Mifflin Street
They finally pulled apart, Regina falling onto her back on the now-damp sheets, gulping to draw breath, happily sated after having just spent the best part of an hour having sex.
"God! That was just…incredible! Best ever."
"Couldn't agree more," her new lover lay alongside her, reaching for her hand, sniggering. "Got better each time, didn't it? Certainly the best sex I've ever had!"
The Mayor of Storybrooke, the first Elected Queen of the United Realms four years ago, now lay glowing in sweat, pulling herself up to rest on the pillows against the headboard, as naked as the day she was born. As was her lover.
"So how do we want to play this? What do you think we should do first?"
"I can't tell Killian until he gets in with the evening tide. Best just nip it in the bud then, don't you think? He'll get angry, and scream and shout, but…I'll just tell him my decision's final, and that's the end of it."
"You don't think he could turn violent? Do you need me there with you?"
"Hardly! It's not as though I can't handle him, is it? It's not like he has magic. No, I'll be fine."
"You should move in here. There's plenty of space, once I tell Robin he's moving out. I'll tidy up the room Roland's been using, and you can settle Hope in when you're ready. Though I'm pretty sure you'll be using my bedroom from day one."
"Sounds great. But let's not think about the kids just yet? Let's just have a bit more time, just the two of us? We only just started everything between us, and it's not like Hook and Hood are going anywhere, is it? No, we can deal with all that shit tomorrow."
"I like your thinking, Swan." She leant over, kissing her already kiss-bruised lips. "Robin's working at the inn tonight, and Roland's staying over with him. So, until Henry gets back tomorrow, we have the place to ourselves."
"Just the two of us? Sounds perfect."
~oOo~
To Regina, the relationship between her and Emma Swan, now Emma Jones, had always been different, and constantly evolving, ever since that fateful day she'd arrived in Storybrooke with their son.
Their relationship started with hatred, since she posed a direct threat to her relationship with Henry. She'd even tried to poison her with a sleeping curse, which backfired badly, almost killing him. But after Emma broke the original curse she'd used to create Storybrooke, things changed to grudging acceptance of one another, as Henry's co-parents. But it was after their time in the mine, when Emma was willing to share the real risk of death alongside her by absorbing the crystal's powers. And later, during their mission to rescue their son from Peter Pan, that a different relationship began to develop. Realising Emma acted as a counterbalance to the annoying heroes, her real enemies, their relationship morphed to one based on friendship. A friendship and trust, that only grew when both women realized they worked better together, rather than on opposing sides. Plus, it was better for Henry. They gradually became closer, and even began to rely on one another. After Robin's murder even more so, as Emma was her natural go-to and shoulder to cry on. A genuine friendship started to emerge, probably the first Regina had ever experienced.
They started confiding in one another. So much so, that Regina grew to know far more about Emma's difficult childhood, as Emma grew to know hers, even more than Snow did.
She'd always thought the Saviour was beautiful. Let's face it, it was hard not to! And very occasionally, in those quiet moments as she lay in bed, she often imagined what it would be like to be in a serious relationship, and a physical one, with Henry's birth mother. But she'd never for one moment dreamt of acting on it, as Emma was already in a very happy relationship with the one-handed wonder. Plus, they had another child, a daughter, her own goddaughter, who was now three.
And then, thanks to Merlin, her own true love, Robin, had been returned to her. The man she loved above all others, even Daniel. Now, like Emma, she was destined for her own happy ever after.
But that all changed as the result of a failed potion.
Storybrooke Forest – Yesterday
A report had arrive at the Sheriff's Office, via one of the dwarves, that Fiona, the Black Fairy, had been spotted lurking on the outskirts of the town.
The Black Fairy, thought long dead, killed by Rumpelstiltskin some years ago, was one of the most evil, destructive and malevolent forces the heroes had ever faced. She'd previously kidnapped children over many decades and realms, including Gideon, her own grandson, imprisoning them and making the older ones work in her mines in the Dark Realm. Although the Dark One himself had insisted the evil fairy was now dead, such was the threat of panic among the rest of the inhabitants, that a major search of the entire area was instigated by the heroes, the first in fie years of peace.
All the heroes paired off for a search. As Killian Jones was already away on a two-day sailing trip, having taken their daughter with them, Emma decided to pair up with Regina. As both possessed magic, being the most powerful pair, they decided they'd search the deepest, darkest part of the wood together, where they thought someone else with magic could conceal themselves more easily.
And it was in there, completely concealed by trees and dense foliage, that they found a small, tumbledown, dilapidated cottage.
But Regina had sensed very weak, fading magic over the front door. So weak, that it didn't even prevent Emma from just stepping inside, despite her protests. So clearly, the spell had either been cast a long time ago, or weakened, or whoever originally cast the spell, had died.
