The more Regina talked, the more sad Emma became. Regina confessed that she was not Roni and then proceeded to go into a frenzied rant about the ranger seeing them kiss, and she was not ready for that kind of thing getting out, it could cost her her career. From Nimue, Emma knew that Regina was just finding out who she was, but this panic was terrible the more she listened. It was also making Emma believe that their kiss between them meant little to her–she was feeling both sad and guilty.
Regina exclaimed, as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, "...thank god the ranger didn't have a phone, or was rude to snap a picture, or maybe she did when we weren't looking. Oh god this is horrible, I should have never…"
Emma finally had it. "Hey! It was me you kissed. I'm right here. Sorry it was a fucked up kiss. Sorry I almost ruined it for you! I get that this is a concern, but you haven't even bothered to ask me anything? All this worry is exhausing, just get the fuck out of the closet already, there's so many out gays in the business like your ex who are successfull, you will be fine!!!"
The car jolted off the road as Regina immediately pulled the car over, turned in her seat towards Emma and shot her a look. "What did you say?!"
Emma looked at her, a little scared. "Ummm, I have something to tell you...I'm not…"
But Regina cut her off, "Yes, I know who you are. I have known all along who you are. So you did come here to disrupt my vacation? Well, you succeeded, possibly even ruined me. Didn't Cruella tell you to wait? And how the HELL do you know Nimue? I can't believe she told you!!!"
Emma's mind reeled. It was just then that she realized she said "ex." "Wait, you know who I am? And you kissed me anyway?"
Regina's eyes narrowed at her and she huffed. She shot a look down to her lips and wanted to kiss them again, but she was so angry she refrained.
Emma side-smiled for a second but then wiped the smile away because Regina's eyes hardened. Regina wanted an answer to her question. "I asked how do you know Nimue?"
"Nimue is my ex. The night I met with Cruella, she was at the same restaurant. But I didn't know you two had been dating. I just sat with an ex to have a drink, and then she started talking about you."
Emma's answer did not appear to settle Regina down. Emma didn't know what else to say without sounding like a blathering fool so she just waited. She waited impatiently, because she had questions of her own.
Regina also had a thousand questions to ask, but her thousands of thoughts wouldn't let her make a complete sentence. She felt adrift, betrayed, and scared. Tears started to form in her eyes, but she refused to cry in front of Emma. She turned back around to the steering wheel and adjusted herself in the driver's seat. She put on her directional signal. "Ms. Swan, I need to call my agent as soon as I get back to the hotel. I suggest we get there as soon as we can."
Hearing Regina call her Ms. Swan made Emma feel worse than before. How did this trip become about a kiss, and not about getting Regina Mills to sign on with her studio? But in reality, Emma had to save one or the other. She spoke up, "Are we gonna just leave things like this? We both have a lot of things to say to each other. We need to talk when we get back to the hotel."
Regina took a while to answer, but Emma stared all the while at her. She was going to get an answer. Eventually Regina said, "Yes. Let's meet at the bar later tonight. 8ish. I need to decompress." She eventually glanced over at Emma. Emma's pleading eyes made her want to cry again, so she quickly turned away, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. She didn't want to be angry at her. She was angry, but that was but one emotion swirling around many others.
Emma nodded and turned away to look out the window as they drove back to the resort in silence.
--
Regina was exhausted when she got to the room. She did not call Cruella. Instead she drew a bath and spent a few hours in it, thinking, sorting her feelings. Cruella would have agitated her more, and this was her life decision to make. Cruella had already given her different scenarios, and in any one of them she would back her and support her, anyway. Emma came all this way to meet with her. What did that say about her? Desperate for sure...but she went along with her ruse. She didn't have to do that, and had a lot of time to call her out. She supposed that she would get clear answers from Emma when they met up later. There was a part of Regina that felt happiness at seeing her later–even in the middle of her crisis, her meeting Emma felt like a port in a storm. Things couldn't be more confusing.
Emma paced and paced her room. When she first arrived, she stripped off her clothes and took a shower, with the intention of staying in there until the hot water ran out. She hoped to zone-out, cry, scream, get whatever emotions out she had. But she found that she was feeling numb. So, she got out of the shower, dressed for later, and started to pace. She thought and thought about why she was feeling numb, then realized that she was putting up a wall out of protection, because if Regina didn't feel the same way about her...wait! Just how much did she feel for Regina? She wanted Regina for her studio, but now she wanted Regina for herself? She couldn't have this conflict of interest. She had to drop her feelings and just focus on what she came to do. But she kept pacing, because that was not what she feeling now. She wanted to know what was that kiss for and how much did it mean to Regina? These were questions she didn't know if she wanted to ask when she met Regina. She called up her VP, Ingrid and decided to tell her all that had happened, and did she have advice before meeting with Regina?
