Though Regina's sleep wasn't all that long, it had been completely amazing, she had slept like a log. So, when Regina pulled herself out of bed at 7:04am she was actually feeling good, well rested and awake for the first time in several weeks.
Knowing that Emma would be picking her up from the Town Hall at 4:30 that afternoon, Regina backed herself a bag for the weekend. Once her bag was packed Regina dressed and readied herself for a normal day at work.
Regina had left the house early and stopped over at the Charming's house to say goodbye to Henry and of course give him the biggest hug possible. Henry, had protested the kisses that came after the hug and assured his mother that he would be just fine while she was in New York.
Regina had only left for work after Henry practically pushed her out the door- lovingly, of course. And so, it was no surprise that when Regina got to work it was 9:01am. Possibly the first time Regina had ever been late.
Quickly, Regina settled into her office and began on a long day of paper work and several meetings. Regina had promised herself that she wouldn't allow herself to get distracted or fall behind in work because after over 35 years in this job she really could use a worry-free holiday.
By the time Emma came knocking on her office door she had completed all her work. The day had gone by in a blur, but at least it was a productive blur.
"Hey, Regina, ready to get out of here?" Emma asked as she came into the office.
"Yes," Regina nodded as she put her pen down from signing her last report. "Definitely." Regina corrected as she stood up.
"Great, let's get to it, it is a bit of a drive." Emma smiled, all too keen to leave.
Regina put away her paper work quickly and headed over to the table where her bags were. A hand bag and a suit case that was probably too big for a weekend trip.
The two walked out to the parking lot of the Town Hall in a happy silence, only to be broken by Emma. "We aren't taking your car, Regina." Emma mentioned as she saw Regina walking towards her Mercedes.
"Oh, like hell we're taking your death trap." Regina turned and glared at Emma.
"Okay, no need to insult my car," Emma said somewhat seriously. "But, good news for you is that I rented a car."
"What?" Regina questioned as she began to walk back over to Emma who had stopped some meters earlier.
"Look, your Merc is nice, but its 30 years old and I doubt it'd make New York and back." Emma explained simply. "So, I hired a car." Emma threw hand towards a black Chevy Camaro that was no more than two meters from her.
"Seriously?" Regina looked at the car, it was nice- it looked strong, much like Emma. Regina walked closer to the car. "You hired it?" Regina looked over to Emma. "You should've bought it." She grinned.
Emma laughed lightly as she unlocked the car. "Glad you like it." Emma smiled as she popped the trunk.
"I do," Regina confirmed as she put her bags into the trunk.
"Same," Emma loved it, in fact. "Get in" Emma called as sat herself into the driver's seat.
"I'm driving on the way home." Regina claimed as she too got into the car.
"We'll see," Emma glared at Regina playfully as she started up the car. It was a powerful engine, one that Emma dreamed of- She loved her bug, but this, this was a beast.
The two women had been on the road for just over an hour when Emma decided it was time to pull out her mandatory road trip music. Regina had groaned when Life Is a Highway had begun to play, of course Emma would choose such a song. Though when 500 Miles came around Regina had actually gotten into the music and began to sing along with Emma.
Emma had taken lead vocals, though that was to Regina's preference. "Da, Da, Da!" Emma sung at the top of her lungs.
Regina's vocals followed with a higher "Da, da, da!"
Before the both of their voice came in together. "Da da da dun diddle un diddle un diddle uh da."
The classic song eventually came to an end and with the two women now catching their breath Emma turned the stereo down- the next song began to play very softly.
"Well I'm glad you didn't miss the classics in your cursed time buddle," Emma laughed, her breath still shaking, her throat still raw.
"We weren't completely cut off," Regina laughed as she protested Emma's sass. "And just so you know, the town wasn't cursed for One Direction." The next song that had started to play was no other than a One Direction song. Regina raised her brows as a wicked smiled pulled across her lips. "Didn't take you for a 1D fan," Regina couldn't help the laugh that slipped out.
