Part Twenty-Seven: The One With The Party
Regina was in her office, arm crossed under her chest, looking out the window at her apple tree.
The leaves were bright green, rippling gently as the wind blew against them, the apples hanging from its branches were glossy and red, and the roots were still firm under the ground.
It looked just as beautiful as it did from the first day Regina woke in Storybrooke after enacting her curse.
Except for its flavor.
Regina looked to the side, the apple she had bitten earlier still lingering above her desk.
The corners had started to turn brown where she had bitten, the flesh inside a pale shade of yellow.
Bitter.
The was no more sweetness, the juices that once permeated the flesh were now gone, only dryness left inside.
Her curse was falling.
Regina looked out the window again, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, calming her heart.
She couldn't get too deep into her emotions now, she couldn't get lost in her thoughts.
Not when Emma could feel them.
Regina opened her eyes, staring at her tree again.
A bluebird nested on one of the highest branches and pecked one apple before taking flight again, not even tempted by the feast displayed for him on her tree.
Regina didn't blame him.
She only swallowed the bite she took out of pure stubbornness.
She wished she could say she regret it.
But Regina would never regret loving Emma.
Regina smiled before rolling her eyes, her lips still tugging upwards just because she thought of Emma.
Perhaps Henry and Katheryn were right.
Perhaps she did acquire the de annoying habit of smiling simply by hearing or thinking about Emma's name.
Regina didn't regret that either.
Her curse, however…
She had no idea of what to do now.
She had to keep it stronger, somehow.
She knew the curse was weakening, she could feel it cracking around the edges.
But the changes were so small and Regina had always thought it was because of Snow White and her idiotic Prince Charming finally finding each other.
Out of all possible ways she thought of about her curse weakening, not even in her wild dreams Regina ever thought she could be the reason why.
But true love was the most powerful magic of all.
And Emma was her true love.
And the Savior.
So what they felt for each other was exactly what was making her curse weak.
And now Regina had to find a way to mend it.
She knew she could never fix the cracks because not loving Emma was not an option for her.
She would love Emma until she took her last breath on this earth.
And then some, beyond this world.
What she felt for Emma was something deeper, it was a love that came in and out of this world for as long as it exist.
Emma would always be the one her soul would seek.
Because one could never be without the other.
And Regina had to believe that would be strong enough to keep them together.
She didn't want Emma to find out the truth and Regina would do whatever it takes to keep things exactly the way they were.
She couldn't allow any more changes.
As long as the cracks never reached the center, they should be okay.
A soft knock on the door echoed inside the office, pulling Regina out of her thoughts.
She looked behind her shoulder, part of her wishing Emma's scent would envelop her and settle in the center of her heart as it always did every time Emma was near.
But her scent never came and Regina wasn't surprised by that.
Emma would never knock on her door.
She would just barge in inside her office just like she did with her heart.
Regina smiled softly, pressing her hand against her heart.
She didn't mind Emma's invasion inside her heart either.
If anything, she wished she could spend the rest of her life treasuring.
The knock echoed again, stronger and louder this time.
Regina sighed and walked to her desk, sitting on the chair.
"Come in," Regina said.
The door was pushed open, Regina hardening her expression when the man walked in.
God, she despised him.
"Madam Mayor,"
"Take a seat, Sidney," Regina said tonelessly.
Sidney smiled at Regina, the corners of his lips tugging up giving him a mad expression.
He was once so obsessed with her that he wished he would never leave her side.
But Regina's curse made sure he would stay away, only to come to her when she pulled on the leash.
Which she hardly did in twenty-eight years, because she could hardly stand staying in his presence.
Except for when she was trying to get rid of Emma.
And that too felt like a lifetime ago.
"You asked for me?" Sidney asked, taking a seat across from Regina.
"Yes," Regina said unbothered by the dubious tone in his voice "When I asked you to investigate Miss Swan's past, how did you come across the information you provided me?"
Regina already knew the answer to that.
Gold made sure to tell her the night he thought he was ripping her heart out.
What Regina truly wanted to know was if there was anything else they were hiding from her and how deep Gold sank his claws into her pet.
"I investigated," Sidney smiled "One of my best investigative works if I may add"
"Don't lie," Regina said seriously "I know the report came from Mr. Gold. What I want to know is why. Why did you go to him for help?"
"I…I…" Sidney cleared his throat "I was unable to find anything on her besides what I had given you earlier, about her moving around a lot"
"And?" Regina asked.
"And one night I was walking past his shop when he called me in. He asked me what was troubling me and when I told him he said he could help me"
"What exactly did you tell him?" Regina asked.
