A/N: Hey, Thanks for reviewing, following and faving.
so I had really bad writer's block regarding this story. I shook it then it came right back. But I was watching season one and August was like when he gets writer's block he goes back and looks at what he'd already written and looks at it from a different perspective. Well I tried that and it helped. Lol who knew fictional characters could help a ff writer with their writing problems? Anyway, note that I wrote this with writer's block so sorry if it's boring or whatever. :(
Also thanks for the prompts. I will try to add them to this. I really appreciate it.
I usually use Maleficent for magical assistance instead of Rumple because even though I adore him, I can't trust him. And I felt like if they had gone to him for help, there would have been some scheme and this story would have become less fun. But Maleficent usually doesn't have anything up her sleeves so there's that.
Sorry for mistakes. I own nothing.
Enjoy.
Chapter 8
Regina felt fingers combing through her thick fur gently. It was a heavenly sensation and a lovely way to be woken up in the morning. She sighed contentedly and snuggled closer to the body she was pressed against, following the soft warmth. Honestly she didn't even want to wake up. She just wanted stay in bed with Emma all day.
Well.. the cat in her did. Regina didn't cuddle. Especially not with Emma Swan. No matter how much she... the cat liked her.
She began to purr softly as Emma continued to stroke her.
Yep, she... the cat... could do this all day. Just her and Emma.
But of course that was not to be. "Okay, Madam Mayor." Emma said gently. "Time to get up."
No. The cat huffed in annoyance and buried her face further into Emma's chest. I don't want to. This is nice.
"We have to get up." Emma said distractedly. Her fingers continuing to stroke Regina softly despite trying to wake her. "Gina?"
Regina groaned but it of course came out as a low growl. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up into Emma's face. She was looking at her with those same soft eyes as usual.
Regina's heart did something that felt like a jolt and it startled her a little. Her tiny cat face took on an expression of confusion. She had no idea what was going on but...
"Come on." Emma said rolling out of bed.
The cat yawned and sat up a little more. Upon closer inspection, Regina noticed that Emma was fully dressed and ready for the day. Had she slept through all of that?
Wow.
"Okay, so," Emma placed her hands on her hips. Regina got up and stretched her front legs and then her back legs. "Here's the thing, if anything should go wrong we're poofing out of there and we're hiding out until you turn back into a human. Then we're leaving Storybrooke forever. The kid could stay here."
Regina stood up and stretched her front legs again then her back legs, lifting each then stretched her fluffy tail and her back. Stop being so dramatic, Emma. You are definitely your mother's daughter.
"Okay, let's get this over with." The sheriff sighed. She scooped Regina up and held her closely to her chest. "Oh..."
She dipped her head quickly and pressed her lips to the top of the cat's head. Regina's eyes widened and she looked up into Emma's face. A smile rolled across the blonde's face. "That's for last night."
Regina's looked even more shocked, if that was even possible. Emma?
"I like you too." She whispered before kissing her little black nose that time.
Regina continued to stare at Emma, a bemused expression on her feline features. Emma, what are you doing? Don't do things that cause me to feel emotions... that I cannot understand.
Emma began carrying her out of the room. Regina was more confused than she's been this entire time. When Regina kissed Emma, it was the cat impulses. Well that's what she blamed it on. Emma did as well. So now Emma kissed her. What exactly does that mean?
Here she goes again confusing me. She pouted as Emma carried her out of the room to begin their day.
"It was a good idea to meet him here, right?" Emma asked as she stood outside of the town hall. The cat in her arms grunted. A clear sign that she didn't care either way. "I mean, that way we can know what Maleficent is planning."
Regina gave Emma a look that said she was beyond bored. Emma huffed and scratched the cat's cheek. "Come on."
They stepped into the building and continued up the stairs. The walk down the hallway was a quiet one, save for the sound of Emma's boots squeaking against the tile.
It was extremely annoying to Regina's hypersensitive ears. Did this hallway always squeak like this? she really needed to do something about that. Or I can just detach Emma's feet.
They reached the door to Regina's office and without hesitation, Emma pushed the door open. There perched behind the desk, sat Maleficent in her usually cool, calm demeanor.
"Ah, the Savior." The older blonde said with a smile. Her eyes landed on the cat. "And her majesty." Her voice softened as she addressed the cat. Emma bristled at the affection in her tone.
