I know it's been literally forever since I updated-I'm sorry please don't kill me! Been going through some big changes pretty recently and my motivation has been askew. I'm hoping to get back in the swing of things soon, so here's another chapter for you guys.
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Emma felt herself relax into the chair as Regina did so, somehow feeling safe in her presence. Humans couldn't get into Storybrooke, and it appeared Regina had no idea who she really was, of what she had done. Besides that, she was rather friendly and very attractive.
Regina nodded at Emma's IV connected to the pole beside her. "What made you want to donate?"
Emma blushed and shrugged. Truthfully, Mary Margaret had invited her to come and persuaded her to donate. Well, more like guilted her into it. She had volunteered to go with the woman to keep her company and—classic Mary Margaret style—the teacher had started lecturing her about being a good Samaritan with that slightly insane bug-eyed look that Emma hadn't dared refuse. If she had, she was pretty sure Mary Margaret would have shoved the needle in her arm herself.
Emma didn't do needles: at all. She hated the dizziness and adrenaline rush that would hit her as she was prepared and couldn't even handle looking at the blood going into the bag attached to her for more than a few seconds. Hospitals in general freaked her out; nothing good ever came of them. Either you were there to die or to be saved from nearly dying. Yet, something had compelled her.
A nurse came over with a cup of juice and a chocolate chip cookie for Emma, beginning to unhook her from the IV. The blonde felt all the blood drain from her face and she clutched the arm rest with her free hand, nails digging into the slick surface.
She was surprised when Regina gently pried her hand off the seat and cupped her chin to turn away from the blood. "Look at me. Breathe. It's almost over."
Emma did as she was told, noticing the woman's eyes were a rich chocolate brown, like she could melt within them and float away. The hand holding hers was soft and the same temperature as hers, not ice-cold like vampires were portrayed in movies. Unlike Zelena, however, there was a guarded look there; a hesitation in the way she touched her, as if she was going to pull back and flee at any moment.
The nurse broke their intense moment, making Emma release the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding. "Alright, Miss Swan, that's all I need from you. If you get a fever or feel ill during the next 24 hours, come back. Thank you for donating."
Emma smiled in relief and sipped on her juice, waiting for the dizziness to pass. After a moment, she noticed Regina's hand was still on her arm and her grip was tightening ever so slightly as the seconds ticked by. The blonde thought it to be rather sweet, until she noticed Regina's posture was unnaturally rigid and her eyes were darting around the room.
"Is she freaked out because of the hospital? Or is she attracted to me like Zelena is?" Emma wondered.
The blonde patiently finished her cookie and finished her juice, jerking only when she felt Regina's fingernails cut into the skin of her upper arm. She yelped, and Regina immediately pulled back, eyes zeroing in on the crimson crescent moons her nails had left on her arm.
Emma watched her in curiosity and eagerness as she awaited to see what the woman would do. A tingle ran down her spine as she recalled just how good the endorphins had felt when Zelena had pricked her. How high could she get from an actual bite?
Before she could say anything, Regina jumped to her feet, scrambling to grab her purse. She looked horrified, and Emma felt sorry for her. "Regina it's okay—"
The vampire shook her head vigorously, lips pursed in a thin line. "I shouldn't have come here. I'm sorry I interrupted you." Regina took a step back and her purse flew out of her hands to the floor, the remnants rolling in every direction.
Emma stooped down to help, but Regina held out a hand to stop her. "I'm fine!" The brunette barked, causing Emma to wince.
The older woman looked apologetic and moved to speak, then promptly thought better of it as she shoved everything back in her purse. All eyes in the room were on the two women now, watching curiously at the interaction.
Emma watched Regina go helplessly, the situation all too familiar and bringing about a sense of panic. She hadn't meant to upset her, it was an accident. She took a breath as memories of a past she wanted to forget came to the front of her mind and caused her heart to pound. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she jumped as a man with dark brown hair passed her.
"Miss Swan, are you feeling alright?" The blonde looked up to see the nurse that had taken her blood regarding her carefully. "Perhaps you should sit down…" the woman continued.
Mary Margaret joined them just as Emma was near tears from her emotions running wild due to her flashbacks. She took a ragged breath as Mary Margaret began rubbing her back gently in an act of comfort.
"How about we go back to my house and I'll make you a nutritious, protein-filled lunch? It'll help with the light-headedness. Then we can have a movie day together," the schoolteacher suggested.
Emma nodded and wiped her eyes as the memories began to fade. She was free. She was alive. She didn't have to be afraid anymore. Standing up straight, she held her chin up high and followed her friend out to her car.