Walking inside, Regina became wary the moment she spotted how well-kept it was, in stark contrast to the exterior. It was remarkably well lit, clearly the result of magic, and pictures on the walls. There was even a blazing log fire. In summer?
"Emma, don't touch anything! That fire's lit by magic. Can't you sense it?"
"Erm, yeah, kinda. Despite what it looks like from the outside, someone's still living here. Someone with magic. Look at that bed?"
Regina did as asked. The quilt was pulled back, askew, and the bottom sheet crumpled. "Someone's slept here recently. Last night, by the look of it?" She cast her magic. "I can't sense a magic trace over the bed, but judging by the indentations, probably two people, not one." She looked up to find Emma already by the little sink, opening cupboards above. "What are you doing?"
"Looking for clues. See this broken jug in the sink? There's spilt green stuff all over the drainer, like its just fallen out of the cupboard." She explored the unit above. "And look at this? All these jars and bottles? What do you think?"
Regina walked over to join her. "I'm not sure. I can't sense magic, but judging by some of this stuff, it looks like whoever was in here was trying to mix something up. Like a potion or something." She noticed a particular ingredient in one of the glass jars. "Wait, is that mandrake truffle? Where the hell would anyone get mandrake truffle around here? I don't think it's even grown in this-"
She stopped when she noticed the blonde had picked up a cracked jar, holding it under her nose to sniff.
"Don't do that! There could be anything in there."
"But it's smells familiar, somehow. Like one of those spliffs the older guys at school got caught with?"
The brunette arched a brow. "Sorry, try speaking English?"
"It smells a bit like cannabis; like something you get offered in university, even though I never went. You know about cannabis? Weed? Pot?"
"I'm perfectly well aware of this realm's hallucinogenic drugs, thank you Swan! I recently gave Henry another lecture on their avoidance."
"Yeah? Well just so you know, it didn't work! I reckon he's had at least a couple of joints already. I took one of his jackets to the cleaners the other week, and one of the pockets smelt too familiar. I reckon most of the other kids around him have tried it too, at one time or another."
"Our son is not just another 'kid'! He knows better than that. It sounds like I need to have another word with him."
"I wouldn't. You'll only get into another argument, like you did last week? Let's just leave it, and check his things when he doesn't notice, to see whether it's a one-off, or more of a habit? You think whoever was here was making drugs?"
"Not sure. If they were, they wouldn't be using mandrake truffles. Or henbane for that matter, though it is a relaxant." She picked up a dried old root lying in the cupboard. "Though this is bainberry and incredibly hard to get hold of. I've seen it in the Enchanted Forest, but never in this realm! It's all dried out, so it must have been lying here a while. I can't sense any trace of magic on this side, only over there by the fire, and near the lights. As for this, you said it smells like cannabis? Here, let me try?"
Emma lifted the cracked jar, and the remains of the dark-green liquid, to the other woman's nose, so she could inhale properly.
"Mm. Yes, it smells herbal all right! I think our culprit, or culprits, were wanting to make something that might get them...high. But there are much easier ingredients to use, quite frankly."
Emma put the cracked jar back down on the drainer, moving over to the fireplace, using her gift to sense any other magic, as Regina had taught her. "As for the magic, I know it's been a few years now, but I think I can remember Fiona's trace, and this doesn't feel anything like it. But it does seem familiar. Like someone I once met? Still whoever was in here, I reckon they only left an hour or two ago, judging by the state of those bedsheets? Also, judging by the smell, one was definitely a woman, and-" As she lowered her hands, Emma turned to find Regina was now standing only two feet away, staring right back at her, with an strange glint in her eye.
"What s it?"
Unbeknown to Emma, while she'd been talking, Regina had been silently looking at her from behind. Admiring the slender, athletic frame as she moved around the room, arms raised, casting magic all around, searching for traces. Regina thought how truly beautiful her friend looked. The slim waist and tiny bottom encased in those tight black jeans. The bare shoulders exposed under the sleeveless top. The lightly muscled arms, the result of regular gym work. The elegant, defined neck and jawline. The shiny, long blonde hair, in perfect condition, cascading over her shoulder and back. The Saviour wasn't just beautiful, she was stunning. And Regina, for reasons she couldn't possibly explain, felt an overwhelming urge to get closer.
"Regina? What is it? I-"
As she spoke, Regina calmly stepped right up to her, close. So close, that their faces were now barely inches from one another. It reminded her of the time Henry had been trapped down the mine; when they'd argued who should go down the lift shaft to rescue him. Inches away, Emma looked into the depths of those captivating chocolate-brown eyes. Eyes that seemed to mirror her very soul. Something inside made her pull herself even closer to the brunette.
The silence lasted seconds, but felt like hours.