"Um... hey." Emma said awkwardly, shifting the cat as if she was not quite sure what to do with her. "My dad is coming and he expects to see Regina." She cut to the chase as she closed the door behind her.
"He will see her..." Maleficent said in her usually bored tone as Emma approached the desk. She sighed deeply when Emma just plopped into the visitor's chair gracelessly. She obviously did not want Emma's company.
"What do you mean?" Emma asked as the cat settled into her lap.
Yeah, what do you mean? Are you going to-
"Yes, Regina, I am." Maleficent replied simply. "I feel like that would be a simple solution."
The cat nodded seriously. She leapt out of Emma's lap and onto the desk. She walked over to Maleficent and looked up at her.
"What do you have planned?" Emma asked leaning forward in her seat.
Mal shrugged. "I'd rather not implicate you. Should it go south. You can pretend as if you had no part in it."
The cat meowed loudly cutting off Emma's next comment. Regina knew that their best bet was to trust Maleficent and let everything play out but that was not in Emma's nature.
"This spell is quite remarkable." Maleficent said studying the cat. "Look at her, she's beautiful. It was an accident, you say?"
"Well... yeah." Emma said with a shrug, successfully distracted. "I misread a spell."
Maleficent nodded."Well that is quite a mistake." She tilted her head, studying the cat more. "Her eyes are so human."
"Apparently, Granny said the same thing."
"She's a werewolf, correct?"
Emma shrugged. "Yes. But she doesn't shift anymore."
Maleficent nodded. "Yes well, when they get a certain age they don't anymore." She shrugged. "Anyway, you need to be careful around her because like myself, she may be able to hear her."
Emma and Regina both nodded. Of course she could.
Regina pranced across the desk a few times showing off of course then sat back directly in front of Maleficent. Her large brown eyes grew even larger as she stared up at the woman. The dragon's expression softened and a soft smile graced her lips.
"Look at you," The older sorceress said stroking Regina's coat. "So beautiful." The cat closed her eyes and arched up as Maleficent's hand glided across her silky back.
She began purring softly again as the woman worked her magic on her thick coat.
Regina looked over her shoulder at Emma and noticed the scowl on the sheriff's face. Oh Emma, don't be like that.
Maleficent raised a brow when she got a glimpse of Emma's expression and before she could question it, their attention was pulled to Emma's phone as it began ringing. Emma tore her glare away for a moment and fished the device out.
She grimaced at the picture of her father on the screen. She answered slowly while the cat and Maleficent watched on.
"Yeah?" She said trying to sound completely calm but completely losing it on the inside. Both witches rolled their eyes at the drama.
"Where are you, Emma?" He asked.
"Inside." Emma replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Okay. I'm on my way up."
He disconnected the call and Emma looked up at Maleficent with a panicked expression. Maleficent sighed dramatically and pushed the desk chair back. "You need to relax Saviour."
"Emma." The sheriff corrected. "And how can I relax? You... you..."
Maleficent scooped Regina up off of the desk and Emma bristled at someone else holding Regina close like that. The cat on the other hand looked completely comfortable which only fueled Emma's fire even more. She glared at them and they both seemed oblivious to it.
The loud clonking of David's shoes could be heard coming down the hall and the panic started coming off Emma in waves. With one more irritated eye roll, Maleficent waved a hand over the now vacant chair.
A plume of deep black smoke appeared in the chair, it swirled and contorted forming something but Emma was not quite sure what until the smoke cleared. She gasped when it unveiled... well, Regina.
"What the...?" Emma said looking over Regina. It stared back at her with a bored expression. Reminding her so much of the Mayor when she first arrived in Storybrooke all those years ago. "Regina?"
Maleficent sighed. "No." She said pulling Emma's attention. "This is Regina." She ran a hand over the cat's head. "This spell is a simple one. One of the first that I've leaned and taught Regina. It's somewhat a vision of her, it's not even physically here. A projection, if you will. Controlled by the creator or control could be handed over. It just looks like her. There's nothing there. It can't think for itself."
Emma still looked confused. "So what happens?"
"I handed control over to the Queen." Maleficent said simply. "I don't know if it'll work because of Regina's current state... I've never exactly had to do this." She shrugged as she scratched under the cat's chin. Emma wanted to just snatch Regina away and scream 'Mine!' But of course she couldn't, besides Regina looked content. "Lets just hope it does."
