I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.
2: Overtime
Emma was in the hospital, not because of her car accident… well, not really. This was the knee surgery she had so desperately needed, but had been hesitant to get. It was done now. Her next step — so to speak — was rehab. At least she would not have to deal with Doctor Mills after this.
"Dude, how do you feel?" Ruby asked as she pulled her chair closer to Emma's bed.
Emma gave a weak nod. "I'm okay. Everything went well?"
"Of course everything went well," Doctor Mills replied as she marched in. Somehow, the sound of her heels were like a marching army and whenever she stepped into a room, she surveyed it like a conquering general.
Emma frowned. "Here to poke at my wound now?"
Doctor Mills sucked her teeth. "Perhaps. It might help you learn to be grateful for what you have."
Emma rolled her eyes. You don't fucking know me! "You're just looking for praise, even though we don't know if this even worked since I can't walk right now."
"No, but I know you like to get your little friend to research before you make any big decisions, so here's the card of the place and woman I recommend to help you with your physical therapy." She placed the business card on Emma's forehead because she was an asshole like that.
Emma curled her lip and grabbed the card. "Thanks, but I don't think I need anything else from you."
Doctor Mills scowled. "Considering how reckless you are, I doubt this is the last we'll be seeing each other, which is quite unfortunate." She turned on her heel and marched out the room, but somehow it was a graceful march. Screw her.
Ruby blew out a breath and shook her head. "You are a serious dick to her, you know that?"
"Well, she's an asshole."
Ruby snatched the card from Emma's hand. "Yeah, such an asshole, right? How dare she recommend someplace and person for physical therapy? Bitch."
"Yeah, she's just trying to control my situation because she thinks she knows better than me." Which seemed to be the running theme of their doctor-patient relationship.
"Maybe you're just really hard on her?" Ruby asked.
Emma scowled, not wanting to hear that. Ruby did not have to deal with Doctor Mills day in and day out. "Whatever."
"Maybe you're actually pissed because your…" Ruby paused and then tapped her wrist.
Emma scowled. "I don't care. That was bullshit anyway." Bullshit she had managed to escape until this very stupid moment.
"Is it? What happened, your soulmate is a sexy nurse instead of a certain grumpy doctor?" Ruby smirked.
Emma glared with all of her might. "You're full of it. I'm not attracted to her. She's an asshole."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "So you say. Just like you claim the soulmate thing isn't bothering you. What happened with your timer?"
Emma frowned deeper. "I don't know." She had been telling her friends that every time they asked about it, but none of them seemed to believe it, like it was impossible to believe.
"Come on, Emma. What happened?"
"I don't know. I woke up after the accident and it was gone." She had done her best to ignore the whole circumstances involving that, but it was par for the course in her life. Now, she knew she had a soulmate, but had no idea who it was.
Ruby's eyes went wide. "Dude, that sucks."
Emma nodded. "The title of the story of my life."
"I'm sorry." Ruby took a breath. "Maybe we should ask Belle to look up stuff about this physical therapist."
Emma nodded, very happy for the change in subject. She still did not care about the soulmate thing, but it was just pissy that life would screw her over once again. She was tired of life and the universe dumping on her. She was a decent person. Why did it seem impossible for good things to happen to her?
-8-8-8-8-
Physical therapy was just as bullshit as everything else Emma had ever gone through. She was surprised when after doing the research Belle confirmed the place Doctor Mills recommended was the best, but she had not gone with the therapist Doctor Mills recommended. Belle seemed to think she would do well with this young lady, Merida Dunbroch.
Merida seemed like a sweet enough person, but god, Emma hurt and Merida did not seem to care. She stormed out of the room, fumbling on her crutches and then slamming down onto a bench. She tossed the crutches to the floor, not caring if they broke or not. She buried her face in her hands as the crutches clattered against the tiles. Her face was hot and she struggled to hold back tears. So fucking useless!
She was useless like this and she would never be able to go back to work. There was no point to being alive. She was so sick of all this garbage. Her head snapped up as she felt someone sit down next to her.
"Do you mind?" Emma barked before she even realized who it was. She blinked. Doctor Mills. "What the hell are you doing here?" This is the last fucking thing I need right now.