"Hey," For a brief moment Emma raised her hands in defence. "Story of my life is a banger," Emma glared at Regina. "It's a mandatory road trip banger in fact,"
Regina smiled at Emma, "Just admit it, you love Harry," Regina tipped her head as a smug look crossed her face.
Emma nodded, she would admit that. "Harry is a babe," Emma agreed. "And the stuff he is doing now, I love it." Emma looked over to Regina for a moment. "I would never hide my love for Harry." Emma grinned- Of course, Emma was being somewhat serious about all this but right now this was a game, a game of Regina teasing Emma. It was playful.
"Are you telling me that our handfasting dreams truly are a sham?" Regina pretended to wipe away some tears. "You're leaving me for Harry Styles aren't you,"
Emma nodded and took a large breath. "I'm so sorry you had to find out this way, Regina." Emma took one hand off of the steering wheel and placed it on Regina's arm. "Know that I will always love you, but Harry, he is just the one for me." Emma shrugged matter of factly.
"That's fine," Regina assured. "I'll bounce back after a hot love affair speared across every tabloid with some pretty young thing." Regina thought for a moment, who would be her rebound. "Maybe it would be with Halsey,"
Emma laughed, she couldn't help it. "You know who Halsey is?" Emma had always been under the misconception that Regina Mills hadn't a clue about anything to do with the modern era.
"Well I may be a player, but yes, I know who my rebound is." Regina's voice was flat, her face clean of any emotion- if someone didn't know her they wouldn't have a clue that she was joking.
Emma shook her head. "How do you do that?" She asked, all ideas of a Halsey involved love affair out of her head.
"Do what, Dear?" Regina asked innocently.
"That," Emma shook a finger. "Lie straight through your teeth, play dumb, or straight up deceit people with such a clean and controlled face." Emma took her eyes off the road for a split second to catch Regina's eyes. "It's completely terrifying to know that you could be lying at any moment." Emma looked back to the road. "But I'm also completely impressed," Emma's tone now very light. "Teach me your ways, yoda."
"Oh, you know, years of running an evil empire, good practice for the whole no emotions and lying thing, don't you think." Regina laughed. It was easy to joke with Emma about her past. Emma always took kindly to Regina's jokes about her Evil Queen days, and in an odd way that helped Regina move on- the humour was a coping mechanism and being able to share that with someone was incredibly important.
"Still, so impressive, I mean," Emma paused to look over to Regina, "Think of all the things I could get away with." Emma laughed.
"I can never teach you my secrets, Emma," Regina said very seriously. "Because then you'd know when I was lying, or wasn't being serious, and that just isn't something I can have in my town." Regina's icy Queen voice poked through.
Emma would be terrified if she didn't know better. "Oh, well, I suppose I'll just have to keep to my methods then." Emma shrugged.
"You're a terrible liar, Miss Swan." Regina cautioned. "I can see right through you."
"If only you knew, Regina," Emma said softly, her eyes glued to the road.
Regina had noticed the quick shift in Emma's tone of voice and mood. Emma looked like she was somewhere else entirely in her mind. Regina couldn't help but wonder what Emma had meant, or what she as missing. "Something you want to talk about?" Regina asked softly after a few minutes of silence.
Emma shook her head slowly. "Not today," And with that Emma turned up the music, her focus now back on the road.
Regina sat in silence as she listened to the music, the chords and lyrics of Ziggy Albert's Runway swirling in her mind as she thought. They had been having such fun, their conversation had been one big joke and yet something had coursed Emma to turn off like a switch. Regina's mind reached to the further corners of possibly.
Unfortunately, Regina was stuck with her thoughts, and the bad ones seemed to be more prevalent. After last night Regina had been sure that her feelings were only physical but right now all she wanted to do was to tell Emma that it would be okay, or that she would listen to whatever Emma wanted to say. The more Regina thought about it, the more she would wonder if it was just her conflicting friendship with Emma that was coursing such feelings. Because that made sense, but then again, Regina had rarely felt that type of genuine care and compassion for anyone, even friends.