"That you asked me for any information I could find to destroy Miss Swan and chase her out of the town," Sidney said, smiling again.
Regina closed her hands in a fist, ready to punch him in the face.
And so help him God if she did, because if he dared say anything about Emma, Regina would destroy him.
"Was there anything else inside that folder you gave me?" Regina asked, rage already bubbling on the surface.
"What do you mean?" Sidney asked.
"Was there any other information about Miss Swan that did not make it inside that folder you gave me?" Regina asked, her tone a notch angrier.
"No," Sidney shook his head a light fear adorning his features "I gave you everything Mr. Gold gave to me"
"And what is it that you know about her?" Regina asked, crossing her arms.
"I know that she moves a lot from town to town and that she was arrested when she was seventeen years old and that she had your son in jail," Sidney said.
"And that is all you know about her?" Regina asked.
"There is one more thing," Sidney said staring into Regina's eyes.
"And what is that?" Regina asked, staring back just as intensely.
"I know she is having an affair with you," Sidney said.
"Excuse me?" Regina asked.
"I saw her jumping out of your window," Sidney said "Not to mention all your encounters at Granny's"
"Are you spying on me?" Regina asked, slamming her fist on the desk.
Sidney jumped slightly on the chair, looking eyes widened at Regina.
"I'm protecting you," Sidney said "This woman is not good for you, Regina. She is going to break your heart. She can not be trusted"
Regina rose from the chair, fury burning in every pore of her skin. She placed both hands flatly on the surface of her desk, leaning her body forward, her eyes nothing but pure rage as she looked at the small man sitting in front of her.
"It's Madam Mayor, not Regina to you," Regina said "And I do not need your protection. I do not need anything coming from a miserable man like you. This ends now!"
"Regina…" Sidney cleared his throat "Madam Mayor"
"You get anywhere near me, my son, or Emma ever again I will end you, do you understand?" Regina said, pure rage adorning every word that left her lips.
"I'm sorry, Madam Mayor," Sidney stuttered "I, I, I… I was just looking out for you and your best interest. You were right from the beginning, Miss Swan is…"
"You open your filthy mouth to say a word about her it will be the last time you will ever talk," Regina said "Now get out of my office"
"Madam Mayor, please," Sidney begged "I'm sorry. Please, forgive me!"
"Get out of my office," Regina said slowly.
"Please, Regina…"
"Are you deaf? She said get out of her office!"
Regina lifted her eyes to the door, watching Emma standing there.
Her features were as hard as Regina's was, her hands were closed in a fist, and her posture….
She looked like a beast ready to attack and defend.
Sidney looked behind his shoulder, his body visibly trembling.
Regina smiled at the sight, her heart always amused to see the little man crumbling.
"Deputy Swan," Sidney said.
"You have exactly five seconds to stand up from this chair and get out of this office," Emma said "If I take one more step forward you are leaving through the window"
Sidney gulped audibly before looking back at Regina.
Regina crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow, challenging the man to dare to stay.
Sidney rose from the chair, walking as fast as his legs could carry him to the door, the stench of his cowardness permeating the room.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked, looking at Regina.
Regina smiled at her lovingly, her body relaxing immediately.
"I'm fine," Regina nodded.
Emma nodded back at her before closing the door behind her.
She walked to Regina, behind the desk, wrapping her arms around her waist and kissing her lips.
"Hi," Emma said softly.
"Hi," Regina smiled, pressing her lips against Emma's, her arms snaking around Emma's neck.
"What the hell did that man want?" Emma asked seriously.
"Nothing," Regina shook her head "Don't worry about him. He is no longer an issue"
"I don't like that man, Regina," Emma said "I feel that there is something strange about him"
"He is not going to get anywhere near me anymore," Regina said "Or you"
"Why are you saying that?" Emma asked.
"It's nothing," Regina shook her head "What are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighborhood making my rounds," Emma said "I had this strange feeling that I should come here"
"Oh?"
"It wasn't like before," Emma said "It was different this time, more like an intuition"
"Well," Regina smiled before pressing her lips against Emma's "I am glad that you are here. I'm always happy to see you"
Emma smiled softly at Regina, leaning forward to capture her lips in a kiss, her lips moving slowly against Regina's, savoring her tongue.
Regina moaned lowly inside the kiss, her body already pressing harder against Emma's, the fire in the pit of her stomach growing higher as the flames rippled through her body burning her with desire.
Only Emma could wake the flames.
Emma tightened her embrace around Regina's waist, her fingers sinking harder into Regina's skin over the fabric.
And all Regina wanted was to feel Emma's fingertips on her flesh, tracing her skin with her fingers and tongue.
She would always want Emma.