Emma eyed the Regina hologram for a moment. She was dressed in a dark red blouse, too many buttons undone of course. Emma couldn't see the rest of the outfit and shoes but she was pretty sure they were extremely hot and probably about six inches high. She leaned closer and looked into the fake Regina's face, her eyes dropped to her lips that were painted a dark red to match the blouse and her hair was completely perfect.
It was a believable replica and Emma knew for sure that Mal was definitely the best at what she did.
Emma leaned in closer, 'Regina' didn't even look at her or acknowledge her at all. She reached out a hand to touch her cheek but her finger went straight through as if it was just air.
"Stop that, Emma!" It snapped and Emma jumped. She almost fell backwards in her haste to put some space between her and the phony mayor.
Emma looked up at Maleficent and Regina trying not to freak out. "What the hell?"
Maleficent held the cat up with a smirk. "It works."
"Yes." The hologram said and Emma's eyes darted over to her. It was smoothing down its clothes, in such a Regina-like fashion. "Now. Emma if you would get that startled expression off of your face, I'd truly appreciate it. We don't need Sheriff Idiot suspecting anything."
Emma stared at human Regina with a look of shock then she looked at the cat and for a moment she doubted herself. She wondered if Regina was no longer inside of the cat and was instead human again.
The cat gave her a look that told her that she was being ridiculous.
Emma straightened her jacket and cleared her throat. "Let's do this."
The cat gave her a nod.
There was a knock at the door and Emma looked at Maleficent. The older blonde flicked her wrist lazily and the door swung open. David stood there, scratching his head in confusion as he eyed the door.
"Do come in, Sheriff." Maleficent said dryly as she walked around the desk and perched herself at the edge of it. "I don't want this visit to go on much longer than it needs to."
"We said we were sorry." He said stepping inside.
Maleficent scoffed. She held the cat in one arm and stroked the length of the cat's body with the other hand. David eyed the motion warily, clearly concerned about a villain holding their little girl. "As if that could fix the damage you've caused."
David sighed. Emma stepped aside so her father could see holographic Regina. When he got a glimpse of her sitting at the desk, brow raised and fingers locked together and hands atop the desk, his brows shot up.
"Regina." He said walking up to the desk.
'Regina' raised a brow. "It's nice to see you too, David."
David frowned. "Where the hell have you been? We were worried sick."
The hologram raised both brows and her eyes widened. Clearly Regina was surprised by this. "I... um... I'm taking some time for myself. I mean, after everything, I just need-"
He raised a hand. "I get it. I totally get it. I do." He rubbed a hand over his face. "I thought something happened... are you feeling uhh... okay?"
"I'm fine." Regina said. "Physically. Just tired."
He nodded. "Got it."
Regina nodded. Maleficent was glaring at the Prince and you could cut the tension with a knife. He wanted to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Look... um..." He said slowly. "Okay, well I won't keep you. I'm sure you have other things to do today..." he started backing up towards the door, trying to put some distance between him and the dragon woman. "I'm glad you're okay. Look, if you need anything... don't hesitate."
Human Regina smiled. "Thank you, David." He nodded. "Oh and David," he looked at her. "Tell Henry not to worry that everything's okay."
He nodded again. "You got it. I'll let you get back to it." Regina nodded. He turned to Emma. "Coming?"
Emma nodded. "Yeah. Gimme a sec."
"Got it." He said turning to leave. "Have a good one." He looked at the blonde dragon. "Maleficent." He received nothing but an eye roll in response. He sighed then left the office.
Emma released a nervous breath once she no longer heard the sound of his shoes. "Wow that was almost too easy."
"You're dealing with professionals, Dear." Maleficent said pushing off the desk. She walked over to Emma and put the cat in her arms. She petted Regina's head one last time before heading back to the desk.
She leant over the desk and with a snap of her fingers the hologram was engulfed in a cloud off black smoke. When it cleared it was gone.
"That was so weird." Emma said. Maleficent looked over at her with a bored expression.
"Yes, well now it's over." She said dryly. "So I guess you'll be on your way?"
Emma sighed picking up on the obvious brush off. "Yeah... I suppose so. Thanks again."
Maleficent hummed before settling into the chair. Her deep blue eyes flickered towards the door. "Have a lovely day, Sheriff."