For quite some time Regina was once again stuck thinking about the woman next to her. Regina hated the back and forth game that her mind couldn't seem to stop playing. Maybe Henry had been right, maybe if Regina talked to Emma about her feelings- or confusion- then perhaps she would come closer to understanding herself. But as Regina looked over to a solemn Emma she decided otherwise, now did not seem like the time.
It was when Adele started playing that Regina snapped out of her thoughts. No, this was to sad, this was supposed to be a fun weekend- not a weekend where the two of them sulked over pointless BS. Regina reached for the stereo and turned off the music.
"Okay, this is too sad." Regina stated firmly. "We've been driving in silence for an hour now, and while I respect your privacy to not tell me about your feelings, we need to liven it up. We are going to get dinner somewhere, and soon, and while we eat I'm creating a fun playlist and the rest of the drive will be good vibes only." Regina finished her small rant very confidently.
Emma turned to Regina and spoke for the first time in over an hour. "Did you just say good vibes?" Emma couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips.
"I did," Regina confirmed with a smile. "And I mean it." Regina glared playfully.
"Madam Mayor, or fun police?" Emma questioned. "We may never know," She laughed.
Regina smiled, glad to have her happy Emma back.
The two had past the Connecticut boarder only serval minutes ago so Emma decided to pull off the interstate and find a truck stop. Regina had been the first out of the car, happy to stretch her legs. Emma was quick to follow when Regina had begun her small walk to the truck stop café from the car park. The interior of the café was just as quant as the outside, though it looked like it hadn't had a reservation since the 80s.
"Get us a table, I'll order." Regina instructed Emma as she walked up to the counter. It took Regina a few minutes but soon enough she was heading over to a table in the back of the café where Emma was sitting. "The food will be out soon," Regina said as she sat opposite Emma.
Emma nodded. "Awesome, thank you."
"You're welcome," Regina smiled. "So, do you want to talk about anything before we dive into our good vibes only road trip."
Emma thought about it for a moment, did she want to share the reason for her silence. "Nuh, I'm fine, I was just having a moment." Emma smiled softly at Regina to let her know that everything was okay. "Let's talk about something fun,"
"Good vibes start now?" Regina questioned with a cocked brow.
"Good vibes start now," Emma confirmed with a bit of a laugh in her voice.
"So, you know how a while back you said you wanted to know the dumb things that I did as a kid?" Regina smirked.
"Yes!" Emma's whole face lit up with glee. "Please, dear God, tell me everything."
"Well, when I was about 8 years old, I had this game I would play." Regina gave a dramatic pause, knowing Emma was on the edge of her seat. "I would follow around the Castle staff for hours pretending I was a spy." Regina could see the glee growing on Emma's face- It was a wonderful sight. "I would sneak behind them, I would collect intel, I'd do it all, even the occasional summersault would make an appearance."
"Are you serious?" Emma grinned, "That's so innocent and dumb," Emma's face turned from pure glee to a look of adoring.
"So serious," Regina nodded. "I called it 'Stealthy Spy.'" Regina smiled, almost laughing at herself- it had been a while since she had shared this memory.
"You knew the word stealthy at 8 years old?" Emma questioned with a suspicious looked crossing her face.
"Yes, I do believe you met Cora." Regina quipped. "Anyway, how is that your take away?"
"That is my first question of many, Regina," Emma stated. "I mean, what was the objective?"
"To learn the Castle secrets," Regina admitted easily.
"Really?" Emma was a little confused. "Why would an 8-year-old want to know Castle secrets?"
"Because mother never told me anything, and back then I wanted to know everything." Regina explained.
"You still do," Emma sassed.
"Nothing wrong with knowledge." Regina counteracted.
"That's why your hair is so big, isn't it? It's full of secrets." Emma laughed, it made perfect sense.