--
Emma conversation with Ingrid went well, but her emotions were still there. Ingrid helped her to refocus, and she was grateful to Ingrid for her wisdom and understanding. She felt very assured in the business aspect, but she was still a nervous wreck about her feelings towards Regina. She decided that since she was dressed and ready to go, she would just go and sit in the bar and wait for Regina.
She picked a discrete corner and chose the seat facing the entrance. Regina could sit with her back to the entrance just in case she was sensitive to someone recognizing her. Not that it should matter at the resort–nobody caught them kissing there, but she wanted to be as considerate and thorough as she could be.
After a few drinks, she was more relaxed. She would wait until Regina came down until she had another. It was close to meeting time. Regina had not texted her. She grew nervous at that. If Regina was a no show, then she would have to let that be her choice and she would leave the resort that night. Emma would call Cruella to apologize and try one last ditch effort to make an offer that would ensure the one thing that Regina wanted–a secure career.
Emma decided to text Regina to confirm. It would give things an air of a business meeting at least:
Ms. Mills, I am in the bar, ready to meet per your suggestion. I will be in a discrete corner towards the back to your right. If you don't see me, I will be able to see you and will not let you get lost. The bar is not very full, so we should have a very private meeting. Look forward to seeing you.
Emma inhaled deeply. She was holding her breath as she composed her message. She started to shake her leg as she watched her phone for a reply. Regina made her wait a whole five minutes before replying. Emma watched as "..." appeared, waiting for a while. She imagined Regina composing a long "fuck off" message to her. She waited in dread silence. Eventually the message appeared, short and to the point:
I"ll be down soon.
Emma slammed her phone down harder than she intended. She covered her face and moaned a bit. This woman had her on edge! It will be alright, whatever happens, she told herself.
Regina walked in wearing a very large felted sun hat. She was in tshirt and jean shorts, donning her large sunglasses, appearing very casual and almost touristy. Emma couldn't help but smile when Regina started to walk towards her. Regina took her glasses off and she didn't return a smile. She sat and looked at Emma, her eyes starting to well up with tears. But she put her head down, took a deep breath, and composed herself.
"Would you like my drink while you wait for one?" Emma offered.
Regina glanced at the glass and nodded. She took Emma's drink and threw it back like nothing. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Thank you."
Emma didn't respond. Regina finally looked at her and stared at her for a long while. Emma held her gaze, and wasn't sure if Regina wanted her to start, but when Regina continued to stare and stay silent, Emma decided to begin talking.
"Regina, I didn't mean to decieve you, cause you any trouble or fuck up your vacation. Yes, it was my intention to find you, apologize for Jones' abhorrent behavior, and try to make you an offer you couldn't refuse...I…"
"You do realize that you are no better than Jones?"
Emma's heart sank. She was already feeling low, but to be compared to that sexist scum brought a little anger. She rejusted herself in her seat, and tried to respond without irritation. "Ok. I'm sorry. It was not my tactic to come here and flirt with you in hopes to get you to sign with our studio. That was never and has never been my approach. I just wanted a moment of your time. But then we, well, Leia and Roni went on an adventure, and Leia fell for Roni," Emma paused, thinking about what a great time she had, and felt like a dream. Regina made no move to talk. Emma had to add to her defence, "Jones just wanted to sleep with you. Leia wanted more."
Regina's eyebrows lifted up, a little astounded. "Yes, well, you let your imagination run without restraint. How do I know that is not how Emma behaves?"
"What is that supposed to men? I would love to say that Leia wasn't Emma, me, but in the end, Emma fell…" This was not the conversation she wanted to have. She wanted to talk business. "Why are we talking about Leia and Roni? I'd rather talk business. I apologize for what happened, but we would still like you to sign with our studio, and I want to discuss what we have to offer you, and hear what you want, because I assure you that we will do everything…"
But Regina interrupted her, "Would Leia want to kiss Roni again?"
Emma was stunned, but she answered immediately, "Yes, but Roni kissed Leia first."
It was Regina's turn to look stunned, "She did not!"
"Yes she did. Leia was about to pull away from Roni, but Roni yanked her back and planted one on her," Emma said without hesitation.
