we can have something together?"
"Oh, no, I'm fine," Emma said opening the door "You still have your shift"
"Just a few reports," Graham shrugged.
"That still needs to be done," Emma smiled "I'll see you later"
She closed the car door and quickly walked to the diner and this time, she did not ignore how fast her heart was beating or how that pull was making her feet carry her faster.
If anything, she was welcoming.
Emma opened the door and the second she step inside the diner, Regina was already looking in her direction.
Emma smiled at her, and walked to their booth, the little butterflies dancing in the pit of her stomach.
"Hey," Emma said when she stopped in front of their booth.
"Emma," Henry said cheerfully.
"Miss Swan," Regina said shortly.
"You can call me Emma too, Regina," Emma smiled at her.
"Miss Swan," Regina cleared her throat.
And Emma just rolled her eyes.
Damn woman indeed.
"Emma, are you having dinner with us again?" Henry asked.
"Isn't it a little early for that?" Emma asked looking at her watch.
It was only five-thirty in the afternoon.
"I have a session with Archie," Henry said "So mom brings me to Granny's to eat before that"
"Oh!" Emma exclaimed, "Archie is seeing you already?"
"Why wouldn't he?" Henry asked confused.
"Well, you know, the whole mine thing," Emma gestured with her hand.
"He called to confirm the appointment," Regina said, "I asked Henry and he said he was okay to go"
"I have new things that I need to discuss with him," Henry said conspiratorily before lowering his voice "You know for Operation Cobra"
"Right," Emma nodded seriously at him.
"So, you are eating with us?" Henry asked again.
"Well, if you guys don't mind…"
"I don't," Henry said cheerfully.
"I do," Regina said at the same time.
"Then I'll stay," Emma said gesturing to Henry to slide onto his booth so she could sit down beside him.
Emma half expected Regina to say something about her staying, something rude about how she wasn't welcome or how that was a family dinner.
But instead, she just looked at the menu as if it was the most interesting thing she had ever seen in her life.
"Hey, Emma," Henry said, "Do you want to share a loaded nachos bowl with me?"
"Henry, I already told you, you are not having a nachos bowl," Regina looked firmly at him.
"You said I couldn't have a whole nachos bowl," Henry said back "If I'm sharing with Emma I'll only have half"
"That's still a no," Regina arched an eyebrow.
"Mom, please," Henry said "I'm hungry. All I had at school was that disgusting brown thing with the other horrible green stuff on top. I was hungry even while I was eating"
"Brown thing and green stuff?" Emma asked confused.
"It was a quinoa salad with olives, tomatoes, and avocado," Regina said to Emma before looking at Henry "Which was supposed to be my lunch today"
"Then why did I have to eat that?" Henry asked.
"Because you had three slices of pizza for breakfast," Regina said seriously.
"Because they were good," Henry argued back.
"No nachos, Henry," Regina said firmly again.
Emma looked at Henry and saw him snort in anger before looking down the menu again. It was funny because the kid was so much like Regina that he didn't even realize it.
But Emma also felt something strange in the pit of her stomach. It was some sort of fear, but not quite. Because she didn't want Henry to use this to think of Regina as The Evil Queen again. She didn't want this to give them a setback, to make Regina the villain before Henry's eyes.
She could tell something had changed between the two of them, she didn't know how long has it been, but Henry didn't seem so hateful towards Regina anymore.
And regardless of anything, regardless of her or Regina, about what they may or may not have, no matter what, the relationship between Henry and Regina was sacred.
And Emma would do anything in her power to keep it that way.
"You know what?" Emma asked taking the menu "Why don't we order a steak and a salad…"
"I can no longer eat salads," Henry interrupted her.
"And," Emma looked at him "Some house tortillas and we make ourselves tacos instead?"
Henry tilted his head to the side looking at Emma, his hand under his chin.
Then he nodded at her, before turning his head to look at Regina.
"Mom?"
"Are you eating the salad too? Regina asked.
"Yes," Henry answered between teeth.
"Okay," Regina nodded "But no cheese"
"Seriously?" Emma asked.
"Seriously!" Regina said firmly at her.
Emma rolled her eyes playfully before winking at Regina.
When Ruby arrived, the trio placed their order and it didn't take long before Ruby came back with it.
"So, how are you feeling, Kid?" Emma asked while she cut the meat into strips.
"I'm fine," Henry said "But it was kinda weird at school. Everyone was pointing at me"
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"Because I was the kid who was trapped in the mine," Henry answered before taking a meat strip and shove inside his mouth.
"And did that make you uncomfortable?" Emma asked.