Emma couldn't help herself. She was drawn like a magnet to stare at those full lips, unconsciously licking her own as she did. Her eyes flicked up to find Regina was mirroring her, her own tongue moistening her lips. Unable to resist, she slowly, ever so slowly, inched forward to tentatively press her lips against the other pair, in a cautious, exploratory kiss. Each woman pulled back momentarily, slightly surprised, before Regina countered, taking the initiative to seize the Saviour's lips more confidently, pressing down harder. The second kiss lasted longer, as fear of rejection by the other woman diminished. Lips quickly parted, jaws widening, as both relaxed into it. As they moulded into each other, arms came around one another's backs, heat building rapidly.
Everything else in the world became irrelevant. Not least, the fact they were both married.
Within minutes they were on the bed, still fully clothed, Emma now mounting her, pressing down, as kisses became more frenzied. Everything became unstoppable; and before long, clothes were discarded, and the pair wound up spending the next hour releasing all of the the pent-up sexual tension that had been building between them over the last decade.
~oOo~
When they finally stopped, catching their breath, they lay side-by-side in the little cottage. Their world had just changed beyond recognition!
"We really should've changed these sheets before we started."
Regina's snarky comment earned a loud chuckle. "I think you're right. Someone's definitely used this bed over the last few days."
"But passion got the better of us." Regina took her hand.
"I really had no idea you felt anything like that for me? I just wish I'd known a lot sooner. We could've made life so much easier for ourselves, don't you think?"
"You're a fine one to talk! I thought you hated me most of the time. When did you start having feelings?"
"Not sure. Probably after we teamed up in Neverland. When our magic combined to clear the clouds from the moon? There was something beautiful about that moment. The mixing of our streams? They created a different colour and it seemed symbolic, and somehow…intimate? I started to think of you differently after that. How about you?"
"Camelot. Once I saw what you went through with Daniel. And you then making me fight the darkness that took me over? To be honest, I'd never have got through it without you." Emma leant over, pecking her lips." Any regrets about what just happened?"
"None whatsoever. But now I know you share my feelings, it everything changes, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. So I guess we need to-" Emma's phone interrupted her. "Sod it! Hang on a second." She leant across Regina, who shivered as an exposed hard nipple brushed over her one of own, as she collected the offending device from the little bedside table, to read it.
"Looks like David's tracked down the culprit! It's not Fiona, just some stupid kid playing a trick on her mates. She's admitted it, and him and Mulan went around her place to see the outfit. He says her resemblance to Fiona was striking. So, the search is off."
"Thank goodness for that." Regina yawned, stretching. "Now I can go home. Frankly, I think I need a shower after that. Fancy joining me?"
The blonde put the phone down, after turning it off, before curling herself into the equally-naked woman. "Do you really need to ask?"
Mifflin Street - the following day
The previous night, with both their husbands and children currently away, once they'd received the text from David and called off the search, the women had enjoyed another bout of heated sex in the little cottage, before teleporting back to Regina's mansion. After figuring out what to do about their new situation and the next steps they needed to take, they'd showered together and ate dinner before retiring to bed for more pleasurable activities.
The issue of how Robin, Killian and their children would react to their change now seemed, to them, irrelevant.
The following morning, Storybrooke got to hear about the surprising new relationship between Queen Regina and Sheriff Swan-Jones. The result of one of the more indiscreet merry men Alan-a-Dale, overhearing the conversation and letting it slip to his husband without Robin even being aware.
Regina had been the first to grasp the nettle, meeting her husband in the pub he'd built in the forest since returning, the Sherwood Arms. She suggested they talk in private.
"Robin, there's no easy way to tell you this, so I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm afraid whatever you thought we had between us, is over. I've fallen in love with someone else."
Robin stood watching her, in disbelief. "I'm sorry? Is this some sort of joke?"
"It's no joke." She looked at him with unfamiliar, cold eyes. "I'm divorcing you. You'll receive my lawyer's letters in the next couple of days confirming everything. I need you to remove all of your things from the house. I'll give you two days. You can either come and collect them, or I'll use magic to ship them over here if you prefer? I wanted you to have the choice, as Roland may want to take out some of his things out first; some may be in Henry's room."
"Regina, this isn't April, so it can't be April Fool's Day? The joke's in very poor taste."
But Regina wasn't smiling. "As I said already, it's no joke! I'm serious."
Robin and Regina had gone on to have a blazing row, although Regina, renowned for her short temper, had been the calmer of the two. Robin, initially calm, had gone ballistic, finally yelling at her when she revealed that Emma Jones was the one who had stolen her heart. But the woman facing him, telling him all this, didn't seem like the Regina Locksley-Mills he knew and loved, but a colder, harder woman. A woman who wouldn't even discuss the effect it would have on one twelve-year-old who now regarded her as a mother.
"What the hell do you think this is going to do to Roland? To our son?"
