Deadly Class

Class Six: Entranced

Regina's hand was warm and comforting on Emma's back as the professor steadied Emma on their walk towards the dorm. Emma felt a bit more sober now, the cool air cutting into her skin. She had left her jacket and things inside the club. Hopefully Ruby would be thoughtful enough to realize and take them back for Emma.

Emma felt so ashamed right now. But also so tired. She just wanted to go to bed, and curl up in a tiny ball, and cry until all her problems went away. She was definitely going to get into trouble that much was certain.

They entered the dorm, Emma fumbling a little bit with her key card in the dimmed hallways. Regina put her hand on the back of Emma's, and helped her swipe the card in. Emma tried not to flush at the soft touch and stumbled into her darkened room. And now she felt self conscious because her room was kinda messy. Bed unmade and textbooks in a haphazard pile on her bed.

She didn't even know what to say to this anymore.

"Emma," Regina started, voice stern and low with reproach "We are going to have a discussion on this when you get back to campus. You certainly are not old enough to be drinking and going out to such establishments."

"I swear I just had a little," she mumbles, hanging her head. God, this is so awkward. Why is she always making a dumb ass of herself. Especially in front of Professor Mills.

"And I though we established you can't handle drinking anything at all. I also want to speak to Ruby about this."

A cold chill went down Emma's back and her head snapped up in horror, taking in Regina's unreadable features. "No, please. Don't get her into trouble. She didn't force me to drink." The last thing she wanted was for Ruby to go the dean.

"It doesn't matter what the situation was. The fact of the matter is that both of you are minors and there is a no drinking policy on campus."

"Is there- let me take the blame," Emma said, in her panic striding closer to Regina, almost too close. Her professor had to shift back to give them space. "I'll...I'll shoulder the blame for the situation. I just don't want my friend to get in trouble. Send me to the dean if you must, but just don't let Ruby get in trouble. It's my own dumb fault and-"

"Emma, calm down," Regina sternly cuts off Emma's ranting. There's an interesting look on her face. One almost of deep contemplation. Voice tinged in a bit of awe, she asks "you would...you would do that for your friend? Get in trouble for her?"

"Yes," Emma nods ardently, meaning it. It was her fault for being dumb, so if anyone had to get in trouble, it was her.

"Why?" Regina questions, and why is the professor so interested in this all of a sudden? Isn't it what friends do for one another?

"Because," Emma shrugs, not knowing how to explain this. "I made a mess, so I should clean it up."

Regina says something low and under her breath as she shakes her head. Emma is only able to make some out, something that sounds, "...different from her mother..." But before Emma can ask about it, Regina is turning to leave. "Drink some water, and go to bed. And Monday, I expect you in my office for a talk."

Emma swallowed dryly. She had no idea if this meant she was still in heaps of trouble but she took her professor's advice and went to bed.

"I always knew you were a dumbass Swan, I just didn't know how much of one until now," Ruby says the next morning when Emma wakes up with a headache. She's told Ruby everything, the girl having come back at six in the morning with all of Emma's stuff and with no signs of a hangover at all despite partying this late.

"And next time, tell me when you're leaving, so I can not freak out and tear apart the place looking for you," Ruby tacks on, sitting on her bed and kicking her feet back and forth.

"I didn't exactly plan any of that," Emma says, her voice gravelly. She's got a throbbing headache. She really should never drink. "I was stupid, and the professor took me back to my dorm and now I'm going to get in so much trouble. She told me as much."

"Why don't you tell your dad and get him to stop her from doing that?" Ruby suggests.

Emma turns from how she's flopped over in her bed so she can glare at Ruby. "I can't tell them something like that! They'd flip."

"And you think them hearing it from the dean will be any better?"

"How do you know if the dean will even tell them? He might not and then it'll just stay between me and him and the professor."

Ruby shrugs. "Alright, suit yourself." She turns to her mounted TV and starts playing a video game. The virtual noises make Emma's head throb more and she burrows under the blankets, now dreading when Monday will arrive.

When it does arrive, it's with a flurry of snow. The sky is looking violent above them and Emma trugs from class to class until they're done for the day and she has no choice but to meet with Regina over what happened that night.