This got Regina to smirk, "Is that so?"
"She sure did. Was straight out of a romance novel, wind blowing through their hair, stormy sky, raining...she pulled her into the kiss, not even asking if she could, all aggressive. There was even tongue."
Regina burst out laughing. "Oh, Ms. Swan, with an imagination like that, it's a good thing you make movies."
Emma started to laugh with her. The waiter came by with two drinks, placed them down and left.
Regina picked up the glass, wiping her tears. She gestured for Emma to do the same. They toasted. She waited for Emma to take a drink first before saying, "Roni and Regina both like Emma a lot."
Emma nearly choked. "You are a brat. You did that on purpose."
Regina started to laugh into her glass, then took a swig. "Why do you want this brat in your studio?"
"Because you are YOU! You are an incredible actress, and I want to give you the ability to hone your craft, open up new possibilities. I am going to presume that you left your old studio because of your relationship?"
Regina grew serious. "Yes. The president and board were a bunch of bigots. I was tired of the sexist scripts coming my way. Contract was coming up, so it was a perfect chance for me to get out and come out, but by the same token, who would take me after I dropped the bomb? But I wasn't entirely ready to face that reality. And as wonderful as Nimue can be, the distance between us was not helping me. The distance was great at first, it helped me stay in the closet, take baby steps, but I wanted more once I solidly accepted who I am. But I fear so much how this will impact my career…"
Emma jumped right in, "If you sign with us, I will ensure your career safety. We can have a however long contract you want with us, be out, we will support you. You don't just have to act, you can direct, produce, you can write a script, choose what you want to do. This is the studio of women in film, to do what you want, being you."
Regina chuckled. "I suppose once I found out that the president was out and queer It should have been a no-brainer choice to sign with you...but you know how two faced "Hollywood" can be so I wasn't entirely sure…"
"Yeah, I know. And Jones was not a true representation, so I see how you got the wrong message...and then I show up here like a crazed stalker..."
"Emma, don't fault yourself there. I was bothered at first to see you here, it's why I pretended to be Roni, hoping you get the hint. But everything that happened after that, I do not regret in the least."
Emma smiled and felt so light and excited, "Really? So you're not mad at me?"
"No."
"And you will sign with us?"
"I think so…"
"You think!" Emma exclaimed, but then relented, "Ok, that is better than a straight no."
"Well, I haven't called Cruella yet."
Emma's heart sank again. "Oh...shit. I have a feeling things will change when you tell her what happened."
"It won't."
"Come on, Cruella and me, and this whole shenanigans, she will hate me for good now for putting you in jeopardy for sure!"
"Why does she hate you?"
Emma pursed her lips and paused a moment before saying, "I started the rumor that she had puppy-fur coats." She covered her eyes with her hand.
Regina started to howl in laughter. Emma joined with her.
Emma then said, "I swear, it was not intentional, it was an accident...I told my VP that at a party, being a snarky drunk, and some blogger over heard me, and they did an 'investigative' report on it."
"Oh, hahaha, oh, that is so funny, not funny. Look, don't worry about Cruella. I want to sign with you. I know now it is where I need to be, and will be safe and secure." Regina paused and let the laughter linger and die between them before saying, "The only thing she will probably throw at me is the question of us."
Emma choked on her drink again, "Us!? You want there to be an 'US'?" Emma grinned.
Regina nodded.
"I mean, I'm not gonna lie, I did discuss this conflict with Ingrid."
"Us is a conflict? You already told your VP? Blabbermouth…" Regina joked.
"I needed advice! You messed me up…"
"We are NOT a conflict..."
Emma put her finger up. "Let me explain…" She looked at Regina's reaction, and she gave her a dirty look, but she waved a hand at her to continue. "To avoid work tension or conflict or awkwardness, regardless if there was going to be an us, Ingrid suggested I take a sabbatical, and she would be acting President for a year."
"Oh...oh...Emma now I am affecting your career…"
"No, you're not. I have been waiting to take some time off, and this is a perfect chance to. If there is going to be an 'Us,' I can be there for you 100% as you come out, as we focus on us, your career, as you wish."
Tears started to flow from Regina's eyes and this time she didn't stop them or hide them. She couldn't believe that this one person was not only able to help quelch her fears, but also steal her heart. "Well, then, it's settled. I only have one more question. Do you want to come with me in the morning to see the baby turtles set free?"
Emma reached across the table and took Regina's hand. "Emma would love to join Regina."
