Part Twenty: The One With The Friendship
The sun had already risen when Emma struggled to open the door of the loft, carrying as much as she could from the car, under her arms.
The night she had shared with Regina was something Emma would never forget, even if she lived thousands of lives.
It was impregnated in her skin, branded in her bones, carved in her soul.
It was so different from anything Emma had experienced before.
It was intense but tender.
Lustful and pure.
A reconnection of lost souls who had finally found each other again.
Two souls who had finally come home.
Emma couldn't stop thinking about that after she left Regina in the car and walked back to the building.
Part of her didn't want to let Regina go. Part of her was screaming at her, begging her to go back to Regina.
To never part with her again.
And God, how Emma wanted to turn around and ask Regina to stay.
Just one more minute. One hour. A lifetime.
But the reasonable part of her knew she had to let Regina go back home to Henry.
He was alone in the mansion and Emma was deeply touched by the look of worry on Regina's face when she said she had to go home because she didn't want Henry to wake up alone.
The way Regina cared for Henry was everything Emma had ever wished for when she gave her son away.
She wanted Henry to have his best chance and knowing Regina had become his mother made the constant tightness in her chest hurt less.
Regina was meant to be his mother.
Henry was meant to find Emma.
And finally, bring her home.
Emma shook her head and pushed the door of the rooftop open, smiling softly at the rose petals on the floor, the small table where they shared dinner, and then the tent where they made something so beautiful Emma could hardly put it into words.
It wasn't just sex.
It would never be just sex between them.
Emma walked to the tent, lying down on the mattress where their bodies were tangled in a mess of limbs only a few moments earlier.
She could still smell them.
The sweat, the perfume, their pleasure.
They were all lingering in the air along with that intoxicating scent of apple blossom, winter breeze, and a hint of wildflowers.
At first, Emma thought it was the scent of the petals on the floor that somehow mixed with Regina's but then something inside of her caressed her heart, telling her that it was something deeper.
That the scent was forged there now.
It was the weirdest thing Emma have ever felt in her life.
And yet, not the scariest.
Emma looked up at the dark sky sprinkled with silver stars and waited.
Waited for that familiar instinct to take over her body.
Waited for the will to just pack her things and leave the town in the middle of the night.
Waited for her heart to tell her to just move on and forget about her.
But nothing ever came.
Emma smiled up at the sky, her gaze fixed on the full moon beautifully illuminating the night.
Emma had sworn once to never love anyone but herself.
She broke that promise the first time after she met Henry.
And now she knew she was on the road to breaking her promise a second time for Regina.
It had been a while since Emma had accepted her feelings for Regina. That she had told herself she wasn't going to run away from it.
But this, what they shared, the connection… it was different.
Intenser.
Deeper.
It wasn't just feelings lightly bubbling on the surface.
It wasn't just an urge to share a kiss, a body, a bed.
And Emma was happy to have given herself the chance to…
The beeping sound of the phone broke the silent night, pulling Emma out of her thoughts.
She grunted before getting up from the bed, looking for the phone on the floor. She had a faint idea of where it had slid off to when she was picking up her clothes from the floor.
Emma found the phone half hidden under one of the cushions and pressed the power button, the bright light hurting her eyes.
She smiled at the text notification showing Regina's name.
And then she frowned when she saw that it was three in the morning already while she tapped her password on the screen.
"Hi.
I'm home.
Thank you for the night. It was beautiful, Emma.
I loved, I loved everything."
Emma smiled at the text, walking back to the mattress and flopping on top of the bed before typing.
"I'm glad you are home safe.
I loved everything about tonight too.
It was… It was special.
All of it"
Emma hit send and bit her lower lip hoping Regina wouldn't think it was too corny of her to call their night and what they did special.
Because it was special.
More than that even.
The phone vibrated on Emma's hand and she quickly opened the next text.
"Indeed it was special.
I wish we had more time. I wouldn't mind hearing you moaning my name again.
How is the clean-up?"
Emma smirked, her fingers already typing an answer.
"I could say the same, Madam Mayor.
You make the sweetest of sounds when you are about to…
The clean-up would be much more effective if I actually started.
How is Henry?"
Regina's answer didn't take long to come.
"He was sleeping when I arrived.