To say she's shaking with nerves is an understatement. When she sees her professor there, sitting at her desk expectantly, she blurts out the first thing on her mind. "I'm sorry for ruining your evening!" Because she's so embarrassed. Why the hell had she thought to be a white knight and tried to rescue Regina from a situation she didn't need help being saved from? So many mistakes were made. Emma swore she would never drink again like that.

Regina blinks, because she was not expecting this to be the first thing Emma said. "That's alright. I was going to leave soon anyways. But that is not the issue here." She gestures for Emma to close the door and sit down. Emma does both, shakily.

"The issue is underaged drinking."

"I know and I'm sorry. It was a stupid idea." She could not look more sorry if she tried right now. And she honestly did not know how else to make this situation less worse. She had said she would take full responsibility if only so Ruby wouldn't get in trouble.

Regina sighs heavily as if burdened with some great weight, and folds her hands on the table top. "I've decided...I've decided that I won't report you."

Emma can feel the heavy weight on her stomach lift.

"But, I will require you to write me an essay on why drinking is bad- a well researched essay might I add. As well as you will be required to work here in the psychology department and organize papers again."

Emma is relieved. So relieved. The essay part isn't great, but she gets to work by her professor's side again.

"And what about Ruby?" Emma breathes out, not entirely at ease just yet.

"As I did not see Ruby's intoxicated behavior, it would all be relegated to heresay by campus policy. So, she's off the hook."

"Thank you. Thank you so much," Emma breaths easily now. This isn't bad. Not at all.

"I will tell your parents next time this happens, Emma. The first time was an accident, the second time not so much. Third time is your third strike and you're out."

"I know," Emma mumbles and leaves the office, feeling like maybe not everything is falling apart in her life.

"You're stupid," August tells her, which thanks, she already was reminded ten thousand times by each of her friends. "But also, genius. Trying to save her from some dude and then ending up in trouble with her which leads to her making you work with her again. Honestly, Emma, I wish I was in your shoes sometimes."

Emma glares at him. "I can barely meet her eyes because I still feel dumb for what I pulled in the bar. My stupid crush got in the way and so did the drinks and then I wasn't thinking right." She rubs her hands over her face tiredly.

"Hey, don't stress it," he tells her, before taking a sip of his coffee. They're having lunch right now in a packed cafe outside of campus. "I'm sure she knows we're still growing and maturing. Though honestly, I expected you to get into a shit ton more trouble for all this. Wonder why she didn't do more. I mean, she is strict."

Emma shrugs. She doesn't know. Regina's motives and thoughts are a mystery to her. She's just glad it wasn't worse. "Anyways, that's the tea. I gotta go soon. I still have to write that paper for her." The paper was a pain in the ass to write on top of all the work they already had to do but rather that than possibly being thrown off campus.

At least there are only about four more weeks of school left. Three if you don't count finals week. And then, Emma can get a much needed break from school and from her heart.

This time, working in the psych department is a bit different. Regina sends Emma off to do various duties: stapling papers, getting coffee, dusting the dirty cabinets, throwing out old journals, donating books they no longer needed, and organizing files. Emma was required to come by each day and do this, often working late until nine pm, until she and Regina were the only two in the office.

The professor even talked to her during these sessions unlike the first time Emma had been responsible for doing such menial tasks, and it was like the incident in the bar had been swept away under the rug. Emma found herself having fun during this, able to keep up a decent conversation between them. Things were a bit more relaxed, friendly even. To think how they had come from Regina wanting Emma out of her class, to now Regina not reporting her and protecting her from campus policy, it made Emma's insides warm.

She liked their moments spent alone in the office, especially when it was just the two of them after hours. Regina would talk about her day, Emma would talk about hers. It was like something had somehow changed between them. Emma didn't know what or why, but it was nice. It was only a shame so little of the semester was left. Maybe Emma would take another of Regina's classes just so she could continue being with her.

If anything, her crush on her professor was only strengthened by all the time they spent together. Things, however took a turn for the unexpected when Emma came in one evening to her professor's office to continue excavating the mess of ancient files in the supply closet.