A lifetime wasn't enough to feel and love every inch of her.
Emma pulled on Regina's lower lip with her teeth before breaking the kiss, pressing her forehead with Regina's.
"I can't stay," Emma grunted "I actually have work to do today"
"I'll tell Graham I need you here," Regina said breathlessly, pressing her lips against Emma's again.
"Yeah?" Emma smiled "And what are you telling him?"
"It doesn't matter. I'm the Mayor and therefore, his boss" Regina smiled back.
Emma laughed, kissing Regina again before pulling away.
"I need to finish my rounds and then fill up the report for the storm," Emma said and then looked at Regina's desk "What is this?"
"I'm trying to find a new land to build Henry's Castle," Regina said "There is some money left in City Hall that I am hoping to use to buy and build a new playground"
"Regina, I hope you didn't just tell a police officer you are going to embezzlement money from the Mayor's office to build Henry a Castle" Emma arched an eyebrow.
"Of course not," Regina smirked "The playground is for all the children of Storybrooke and not just Henry. I want something in the woods closer to the trails but all the area there seems to be owned by the same person"
"Who?" Emma asked.
"Gold," Regina spat out his name.
"Ouch," Emma said "What is the deal with that guy? How is he so rich? When I first arrived in Storybrooke I remember Granny saying that Gold owned the town"
"I don't know," Regina cleared her throat looking down at the papers on her desk "I'll just keep looking, see what else I can find"
A knock on the door pulled both women's attention in the direction of the door.
"If that is Sidney again, I am going to kill him," Emma said slightly angry.
"I don't think he is stupid enough to come back," Regina said.
"I'll open the door," Emma said looking at Regina "You stay here"
Regina rolled her eyes playfully, watching Emma walk in the direction of the door.
She swung the door open all at once, pausing with one hand on her waist, completely blocking Regina's view.
"Emma, hi,"
"Katheryn," Emma said back.
She took a step to the side, finally unblocking Regina's view, revealing her friend smiling amused in Regina's direction.
"What are you doing here?" Emma asked.
"I came to see if Regina would like to join me for lunch," Katheryn said walking past Emma and inside the office "What are you doing here?"
"I had some important business to discuss with the Mayor," Emma said lightly.
"Smudging her lipstick is considered important business now?" Katheryn asked.
"Seriously?" Emma said, her thumb already cleaning the corners of her lips.
"Emma, I'm not wearing lipstick," Regina said suppressing the urge to laugh.
"Oh!" Emma cleared her throat, her cheeks turning a shade red.
And Regina felt her whole heart warm because Emma was truly adorable when she was embarrassed.
"She's really not," Katheryn laughed.
"Katheryn, stop teasing her," Regina said, looking half-murderous at Katheryn.
"Sorry, sorry," Katheryn said "I couldn't resist"
"You are not funny at all," Emma said seriously pointing at Katheryn before looking at Regina "I'll see you later"
Regina just smiled and nodded at Emma, waiting until she was out of reach before bursting out laughing with Katheryn by her side.
Emma was in the Sheriff's department, sighing for the fourth time in less than ten minutes, waiting for the computer to uncrash.
The Sheriff Department machines were ridiculously old and Emma made a mental note to talk to Graham about asking for an extra budget for new equipment next time he sent the Department expenses to the Mayor's office.
She would even help his case by placing one kiss here and there on all the right spots on Regina's body…
Not that she needed a reason to do just that, it was Emma's absolute pleasure to kiss every inch of Regina, scraping her teeth and licking her soft skin up and down and then down and up again.
Emma had never desired anyone the way she desired Regina.
Never craved another person's touch, the way she craved Regina's touch.
Never wanted just to simply let herself be in someone else's presence the way she wanted to be with Regina.
It was a real connection, deeper than anything physical, what Emma felt when Regina was falling apart proved that.
Emma shook her head, her hand automatically rubbing her heart.
She never wanted to feel that again.
The despair still scrapped her soul and let Emma out of breath when she thought about it.
Emma looked at the computer, the line on the screen flashing in front of her eyes.
She leaned forward on the desk and started to type, but five letters later, the computer crashed again.
"God damn it," Emma grunted.
"I hate these things,"
Emma looked up from the computer, watching Mary Margaret walking in her direction.
"Hey," Emma smiled at her friend "What's up?"
"David and I are together again!" Mary Margaret breathed out.
"What?" Emma blinked her eyes "I thought Katheryn was pregnant"
"No, she is not," Mary Margaret said, sitting on the edge of Emma's desk.
"And you just went back together with him?" Emma asked.
"I'm in love with him, Emma," Mary Margaret said.
And something inside Emma softened because she could understand that.