Emma sat at her desk as she watched Regina play with a foil ball that she had made out of a wrapper from an old burger. The cat was hitting it back and forth then chasing it across the table. She would pounce on it and hit it again.
Emma couldn't help herself when she scooped up the ball when it came her way. Regina just looked too cute playing like that. She wanted a little of her attention. The cat looked up at her with big brown eyes as if asking if she could have her toy back.
Emma smiled and nodded. "Yeah sure you can. Come here first." The cat did what was asked of her but most likely because she wanted her toy back. Emma picked her up and held her close. She began scratching behind the cat's ear. "You are so soft. I think you may even be warmer and softer than the average cat."
The cat began purring and rubbing her furry cheek against Emma's hand. "Seriously though. So damn cute. It's not fair."
The cat kept her eyes closed as she began purring louder. Emma kept up her scratching, moving her fingers to right underneath the cat's chin. The cat tilted her chin upward giving Emma more room. Emma chuckled and obliged.
The office was quiet mostly, with the sounds of Regina's soft purrs filling the air. Emma leaned back in the chair, bringing Regina with her, still holding her close. The queen laid her furry cheek on her chest and just let herself get scratched.
The cats breathing was beginning to even out, given the fact that she was falling asleep. Emma tried not to laugh at the cat falling asleep so easily. She was like a baby. She honestly didn't know who was worse, her or Neal. Both could fall asleep in a matter of seconds.
That thought was cut short, when a bird landed on the windowsill. A little blue bird, which usually visits Emma. She supposed it's a family thing. As usual, the bird began singing.
The cats eyes instantly sprung open and she froze. Her head popped up. When she saw the bird, her eyes widened and she began wiggling in Emma's grasp. "No." Emma said. "The window is closed anyway."
The cat huffed grumpily but settled back against Emma.
Emma sighed. Maybe they both could use a little exercise. Emma felt herself getting way too lazy. She couldn't remember the last time she worked out. They could go on a little walk. It was a nice sunny day they could go out and enjoy it for about fifteen minutes then come back and take a nap. Then clock out when they wake up. Yep that's it. Exercise.
"Let's go." Emma said standing abruptly, ignoring the cat's look of confusion.
Emma sat Regina down in a soft patch of grass. The cat looked up at her with wide brown eyes. Emma stared down and crossed her arms. "What?" she asked.
What? What? Last time you set me down on the ground I was almost eaten by a rabid Dalmatian that's what.
Emma grinned. "Awww look." Before Regina could react, a little white butterfly flew over to her. Her brown eyes widened when it lighted on her little black nose. It looked her square in the face. Her eyes crossed as she stared back into its face.
She shivered as she really looked at it. It's huge black eyes and antenna. It looked like a martian. Sure butterflies are beautiful from a distance but upclose... Not so much. It just looked like a large fuzzy worm with wings.
She scrunched her nose and the butterfly shifted as not to fall off. It's tiny legs tickling her nose. She scrunched it again and wiggled it. The butterfly held fast. It's eyes boring into hers.
She heard a click and her eyes shifted to the side to see Emma with her phone out, taking a picture. She huffed in frustration.
Of course you would take a picture instead of helping me. And here I thought you weren't completely useless like your idiot parents. Apparently I'm wrong.
Regina turned her attention back to the butterfly that seemed distracted by staring at her. Be gone beast. Shoo. Go.
She shook her head and the butterfly flew off of her but hovered above her. Her cat reflexes automatically wanted to reach for it but she fought it off.
Nope, nope, nope. I am not going to chase. For once, I am going to behave like the queen I am. She huffed and looked away.
"Look at that, Gina." Emma said taking more pictures. "You made a little friend."
Regina narrowed her little eyes into slits. Good. I need someone to replace you when I dump you as my friend.
"Don't look at me like that. You are so cute." Emma said with a pointed look.
And you, Sheriff Swan, are irritatingly... adorable. Ugh.
Obviously giving up, the butterfly landed on a nearby yellow flower. Regina's eyes darted to it. She watched as it's wings flapped as it moved around the flower. Before she could stop herself she lowered herself to the grass. Her tail was moving slowly as she prepared herself.
No, you are not going to pounce on that poor thing.
The butterfly hopped to another flower and Regina lowered herself closer to the ground. She wiggled her back legs focusing all of her attention on the insect.
Oh screw it.