Doctor Mills shook her head. "It's never just hello with you." She stared ahead, slightly frowning as she always seemed to be doing.
"You're following me around now?"
"No, I just happen to be here at the same time as you and I saw you having a breakdown."
Emma straightened and sniffed. "I wasn't having a breakdown!"
"All right. I guess your crutches just needed to be somewhere away from you for a moment. I'm sure you know the first day of physical therapy can be—"
"I don't need your fucking pep talk!" Emma snapped. "I don't need to be fucking coddled!"
Doctor Mills stared ahead and moved her hands from a container in her lap to her wrist. She rubbed the bare area with her thumb. Of course even this bitch had a soulmate out there. Probably waiting for her at home.
"I see you didn't give Ursula Triton a chance," Doctor Mills said.
"Why should I? Because you recommended her?" Emma could not help her sneer.
Doctor Mills' frown deepened. "No, I just thought she would match your personality, but obviously my opinion doesn't matter much to you. I wish you luck in your recovery, not that you believe that." Doctor Mills eased the container from her lap to the space between them. "Perhaps some chocolate cookies will make things easier. Enjoy life." Doctor Mills stood.
"I don't need your charity!" Emma resisted the urge to slap the container on the floor.
"No, you need a fucking babysitter!" Doctor Mills snapped back, glaring down at Emma.
Emma flinched, but quickly recovered. "Excuse you!" She wished she could shoot to her feet, but she did not have that sort of control yet. Shouldn't have thrown the crutches, idiot.
"You heard me! Ever since I met you, all you do is whine about life like you're the only one with problems! You've done nothing but take your anger out on me when all I did was save your leg, your knee, and your ability to walk. Instead of now putting in the work yourself, you're bitching at me yet again. And, you don't need my charity? You would've starved in the hospital without me, but I guess that doesn't matter since the more I help you the more contempt you show me, even in spite of yourself. So, good luck in finding a fucking babysitter because I quit. I knew from when I first saw you, you were an idiot." Doctor Mills spun on her heels and stormed away. It was only then, in stunned silence, Emma realized Doctor Mills had on a suit rather than her white, doctor's coat.
Merida poked her head out into the hallway. "You okay out here?"
Emma sat back, slamming her back into the wall. Emma was speechless, so no, she was not okay. She had not expected Doctor Mills to blow up on her like that. Yes, she thought the doctor was a bitch, but not in that way. But, was she wrong?
"Not to bother your existential crisis or anything, but you gonna eat those cookies? Regina's really good at baking," Merida said.
Emma gawked at her. "Excuse me?"
"The cookies. In the tin." Merida nodded toward the container next to Emma.
"Cookies?" Emma grabbed the container and listened to the contents shift. Certainly sounded like cookies. She did say something about chocolate cookies. She was not in the mood and passed them right to Merida. "Doctor Mills makes cookies?" That did not sound right. Unless she's using the cookies as bait to lure kids into her house to eat them.
"That taste like they were kissed by angels or blessed by angels. Not sure which one makes more sense. Either way, I'm pretty sure her cooking is what heaven tastes like. Regina does two things damn well, practice medicine and cook."
Emma grunted. "Regina." She had forgotten that was Doctor Mills' first name. You don't know much about her, but you've been taking your frustration out on her since you first opened your eyes after you crashed your car.
"So, I'd ask if you were dating Regina, but you didn't know she made cookies and she's way too professional to date a patient."
"Yeah, well, she didn't think I should come to you for PT, so maybe slow down on praising her," Emma said.
Merida shrugged. "I'm good at my job, but probably not the best for you."
Emma blinked hard. "Excuse me?" That felt like an insult.
"You were ready to punch me in the face in there, which I get all the time. That's my style. But, I don't think my style is what you need."
Emma frowned. "And who would you recommend for me?"
Merida was silent and popped the top of the container with the cookies. They definitely smelled like heaven. She shoved one of the big, chocolate cookies in her mouth. Emma buried her head in her hands again and then hit the wall behind her with the side of her closed fist.