She was in love with Regina too.
Emma smiled softly, reaching for Mary Margaret's hand and squeezing.
"Is he leaving his wife?" Emma asked concerned.
"It's complicated," Mary Margaret said.
"No, it isn't," Emma said seriously "He just needs to sit down and have an adult conversation with her"
"He is trying," Mary Margaret said "He says Katheryn is not making things easy"
"Oh, so he cheats and blames her?" Emma asked disbelievingly.
"Don't say it like that," Mary Margaret frowned.
"But it's exactly what it is," Emma said crossing her arms and leaning back on the chair "Mary Margaret look… Katheryn… Katheryn is a good person. She doesn't deserve this"
"You don't even know her, Emma," Mary Margaret brushed her off.
"I know her enough," Emma said "She is good friends with Regina"
"What Regina has to do with this?" Mary Margaret asked.
"Nothing, look," Emma shook her head "I know you are both adults and I do not mean to pry into your life but I wouldn't be a good friend if I didn't tell you this. If you continue to do this, someone is going to get hurt"
"He doesn't love her, Emma," Mary Margaret said.
"Then he needs to end his marriage," Emma said back.
Mary Margaret closed her eyes, and nodded, before looking back at Emma with a smile on her face.
"I'm having a party at the loft tonight," Mary Margaret said.
"Excuse me?" Emma blinked her eyes.
"Okay, a party is an exaggeration," Mary Margaret laughed "It's just Ruby and Ashley and a few bottles of wine"
"Oh!"
"I know I should have told you sooner, but I can never find you in the loft anymore"
"Yeah, I've been…" Emma scratched her forehead.
"Dating the hot Sheriff," Mary Margaret smiled.
"What?" Emma asked.
"I know you are dating Graham," Mary Margaret said "Why else would you have so many night shifts?"
"I am not dating Graham, Mary Margaret," Emma said.
"Oh, come on," Mary Margaret said "Don't even try and pretend you are not dating someone"
"You are right, I am," Emma nodded "It's just not Graham"
"Then who is he?" Mary Margaret smiled.
"There is no he," Emma said seriously.
"Emma, you literally just confessed you are dating someone," Mary Margaret said.
"Yes," Emma said back "But there is no he"
"I don't understand," Mary Margaret said confused.
"Apparently, nobody in this town does," Emma sighed.
Mary Margaret tilted her head to the side, looking confused at Emma before hopping off the desk.
"Well, I have to go," Mary Margaret said "I have to pick up everything I need for tonight. At what time should I expect you?"
"Me?" Emma asked.
"Come one, it's girls' night," Mary Margaret said "You can take a break from your mysterious lover for one night"
"I have to work…"
"Emma, come on," Mary Margaret said "It's one night"
Emma leaned on the chair, scratching her forehead.
She couldn't even think about the idea of not seeing Regina tonight, of not having her bare skin pressed against hers.
Not having her scent intoxicating her in all the right ways.
Emma looked at Mary Margaret and sighed.
There was no way she could get out of this without having to deal with Mary Margaret asking thousands of questions later and Emma couldn't decide which evil was worse.
One night away from Regina or dealing with Mary Margaret's questions later?
Because she knew Mary Margaret would ask thousands of questions, it was just a matter of time before they were alone in the loft again.
At least this way Emma could avoid some of them.
"My shift ends at seven," Emma said.
"Oh, great," Mary Margaret smiled "I'll see you at home then"
Mary Margaret turned her back to Emma and left the office.
And Emma was already regretting her decision before the woman was even out of the door.
Regina was walking back to the Mayor's office, feeling the cool air of the late afternoon kissing her cheeks.
The lunch with Katheryn had turned into a pleasant afternoon of light chat and Regina genuinely dreaded the moment Katheryn said she had to go home.
It still surprised Regina how much she enjoyed spending time with Katheryn.
And how free she felt to talk about Emma with her.
How free it felt not to keep secrets.
Regina shook her head, the wind blowing her hair back gently.
Everything around her was so different now, so full of things Regina never thought she would ever have.
Friendship.
Love.
A family.
Regina smiled softly, her heart humming content inside her chest.
Her smiles were free now, born of pure enjoyment instead of pretense.
Her love for Emma was true and pure, born out of the deepest of her heart instead of exchanged for power.
And her friendship with Katheryn was real, born out of connection instead of politics.
She was a Queen and Katheryn was a Princess.
In another world, they would have been used to gain power.
In this world, they could simply be.
And Regina wanted to believe that regardless of the curse, the connection she felt with Katheryn was genuine too.
Kathryn had truly been the first friend Regina have ever had.