I don't think he woke at all throughout the night.
You should start cleaning, Miss Swan.
I don't know about you, but I have to be at work in less than five hours"
Emma typed:
"Perhaps I shouldn't clean at all.
Perhaps I should just leave everything up here and return your keys during lunch break…
In the tent!"
Emma hit send, a soft smile adorning her lips.
"Oh, my!
What should the townfolks think of such scandalous behavior?"
Emma typed:
"That they have definitely elected a good mayor?"
Emma cheekily texted back.
And she could almost hear Regina clicking her tongue when she read her answer.
"Good night, Miss Swan.
Don't stay up too late up there or I'll have no choice but to have you arrested for transpassing"
Emma laughed and texted goodnight back to Regina before throwing the phone between the sheets and staring up at the silver-dotted sky again.
Her heart was finally at peace.
Emma shoved the door of the loft open, dropping everything on the floor.
Cleaning up the rooftop took way longer than it did for Emma to set everything up there.
Mostly because she couldn't bear to tear apart the tent, to empty the mattress to fold the sheets.
Her heart was heavy when she took everything down and their scent disappeared into what was left of the night.
"What's all this?"
Emma looked up from the floor to see Mary Margaret standing behind the kitchen counter, looking puzzled at her while holding a cup of coffee.
"Oh, it's nothing," Emma cleared her throat, moving to close the door behind her.
"Are those my cushions?" Mary Margaret asked pointing at the floor.
"Yeah, I had to borrow them," Emma said "I hope you don't, mind, I can pay for them if there is any damage"
"Oh, Emma, no, of course not," Mary Margaret brushed her off "Do you want some coffee?"
"Ah, yes, I do," Emma walked to the counter "Thank you"
Mary Margaret smiled at Emma and then poured a cup of coffee in front of her.
"Are you just getting home?" Mary Margaret asked, giving Emma the cup.
"Yeah, I was…" Emma sipped her coffee "Working tonight"
"Oh, honey," Mary Margaret said "I hope you can get some rest"
"Yeah, me too," Emma smiled before sipping her coffee again "Heading off to the school?"
"Yes, I… I didn't sleep very well," Mary Margaret said "It's better if I just go to school to start my day"
"Oh, I'm sorry," Emma said "Something in your mind?"
"Well, you know," Mary Margaret bit her lower lip "David"
"Mary Margaret, it's not worth it," Emma said softly.
"I know, I know," Mary Margaret threw her hands in the air "But I can't help it. I can't help the way I feel, Emma"
"I can understand that," Emma said "But at the end of the day, he is still married. He still has a wife"
"What do I do, Emma?" Mary Margaret asked.
"You need to talk to him," Emma said seriously "Ask him what he is feeling and what his plans about it are. If he is not going to leave his wife then don't settle to be his mistress"
Emma looked at Margaret, nearly regretting her words.
The woman looked hurt and Emma could see a battle happening behind the silver line that formed inside her eyes.
Mary Margaret knew it was wrong.
But Emma could tell that part of her was fighting against that thought.
Emma rose from the stool and walked to the bags she left on the floor. She picked up the brown bag from the restaurant and brought it over to the counter, retrieving the content from the inside.
"There is cheese and chocolate fondue in here," Emma said "Knock yourself out before going to school" Emma winked at her.
Emma gave her back to the woman and walked in the direction of the stairs.
"Why do you have chocolate and cheese fondue?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Because sometimes, you can share it with someone special," Emma smiled, memories of her night with Regina flashing behind her eyes "And sometimes, you have to recognize that you are special enough to have it on your own"
"I don't understand…" Mary Margaret said behind her.
"You will," Emma smiled walking up the stairs.
She flopped on top of her bed not even bothering to take off her clothes and closed her eyes, succumbing to sleep with only the image of a certain brunette woman burning behind her eyes.
Regina was smiling happily when she moved the eggs on the skillet from one side to the other, humming a song.
She barely slept the night before.
After she arrived home and made sure Henry was safe and sound all she wanted to do was to run out of the house and back inside Emma's arms.
Every inch of her body ached for Emma's touch.
Every bit of her soul wanted to be inside that tent again.
Regina never thought going to bed with another person could be that intense.