Regina laughed, "I won't deny that," Regina said as the flicked her hair around a bit.
"I always wondered why I couldn't get my hair like yours," Emma shrugged, "But I suppose it's because mines full of swag," Emma said coyly.
"Swag?" Regina almost choked on thin air. "First of all, how dare you say such a horrible word, secondly, no."
"I'm so swaggie," Emma complained in a playful manner.
"No," Regina shook her head with a laugh. "I swear I will leave you on the side of the road if you say that word one more time." Regina threatened.
"Oh, you love it." Emma argued. "Everyone loves my confidence." Emma winked.
Regina did a single nod. "Oh, your confidence is extremely attractive but I will revoke all compliments if you call yourself swaggie, ever again."
Emma looked at Regina curiously for a moment, "You've got yourself a done deal, Madam Mayor." Before Emma could stick out her hand to shake on this new agreement a waitress came over to the table, food in hand.
"Burger with fries, and a salad." She placed each meal accordingly. "I'll be right back with your drinks." The young woman was quick to return with two coffees.
"Thank you," Regina said as the waitress left their table.
"I'm so hungry," Emma moaned into her burger.
"It shows," Regina sassed as she watched Emma scoff down a mouthful.
"Tell me something else I don't know about you," Emma mumbled between chewing.
"Okay," Regina made a humming noise as she thought. "Despite popular belief, I didn't always want to use magic for 'evil.'" Regina air quoted evil with an eye roll. "I had originally wanted to use it for good,"
Emma's eyes widened. "So, the pillaging was just a fun plan B?" Emma teased playfully. Emma and Regina had gotten to a point where they were able to joke about that kind of thing with each other.
"Exactly," Regina said enthusiastically. "No one seems to get that," Regina made a loud groaning sound before letting out a small laugh.
"I mean," Emma nodded, "I can see how you would get from point A to point B,"
"Gosh, see, it isn't like it's an impossible completely contradicting leap." Regina sighed.
Emma laughed, she liked the kind of banter she had with Regina. "But do tell me, what changed? Because I always thought Gold had been the beginning of it all." Emma said more seriously.
"Well, he kind of was," Regina thought about how to explain it. "I had originally wanted to use magic to get away from Cora, and although that came from a dark place I still intended to learn and use light magic." Regina took a long breath, "I had acquired Gold's help with the removal of my mother, and after that he began to teach me to properly use magic,"
"And Gold being Gold there was no light magic involved?" Emma questioned softly.
Regina nodded, "Yes, unfortunately. I was very impressionable at the time, so, he took advantage of my sadness and turned it into anger."
"I'm sorry," Emma said sweetly. "I'm sorry you didn't have the support you needed."
"I had my father, but I chose to ignore him. It's just as much my fault as it is Gold's." Regina said honestly.
"I think, although we're somewhat emotionally damaged, neither of us would be as fun without you being the Evil Queen," Emma offered sweetly.
Regina was quick to agree. "You're right, and my sass game would be nowhere to be found."
"And your sass game is the only reason I'm here so," Emma shrugged awkwardly. The intention of that statement was to say that Emma wouldn't be on such a road trip without Regina's sass game, but, take it as you will.
"Right, and where would I be without you," Regina gave Emma a dramatic eye roll.
"Probably at home colour coding your sensible pantsuits." Emma said easily.
Regina's eyes widened in shock for a brief moment before she laughed. "You wanted me to teach you to lie and unbeknownst to me I've been teaching you my sassy ways," Regina raised her brows. "Incredible."
"Are you shook?" Emma laughed.
"Am I what?" Regina asked in genuine confusion.
"Shook," Emma said again, a little clearer now.
"What does that mean?" Regina looked completely baffled.
Emma took a moment to think, a comical look of questioning covering her face. "I suppose, surprised." Emma nodded. "Yeah,"
"Right," Regina narrowed her eyes at Emma, "You can use it in a sentence, but you can't explain it?" with a pout, Regina continued. "Makes sense."