"No more than usual," Henry shrugged.
"Henry, is anyone giving you trouble at school?" Regina asked worriedly.
"No, of course not," Henry said "They know I'm your son"
"Well, good," Regina said uncertainly.
Emma finished slicing up the meat then she took one of the tortillas from the plate to make a taco.
Loaded with salad.
She could tell Regina was watching and when she handed the taco to Henry, the discreet approval nod Regina gave made Emma's heart jump a little inside her chest.
"So, what did you do today, Emma?" Henry asked, munching on his taco.
"Well, I got a tour around Storybrooke from Graham," Emma said, making her own taco.
"And how did you like it?" Henry asked.
"It was interesting," Emma said "The city really is bigger than it looks"
"Well, it had to fit everyone from the Enchanted Forest," Henry said.
"Henry!" Regina warned.
"Well, it's true," Henry shrugged before stretching his hand to make himself another taco.
Emma looked at Regina apologetically, knowing how hard it must be for her to deal with Henry and his fairy tale fantasy.
There were days when Emma couldn't deal with it herself and she wasn't the one Henry was calling The Evil Queen.
Even though she deserved that title.
She was the one who gave him up after all.
"How is it working at the Sheriff Station?" Henry asked, pulling Emma out of her thoughts.
"Quiet," Emma answered and chew at the same time "It's nothing like what I used to do for a living"
"As a..." Henry asked "What again?"
"Bailbonds person," Emma smiled at him.
"Henry, how about you stop harassing Miss Swan with questions?" Regina asked him.
"I don't mind," Emma said looking at her "Would you like to ask me a question?"
"Why would I want to ask you a question?" Regina asked.
"I don't know, Regina," Emma said "To be nice? To keep the conversation flowing?"
"I like to eat in silence," Regina said.
"No, you don't," Henry said right after.
"Henry!" Regina said outrageously.
And Emma just laughed.
Because even though Regina was been infuriating with her constant denial, she was also absolutely adorable when she was infuriating and not able to lash out.
Because she would never lash out at Henry.
And Emma liked her a little bit more just for that.
They kept on eating and talking, with Henry asking all sorts of questions to Emma.
Regina tried to pretend she wasn't interested in her answers but the way she leaned forward when Emma purposely spoke in a lower voice gave her away.
She was being obvious in her calculated way of not being obvious.
But eventually, Regina looked at the clock and sighed, and just like that, Emma knew their time was up.
"Henry, we have to go," Regina said "Are you done eating?"
"Yep," Henry nodded at her.
Regina reached for her purse and took out her wallet, putting the money on top of the table.
"How much is my share?" Emma asked.
"It's all there already," Regina said getting up.
"You are covering for me?" Emma smiled.
"Yeah, well," Regina said looking for something inside her purse "Henry, let's go"
Emma moved from her seat to let Henry out and then messed his hair before he followed Regina out.
And in an impulsive decision, Emma ran out of the diner, following them out too.
She caught Regina when she was just opening the car door.
"Regina, wait," Emma shouted.
Regina turned in Emma's direction, that overwhelming scent of apple blossom and winter nights, and… home, hitting her all at once.
"What is it, Miss Swan?" Regina asked.
"Em-ma," Emma said "And I just want to thank you for dinner"
Emma stood in front of Regina, every bone in her body begging her to wrap her arms around Regina and pull her closer to her body.
"Well, you know what they say," Regina smiled "Feed them once…"
Emma laughed and rolled her eyes at the same time.
She reached for Regina's hand, lightly tracing her thumb above her knuckles.
"Regina…"
"I have to take Henry to his session," Regina interrupted her.
But she didn't pull away from Emma's touch.
"I know," Emma nodded "I really just wanted to say thank you"
"You are welcome," Regina said softly.
And smiled at her.
Emma loved how relaxed Regina looked when she was smiling.
She really did have a beautiful smile.
Emma gave a step closer to Regina, never breaking eye contact with her.
She swallowed dry, waiting for Regina to pull away, waiting for any sign that would tell her Regina was uncomfortable with their proximity.
Instead, that scent that belonged to Regina intensified around her with something that Emma could easily identify.
Desire.
Emma gave Regina a half-smile and leaned forward, kissing the very corner of her mouth lightly.
"I'll see you tomorrow,"
Emma winked at Regina, before turning around and walking away.
In the loft, Emma was sitting by the counter with Mary Margaret while she went on and on and on about David and how they have clicked.
Emma did her best to listen to her friend, but her mind went on and on and on about Regina and how she couldn't wait to kiss her again.