"I like it here, it's peaceful," Emma declared casually. She shoved her hands into the front pockets of her dark denim jeans to try and protect them from the brisk chill in the November air.
"This park is my favorite. When I was a kid, Granny would bring me all the time. We'd walk along the water and feed the birds the leftover bread from the diner."
Ruby adjusted her beanie slightly, tugging it down to cover more of her exposed ears as the wind picked up. "We should head back to the Inn and get ready for tonight. What time do you think Belle gets off of work? I can't wait to see her again!"
Emma laughed. "Something tells me she's pretty excited to see you again, too. Do you think Regina would go to this bar we're going to?" Emma's eyes lit up when she mentioned Regina's name out loud. It had been hours and neither of them had yet to work out how it was possible that this Regina Mills, mayor of Storybrooke, could be the same woman as the one in Emma's dreams.
"Mm, it's pretty casual and she seemed very… well-kept. But there isn't much of a nightlife in Storybrooke, so who knows? I'm sure if she doesn't show up, you'll see her again tonight in your dreams." Ruby raised both eyebrows suggestively and Emma nudged her shoulder.
"Oh, shut up."
"What? Like you aren't already thinking about it? Come on, Em. I know you well enough to know you won't ever get this woman out of your head."
"Fine," Emma muttered flatly. "Let's just go."
"You're wearing… that? Are there pants to go with the shirt?" Emma teased, watching Ruby check herself out in the mirror. Her tight red dress left little to the imagination, with the hemline hitting the top of her thighs. The matching red stilettos gave her an additional, unnecessary four inches that made her already-long legs go on for miles.
Ruby looked over her shoulder at Emma and a smirk shimmied onto her face. "If this doesn't get Belle to want me, nothing will." She applied the finishing touches to her red lipstick and then turned to face Emma.
"I thought you said this place was casual? Should I change?" Emma looked down at her dark-washed jeans, white tank top, red leather jacket and black boots. At least she'd opted for boots with a small heel this time. "Maybe I should put on a nicer shirt?"
"Nah, it's casual. You'll fit in just fine. But you know I never like to fit in."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Well, I can safely confirm that you will get more than just Belle's attention tonight."
"Well then what are we waiting for?"
They walked out of the Inn and Emma laughed at Ruby as she sprinted past Granny, desperate to avoid any encounters that would lead to a lecture over her choice in attire.
The cool night air hit Emma's face and she crossed her arms. "Ruby, aren't you freezing in that?" She uncrossed her arms and put one arm around Ruby in an attempt to keep her warm.
"I'm okay, I'm always warm. And it's just down the street. You ready?"
Emma nodded as Ruby pushed open the door. Immediately, they were engulfed by the smell of cheap liquor and the feeling of the warm, musky air.
"First round's on me, what do you want?" Ruby asked, ignoring the burning sensation of all the eyes on her from the men in the room. She wasn't interested in their attention.
"Whiskey and coke."
"You've got it." Ruby smiled before gracefully making her way to the front of the bar, easily capturing the bartender's attention.
Emma looked around, eager to lock eyes on the familiar face she had come to know so well over the past few weeks. She could feel the desperation bubbling inside of her as she struggled to locate the small-framed brunette among the crowd that was continuing to build. She scanned the tables along the wall. But when all she saw was a room full of strangers, her face fell in tandem with the plummeting in her stomach.
"You're looking for Regina, aren't you?"
"Lucky guess." Emma rolled her eyes and laughed, then took the drink out of Ruby's hand. "Thanks."
"Want to play some pool? It's still pretty early and I don't know what time Belle is coming."
Emma nodded and they both headed over to the row of pool tables on the other side of the bar. Emma sipped her drink before picking up the pool cue and chalking up the tip.
They were halfway through the game when Ruby noticed the petite girl with thick, brown hair walking through the door, gazing around in search of a familiar face.
"Belle! Hey, over here!" Ruby flailed a hand up over her head and when Belle saw Ruby, Emma could've sworn she could detect her eyes lighting up, even in the darkness of the crowded bar.
"We were just playing pool, but Emma always wins. I think she cheats. Do you want a drink?"
"I don't cheat. You just aren't very good at this game."
"Yeah, yeah. Belle, you look hot. Like flawless." Ruby blurted out as she made it evident that she was checking her out. Belle was dressed in a navy blue button down and tight black skinny jeans that tucked neatly into her black suede booties. Even Emma couldn't help the way her eyes fell and caught sight of the black lace popping out from underneath the camisole where the blouse was unbuttoned.
"As if anyone is looking at me when you're beside me," Belle smiled at Ruby. "And yes, I'd love a drink. My shift at the library was uneventful today, although I did discover some great new books I can't wait to start reading!"
Ruby's smile was full of admiration and she listened intently as Belle rambled on about the books she found. Ruby could tell how much reading meant to her by the way her face lit up when she spoke about it.
"How about I go grab you that drink and let you two continue talking?"
Ruby shot her best friend a look of gratitude and Emma nodded silently. She finished what was left of her glass before shuffling off toward the bar.
"Can I get a Jack and Coke and two bay breezes?" She asked the bartender, taking a seat at the stool. She took another glance around the bar, for what felt like the thirtieth time since she arrived, and let out a sigh.