"Look, its colloquial, its meaning is a moving target." Emma whined.
Regina looked a little surprised. "So, you can use colloquial in a sentence, can you explain it?" Regina smirked.
"Yes," Emma glared playfully. "My vocabulary isn't as small as one might think," Emma pondered that, "In fact, it's wonderfully large and unusual."
"So, what, you just chose to shorten every word possible?" Regina teased.
"Yeah," Emma nodded, unaffected by Regina's jab. "It's like, I can cook, I just chose not to."
Regina cocked a brow in Emma's direction. "I don't believe you,"
"About my vocabulary or my ability to cook?" Emma questioned as she finished off her coffee.
"Both," Regina eyed Emma suspiciously.
"I'll cook for you this weekend then," Emma said confidently, as though she was accepting a challenge.
"And your vocabulary?" Regina asked.
"Asked me about the oddest word you can think off," Emma challenged with a cocky bravado.
"Oh, are we really about to play this?" Regina smiled with glee, "I've been alive a lot longer than you," Regina cautioned.
"Yes, we are," Emma nodded. "I used to read the dictionary because it was the only book that was bought for me after the age of seven." Emma's story came from a painful past but now it was just a fact of life, and she knew Regina wouldn't take pity, instead she would bring a better game.
"Okay," Regina nodded, "Let's go, Swan. What does the noun welter mean?"
Emma grinned, for that was all too easy. "My life," She laughed. "A confused mass, a jumble if you prefer." Emma answered confidently.
"Okay, first time lucky," Regina took a moment to think of another word. "Zugzwang," Regina raised her brows, this was a much harder word.
"A standstill," Emma answered easily. "A situation where your next move will result in a problem." Emma smirked.
Regina looked at Emma with surprise, she truly wasn't expecting Emma to be any good at this game. Perhaps she couldn't see right through Emma. "Ebullience," Regina tilted her hand towards Emma as she awaited an answer.
"Can you use it in a sentence?"
Regina smiled, perhaps she would win this game. "Most would say your mother has an ebullience quality," That sparked a thought within Regina. With Snow's DNA how on earth had Emma grown into a person that didn't annoy Regina in every situation. Though they had once fought, Emma had never been toe-stepping annoying, and Regina had always appreciated that about Emma.
Emma laughed a little, "Right, cheerful?" Emma smiled hopefully.
Regina nodded slowly, "Okay, you're far better at this than I expected." Regina admitted.
"There is a lot you don't know, Regina," Emma smiled kindly at Regina.
With that smile came a look in Emma's eyes that Regina couldn't quite place. Regina was sure she had seen it before but still it was lost on her. And why did Emma always say, there is a lot you don't know, it's as though she wanted to tell Regina something… Every time it was on the tip of her tongue and in a split second she would decide to stay quiet. Regina decided not to dwell, she would deal with her thoughts later- but staying focused wasn't easy. "Redolent,"
Emma froze a little, that one she didn't know. "I don't think I know that one," Emma wasn't caught up with pride, she could easily admit that redolent wasn't a word she knew.
"You, Emma Swan, are redolent." Regina tried to help by using it in a sentence.
Emma narrowed her eyes towards Regina. "You better not be insulting me," Emma warned with a teasing finger.
"Redolent is to have a strong pleasant smell." Regina explained.
Emma gasped a little. "You were complementing me?" Emma winked at Regina. "You think I smell nice?" Emma grinned.
Regina rolled her eyes. "Don't make me regret saying that." Though Regina was sure she wouldn't ever regret that, because it was the truth, and while Emma wasn't getting the full truth she at least deserved some of it. Emma smelt nice, nothing wrong it that- it would only become a problem if Regina admitted to missing Emma's smell, or breathing it in when they hugged.
Emma nodded quickly. "Okay, give me another word."
"Last one," Regina said. "Serendipity." Regina had a strong feeling Emma would know this word, especially if she really was into pagan-esk way of life.