Regina shoved her hands inside her coat as another blow of cold wind hit her body, making her shiver to the bones.
She was halfway to the Mayor's office when she spotted Henry on the sidewalk ahead of her and smiled
But her smile didn't last long because one second after she spotted Henry, she also saw a man she had never seen in her life, on top of a motorbike, chatting with her son.
Regina hurried her pace, nearly running in the direction of Henry, her heart racing inside her chest.
"Hey," Regina shouted "Get away from my son"
The man looked behind his shoulder and smiled at her.
Something about his smile made Regina stop one pace before giving two forward.
And just when Regina was within reach of Henry, the motorbike made an insufferable noise spreading smoke in the air before disappearing down the street.
Regina wrapped her arms around Henry desperately, pressing her cheek against his hair.
"Who was that man?" Regina asked
"I don't know," Henry said "I've never seen him before, he arrived just a few days ago"
"Arrived?" Regina asked, looking down the street.
"Yep," Henry said pulling away from Regina "I was with Emma when he arrived. He said he was going to stay in town for a while"
Regina frowned, unsure of what to do.
How could that man just arrive in town?
Outsiders didn't simply find Storybrooke.
Not even Emma, she was brought here by Henry.
And the way that man looked at her, it was almost…
It almost felt like he knew her.
The real her.
The Evil Queen.
"Mom?"
Regina looked down at Henry and ran her hand lightly over his hair.
"Henry, I want you to go home," Regina said "Go home and do not talk to anyone on your way to the mansion"
"Why not?" Henry asked.
"I just want you to be safe, that's all," Regina said.
"Nobody is gonna hurt me, mom," Henry said.
"I know, honey," Regina smiled down at Henry "Go home. I'll be home later"
"Okay," Henry nodded.
He wrapped his arms around Regina who immediately kissed his hair.
"I'll see you later, mom," Henry said, letting go of Regina.
He walked up the sidewalk and Regina watched him go until he disappeared from her sight.
And when Regina turned around, she crossed the street going in another direction.
Emma pressed save on the computer, tapping her fingers on the wooden desk while the circle rolled on the screen.
She had finally finished her report.
After only hitting the computer one or ten times.
Emma leaned back on the chair, stretching her arms above her head as far as she could, the soft crack of a bone clicking back into space making a sound.
Her body was stiff from leaning on top of the computer for so long.
Emma took a deep breath in, feeling the air fill her lungs.
And by the time she exhale, Emma frowned while staring at the door.
She could smell Regina's scent.
"What's wrong?" Emma asked before Regina's form was barely by the door.
Regina smiled softly at her, walking inside the office and then in Emma's direction.
She stopped in front of Emma and crouched in front of her, taking Emma's face between her hands and kissing her lips.
"Hi," Emma smiled when Regina pulled away.
"Hi, darling," Regina said back.
"What's going on?" Emma asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I need you to do something for me," Regina said, leaning against the edge of the desk.
"What is it?" Emma asked.
"There is this new man in town," Regina said seriously "I need you to check him for me"
"Oh, yeah," Emma nodded "I saw him a few days ago. But why do you want me to check on him? It's not exactly illegal to visit Storybrooke you know"
"I just caught him talking to Henry and I don't like the way he seemed to take an interest in him," Regina said seriously.
"What?" Emma asked, "Why was he talking to Henry?"
"I don't know," Regina shook her head "But there was something about this man… I don't know, Emma. I don't trust him"
"I'll look into him," Emma said seriously.
And she would.
She would find out exactly why this stranger was talking to their son.
"Thank you," Regina said "I know it may seem like an exaggeration, but…"
"No," Emma interrupted her "Nothing is too much when it comes to our son"
Regina smiled softly at Emma and then trapped her lower lip between her teeth.
And God, Emma felt the effect right down her core.
"Come here," Regina said.
Emma arched an eyebrow at Regina before standing up from the chair.
"Graham could walk in any minute," Emma said, already taking a step towards Regina.
"I ran into him on my way in," Regina said "I don't think he'll be back any time soon"
"What about everybody else?" Emma whispered, her lips already brushing against Regina's.
But instead of answering, Regina just captured Emma's lips in a kiss, wrapping her arms around Emma's waist as Emma melted into her, holding Regina's face between her hands.
Regina moaned softly into the kiss and Emma felt it again, that rush of wetness right between her legs, her clit already vibrating, begging to be touched.
One kiss and Emma already wanted to fall to her knees.
Regina broke the kiss slowly, pressing soft kisses on Emma's lips before pulling apart enough to look into her eyes.
"What time are you coming over tonight?" Regina asked.
"I don't think I'm coming over tonight," Emma said, leaning forward to kiss Regina again.