"Thank you, Mary Margaret. You really didn't have to do this," Emma said, sipping on a steaming bowl of soup. Mary Margaret didn't usually cook homemade meals between grading papers and following her dog-rescuing crush around town, but she had made Emma's favorite chicken noodle soup to cheer her up.
"It's my pleasure," Mary Margaret responded as she set down two mugs of hot cocoa topped with whipped cream. "That's what best friends are for."
Emma smiled and tried to focus on the romantic comedy they were watching, but her thoughts were still scrambled together in her head. Little memories of the past were still there—such as the hominess of her one-bedroom apartment and how she had acquired her VW Bug. A set of cold, brown eyes stared into her own, jerking forth the emotions she had ignored for the past few months.
Mary Margaret stopped mid-laugh as she noticed Emma staring into her bowl, no longer bothering to watch the movie. "Emma? Are you alright?"
Emma sighed and quickly clamped her mouth shut. She wished with all of her heart that she could tell her friend what she was feeling and why, but she knew Mary Margaret could never understand. No one could. This was her cross to bear, and hers alone.
"I saw you were talking with the mayor at the hospital. Did she say something to upset you?" Mary Margaret questioned.
Emma shook her head and forced herself to eat another spoonful of soup. Maybe it was a good thing that Regina didn't like her—she was one less person Emma had to worry about hurting. Of course, it hurt that Emma had done nothing wrong to make the woman so brass: kind one minute and rude the next. She had even gone out of her way to donate blood for the woman.
In a way, it reminded Emma of how she used to be not so long ago. Back when she still had a shred of innocence, she was cold and guarded against everything the world had to offer. It was the only way to survive. Considering she didn't have a thirst for blood like Regina did, maybe it was her own insecurities causing her to think the woman had been rude?
"The mayor has snapped at me a few times." Mary Margaret shook her head ruefully at a funny scene on the TV, turning to give Emma a knowing look. "You're lucky you got even one kind word from her."
Emma saddened at her friend's words. What had broken Regina Mills so badly that she had shut the world out?
A few days later, Emma headed to Granny's, hoping someone would be willing to tell her where the Mills' house was so she could see how Regina was doing. Just as she was opening the door, a red-headed man in a trench coat exited, holding firmly to a leash with an excited Dalmatian on the end. The blonde reached down to pet the dog as he eagerly licked her hand, tail wagging.
"Pongo, manners!" The man scolded with a sheepish glance at Emma. He tugged on the leash, forcing the dog back. "I'm sorry. Pongo's a little friendly—I'm still training him."
Emma smiled and gave Pongo a pat on the head. She felt a strange tingling sensation at the end of her fingertips and it seemed Pongo did too, for he pressed his head further into her touch. "It's alright," Emma answered. "I guess I'm a little friendly too."
The man smiled warmly and held out his hand for her to shake. "I'm Archie, the psychologist here in town. You must be rather new. You are?"
The blonde shook the man's hand. "Emma. Emma Swan. I've been working at the White Rabbit at night here for about a month."
Archie chuckled. "That must be why I haven't seen you. Pongo doesn't like the night life, but I like a few cold ones every once in a while in the luxury of my home." The man winked playfully. "I love helping people, but listening to other people's problems all day can be tiring."
Emma smiled at his subtle humor, deciding she rather liked Archie. Surprising, since she had been steering clear of men because of her new anxiety. "Would you mind pointing me toward the direction of the Mills' house?"
"Sure! It's right down Mifflin Street, it's the biggest house on the block. Can't miss it." Archie pointed down the street.
"Thanks," Emma said, making her way down the street.
"Emma?" Archie called, causing her to turn around again. The man looked down nervously. "If you ever need to talk, my office is always open."
Emma thanked him again and quickly headed toward the Mills' house, an uncomfortable vulnerability about her. It was as if he could see through her, into the depths of her soul. As if he knew of her curiosity of the vampire Mills' sisters.
Emma turned onto the block, noticing immediately the white mansion in front of her eyes with the expansive driveway and well-manicured lawn. 908 Mifflin Street, the mailbox read. This had to be it. The house was huge, about 10 times bigger than anything Emma could have imagined herself.
Emma rang the doorbell and nervously waited, picking at her cuticles and praying she didn't have any parsley in her teeth from lunch. She didn't know why she felt she had to impress Regina, but she wanted to look passable in comparison to the vampire's near flawlessness. Mostly she wanted to apologize—it seemed she had upset Regina just by her presence.