"Oh, come on, Regina. Don't throw me a pity party." Emma groaned. "Too easy."
"Well give me a definition and I might believe you." Regina quipped.
"You," Emma said, that being her full definition.
Regina could feel her heart beating a little faster. Once again, Emma so easily got under her skin. There was that look in Emma's eyes again, that one Regina was yet to identify. Regina could guess what it meant, but perhaps that would be to bias, her feelings would affect perspective and reality. Maybe it meant nothing. "Explain," Regina finally said- trying to control her voice.
"A happy accident." Emma said thoughtfully. "We meant by crazy chance and that meeting was of a beneficial nature."
"Well, it wasn't always seen as a beneficial meeting." Regina corrected.
"Henry… it always was for me." Emma smiled softly at Regina. "Even when I super didn't like you."
"You can say hate," Regina deadpanned, a smile creeping onto the corner of her lips.
"I don't think I ever hated you." Emma admitted honestly.
"And I don't think we meet by crazy chance," Regina countered.
"No?" Emma looked at Regina curiously, wanting her to explain.
"No," Regina confirmed. "It was written in the stars, we were always going to meet."
"Are you saying we are destined to be?" Emma asked, her hand over her heart, a glint of cheek in her eyes.
Regina smiled with a slight laugh. "I have been around for too long, and seen to many things to believe that something like us meeting was by chance. Curse or no."
Emma nodded slowly as she thought about it, perhaps Regina was right. But, Emma had grown up in a different world, Emma had known different ways, so to her, it was truly serendipitous. "Please explain,"
"A very, very long time ago, Rumpelstiltskin was at my castle." Regina thought back to the day. "There was a table covered in food, that night there was to be a feast. On that table was a roasted swan, and he said that I would one day see the irony of having a roasted swan on my table." Regina looked over to Emma who looked completely shook. "He knew, and if he knew then, well, we have to be written in the stars, Emma."
Regina watched Emma, both of them now wordlessly looking at each other. There was something to be said, something both of them had on the tips of their tongues but neither willing to speak or break the silence.
Eventually the two did break their silence but enough time had passed that the conversation was entirely different. They had finished up at the café and headed back to the car to begin the rest of their drive. Music and stupid jokes kept them entertained for the next hour or so, both wanting to move past their emotion filled silence at the café.
"Did we seriously just drive past four tattoo stores?" Emma's voice was filled with confusion. Yes, they were in a more populated area but to have just past four tattoo stores in the span of 50 meters, well that was just ridiculous. Or maybe it was because Emma was now so used to the single tattoo parlour in Storybrooke.
"Yes," Regina nodded slowly. "Maybe it's a sign."
"A sign?" Emma questioned.
"That you're going to get a drunk tattoo this weekend." Regina explained, a massive grin pulling across her face.
"What makes you think it'd be me?" Emma whined. "Why can't you get the tattoo."
Regina shrugged a little. "One is plenty for me,"
"You have a tattoo?" Emma eyes darted over to Regina in shock. "No way!"
"Yes way." Regina smiled, "You have a tattoo, so why is it such a surprise."
"I have more than one," Emma corrected. "But you, you're regal and literally a Queen. Me, well if I remember correctly, leather and diesel is my style."
"Are you saying tattoos aren't regal?" Regina questioned, a playful glare claiming her eyes.
Emma shook her head, eyes back on the road. "I suppose they can be. I'm just shook." Emma wouldn't have guessed that in a million years. "What is it? Where is it?"
Regina shook her finger. "Well telling you that information wouldn't be fun, now would it." Regina grinned wickedly.
"I'll tell you about my other tattoos," Emma begged. "Please, I have to know."
"I bet I could guess your other tattoos and where they are," Regina smirked, "So, I think I'm good."
"Regina, please, ya gotta tell me." Emma pleaded.
"I need my mystery." Regina grinned. "You know, for my dating options."