The bartender returned and pushed her drinks toward her. "You looking for someone?"
"Am I that obvious?" Emma frowned. The bartender nodded once and laughed softly.
"My name is Archie. I know everyone in this town and I also know how to read people pretty well. I can tell you're looking for someone and that part of you expects them to not show."
Emma shot him a confused look. "What are you, some kind of shrink? You're good. You'd probably make a good detective."
Archie laughed again. "Well, I don't know about a detective. But I may as well be a shrink. Bartenders hear everything. Like that guy over there?" He nudged his head, shifting his gaze discreetly, and Emma glanced over to look at the guy sat at the end of the bar. "He's in here every night. He orders way too much to drink and spills his secrets to me, and I listen. I've grown to love the routine of things around here. So, who is it you're searching for?"
"Her name is Regina," Emma said softly, immediately regretting it.
"Ah, Mayor Mills. Well, you probably won't find her here. She works late and is bit of a loner. This isn't really her scene. I'd ask if you know her well, but I'm afraid there are very few who know the mayor well. She tends to keep to herself."
Emma cocked her head. "Why is that?"
Archie shrugged. "Nobody really knows. She's dedicated to her work, but I assume it can get pretty lonely living a life that revolves only around a career. I wish she'd come around more and socialize. I think she fears that she intimidates others and can't relate to anyone well enough to build genuine friendships."
"Damn, you really should be a shrink," Emma sighed. "That was deep." She laughed, but couldn't begin to even try and understand how the woman who looked so much like the happy, soft, loving woman in her dreams was lonely and closed off like Archie had said.
Archie cleared her throat. "Oh, perhaps I was mistaken. Well, I must say that this is a first."
Emma snapped her head up, looking back at Archie. He nodded his head in the direction of the door and Emma spun around in her stool to look over her shoulder.
The door to the bar closed behind Regina and Emma thought the air was being sucked out of the room. The crowd blurred in a way that Emma had only seen in movies, and suddenly the only thing that mattered was making sure Regina saw her.
Regina unfastened the buttons on her black peacoat and quickly combed her fingers through her hair as she headed toward the bar.
Emma held her breath and remained seated on her stool, turning to face Archie.
"I thought you said she didn't come here?"
"She– she doesn't."
"Emma, where are those drinks?" Ruby's voice snapped Emma back to reality. She offered an apologetic smile and handed them their drinks. Belle took a sip and slipped her free hand into Ruby's. Emma looks down and smiled.
"Sorry about that. I was talking to Archie and then—"
"Your girl!" Ruby shouted.
"Shh. Shh. I know! Don't make a scene." Emma rolled her eyes and dropped her gaze back down to her drink,. Gripping the cold glass, she took a large swig to ease her nerves. But that did next to nothing, and as soon as she felt someone pull the bar stool out from beside her, her nerves took over.
The faint smell of Regina's perfume hit her – the scent all too familiar. It was as if Regina were copying Emma's actions from earlier in the day – coming to sit directly beside her without invitation. Ruby tugged on Belle's hand, signaling that they should give them some space.
"Fancy seeing you here, Miss Swan."
Emma gasped at the sound of Regina's authoritative tone addressing her like that. She spun in her chair to face her with a smirk on her face. "I could say the same thing about you… Mayor Mills. I didn't think you'd be at a place like this.
"Nonsense," Regina laughed. "This place is… quaint." She went to lift up a coaster and scrunched her nose up as it stuck to the bar counter.
Emma raised an eyebrow and laughed. "I'm a cop, you know? I can tell when someone is bluffing."
"Mm, it's difficult to detect lies these days, so that is quite a talent."
"Some might even call it a superpower," Emma laughed.
"Well then tell me, dear. Am I bluffing when I tell you that I came here to find you?"
Emma's stomach fluttered again, and she cursed inwardly at how Regina's confidence affected her.
"You– you came to find me?" Emma swallowed.
"Maybe," Regina whispered, leaning in dangerously close. Her fingertips just barely grazed the inside of Emma's knee – heat radiating up her leg. Suddenly, she wished she'd copied Ruby and opted to wear a dress.
"Emma?" Archie called out her name and Emma turned to face him. "You okay there? I thought I'd lost you for a minute."
"Huh?" Emma cocked her head at him.
"You looked like you were daydreaming. I asked you if you were just stopping through Storybrooke or if you had family here. But you had this blank look on your face and I realized your mind was elsewhere. You okay?"
Emma blinked, quickly peering at the bar stool beside her. It was empty.
"Oh, um. So– sorry about that," she stammered. "I wasn't paying attention. I've gotta go…" She hopped off of her seat and sprinted over to where Ruby and Belle were standing.
"Ruby!" She tugged on her best friend's arm in desperation. "I need to go."
"Why, Em? You okay?"
"Yeah, I just had—" Her voice dropped off when she realized she didn't want to sound like a lunatic in front of Belle. "I'm just not feeling great. I'm gonna head back to the Inn for the night."
"Are you okay? Let me know if you need me to grab you anything on my way back."
"I'll be okay. Just need some sleep." Emma reassured her everything was okay by giving her a smile and turning toward the door. She stopped and turned back to face the two girls. "Oh, and I won't wait up!" She laughed and Ruby winked back at her.