"You wanna talk about it?" Merida asked.
Emma sighed and could not help looking at her bare wrist. "It's just a lot. Before the accident, all I really had was being sheriff. So, with losing my leg, I lost me."
"You didn't lose your leg. The break healed and the knee is healing. You're healing. You'll get it back. I know it might not seem like it now, but you'll get it back."
Emma sucked her teeth. "You must not know Mulan runs a tight ship. She's a better sheriff than I am." They don't need me.
"I doubt that. And, you should focus on getting better and also maybe at figuring out who you are beyond the sheriff. Oh, and definitely taking your next appointment with Ursula. She comes across as a real asshole, but she's got a tender hand that you probably need. I'm good at my job, but I know I don't have that."
"Comes across as an asshole you say?" Reminded her of someone else she knew.
Merida held up a pale finger. "But, she has a tender hand. You need someone who can be tough, but gentle when necessary. I'm just all playful tough. Ursula will be good for you."
Emma sighed, ducking her head. "I feel like I'm crazy."
"You had a life-changing accident. It happens. I know you probably don't want to hear it, but you ever consider actual therapy?"
Emma scoffed. "No. I don't need therapy." She made it this far on her own. No counselor ever gave her good advice or help.
"Maybe not before the accident, but it might help you cope now. This was obviously a life-changing event and it was beyond your control. This would be a way for you to get control back and that's important to get you back on your feet."
That made sense and it was not like she was dealing with this whole thing well. It was time to stop with the chip on her shoulder. She had to stop doing things this way.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma had done therapy a couple of times in her life and it was usually useless. This was not one of those times, both with her regular therapy and physical therapy. Seeing Doctor Hopper gave her the courage to make her way into the station for the first time since the accident.
Dorothy gasped and was up from her desk as soon as Emma came through the door. "Oh, my god, Emma!"
Mulan was on her first, though. Mulan almost knocked her off of her crutches as she wrapped Emma in a hug. This was scary. Neither of them were huggers.
"Uh… Mulan…" Emma said in a low tone, not wanting to spook Mulan.
Mulan stepped back and pressed her palms together. "Please, do the paperwork! I do not understand how you did this and our jobs and didn't hurt the mayor in the process!"
Emma blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"
Mulan took a calming breath. "Forgive me. I've been doing my best, as I always do, but I don't understand how you do this. Dorothy and David have been helping me."
"I'm sorry. I thought you had it handled because you never asked about it," Emma said. Whenever they discussed work, Mulan and Dorothy assured her everything was fine and then moved onto the next topic.
"I didn't want to disturb you while you're convalescing," Mulan replied.
Dorothy cleared her throat. "We didn't want to shake up your healing." She motioned to herself, Mulan, and David, who stood a couple of feet away.
"Well, I'm still healing." Emma looked down to bring attention to her crutches. "But, I can definitely handle the paperwork. It'll be nice to have something to do for a little while, but I can't come back full-time yet." Beyond still needing to strengthen her leg, she had to find meaning in her life outside of her job.
"We'll be happy with that." David grinned and clapped her on her shoulder.
Emma nodded and she felt good for the first time in a long time. Damn, therapy actually works. And since this worked, she had somewhere else she had to go when she was done with her deputies. It was an even bigger step than going back to the station.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma took a deep breath as she stood before the door that read "Doctor Regina Mills." Part of her wished she brought flowers or chocolate or candy, just to make this easier. Gifts were great distractions when apologies had to be made. Neal taught her that one. She knocked.
"Come in," Doctor Mills' called from the other side of her door.
Emma did just that, making her way in on her crutches. Doctor Mills looked up from her desk the second Emma stepped inside. Doctor Mills' expression dropped immediately, which made Emma's stomach drop. She shut the door, turning her body as an excuse to not have to look at the doctor for a moment.
"Is there something I can do for you, Miss Swan?" Doctor Mills asked. Her professional tone was like a big "fuck you" without having to say a single profanity.
"Yeah…" Emma took another deep breath. You can do this. If you can treat her like crap, you can own up to it and start to make amends. "I owe you an apology."