Sex before was just something she did to release her body's tension and satisfy her needs. It was good, and she had always enjoyed it, at least with the partners she chose by her own will after the King died, but what she shared with Emma was so different.
It was intense.
Pleasurable.
Intimate.
Regina had sex so many times before but she couldn't honestly say they had been intimate, regardless of the lack of clothes.
Even in the aftermath of sex, having Emma spent naked o top of her and sharing a conversation was just as blissful as the act itself.
That was the intimacy Regina was lacking with all the partners she had before Emma.
And she couldn't understand how she lived this long without it.
Maybe it was always supposed to be with her.
Maybe she was always supposed to be with Emma.
"Morning, mom," Henry's voice said behind her.
Regina turned to look at her son crawling up the stool by the island and smiled.
"Morning Henry," Regina said and turned off the flames "How did you sleep?"
"Okay," Henry said "At what time did you come home last night?"
"Oh, it was…" Regina cleared her throat while dividing the eggs between two plates "It was late. I'm not really sure of the time"
"Oh!" Henry exclaimed, "Is everything okay?"
"Yes, everything is fine," Regina smiled, putting one of the plates in front of him "Toast or crackers?"
"Toast and butter," Henry said.
Regina kissed the top of his head for one second too long before cutting two slices of bread and putting them on the toaster.
"Where did you really go last night?" Henry asked.
"What do you mean?" Regina pretended to not understand his question.
"You looked very nice last night, mom," Henry said.
"I always look nice," Regina said, staring at the toaster as if her stare could make the bread pop out faster.
"You looked extra nice then," Henry said behind her "What's going on?"
"Nothing," Regina said "I just had a meeting and then I went out to meet with some… friends"
Regina rolled her eyes to herself.
Not even she would buy that.
"Friends?" Henry asked "You don't have any friends"
"Of course I do," Regina said outrageously.
"No, you don't," Henry accused.
The toasted popped the slices of bread out and Regina nearly jumped at the noise.
She put the two slices of bread on a plate and put them in front of Henry.
"Well I do," Regina said walking to the fridge to take the butter.
"Who?" Henry asked.
"I went out with…" Regina paused. She bit her lower lip and took out the butter before walking back to Henry and blowing out the only name that came to mind. Well, the second name "Katheryn"
"Oh!" Henry said, spreading butter on the toast "Really?"
"Yes, really," Regina said before sitting in front of her own plate.
"Did you have fun?" Henry asked between chews.
Regina smiled involuntarily as flashes of the night she had with Emma burned behind her eyes.
"I did, yes," Regina said.
"Cool," Henry said, digging into his breakfast again.
They ate their breakfast sharing a lighter chat about Henry and school and Regina felt herself smiling more and more at the happy feeling that was spreading on her body through her veins.
Things with Henry were getting better.
Things with Emma were better than she could have ever hoped for.
And for the first time in God knew how many years, Regina really felt like she could really have everything she wanted.
Emma blinked her eyes, grunting and stretching her body as she slowly woke from her slumber.
She slept like a cat in the sun.
Emma stretched her hand to the bedside table, tapping the wooden surface for her phone, but there was nothing there.
She opened her eyes fully and looked down at herself, realizing that she had fallen asleep with all of her date clothes still on.
And then she smiled as memories of the night danced behind her eyes.
God, she missed being with Regina already!
Missed being inside that tent with Regina naked below her and only the stars above them.
Emma reached inside her pocket and picked up her phone, her smile widened as she saw a text from Regina.
"I see you took down the tent from the roof.
Very effective, Miss Swan"
Emma typed:
"I can have it build up there again in ten minutes.
Just say the word"
Emma waited for a response for one, two, and then three full minutes before getting up from the bed.
Regina's text was from over one hour ago and she was probably busy with work now.
Emma sighed and dropped the phone on top of the bed again, walking to the bathroom.
She hated that she had to wash Regina off her skin.
Emma hopped inside the shower, smiling softly when she felt her inner thighs slightly sore while she washed.
She could hardly wait to see Regina again!
After the shower, Emma walked back into her bedroom, checking her phone.
No text from Regina!
Emma changed her clothes, opting for dark jeans and a simple grey/blue shirt, and a pair of boots along with her blue jacket.