But Regina pressed her hand between Emma's breasts, pushing her away.
"Are you working tonight?" Regina asked, "Because if Graham put you in the night shift after you have been working all day I'm going to…"
"No, no, no," Emma shook her head, laughing a little "I'm not working tonight"
"Oh," Regina cleared her throat before straitening her posture "Right, of course, you want a night of your own…"
"That is not it either," Emma smiled before pressing her lips against Regina's.
"Then what is it?" Regina asked, closing her fingers on Emma's blouse.
"Mary Margaret is throwing some girls' night thing in the loft," Emma sighed "I should probably go and make an appearance she already questioned me today about dating someone"
"And what did you tell her?" Regina asked slightly concerned.
"I didn't deny it," Emma said "There was no way I could considering I haven't been around the loft much"
"But you didn't tell her about us, did you?" Regina asked, gripping Emma's shirt.
"No," Emma shook her head "But would it be so bad if I did?"
Regina looked down and swallowed dry before looking back at Emma.
"She is a gossip," Regina said "And we haven't even told Henry yet"
"I know," Emma nodded "Can I ask you something?"
"What is it?"
"What is the deal between you and Mary Margaret?" Emma asked, "Why do you dislike her so much?"
Regina opened and close her mouth before shaking her head.
"It's nothing," Regina said "I should go"
"Regina?"
"I want to check on Henry, make sure he is in the house how I asked him to be," Regina said.
"Alright," Emma nodded, taking a step back.
Regina smoothed the fabric of her coat, before looking back at Emma.
"Have fun tonight," Regina said.
Regina turned her back to Emma but before she could take a step, Emma reached for her hand and pulled her back into her arms.
"I'm going to miss you tonight," Emma said softly, running her hand down Regina's face.
"I'll miss you too," Regina said sincerely.
Emma smiled at Regina and leaned forward, pressing her lips against Regina's.
"We are okay, right?" Emma asked.
"Of course, we are," Regina pressed her lips against Emma's "Text me later?"
"Absolutely," Emma smiled.
Regina kissed Emma one last time before leaving the office.
And once again, Emma was regretting ever saying yes to this party….
Emma could hear the sound of the music echoing in the hallway before she even finished walking up the stairs.
She sighed and closed her eyes, gripping the handrail with force.
Emma hated gatherings like this.
She would rather go to a rave party with thousands of strangers than have to be social with a handful of people she knew.
Maybe one day this could change, this town had a way of changing Emma's beliefs.
Regina been the biggest proof of that.
But unless she could attend one of those events with Regina by her side, Emma didn't see that changing anytime soon.
Because between a night with people she knew and a night with Regina, Emma would always choose Regina.
She was the one her heart truly desired to be with.
Tonight and every other night until she was no more.
Emma took another step up and entered the hallway, stopping right in front of the door of the loft.
She put her key in the keyhole, twisting the doorknob to push the door open.
"EMMA!" Mary Margaret shouted when she walk in "Come, we have shots"
"Yeah, I can see that," Emma laughed closing the door behind her.
Mary Margaret was standing behind the counter in the kitchen, pouring glasses of shots and on the kitchen table, there was Ashley and Ruby engrossed in a conversation.
"Hey, guys," Emma said awkwardly, waving at Ruby and Ashley.
"Emma," Ruby said looking at her "I'm glad you made it"
"Emma, help me with the drinks," Mary Margaret asked.
Emma nodded at Mary Margaret and walked to the counter, picking up two glasses of shots and walking to the table while Mary Margaret carried the other two.
"Here you go," Mary Margaret said, putting the shot drinks in front of Ruby and Ashley while Emma put the other two in front of Mary Margaret and herself.
She sat at the table, across from Ruby who was looking strangely at her as if she was analyzing her.
It was weird and Emma felt deeply uncomfortable with the stare.
"To our girls' night," Mary Margaret said, raising her glass.
Everybody, including Emma, raised their glasses and clicked them together before drinking the content all at once.
And when Emma put the glass back on the table, she watched Ashley going for the glass of wine in front of her, and Emma squinted her eyes because the headache the girl was going to have in the morning would be no joke.
"Pace yourself, Ashley" Mary Margaret said.
"I am! This is my first night out since I've had the baby" Ashley said "I am making up for lost time"
"We should have gone to a bar, at least there we could flirt with some hot guys," Ruby said and turned her head to look at Emma "Or girls"
Emma cleared her throat, and looked to the side, completely ignoring Ruby's stare.
"Ruby, oh my God," Mary Margaret laughed.