It was heavy and slightly dusty work, so Emma stripped out of her warm outer layers down to her tank top. Her arm muscles strained when she hefted up heavy stacks of paper or ancient creaking books. And she spent a lot of time on her knees, searching through the piles of stuff. She was so into the work that when she turned around she nearly dropped all of it when she saw Regina standing there silently in the door way. The professor's eyes slowly slid up Emma's body and then to her face. It was the slow type of sweep that had the back of Emma's neck burning. Had the...had Regina been checking Emma out? What?

Regina uncrossed her arms, straightening her posture from how she had been leaning her weight on her left foot.

"Would you like some water?" Her professor asked and Emma nodded her head yes. She was thirsty from all the work and could use some before she would leave to go back to her dorm.

There was a different air about Regina. Emma couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she was looking at Emma in a whole new manner. In fact, she had been doing so over the course of the past weeks ever since Emma had come over to her house for help. In class she would glance at Emma during her lectures, her gaze heavy and unrelenting. Thoughtful almost.

Emma didn't know what it meant. All she knew was that it sent a steady throbbing between her legs and a breathlessness to her voice that had her running back to her dorm to relieve herself once the class was done. Fuck. She couldn't wait to be done with this intro course. Maybe then she could have some relief from these annoying feelings.

While doing research on obsessive compulsive disorders, she found that cognitive behavioral therapy was the best bet for getting rid of it. But, that worked for people with the regular types of OCD's, like being afraid of germs. Emma wasn't sure how touching dirty things would help with her version and so she set about conducting even more research.

She just knew, that despite knowing she would miss seeing Mills' face during lectures, that not having her for any other classes would really be a good thing. She didn't want to end up like August or like those other losers in his club. Seriously. Not a bright future. And yet, she was already scouring the classes register for one of Regina's classes.

But, she couldn't have possibly foreseen the future that was coming her way.

During one of Emma's sessions, she had asked her professor if she could check something over for her. A paper she was writing for her. Emma had submitted her essay on why alcohol was bad a couple days ago and Regina had accepted it without grading it, just repeating that she hoped this would be a lesson for Emma on what appropriate behavior on campus was.

Professor Mills was scanning Emma's work in their office, making small sounds of confirmation when she came upon statements she liked. As she was absorbed in Emma's work, Emma was absorbed in Regina's cleavage. Seriously. What the hell. Her shirt was unbuttoned so low that Emma could make out the tops of her wine red bra properly. Not like a sliver like some weeks ago, but more.

This should be illegal! Emma knew it was Regina's office and she was allowed to relax, to roll up her sleeves, to undo some buttons, take off those heels. But she was showing so much skin that Emma's eyes were drawn like magnets over to the spot there.

She was so enthralled it took her a moment to hear what Regina said.

"Are you staring, Emma?" Regina asked, jerking Emma out of her reverie.

"I'm-I'm so sorry. So sorry," she breathed, getting up from her seat and backing up. Shit. Fuck. She had gotten caught by the professor. The professor stood up too and began to edge toward her, a most peculiar look on her face. She didn't seem mad. Just...curious. Intrigued.

"You stare a lot, Emma," she commented softly. "Did you think I wouldn't notice."

Oh fuck. Emma was so fucked. Rightfully fucked. And by her professor but not the way she had envisioned. Emma knew she hadn't exactly been discreet with her staring, but she thought only her friends knew.

"I don't know what's wrong with me. Really." She was red. Shaking. And her back against a wall, cornered like some rat in a lab and her professor was coming ever closer to her. "I'm fucked up." She was blurting things out like crazy now. She wished she could turn into a pile of goo and disappear. She wanted this to end.

How could she continue going to class when her professor knew of her crush? Now that the professor knew, Emma would truly have to drop out of college. She couldn't remain here.

And Regina was so close to her, only a breath away, her sweet perfume crowding the air and making Emma have an even harder time breathing.

"I like it when you stare at me," Regina confessed quite suddenly.

Emma's jaw dropped open in shock.

"It makes me feel wanted. Adored." Each word a silky caress. "It's why I so enjoy unbuttoning my shirts so low and watching you squirm as you struggle not to outright check me out."