She ran her fingers along her hair to get rid of some knots before shoving her phone inside her jacket pocket and heading off the loft.
Ten minutes later, Emma parked her car in front of the City Hall building.
She opened the door of the bug and got out of the car, looking lovingly at the roof for a few seconds before going inside, straight to Regina's office.
She didn't even bother knocking before letting herself in.
"Hi," Emma said staring at Regina by the door.
Regina looked up at her surprised, but the smile on her face told Emma she was happy to see her too.
"Hi," Regina said "I was just about to text you"
"Ah," Emma clicked her tongue, closing the door behind her.
"What are you doing here?" Regina asked "Eager to see me already?"
Emma smiled at Regina, silently walking in her direction. She stopped in front of Regina's chair, putting her hands on each side of the chair arm, and leaned forward, capturing Regina's lips in a kiss.
Regina moaned softly and cupped Emma's cheeks with her hands pulling her closer while Emma deepened the kiss, her tongue cherishing Regina's walls feeling her whole body come to life again.
"I came to give your keys back," Emma whispered, her lips still pressed against Regina's.
"You know you can just say you missed me," Regina smiled while kissing Emma "There is no need for excuses"
"Ah," Emma smiled "And here I was thinking I was being subtle"
Emma kept on kissing Regina until her lungs burned for air and she had no choice but to pull away.
She sat on the edge of Regina's desk and reached inside her pocket for the keys, putting them softly on top of the stack of papers Regina was reading.
"Here they are," Emma said.
"Thank you," Regina said softly "I must admit I missed seeing the tent up on the roof when I went up there"
"Just say the word, and I'll have it up there in ten minutes" Emma smiled.
"Maybe I'll take you up on that," Regina said "You have the day off today?"
"No, I'm working at night," Emma sighed "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"Not much," Regina smiled "But I was fine with that"
"Oh," Emma smiled "You know, there is a perfectly nice couch right there" Emma tilted her head in the direction of the couch.
"I can see that," Regina crossed her arms.
"And since the tent isn't up there anymore," Emma said seductively "Perhaps I could refresh some of those lovely memories we did last night"
"Miss Swan," Regina said seriously "This is a public office"
"The people could benefit from a happy Mayor," Emma smiled "Flexible laws and all that"
Regina laughed and rose from her chair, standing up in front of Emma.
She put her hands on Emma's thighs, slowly running her fingers up.
"Well, dear," Regina smiled seductively "I am all about happy citizens"
Emma reached for Regina's waist and pulled her closer to her body. She leaned forward her lips already feeling Regina's hot breath when suddenly the door was ripped open behind them.
"Regina!"
Regina pulled away from Emma quickly, nearly tripping when her legs bumped against the chair.
She took a step to the side and looked surprised at the woman standing behind them.
Emma was surprised to see her there too.
"Katheryn!" Regina said, "What are you doing here?"
Katheryn's face was all red, tears falling down her face.
"It's David," Katheryn said simply.
She walked in Regina's direction wrapping her arms around the brunette woman, her face buried in the crook of Regina's neck.
Regina looked at Emma apologetically, running her hands up and down Katheryn's back.
Emma got up from the desk, biting her lower lips while she looked at the scene playing in front of her.
She had an idea or two about what have gotten Katheryn so upset.
"I…" Emma cleared her throat "I should go"
Katheryn looked up from Regina's neck, surprise written on her features.
"Emma!" Katheryn said "I'm sorry, I didn't see you there"
"I was just delivering something to the Mayor," Emma shook her head "I'm gonna get going now"
Emma walked past both women, in the direction of the door.
Her phone buzzed inside her jacket, and Emma had just closed the door behind her when she read a text from Mary Margaret.
"He is leaving her!"
"Regina, I'm so sorry," Katheryn sniffed pulling away "I just barged in inside your office and I'm sorry"
"Don't worry about it, dear," Regina said, squeezing Katheryn's shoulder before pointing the chair at her "Tell me what happened"
Katheryn sniffed again, before crashing heavily on top of the chair.
Regina walked behind her desk, opening the left drawer and retrieving a box of tissues, sliding on the desk in Katheryn's direction.
"Thank you," Katheryn said blowing her nose "I don't know what to do, Regina"
"What's going on?" Regina asked.