"Roland's has always been your son, not mine, as well you know. And he's not the first child whose parents go through divorce. He'll live."
And with those words, Robin realised this wasn't the same Regina he'd fallen in love with, sacrificed his life for, returned and married. The woman who'd stolen his heart even more than even Marian. The woman who'd doted on Roland as much as she did Henry, sometimes even more so. This was a stranger.
"What's happened to you, Gina? It can't just be Emma? You two were close, but never that close! You swore you loved me so many times? What's changed?"
"The discovery that what I have with Emma, is so much greater than anything I could ever have with you! The discovery that she feels the same about me as I do her. She understands and completes me in a way you couldn't possibly understand. I'm sorry Robin, but I have no wish to discuss this anymore. You'll receive papers from my lawyer in due course. Just sign them, I then will make an immediate financial settlement, and life will become much easier for all of us. Sign them, and let's just get this over with? You'll move on. So will Roland."
With that, she raised a hand, purple mist engulfing her as she disapparated. Leaving him completely devastated.
Storybrooke Harbour
That afternoon, Emma was there by the quayside to meet Killian and their daughter when the Jolly Roger returned.
Emma had been even more blunt with her husband than Regina had been with Robin. Blunt, to the point of being brutal. And Killian, after his initial disbelief had turned from shock, to outrage, to fury as he bellowed back at her. All in stark contrast to Emma, who seemed cold and icy towards him. So much so, he was reminded of how she was when the Dark One had taken over her mind and body. The cold distance. The lack of any interest in anything but her own. When she told him about her and the queen, he flared up once again. So much so, that she raised a hand, magic ready to silence him, if necessary.
But Killian, like Robin earlier, realised that whoever this was talking to him, wasn't Emma. Wasn't the woman who risked everything by travelling to the underworld to rescue him. The same woman he'd fallen in love with, married, and sired a beautiful daughter with, her little clone, now over three years ago.
Instead, this was darkness itself, staring straight back at him!
"And what about Hope? Are you asking me to give her up, to go live with you? Because that's not going to happen."
Emma actually laughed at that. Laughed? "As though you could possibly stop me? I could just take her, whatever you think. But no. Hope loves you, so we'll figure out something later. I'm going to sell the house, as it's in my name anyway, and move into Regina's. We'll set up some sort of share, like she and I did with Henry. She can stay with you until then."
"And Henry? Have you even told him about all this? How do you think he's going to take it?"
"He'll be fine. He'll have both mothers under one roof, so what's not to like? Besides, he's a grown man. He'll do his own thing and he's no longer any concern of yours."
"What happened to you, Swan? What's that bitch done to you?"
Her reaction was instant! From the moment the word left his mouth, Killian felt himself being instantly lifted, an invisible grip tightening around his throat, leaving him suspended! Choking!
"NEVER USE THAT WORD FOR HER! EVER AGAIN!" The cool icy demeanour was replaced by instant fury, as she snarled the words out. "NEVER!"
And there it was! The Dark One, in Emma's body. All she needed now was the black leather and platinum hair to complete it. Whatever it was, had taken her over completely.
He'd lost her. Perhaps for good.
But Killian was determined not to break his hard glare back as she scowled, arm raised, squeezing her hand, tightening the choke from nearly ten feet away.
"Mama?" Said a small voice from somewhere to the side, making Emma turn. "What-a-doin?"
It was their daughter Hope, currently standing next to Billy Thomson, one of Killian's crew, who was taking a turn playing with her up on deck.
The distraction broke her concentration, and Killian fell back to the floor, choking, desperately trying to regain his breath as she instantly changed from a look of hatred to give her daughter a quirky smile.
"Absolutely nothing sweetheart! I'm just...talking to papa." She turned to see her husband now standing up, rubbing his hand against his throat, as he tried to regain his composure. "You stay with Thomson, okay? I'll come see you later."
Almost embarrassed by what Hope had just witnessed, she coiled her fingers, and a familiar mist swirled around her as she disapparated.
"Beggin' yer pardon, Captain! I had no wish to disturb ye, but the young lady's lookin' to be fed, I reckon? Would it be okay if we do so, sir?"
"Thank you Thomson, that would be appreciated. And no mention of what you've seen to the crew, please? At least, not until we've found out what's happened to my wife?"
"My lips are sealed, as always, sir."
As the former old boatswain walked back towards the galley to fuss over the girl, something most of the crew enjoyed as a welcome break from working, Killian pondered over what just happened.
Part of him wanted to get angry. But he knew in his heart of hearts that, whatever she was, that wasn't his Emma! Someone has to be controlling her. Regina? The Dark One? Either way, he couldn't lose her. He needed help. From someone with just as much to lose as him and his daughter.
He needed to speak to Robin. Urgently.
~oOo~