A sharp rapping at the door pulled Emma from her slumber. At first she didn't recognize the source of the sound or really what had even woken her up, but it sounded again, this time seeming more urgent. Emma jumped out of bed, and went to the door, throwing it open for whoever was standing on the other side, momentarily forgetting her lack of pants as she stood there in a tank top and boxers.
She was dismayed to find a certain brunette standing on the other side of the door, and suddenly felt embarrassed at her lack of clothing when a blush began to color the other woman's face. Emma invited her in and began searching around for some pants, glancing at the clock laying on the table. 12:47pm (was it that late already?) She grabbed her pants from the previous night, left lying lifelessly on the floor by the bed, noticing how Regina refused to look in her direction.
She heard the brunette start speaking, "I'm sorry about last night, I don't normally act like that. I just wanted to apologize for my actions, I didn't mean to give you any ideas and I hope I didn't make you think otherwise."
Emma gave Regina a reassuring smile, "No worries, it was just two friends out for drinks. I know you're married and I wouldn't dare do anything that might jeopardize that. Besides, it'll take a lot more than one night's drunken actions to make me think otherwise." Emma knew that last part was an outright lie, but Regina didn't need to know that. It still didn't change the fact that she sincerely meant she wouldn't try to ruin Regina's marriage.
"I really felt bad waking up and leaving like I did, but I didn't think I should stay any longer."
"We were both drunk last night, but nothing happened, there's nothing to worry about."
Emma thought it might be a long shot considering the previous night, Regina might have reservations about tonight, but she decided to ask anyways, "So, I'm starving, how about breakfast – or lunch in your case?"
She earned a smile from Regina, "I thought you were here for work, but so far I haven't seen you work, just sleep and eat."
"Well at least you know what I do Miss I'll-have-to-kill-you-if-I-tell-you."
"Actually, I can't say I do, what does a human resources coordinator do?"
"If I told you that, I'd have to kill you," Emma said with a smile and a wink, knowing that was probably more accurate than she'd like to admit.
"Ha ha, very funny. Though I highly doubt you are doing your job, unless your job is to spend time with me."
"Well, my job is a uh recruiting job you could say. And as I don't know what you do, I may very well be doing my job."
Well, if you must know, I work in the government; it's a rather boring job."
"It can't be that boring if it's classified."
"I'm an accountant."
"Telling me that was punishable by death?"
"No, but it's really a conversation killer. Finding out all I do is stare at numbers."
"Still, I doubt it's as bad as you want me to believe. But, if you don't want to talk about it, we can talk about something else. How about your family? I met Henry, and I keep hearing you're married but I have yet to hear anything else about him."
Regina smiled and blushed, "Well, I'm not sure where to start, what would you like to know?"
"How about the simple stuff, what's his name? How'd you meet? Is he human?" Emma had thrown the last part out in jest and smiled at Regina poking her tongue ever so slightly out between her teeth.
She had earned a hearty laugh from Regina, "Yes, he's human, sorry to disappoint, I did not marry a cat. His name's Daniel, and we met in college."
Emma gave Regina a reassuring look, hoping to urge her to continue on. This might be the only way to learn anything about the secretive woman in front of her. She hadn't even managed to get much information from her when they were drinking the night before.
Regina hesitated before continuing on, a look of apprehension marred her face, almost like she was giving away too much rather than just talking about her family. "Well, I left home to get away from my mother, she was rather controlling, and went to college out of state. I didn't have any idea what to expect when I got there really, but when I was moving in, these guys came over to 'meet the new students' as they put it. I was invited to a party at their frat house that night, and when I got there, I felt completely out of my element. This guy brought me a drink, and he looked good, and I didn't think anything would come of it. But, well, I was proven wrong. I don't remember much of the rest of the night, except for well, Daniel. He'd managed to save me from who knows what horrors."
Emma felt a twinge of guilt hearing this revelation, she was the one who had pushed for it, and regretted it instantly, realizing she was the reason for Regina's current discomfort, something she had never wanted to cause her. She opted to change topics.
"So how about that post-hangover breakfast? I have to go pick up my car anyways."
"On one condition."
Emma raised an eyebrow, curious as to what "conditions" Regina could have.
"I pick where we eat this time, and please don't call it a post-hangover breakfast again. That would imply we were actually hung over."
"Oh? You drink like a college kid on spring break often then?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," Regina winked at Emma and turned and sauntered out the door. Emma followed after her shaking her head in disbelief, this woman was going to be the death of her.
"So, where is it we're going to?"
"That, my dear, is a surprise."
It was a Starbucks they ended up at, Emma should have guessed. However, what she never would have guessed was who she saw. Graham sauntered up to her, shortly after she entered the coffee shop, trailing behind Regina once again.
"Emma, how's your search going?" He questioned innocently, taking a sip of his drink.
Emma was still trying to recover from the shock of seeing the grim reaper drinking coffee but she managed to stammer out "It's uh it's going about as well as one would expect." Regina stood next to her, confused at the particular exchange (or rather the reason for Emma's sudden nervousness).
Graham smiled at her, a sparkle in his eyes, "Just remember, you've only got five more days. I wouldn't get distracted if I were you." He turned and walked away, disappearing just as abruptly as he had appeared.
Regina turned to Emma, "Well, that was weird. Who was he anyways?"
"That was my boss."
"What? Does he think you can't do your job?"
"I think he's just reminding me to do it. It's kind of an important one."
Regina laughed, "How important can HR be? It's not like you'll die if you don't hire somebody right?"
Emma paled and then hoped Regina didn't notice, forcing a laugh, she scratched at the back of her neck "No, of course not." Though she was really questioning how she was going to find Killian, there wasn't much information to go on, and it would pull her away from the attractive brunette and their blossoming friendship. She could feel her heart sink with this revelation, but if she had to leave, it would be even more awkward to ask the brunette to go with her, especially to make it seem like she wasn't hitting on her. Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out.
She's not worth your life.
Emma sighed and shoved her phone back in her pocket, it seemed like that answered her question. Her job was definitely more important.
Regina sensed a shift in Emma's mood, "Something wrong?"
Emma looked up at her, seeing concern in her eyes, she smiled weakly, her good mood from earlier ruined. "Boss just texted, I should probably get back to work, I'm sorry. I'll see you later?"
"Yes, I'd like that."
Emma smiled as she turned and left, pulling out her phone once again, ready to get back to work on finding Killian. It seemed easier this time, or maybe she was just elated that Regina had admitted to wanting to see her again.