Doctor Mills arched an eyebrow. "Oh, really? And will it be forthcoming or are you just making a general statement that we both have been aware of for a long time now?"
Emma held in the urge to snap. This isn't her fault. It's mine. "It's been a hard couple of months, which you're pretty aware of as you've been there for every step of it with me, even when you didn't have to be. I don't know why, especially since everyone says your bedside manner isn't great—"
"Is there a point, Miss Swan?" Doctor Mills' voice was sharp.
"Oh, sorry." Emma did not mean for that to go so off the rails so quickly. "What I'm trying to say is you've been helping me and I've been an asshole about it. I didn't mean to take my anger out on you. I'm sorry about that."
Doctor Mills inhaled through her nose and absently rubbed her right wrist with her left thumb. "Apology accepted. Good luck with your physical therapy."
Emma was being dismissed and, for some reason, it hurt, right in between her healed ribs. She had expected questions, a chance to explain herself without having it all tumble out of her without prompting. She did not want to press herself further on Doctor Mills, but she was not quite ready to leave yet.
"I'm seeing the physical therapist you recommended," Emma said. Doctor Mills was quiet. "And she's better for me. I've gotten through a couple of sessions with the bare minimum of cursing."
"Good for you," Doctor Mills replied.
Emma rubbed the back of her neck. She felt like she should say so much more, but Doctor Mills was so clearly over her. It hurt a lot more than she expected from a person she branded her enemy. Why the hell does my heart hurt? She feared she might throw up right in the office.
"Look…" Emma was not sure what she should say.
"Miss Swan, unless you have questions about your surgery or how your recovery, I think it would be best if you left," Doctor Mills replied.
Emma took the hint and left. She made her way to Granny's, needing something sweet to cover up the bitterness twisting in her stomach. Why did it feel like Doctor Mills rejected her? She sat at the counter and found herself rubbing her wrist with her thumb.
"Trying to make the timer come back?" Ruby asked as she pulled up beside Emma.
Emma shook her head and then dropped her hands. "No. I don't care."
Ruby scoffed. "Yeah, right. It's okay to admit you care. The timer's gone and it sucks you don't know who your soulmate is. You can admit it bothers you."
"Yeah, lots of things have been bothering me lately," Emma said. "I'm hoping a chocolate shake with cookie bits will help me forget for a while."
Ruby nodded and wasted no time making the shake. There was the shake, whipped cream, chocolate cookie crumbs, and three chocolate chip cookies stuck in it. It was more elaborate than Emma usually had, but she could use the cookies right now. She needed a pick-me-up.
"So, what's up? You look really troubled," Ruby said.
Emma sighed. "I went to apologize to Doctor Mills."
"Good for you. What happened? She cursed you out?"
"No. I think that's what made it worse." She was used to giving as much as she got from Doctor Mills. This time, she was just sort of dismissed. Even now, there was still a dull ache in her chest.
"Made it worse? Did she not accept your apology?" Ruby asked.
"She said she did, but it was more like she did it to get rid of me. It was like she didn't want to see me anymore and it… I dunno…" Emma found herself rubbing her wrist again.
"You okay there?" Ruby nodded to Emma's wrist.
Emma sucked her teeth and grabbed her glass. "I keep doing that. I saw Regina — Doctor Mills — do it a couple of times and now I keep doing it."
"She got her timer?"
"No."
Ruby chuckled. "What if she was your soulmate?"
Emma scoffed. "You're kidding, right? Could you imagine my soulmate being a doctor and being that damn hot? Not that it matters. Soulmates don't matter. Look at you and Belle and Dorothy."
"Yeah, but we're like a circle of soulmates."
Emma scoffed. "Look at Mulan and Marian. They're the most functional couple we know and they're not soulmates."
"Well, no. But, they have platonic soulmates."
"Which helps prove all this soulmate stuff is bullshit, as I keep saying. I mean, they're both soulmates with gay men and Marian and Robin brought into this soulmate crap enough to try to be straight together. Soulmates mean nothing."
Ruby took a deep breath. "Is that what Doctor Hopper said?"