"I just talked with David," Katheryn said before rolling her eyes "More like a fight. He said that he doesn't want to be with me anymore"
"And why is that?" Regina asked dryly.
"He says it's not working," Katheryn said "He says that he doesn't remember any of the things… the time we spent together and," Katheryn sniffed, "He says he wants to move on. Whatever that means"
"You can't let him do that, Katheryn," Regina said seriously.
"It's not like I have a choice, Regina," Katheryn said "Besides, I don't… I don't think I'm happy either. Ever since he came back… I feel like I'm fighting a battle every day just to keep him by my side"
"He is confused right now, you both are," Regina said "He just came home after spending years in a coma and you just got your husband back after living years on your own"
"That's true," Katheryn nodded.
"It will take some time before things are normal again," Regina said "But you two love each other and…"
"Do we?" Katheryn interrupted Regina "Do we really love each other?"
"Of course you do," Regina said softly "I can see in the way he looks at you"
"He doesn't look at me the way Emma looks at you," Katheryn said.
"Excuse me?" Regina blinked her eyes.
"You heard me," Katheryn smiled at Regina "He doesn't look at me as if he wants to rip the clothes off my body"
"Katheryn…"
"Either does he look murderous at people who dare come near me," Katheryn said "I saw the way she was looking at me when I hugged you at David's party"
"I don't know what you are talking about," Regina cleared her throat.
"But the thing that strikes me the most is that," Katheryn said softly "He doesn't look at me as if I mean everything in the world to him"
"Emma doesn't look at me that way," Regina said shyly.
"She does, Regina," Katheryn said "Especially when you are not looking"
"You are seeing things," Regina said.
"Perhaps," Katheryn said teasingly "But you would be much more believable if your lipstick wasn't all smudged and Emma hadn't just left your office"
"Ah, shit," Regina said, her fingers instantly cleaning the corner of her lips.
"How long have the two of you been together?" Katheryn asked.
"We are not together," Regina said, holding a small mirror in front of her.
"Come on, Regina," Katheryn said "We are friends"
Regina put the mirror on the desk and sighed, looking at Katheryn.
Friends.
Could they be friends?
Would Kathery ever care for her if she knew who Regina really was?
Regina bit her lower lip staring at the woman in front of her.
Perhaps in a previous life that would be impossible.
But in this one, maybe things could be different.
Maybe she could confide in Katheryn and trust her as a... friend.
"Not long," Regina said hesitantly "We've been out a couple of times and… we slept together last night"
"You slept together?" Kathery asked smiling in surprise at Regina "And how was it?"
"Katheryn!" Regina said embarrassed "I'm not gonna tell you that"
"Yes, you are," Kathery said "I want details. She looks like knows what she is doing in bed"
"Oh my God!" Regina said.
"Does she?" Katheryn pressed.
"She… does," Regina felt her cheeks burn.
"So I take it was good?" Katheryn asked.
"More than that," Regina said softly "It was… special. Different from anything I ever had before"
"Regina," Katheryn reached over the desk to take Regina's hand, squeezing lightly "I'm so happy for you"
"Why?" Regina asked confused.
"Because you are my friend," Katheryn said softly "And you deserve happiness"
"Sometimes I feel like I don't," Regina said sadly "Not like this"
"Of course you do," Katheryn said "We all do, Regina"
"Do you really think so?" Regina asked.
"Yes," Katheryn smiled "I see the way you look at her too, you know? You two are not exactly subtle"
"Apparently not," Regina shook her head "But you can't tell anyone. We are keeping this just between us"
"I won't tell a soul," Katheryn said "I promise"
"Thank you," Regina smiled softly at Katheryn, squeezing her hand back.
"How does Henry feel about this?" Kathery asked.
"How do I feel about what?"
Regina's eyes widened as she looked over Katheryn's shoulder and saw Henry standing at the door.
She didn't even notice him opening the door let alone entering her office.
"Henry!" Regina said, quickly letting go of Katheryn's hand "What are you doing here?"
"Miss Blanchard dismissed us earlier today," Henry said walking to the empty chair next to Katheryn.
He sat down on the chair, dropping his backpack on the floor.
"Were you two talking about me?" Henry asked.
"Katheryn was just asking how you were doing," Regina said quickly.