"You're cruel," Emma shook her head as she briefly locked eyes with Regina.
"Once an Evil Queen, always an Evil Queen." Regina winked. "But do tell me about your other tattoos," Regina said, now sounding completely genuine and interested.
"I'm only telling you because I'm a good friend that shares this kind of thing," Emma glared at Regina.
"I can live with that," Regina laughed. "How many do you have?"
"Three," Emma answered quickly. "Including this one," Emma shook her left hand around a little.
Regina looked at the tattoo on Emma's wrist, it was so sweet and simple- Regina had always liked that tattoo- despite it resembling a certain family crest. "Where are the other ones?"
"There is one on the bottom of my right foot," Emma laughed softly. "It's kinda dumb."
"What is it?" Regina was very curious and wondered how she had never seen it before. It's not like she hadn't seen Emma barefoot.
"It says 'take the long road home.'" Emma shook her head. "I got it as a kid. Thought it was inspirational and meaningful." Emma smiled. "Now it's just words."
Regina looked at Emma, "I think it's nice," Regina noted. "Do you regret it?"
Emma shook her head. "No, it once meant a lot. I could never forget that." Emma said happily.
"Okay, so what about this third one?" Regina queried, wondering how Emma could have two other tattoos without her knowing.
"It's on my pelvis, just under my underwear line." Emma said softly.
Regina stared at Emma, curious to know what it was, curious to see it. "What is it?" Regina questioned, she wanted answers.
"Well, to know the answer to that you have to wine, dine, and woohoo me." Emma quipped quickly, a cheeky grin crossing her lips.
"Oh, that's unfair," Regina argued.
"That's unfair?" Emma questioned with a pointed look at Regina. "You can't talk."
"Well," Regina started, about to argue that, but Emma actually had a point. "Still." Was all Regina said.
Emma rolled her eyes with a laugh. "You tell me, I tell you."
"Perhaps you have to wine, dine, and woohoo me to know what my tattoo is." Regina met Emma's demand.
"Gladly," Emma offered with a soft smile.
Emma's eyes were back on the road now, so of course she missed the completely hopeful and adoring look Regina was giving her. Regina didn't respond, she couldn't, what would she say? I think I like you and I really want to wine, dine and woohoo you? No, Regina couldn't admit that, not now- not when she was still so confused. There was a small thought in the back of Regina's mind, what if she wasn't confused? What if she knew exactly how she felt and was just refusing to admit it?
"Okay, going on a date with me wouldn't be that bad," Emma said after a long silence.
"What?" Regina hadn't really heard Emma, she was so consumed with thought.
"You've been silent for like 5 minutes." Emma noted. "I was taking your silence as a no to the wine, dine, and woohoo offer."
"Oh," Regina shook her head and looked over to Emma, what was she supposed to say? That she would love to? That that actually sounded like a great offer? Emma always joking about this kind of thing was doing Regina no good. For a second after Emma said those things Regina would be so hopeful, but then Regina would remember that it's a joke, a friendly banter, and this was Emma- she had no chance. "I was just thinking about what your other tattoo could be, sorry."
"Right," Emma nodded. "Well, offer still stands if you ever change your mind."
What offer? That 'tell me yours and I'll tell you mine' offer? Or more hopefully that date offer. Regina enterally rolled her eyes at herself, because yes, of course Emma was offering to take Regina on a date, clearly that was the logically conclusion here. Regina just nodded in response to Emma, she couldn't even try to answer that right now, because she so desperately wanted Emma to be asking her on a date, and well, instead Regina was just pining after a straight girl. What a cliché.
There wasn't too much further to drive, so Regina decided to close her eyes for the rest of the drive. She didn't trust herself to continue this conversation. Regina didn't open her eyes until the car game to a stop and Emma shut off the engine.
Regina looked out the car window and took in her surroundings. They had pulled up outside of a tall building with The Bow Tower plastered above the entrance.
"Here," Emma said softly as she looked over to Regina.