Emma sucked her teeth. "He told me it's okay to not care about soulmates and still be bothered that I was unconscious when I met mine. Well, conscious, but suffering from head trauma, so I don't remember. It just… it's stupid. I hate that the universe keeps doing this to me. With my luck, it probably is Doctor Mills and she hates me now."
"That would be your luck." Ruby gave a little rueful laugh and shook her head.
"The universe sucks."
Ruby patted her on the shoulder. "That it does. But, I will say this, if she is your soulmate, you know where she is and you can reach out to her when you're ready. Focus on getting your knee right now and then you have an excuse to go see her when this is all said and done."
"That's true." Emma turned her attention to her shake while Ruby went back to her job.
What if Doctor Mills was her soulmate? That would be exactly what the universe would do to her. Drop the most gorgeous, intelligent woman in front of her and then give her reasons to insult the woman to her face. Oh, let's not forget probably won't date me just because she's my doctor. It would be like her dating someone she arrested. That was enough to let the idea go… for now.
-8-8-8-8-
It had taken a few months, but Emma was back on her feet, back at her job, and healthy. For all of the universe taking a huge dump on her, this worked out… well, except for one thing. She still absently rubbed her wrist. She had not seen Doctor Mills beyond a couple of checkups and those were over a month ago. She had a clean bill of health, but there was still a pain in her heart. She needed to figure this out, so she needed advice from the most romantic person she knew — Mulan.
"I'm the most romantic person you know?" Mulan pointed to herself and could not look more skeptical if she tried. She shuffled some papers on her desk, as if that would get Emma to go away.
"You're romantic without even trying! You're super smooth," Emma replied and she looked to Dorothy and David for backup. They thought about it for a moment.
"No, she's right," David said.
Dorothy nodded. "It checks out. I've seen you do some things and I was just like, 'damn, she's so getting laid for that.' And you definitely got laid for it."
Mulan screwed up her face. "So, you want advice on how to get laid? I promise you, I'm not as great as you all seem to think."
"Mulan is the worst kind of smooth. The kind that doesn't realize it's smooth," Dorothy said.
"Just set the scene for her and then see what she would do. If not, I could always tell you what I would do. I mean, I'm the second smooth operator around here," David said and they all had to laugh.
"David, you're not smooth. You and Mary Margaret just happen to be the cheesiest people in town and we're all grateful you found each other. You are possibly the most soul-matest people we've ever seen," Emma stated.
Dorothy pointed at Emma. "She's right about that."
"Maybe it would be best for me to try to fix this myself. I don't even know if it's romantic or anything. I'm just… bothered." Emma blew out a breath.
Mulan shrugged. "We're here all day and we know it's unlikely for us to get called out, so you might as well spill."
Mulan had her there and these were her nearest friends. "Okay, so here's the thing…" And, she explained the whole situation to them. How and why she had been rude to Doctor Mills. How Doctor Mills helped her well beyond what was expected of her. How she dismissed Emma when Emma apologized. How Emma could not stop thinking about her and rubbing her wrist.
Dorothy winced. "You don't even burn bridges by half, huh?"
"I didn't realize I was burning a bridge. Maybe I should just let it go. I mean, it wasn't like I really had a chance, even if she is my soulmate," Emma said.
Mulan pursed her lips. "I think it depends. Are you trying to date her or just make up for your treatment of her?"
"That second one seems like it's a good place to start. I'm not sure I want to date her. I mean, yeah, she looks great and she's smart obviously, but we probably don't have anything in common. I just… I need her to really get that I didn't mean to be an ass," Emma replied.
"And you apologized already?" Mulan asked.
Emma nodded. "Yup."
"I think the problem here is that none of us would reach this level of asshole… save me anyway," Dorothy said.
"Well, and obviously me." Emma pointed to herself with both thumbs.
"My point is that these two love-sick chivalrous idiots can't help you. They'd never get into a mess like this in the first place," Dorothy replied.
"We are sitting right here," Mulan pointed out.
Dorothy grinned. "I meant that lovingly, of course." She blew a kiss to Mulan, whose desk was across from hers.
Mulan rolled her eyes. "Anyway. First and foremost, you need a way to show you sincerely did not mean your previous behavior and you appreciated how she went out of her way for you."