"What?" Ruby asked before looking at Emma again "Don't tell me you are a prude"
"I wish I could flirt with guys," Ashley sighed "But I'm still with Sean"
"You are not married," Ruby said.
"And that should make a difference?" Emma asked, more seriously than she had intended to.
"He is working," Ashley continued as if none of them had said anything.
"He is always working," Ruby said.
"He is always working," Ashley nodded "I thought love would be different"
"Me too," Mary Margaret said, quickly raising her glass of wine to her lips.
"What about you, Emma?" Ruby asked looking at her "What do you think love should be?"
"Why are you asking me that?" Emma asked.
"Why not?" Ruby said back.
"What do you think, Emma?" Mary Margaret asked beside her.
"I think…" Emma cleared her throat "I think love is knowing that the other person is never going to be perfect because such a thing doesn't exist. I think love is about accepting the other person the way they are instead of trying to change them. I think… I think love is about not being able to wait to be with the one your heart truly desire, is knowing that they are there for you no matter what"
Emma stopped talking, staring at the empty glass in front of her.
Regina.
She wanted desperately to be with her, her blood was roaring inside her veins to go and find her.
Be with the one her heart truly desired.
"That's very beautiful, Emma," Mary Margaret said, squeezing her hand.
Emma looked away from the glass and then at her friend smiling softly at her.
"I love Sean," Ashley said, half-drunk already.
"I'm sure you do," Emma laughed lightly.
"We need more drinks," Mary Margaret said and rose from the chair.
Emma laughed and watched Mary Margaret go behind the counter but when she turned her head back, she caught Ruby staring at her in that particular way that made the hairs behind her neck stand up.
She didn't like that at all.
Emma rose from the chair and excused herself, walking to the other side of the loft.
She stopped in front of the window, in the adjacent room beside Mary Margaret's bedroom, and pushed it open, the cold wind of the night immediately kissing her cheeks.
It didn't bother her.
Not when she could have a moment of solitude.
Emma looked out the window, her eyes fixed on the brick wall of the building next to theirs.
She wanted to be with Regina.
She wanted to smell her scent and touch her skin, she wanted teasing caresses that took her breath away.
She wanted simply to lay in bed with her and talk and then sleep, it didn't truly matter which as long as they were together.
And then Emma felt again, that roar in her blood telling her to go.
"I know your secret,"
Emma turned her head to the side, watching Ruby standing next to her, arms crossed under her chest.
"And what secret is that?" Emma asked seriously.
"I know you and Regina are together," Ruby said "I can smell her all over you"
"Excuse me?" Emma frowned.
"I can't explain," Ruby shook her head "Maybe it's her perfume or something"
Emma nodded slowly at Ruby before turning her attention back to the brick wall.
"Be careful with her, Emma," Ruby said.
Emma closed her hands on a fist, turning her attention to Ruby again, rage already rippling through her body.
The blood that was roaring for her to go to Regina was boiling inside her veins now with protective instinct.
The same way it did earlier when she heard Regina telling Sidney to get out of her office.
"No, you be careful with me," Emma said seriously "Open your mouth to say one bad thing about her and you won't like what you hear back"
"There is a reason why nobody likes her in this town, Emma," Ruby said.
"Yeah," Emma nodded "And I'm starting to think she isn't the problem, you are. All of you"
"Emma,"
Ruby reached for Emma's arms, but Emma quickly pulled back, her skin immediately recoiling to the touch.
She turned her back to Ruby, walking back inside the kitchen looking for Mary Margaret, but she was nowhere to be seen.
And then there was Ruby again, going behind the counter and pouring herself a glass of wine.
"Wine, Emma?" Ruby asked, looking intensely at her.
"I'm leaving," Emma said simply, walking to the door.
She couldn't stand to stay in there a second longer.
She couldn't stand staying in the presence of people who despised the woman she loved.
So Emma walked to the door and walked down the stairs, trying to leave the building as fast as her legs could carry her.
Outside, Emma closed her eyes and took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the cool air of the night.
She hadn't realized how much the walls of the loft were suffocating her until she stepped outside.
Emma opened her eyes again and looked to the side sighing at what she saw.
There they were, Mary Margaret and David, talking quietly with one another beside a tree in the middle of the street where everybody could see them.
Emma shook her head, deciding to pretend she didn't see them as she started to walk in the direction of her bug.
"Emma!"
Emma sighed and turned her head to the side again, watching David take a step away from Mary Margaret and look at her completely embarrassed.
"Where are you going?" Mary Margaret asked, "Are you leaving already?"
"Yeah, I have to go to work," Emma lied.
"Hi, Emma," David said.
"David," Emma nodded politely.
"I'm going to tell Katheryn," David said, staring at Emma.