Should she have brought wine? Do vampires drink wine? She wondered.
Just as she was moving to go, the front door swung open. Instead of the eldest Mills sister, however, Zelena Mills was in her place. The vampire looked cranky and tired, like Emma during nights of insomnia or a night after drinking. Though the woman was still flawlessly beautiful. She was dressed in black spandex shorts and a low-cut forest green tank top, her natural redhead curls falling around her shoulders. It was a shock to see her in such a state other than sexual prowess like she had demonstrated to the blonde the night before.
Zelena crossed her arms and glared at Emma. "You interrupted my nap, darling. Normally I would drain the person who dared to come by during sleeping hours, but perhaps you I can make an exception for." The vampire grinned, her fangs gleaming in the sunlight.
Emma took a step back awkwardly, shoving her hands in her pockets. "I actually came by looking for Regina."
Zelena rolled her eyes. "If I were you I'd try Town Hall. My sister loves to hole up in her office for days at a time."
"Okay thanks." Emma started to go.
"Hold on now, dear," Zelena started. "You've already woken me for the day, how about you come inside for a little drink and a chat?" The redhead nodded towards the foyer. "Regina won't be back for a few hours at least."
Emma found herself nodding, shuffling forward awkwardly as the tingling sensation returned, this time in her whole hands. Zelena stepped aside and held the door open, allowing Emma inside. The door shut behind them, the lock clicking in place.
Emma shivered, though she tried to look around with interest at the Victorian theme of the mansion. It was as elegant as Regina Mills looked, even more so. It was immaculate and spacious with gleaming hardwood floors and white wall paneling that complimented them perfectly. Black and white curtains hung over the wide windows on the walls and shaded some of the house from sunlight with Velux windows mounted in the ceiling to make up for the lack of natural light.
Emma wasn't entirely focused on the layout of the house however, as she heard the sound of a lock clicking into place. She casually turned around to see Zelena breeze past her toward the kitchen. Ignoring the tiny voice in her head telling her to leave, Emma found herself following.
Zelena perched herself on the dining room table, crossing her legs in such a way that Emma could see up her shorts without trying. The blonde averted her eyes and grabbed a chair closer to the end of the table, putting a fair amount of distance between her and the vampire. She could feel her cheeks flush as she caught Zelena smirking at her out of the corner of her eye.
Get a hold of yourself, Emma. Stop being such an awkward spazz.
Zelena poured two crystal-cut glasses full of a green liquid, sliding Emma's across the table and taking a sip of hers. The redhead smacked her lips with a contented sigh and lightly swung her leg back and forth. Emma eyed her drink, nervous of what it was and knowing this wasn't what she came here for.
"I just donated blood. I'm not supposed to drink for at least 48 hours…"
Zelena laughed merrily, her eyes twinkling with a defiant challenge behind them. "That's posh, my dear." She nodded toward the drink sitting in front of Emma. "It's an appletini. Try it."
Emma reluctantly wrapped her hands around the glass, tapping her fingernails against the rim. Zelena was beautiful and intimidating and right in front of her practically begging Emma to take her, but something didn't feel right. She felt almost… guilty, for being here.
Emma took a sip of the drink to be polite despite the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. One glance at Zelena and she was hypnotized, falling into those glacier blue eyes. Zelena's lips parted and she bared her fangs.
With an audible snap of the vampire's fangs, Emma's drink slipped out of her hands and fell to the floor where it shattered into hundreds of pieces, flying every which way. The blonde winced as a small shard imbedded itself into her hand, causing a small drop of blood to ooze out.
Before she could react, Zelena had a hold of her jacket and was slamming her into the wall, breathing heavily. The red-head hurriedly pressed her lips to Emma's, tearing off her jacket as she did so with lightning speed.
"Wait—" Emma whimpered as Zelena pressed a leg against her own, bringing forth her own desires. This wasn't why she had come here.
Zelena's response was to lightly prick Emma's neck with her fang like the night before, going slightly deeper this time. Emma slumped against the wall, powerless to do anything but submit as the thrill of the high took all of her inhibitions.
"Let's move this little conversation upstairs, shall we?" Zelena breathed into her ear, taking her hand and guiding the way.
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Regina arrived back at the mansion just after dark, aching with exhaustion in every fiber of her being. It had been a long day; she had spent the majority of it talking with other town leaders and researching the cause of the missing humans, to no avail. Storybrooke had luckily been one of the only ones to not have lost anyone—yet—and it was only a matter of time before it began. Not to mention Regina felt like she was carrying the weight of everything on her shoulders alone as well as fighting back her instinctive urges.