Emma grinned. "They sell those cards?"
David laughed. "You wish!"
"Should I stand outside of her window holding a boom box?" Emma asked.
"You know I have no idea what that is," Mulan replied.
"Well, could you try being older than twenty-five for a few minutes to get my outdated 80s references just once?" Emma countered.
"I could do that, but then I can't help you with this other problem. Pick which one you want," Mulan answered.
"Well, obviously, the other thing if you have an idea," Emma said.
"I'm coming to you for every single special occasion for the rest of my life if you can fix this one, smooth criminal," Dorothy said to Mulan.
Mulan cracked her knuckles. "Well, first of all, when you mess up this big, the first thing you do is grovel. That's not regular apologizing. You have to be prepared to be on your hands and knees, possibly in front of people, for something like this. If you have no problem belittling her to an audience, show her you're willing to humiliate yourself in front of others to show your sincerity. It'll also help humble you to prevent you from doing something so boldly stupid again."
"Maybe you should take notes," David said.
Dorothy chuckled. "Hell, I might take notes."
While they were joking, Emma decided it might be best to take notes. She did not want to forget any of this. She owed Regina a lot more than her lame apology.
-8-8-8-8-
Emma found herself back at Doctor Mills' office. She knocked and was allowed entry. Doctor Mills did not look happy to see Emma the second she stepped inside. Emma's stomach twisted. Okay, don't throw up. Start talking.
"I know I'm the last person you want to see," Emma said.
Doctor Mills sniffed. "I was certain you would tap dance out of my life the second you could."
"If I could tap dance, it would be thanks to you. Look, I know I've been a major ass to you and I just want to make it up to you."
An elegant eyebrow raised. "And why is that? You already apologized. We don't have to suffer each other's presence any longer."
Emma took a deep breath to fight off the pain from that statement. "I wasn't suffering in your presence. I was suffering because the universe fucking hates me and I took it out on you. You met me on my lowest day and you pulled me out of it, even as I fought you the whole time. I fought you on shit I had no business or reason to fight over. I just want to show you I'm not the asshole you saw."
"I never assumed you were. I've met plenty of people on the worst day of their life."
"Yeah, but do you always make sure those ones get fed after they decide they're too good for hospital food? Which is funny because usually, I eat anything," Emma said.
"Good to know my hard work is the equivalent of 'anything.' You're enjoying the taste of your foot, too, I suppose?"
Emma wanted to sink into the floor. "You know I didn't mean it that way. I just want to make this up to you."
"There's nothing to make up, dear. Our business concluded a long time ago."
Emma threw back her shoulders. "Maybe I'm not ready for that. Maybe I can't let you go."
Doctor Mills' eyes drifted to her wrist. "Did you figure it out?"
Emma arched an eyebrow, but shook off the thought before it took root in her brain. There's no way. "I figured out that I hate the way I treated you and I want to make it up to you. That's what I figured out. I figured out that I don't want someone who was kind to me like you were out of my life. I figured out that I want to show you I can be just as considerate of you if you let me."
"And what makes you think I would allow you my company so you can just abuse me further?"
Emma held her hands up. "I promise I'm not going to try that. I just can't stop thinking about you and how I wronged you and…" Emma tapped the center of her chest. "It hurts right here. I usually don't care what people think, but I care about what you think and I care about what I did to you. I just… I want to take the hurt away that I caused you."
Doctor Mills curled her lip. "You think highly of yourself if you think your tantrums hurt me."
"Fair enough." This was a real struggle, but Emma pressed on. "I just… I want to start over. I want to show you that you are appreciated. I want you to see what I'm like when I'm not being an asshole. I mean, maybe we can be friends." Or so Emma hoped.
Doctor Mills rubbed her wrist. "I've seen your friends, dear. I don't think I want to be a member of that crowd."
Emma laughed. "Hey, it takes all types. I could use a friend with some class and I'm sure you could use a friend with some crass."
Doctor Mills chuckled, a good sign, and then sighed, shoulders dropping. "I'm going to regret this."