Her professor had been doing that on purpose?! "Are you trying to kill me!" Emma exclaimed, shocked and flustered and just a bit turned on.

Regina gave a dark little chuckle, and it did things to the inside of Emma.

"I think your crush on me is just darling, Emma," Regina said softly but her face loud with emotions there. Namely one Emma had never seen directed at her before.

Hunger.

The professor placed one hand by Emma's head, leaning in more. Emma trembled, feeling overcome. What was going on?

"I admit, I find you...beguiling as well; you're quite adorable."

Emma's eyes widened. Holy shit. Did her- was her-? Was her professor confessing to liking her back? Never in her wildest dreams-

"Why?" she almost choked when questioning.

Regina's eyes lowered to Emma's body, doing a sweep of plain clothes that hide her surprisingly fit body for someone who never worked out. Her free hand came up and wrapped a thick lock of blonde hair around her finger. Winding it tighter and tighter as Emma's chest heaved and her eyes flickered down to how Regina's shirt had fallen even more open, revealing more curvature of her breasts. Emma's mouth was so dry.

"There is just something about you. That's special."

Special. A word no one had ever used to ascribe to Emma.

"I'm not. I'm ordinary."

"I wouldn't say that. You certainly look like you could have been a princess back in the day. And you give your smarts too little credit."

"But you're so accomplished. And you're sophisticated. I still don't understand why you would even..." Emma swallowed here, running out of words to express what she frustratingly felt.

"You're naively charming. And refreshing. You stood up against me several times when so many of my students don't give me the time of day or are afraid to stand up." Regina stopped winding Emma's hair and let it go, dragging Emma's eyes back up to her face when her warm hand came to cradle her chin.

Their faces were so close now. God, how Emma wanted to kiss Regina.

Could she?

Aw, fuck it. Regina knew Emma's secret and had even admitted she liked Emma back, despite how crazy it all seemed. Maybe this was all a fever dream? So Emma went for it. Dove full face deep.

She pressed her lips against Regina's hesitantly, eyes slipping closed so she wouldn't have to see the rejection on the brunette's face.

The kiss lasted an eternity. It lasted a second. And when it was over, Emma pulled away, panting hard like she had run a marathon. Regina studied her. "Was that your first kiss?"

"I've never been kissed before. Or kissed someone before. I...I..." Emma blushed, nervous. "Was it that bad?"

Regina shook her head, dark locks falling around her jaw line. "You've still got a lot to learn. Good thing I'm here to teach you," Regina smirked and then leaned in and this time she kissed Emma.

This wasn't anything like the innocent kiss Emma had given her. It was a hard press of lips, a murmured command of 'open your mouth'. Emma did and Regina's mouth slanted against hers. Emma could feel her head spin with joy and arousal and she mimicked Regina's lip motions, feeling moans bubbling at the back of her throat.

She wanted more. So much more of Regina.

Emma's hands tingled to touch but as they crept up to Regina's arms to hold her, the professor snatched them quickly and pinned them up against the wall over Emma's head.

The only made the spark of excitement between Emma's thighs burn all the brighter. Her hips began to wriggle impatiently but Regina pinned them down with her own, taking control of this situation.

The heat within Emma continued to grow as this time pants and soft moans left her lips.

This was a dream. It had to be a dream.

How could this be real life anymore?

All too soon it was over and Emma's eyes fluttered open, her chest heaving up and down like she had run up a mountain. She probably sounded near asthmatic. Regina was leaning back, assessing Emma's pink face. She looked proud of herself. She dropped her hold on Emma's hands and they flopped uselessly to the blonde's side. Slowly the professor untangled her body from Emma's and Emma was glad she was against the wall otherwise she didn't think she'd be able to stand up right now.

They stood there like that for a while before Regina gently rubbed a thumb over Emma's lips, rubbing the lipstick away. Emma's eyes fluttered shut at this. Her lips were so sensitive right now. And she hungered for another kiss. She wanted more. But she didn't dare push it.

"See you in my office after our next class, Emma," the professor husked and Emma shivered in anticipation of what that would bring.