"This is really none of my business," Emma said uncomfortably.
"I just… I don't want you to think that I am this horrible guy…" David started to say.
"You should care more about what your wife thinks about you than me," Emma said looking between them "Anyway, I have to go"
"Are you coming back later tonight?" Mary Margaret asked.
"No!" Emma said simply before entering her bug and driving to where her heart wanted to be.
Emma parked her car one house down Regina's street and walked her way up, passing through the black gate and going straight to the side of the house to climb up Regina's window.
But something was different tonight.
Tonight there was a wooden ladder right beside Regina's window.
Emma smiled and started to climb up the ladder, Regina's scent already enveloping her before Emma reached the open window.
Emma stopped at the window sill, watching Regina on the bed, spreading lotion on her leg.
She was beautiful.
Emma's heart hummed inside her chest, the roar in her blood calming inside her veins, a feeling of lightness spreading through her body.
She was calmer. Lighter. Alive.
She was home.
"Are you going to spend the whole night watching me through the window or do you plan to get inside the bedroom before sunrise?"
Emma smirked and then moved out of the window and inside the bedroom.
"There is a ladder outside," Emma stated the obvious.
"Yes, I have no interest in having you break your neck," Regina smiled at Emma "What are you doing here? I wasn't expecting to see you tonight"
"And yet, you put a ladder outside," Emma arched an eyebrow at Regina.
"I've put the ladder outside this morning," Regina said.
"Ah," Emma clicked her tongue "You know it's not exactly safe to put a ladder just outside your window and then leave the window open, right?"
"Are you here to lecture me about thinking of your safety," Regina asked.
"No," Emma rolled her eyes.
She walked to Regina on the bed, lying on top of her, Emma's head resting on Regina's stomach.
"I'm so tired," Emma said.
Regina ran her hands' through Emma's hair, her nails gently scraping her scalp.
Emma purred shamelessly at the touch.
"We should go to sleep then," Regina said gently,
"Is it okay if I sleep here tonight?" Emma asked, turning her head up to look at Regina.
"Of course, it is," Regina said softly.
Emma smiled at Regina and then turned her head, pressing a kiss on Regina's stomach before closing her eyes.
She really was tired.
She ended up leaving the station only at eight instead of seven because she was dreading going to the loft and Graham ended up giving Emma a new report to full fill.
And then inside the loft…
Rage still scraped her bones at the way Ruby dared to talk about Regina.
"Emma, sweetheart," Regina said softly "Get up. Get your clothes off"
"I thought we were sleeping," Emma said in a sleepy voice.
"We are," Regina laughed lowly "But you need to strip out of your boots and jeans"
"Kinky," Emma laughed.
Emma pressed her lips against Regina's stomach again, before getting up with every muscle of her body complaining.
They wanted to go back to the warmth of Regina's body.
Emma walked to the window, closing it first, before kicking off her boots and then her jeans.
She looked at Regina who was staring back at her, a lustful look in her eyes, and something inside Emma woke up despite her tiredness.
"Are you sure you want to just sleep?" Emma asked teasingly.
"Yes," Regina bit her lower lip.
Emma smiled sideways at Regina and then pulled down her jacket, letting the soft material fall on the floor.
Emma then pulled her shirt over her head and unhooked her bra behind her back, standing only in her panties in front of Regina.
"You are ravishing, my darling," Regina said.
Emma smiled at Regina and crawled on top of her in the bed, her hands pulling up Regina's satin nightgown as her hands slid up her thighs.
"May I?" Emma asked when the nightgown was rolled up on Regina's waist.
"Yes," Regina whispered looking at Emma.
Regina lifted her butt slightly from the bed and Emma pulled the nightgown above Regina's head.
And just when Emma was about to toss the material away, she yawned audibly, her eyes burning with desire to sleep.
Regina smiled softly at Emma and held her face between her hands, pressing her lips against Emma's.
"Come on," Regina tilted her head to the side "Get under the sheets"
"Are you sure?" Emma asked, her voice unable to disguise her tiredness.
"Yes," Regina kissed her again "You are tired and so am I. Let's get some sleep"
"Okay," Emma said before yawning again.
Emma moved to the side, pulling the sheets up, and then settling under them.
Regina did the same on her side and then stretched her hand to turn off the lights.
Emma moved closer to Regina, flushing their naked bodies together as she wrapped her arms around her waist and kissed the back of Regina's neck.
"Goodnight, Regina," Emma said sleepily.
"Goodnight, my darling," Regina said back.
And the last thing she felt was Regina's arm covering hers and interlacing their fingers together and the scent of Regina invading her while her nose brushed against the back of Regina's neck before everything turned black.