"I promise you won't!" Emma paused, feeling like her heart was about to explode in her chest. "Okay, so starting over, first things first, thank you for all the really great food you provided me with. Totally appreciate that." She paused again as she watched Doctor Mills' face twitch, like she might smile. "Thank you for taking the best care of me and literally getting me back on my feet. Most importantly, thank you for putting up with me when I had my head lodged far up my ass. I'm eternally grateful to you."
Doctor Mills waved the words off. "Most of that is just my job."
Emma shook her finger. "No, it's not. Don't sell yourself short. Now, when are you done here?"
"Why?"
"Because I'm going to cook something for you."
"Miss Swan, this is a little inappropriate. You're my patient—"
Emma held up a finger. "Not anymore. Don't argue. I'm rolling up my sleeves and I'm making you the best thing I know how to make."
"I'm scared to ask." Yet, her eyes sparkled.
Emma tilted her chin in the air. "I make a mean spaghetti."
Doctor Mills burst out laughing. "I knew it would be that or a sandwich of some kind."
"I'm also great at tuna melts and grilled cheeses. I can also boil a mean hotdog. I just figured you'd want to class it up a little." Emma smirked.
"I'm really going to regret this."
"That sounds like a yes."
"Of course it is."
-8-8-8-8-
And, so, they had spaghetti, but not at Emma's apartment. They had to go out because Emma got called out for an emergency and could only meet Doctor Mills somewhere. At some point, Doctor Mills insisted on being called Regina and Emma could not think of her any other way. It should have been awkward, but it was easy. Talking to Regina was easy, even though they did not seem to agree on much. Somehow, it was nice to argue with Regina to the point where after dinner, they went for a walk in the park to avoid ending the evening.
Emma was still insistent on making food for Regina, so they agreed to lunch the next day. Regina teased Emma over the sandwiches the whole time, but it became their thing. Emma would pop up with lunch for Regina. Sometimes, it was something she made and other times, it would be takeout, but she made sure to always keep that lunch date with Regina if possible. Beyond that, they hung out at night at least once a week. She had been introduced to a lot of things she never would have done on her own, but enjoyed. And, she liked to think Regina was the same. Yeah, they poked fun at each other the whole time, but she really liked Regina's company.
It took months before Dorothy pointed out to Emma that she was dating Regina. Emma did not want to jinx it, so she did not say anything, even though she probably should have checked with Regina. She just did not want to wreck her new normal. And then, one cold winter night with Regina hanging out in Emma's apartment, she said something that set it all right.
"It's a year to the day an idiot was pulled out of her car with a mangled leg and I saw color for the first time," Regina said quite casually. They sat on the floor, sipping hot chocolate, and watching some god-awful movie while Regina kicked her butt in Scrabble.
"She was an idiot, wasn't she?" Emma asked as she tried to figure out how she might use the triple word score to catch up.
"Still is. She hasn't realized one, she's been beaten, and two, hasn't asked me to be her girlfriend yet, though she insists on dating me," Regina replied.
Emma choked on air. "Wait, what?"
"I know you've gotten used to watching what you say around me, but at some point in time, I thought the question might come up. I guess I'll just have to ask you. Would you like to be my girlfriend?"
Emma laughed. "I've been taking it slow and steady, but yes, I would like that. And, just for the record, the soulmate thing is bullshit."
"Oh, I completely agree. After all, look who I'm stuck with." Regina smirked and before Emma could mount a comeback, Regina leaned in, kissing her. It was everything she thought it would be and more. It was somehow fireworks, smoke, and heat, but it also was easy and light, like being with Regina. Okay, maybe the soulmate thing was not total bullshit.
-8-8-8-8-
The End.
A/N: this has nothing to do with the story, but I want to say, originally, I planned to end this without ever revealing if they were soulmates. While I love soulmate stories, I also like the idea that love is a choice and you get to choose who you love and be with. But, as a reader, I realized that ending had a 50-50 chance of pissing me off, which I didn't want to do to readers.
Anyway, thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed the story. I'm returning to my padded cell. If you want to keep up with my stuff, you can find me on Facebook (SL Kassidy) and Tumblr (SLunatic).