Regina nodded, "Does this mean we can sleep now?" Regina groaned, it was only just before 11pm but Regina was exhausted.
"Most definitely," Emma confirmed as she opened her door.
Emma and Regina were quick to get out of the car and check into their room. Both eager to sleep the night away.
Emma opened the hotel room door and tipped the bell boy as Regina entered and went off to explore the entire room. Emma closed the door and turned into the room. In front of her was a fully functional kitchen and to the right was a large lounge room that over looked the Manhattan skyline. To the left was surely the hallway the led to the bedroom and bathroom.
"Emma?" Regina called as she walked back to the living area.
"Yeah?" Emma was already in the fridge in search of beer.
"There is only one bed," Regina mentioned as she walked into the kitchen.
Emma nodded as she pulled her head out of the fridge. "Yeah, I know." After getting an odd look from Regina Emma continued. "Well, I wanted a fully functional kitchen and to get that I had to forfeit the extra bedroom because I'm not made of money. I'll happily take the couch."
"Emma, I would have happily paid for it." Regina mentioned, a soft smile covering her lips. Emma was so blindly thoughtful.
"I want you to have a carefree weekend." Emma explained. "Didn't want you to have to worry about that kind of thing." Emma shrugged.
"Well, thank you. So far I'm having a great time and this room is great." Regina was truly thankful for all the effort Emma had put into this weekend.
"Don't mention it," Emma waved off with a cocky grin.
"And you're welcome to share that ridiculously large king bed with me, if you please." Regina couldn't kick Emma out onto the couch, not after all Emma had done.
"Are you asking me to sleep with you, Regina?" Emma asked, playful shock dancing across her face as she clutched her chest.
Regina rolled her eyes with a laugh, Emma was to playful- and so close to the true. "I told you that if we saw anymore of each other we would be waking up together." Regina raised her brows at Emma as if she had just won this game.
Emma nodded, "Touché, Queenie." Emma laughed as she walked off towards the couch. "Brew before bed?" Emma asked once sitting down.
Regina didn't respond in words, rather she walked to the fridge, found herself wine and a glass and went to join Emma on the couch.
"The view in amazing," Regina noted, her eyes glued to the horizon.
"That it is," Emma said softly.
Regina glanced back towards Emma and for a split second she could have sworn Emma was looking at her rather than that glorious skyline. Regina shook her head, it was most likely her mind playing tricks on her. And even if it wasn't, Emma was allowed to look at her- that wouldn't mean Emma was calling her amazing. Regina hated how desperate she was for Emma's affection, she hated how she would blow the smallest thing out of proportion. Regina could no longer deny it, she was desperately in like- if not in love- with Emma Swan. The drive there has cemented those feelings, Regina was no longer confused, she knew exactly what she felt.
The two didn't speak much after that. Regina was once again submerged in thought, though this time with the new admission of her feelings her thoughts were different and taking on very desperate analysations of every second she had ever spent with Emma.
When Regina clawed into bed she was sure Emma was already asleep which was a comfort. Regina lay flat on her back and right on the edge of the bed – another inch and she would be on the floor. Regina listened to Emma's soft breathing as she let her thoughts completely warp everything she knew.
How had she fallen for Emma Swan so hard and fast? It wasn't like Emma's attitude towards her had changed, it wasn't like Emma was trying to wine, dine and woohoo her, these new feelings had come on their own. Or perhaps they were always there, dormant in the back of Regina's mind. Regina would be lying if she said she hadn't always found Emma physically attractive, but that had always been an appreciation of appearance rather than a desire to get physical with. And yes, Regina had grown extremely close to Emma over the past few years but up until recently that had always been platonic. Up until recently Regina had no desire to hold Emma at night, or wake up to her in the morning. Regina couldn't help but wonder where these feelings came from, couldn't help but wonder why it was now that Emma made her so incredibly fucking happy by just walking into the same room as her- but at least now she was admitting to herself that she actually had feelings for Emma.