Regina kicked off her heels and rubbed her aching feet, ready to soak in a hot bath with a cliché romance novel. Emma's scent was strong in her senses, but she didn't think anything of it, as the scent had clung to her all day with every place she went. She wondered how Emma was doing with the still fairly recent news of the existence of vampires undoubtedly making staying in Storybrooke a little more difficult.
That was another thing to figure out—how had Emma just walked into Storybrooke? And why?
Regina headed to her upstairs master bathroom and filled the tub, inhaling the scent of lavender and cedarwood as she sank into the steaming water. This was too much to think about right now. It was time to clear her mind and lose herself in some cheesy teen romance.
A few chapters in, the bathroom door flung open. Regina sat up quickly, cursing as she lost her grip on her book as it sank to the bottom of the bathtub. Her frustration disappeared immediately, however, as she came face to face with none other than Emma Swan herself.
The young woman was frozen in mid-step, the door still open and revealing the hallway behind her. She had a deer in the headlights look in her wide green eyes, her mouth hanging open in shock. Regina noticed she was covered in little bruises with obvious bite marks, which stood out on her quickly paling skin. She also noticed the lack of clothing on the woman, leaving her in just a bra and boy shorts.
A few seconds of awkward silence passed before Regina found her voice. "What are you doing here?" Regina sank back into the tub and held her breath quickly as she noticed Emma was staring at her soap-covered breasts.
The question seemed to break Emma from her stupor. She cleared her throat and glanced behind her, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "I came by here earlier looking for you. Your sister was the only one here and she invited me in for a while. She said this was the closest bathroom…"
Zelena had gone behind her back and deliberately disobeyed her again! How dare she! Regina thought. Not to mention she was risking both her own life as well as Emma's by doing so!
Emma swallowed hard and shut the door behind her, closing them both in. The action both irritated and amused Regina, and she fought back the urge to smirk. "I was just… wanting to see how you were doing," Emma confessed, her voice cracking adorably.
A quick check at the blonde's aura proved Emma was telling the truth and also revealed that she was feeling more than guilty, proving that the obvious had happened despite the physical evidence. Regina bit the inside of her cheek to hold back a nasty remark, knowing Emma wasn't the person to be angry with.
Emma suddenly began swaying on her feet, prompting Regina to sit up again. "Are you alright, dear?"
Emma took a step forward and nodded. "I'm fine. Just a little dizzy from donating blood."
Regina sniffed in disbelief, able to smell the alcohol emanating from the blonde. The scent of the woman's magic caused her to worry, and she motioned for Emma to sit. "Do sit down before you pass out on my floor, Miss Swan."
Emma nodded and sat on the plush carpet rug next to the bathtub, holding her head in her hands. "I'm sorry for intruding. I'm sorry for coming here… I really didn't mean for it to go that far."
Regina was just about to respond with a sarcastic comment when Emma burst into tears. "I thought I could start over here and escape the city and everything that came with it. Instead I'm back to square one all over again!"
Regina nodded sympathetically, reaching her hand out to rub the blonde's back. She didn't know what Emma was referring too, but she understood her feelings all too well. Storybrooke was supposed to be a place for her to start over as well, yet her own demons still haunted her.
Emma's cries quieted down to sniffles, and she looked up at Regina. "Thanks. I'm sorry about your book."
Regina looked at the book nestled at the bottom of the tub, a chuckle escaping her as she had forgotten all about it. She grabbed the paperback and shook off the excess wetness despite the book being hopelessly ruined.
Emma gave a little chuckle too as she wiped her eyes. "The House of Night series, huh? That's one of my favorite vampire series; it's a little ironic that you're reading it with you being an actual vampire and all."
"Even vampires like a little misinformed folklore every once in a while." Regina pulled the plug on the drain and grabbed her towel hanging on the shower rod.
Emma stood up, still visibly shaken but appearing much better than before. "I guess I'll be going now. Sorry again, um, I'll see you around."
Regina forced herself to smile and nod as she fought back the urge to invite Emma to stay, remembering the reason this awkward encounter had happened in the first place. "Good night, Emma."
Emma nodded and fled, shutting the door behind her. Regina's anger flared up once more as she heard the blonde talk to Zelena before leaving. Whether it be because of jealousy or the irresponsible actions that took place, she was going to have a chat with her little sister and set things straight, before someone got hurt.