She launched herself towards the flower, the butterfly of course was quicker and flew away and lighted onto another flower. She landed directly on the flower. Her paws covering it. She removed one paw and then the other. She huffed when she was only greeted with a squashed daisy.
She stared with wide eyes. I could've sworn...
"Awww, better luck next time."
Regina glared up at Emma. I know you're trying to help but staying out of this is your best bet.
Her hypersensitive ears heard wings flapping. She turned her attention from Emma and followed the sound. There perched on another flower was the butterfly.
There you are. Now don't make this any more difficult than it has to be.
She pounced again just to miss the butterfly. It landed on her head that time. She looked around for a moment. Where did it go?
She looked up at the sound of Emma's laughter. She tilted her head in question. Emma lowered herself so that she was looking directly at the cat. She lifted her phone up and snapped another picture.
Emma, now's not the time to take pictures. Help me find it. I lost it. God damn it, I mean...
She trailed off when Emma turned the phone around and showed her her own picture. There was the little critter. Sitting there on top of her head. She huffed and Emma giggled.
Regina shook her head and it flew away and she took off chasing it. It zigzagged and she stayed hot on its trail. Every now and then she would leap up and snap her jaws at it trying to catch it. The butterfly of course would effortlessly dodge it.
She chased it back and forth on the patch of grass. It looped and twirled in the air as if it was playing with her.
I hate how much I'm enjoying this.
She followed the butterfly to a flower it landed on. She pounced and it dodged her. Their game continued for a while longer with Emma just watching on with her camera recording a video for Snow.
Eventually the running and jumping, mixed with her heavy coat tired Regina out and she stopped. She rolled over onto her back in the soft green grass with her paws in the air. She let the sun shine on her as she tried to catch her breath.
Wow that was a workout.
The butterfly came back and landed on her nose. Her eyes crossed as she looked at the offending little insect.
Pardon me but could you not... She sighed. Nevermind.
They both just laid there. Regina with her eyes closed and the butterfly watching her closely. Clearly curious about its new friend. This creature obviously must had come over with one of the curses because of the way it was so trusting of other creatures. It was more like the butterflies in the Enchanted Forest, given its friendly personality. The butterflies from this world were skittish and weren't exactly fond of humans.
The butterfly flew off of Regina's nose and over to Emma as if to say hello. It hovered in front of her face for a moment before flying back to the cat. It hovered above her and twirled in the air as if trying to get the cat's attention.
Okay, okay, I'm up. The cat sat up and shook her thick coat out. The butterfly took off and the cat followed it.
It flew up and down again. It twirled in the air as the cat chased it. It eventually landed on a flower. The cat pounced on it, covering it with her paws. She removed one and saw a wing.
Gotcha!
She removed her other paw and before the butterfly could fly away, she lowered her face to it and snapped her jaws shut.
"Regina!" Emma screamed. "What the hell? You ate it?"
Yes, Emma. The cat continued to chew her temporary friend. I expected it to be disgusting but it's actually quite tolerable.
"Gross. That's cruel even for you, Regina." Emma sighed and placed her hands on her hips as she gave the cat a disapproving look.
Oh hush up, Emma. It was just a butterfly. It wasn't your little brother or something who by the way smells very delicious when he has milk around his face.
The cat just gave Emma a bored look. "You can't just go around eating living things, Regina. That's murder."
Are you going to arrest me, Sheriff? Find some itty bitty cat handcuffs and put me in a cat carrier?
Emma lowered herself again so that she could look the cat in the eyes. "And you don't even look sorry."
Because I'm not.
Emma shook her head and reached for the cat. Regina simply tilted her head. What, you're going to frisk me for illegal catnip? I can assure you I am not carrying any illegal substances in my coat.
Emma scooped the cat up and held her close to her chest. She stood up. "That's enough outside for you, you little homicidal maniac. Geez my cat is a cannibal."
Technically I am not a cannibal since that butterfly is not of the same species as I am. Secondly a cat is a predator. Why are you surprised by this?
Emma scratched behind Regina's ear as they headed back to the station. Regina rubbed her head on Emma's chin in response.
"I can't believe you ate that cute little butterfly." Emma muttered as she opened the door.
Well I can't believe you turned me into a cat. See how that works? Regina thought bitterly as they slipped back into the station.
That poor butterfly. What a tragedy, I love butterflies. :(
Thanks for reading this mess of a chapter. See ya at the next update. The play date is next I believe but yeah.