"Oh!" Henry said turning his head to Katheryn "Did you have fun with mom last night?"
"Excuse me?" Katheryn blinked her eyes.
"Didn't you two go out together last night?" Henry asked looking between Katheryn and Regina suspiciously.
Regina wanted to bury her body in a hole.
Why did Henry have to be so nosy?
He certainly didn't get that from her!
Katheryn smiled brightly at Regina, amusement written all over her face.
She was regretting this whole friendship thing already!
"We did, yes," Katheryn said, smiling at Henry before turning to Regina "And we had so much fun together, didn't we, Regina?"
"We certainly did, yes," Regina swallowed dry, a nervous smile playing on her lips.
"In fact," Katheryn said, "I have a feeling we'll be having lots and lots of more fun nights together, won't we, Regina?"
Katheryn winked at Regina, while she stare back at Katheryn's mouth slightly open.
Maybe this friendship thing wasn't all that bad after all.
"Yes," Regina blinked her eyes "Yes, I think we will"
"Cool," Henry nodded.
Katheryn let out a small laugh before getting up from the chair.
"I should go," Katheryn said "There is a lot that I need to think about"
"I know," Regina said getting up as well.
"Thank you so much, Regina," Katheryn said. She walked to Regina, enveloping her in a hug "Thank you for listening"
"You are welcome," Regina said, hugging Katheryn back.
Katheryn said goodbye to Henry leaving the office.
And Regina was left with a bitter taste in the back of her throat, wondering for the first time if she was doing the right thing…
About three hours later, Regina was leaving her office with Henry.
He had a session with Archie so Regina did her usual routine of taking him for dinner at Granny's and then to his session.
After Regina dropped Henry off at Archie's office, she headed home.
Restless!
She paced around the house, thinking about what Katheryn had said to her when she went into her office.
Regina knew damn well why David wanted to leave Katheryn.
He was falling in love with his one true love.
And Regina couldn't allow that!
Although, she hated herself for forcing Katheryn to endure that idiot.
Katheryn was a good person and she… she deserved more.
Regina hated the moral battle happening inside of her.
Her life was so much easier when she hated everyone and didn't care about anyone's happiness but hers.
Regina sighed and decided to go outside for a walk.
Perhaps the cool breeze of the night would help her to think more clearly.
She couldn't let David and Mary Margaret be together.
Regina could sense her curse was getting weak and she was sure they were the reason why.
Their proximity was causing the curse to crack and even though Regina knew it wouldn't break, she couldn't allow that to continue.
Regina walked through the dark night of the city without paying attention to where she was going.
Perhaps she could find a way to make it up to Katheryn when everything was back to normal.
Regina entered another street, looking ahead when she saw a familiar figure.
David!
He seemed to be distracted while walking and then he suddenly stopped, looking at something that looked oddly like a map in his hands.
Regina took the opportunity to sneak quietly behind him.
"Mr. Nolan," Regina said cheerfully.
David got scared before smiling at Regina.
"Oh!"
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you" Regina lied "I was just heading home from work and I saw you. Are you lost?"
"Yeah. Yeah, kind of" David said looking at the map "I'm looking for the toll bridge"
"Ah, where you were found," Regina said.
"Yeah," David nodded.
"Trying to jog your memory?" Regina asked.
"No, I'm meeting someone," David said.
And Regina knew damn well who.
Rage rose inside of her, boiling her blood.
"So you made your choice," Regina said, calmer than she was actually feeling.
"Yes," David said slowly, looking at her.
He didn't even have the decency of looking guilty.
"Well, I don't suppose I can convince you to change your mind?" Regina asked.
"I can't change what I feel," David smiled softly at her.
Regina smiled back at David looking between the map and him an idea just forming inside her mind.
"No, of course not," Regina said before looking behind her "Walk down the street to Mr. Gold's pawnshop. You'll find a fork in the road. Go left. It will take you to a hiking trail that leads directly to the bridge"
"Thank you, uh, for understanding," David said already walking away.
"Good luck, David. I hope you find what you're looking for"
Regina continued her walk, smiling to herself.
He would never find what he was looking for.
He would find Gold's shop and have no choice but to go inside for information.
And inside, Regina knew he would find just the thing to jog his cursed memories in another direction.