Chapter 19

Emma was in the diner hanging out with Elsa while they both worked. The two had hit it off from the first meeting. Ruby didn't know if she liked that or not, but she decided not to interfere. Not yet anyway. Granny didn't really like it either. She knew Emma and Regina were meant to be, but it was Emma's life to live, and both she and Ruby understood why the blonde had moved on. Or tried to move on anyway.

"That's my favourite movie!" Elsa grinned at Emma. "You should totally come over to my place sometime, and we could watch it, and eat something….. Well not anything that's home-cooked obviously… like junk food maybe" Elsa blushed at her own rambling

"Obviously." Emma repeated with a wink.

"We could order, like, pizza or something!"

"That would be awesome! What would you say about, like, tonight?" Emma replied mockingly and Ruby rolled her eyes. Stop flirting back!

She didn't like the way Elsa was openly flirting with Emma, and she didn't like how her sister was just taking the bait without even thinking. She can't be over Regina. She can't! Ruby thought to herself as she went into the kitchen and joined Granny and Teresa.

"I can't stand it Granny! I just can't.." Ruby groaned and jumped up onto the counter, then grabbed a cup off coffee.

"It's a date!" Elsa grinned and Emma returned it. Emma liked Elsa. Maybe not like, like but Emma could easily be attracted to her. Elsa was attractive in some way to her. They were so alike in a way. Plus, she didn't seem to have any problem or drama in her life. She seemed normal and that was something Emma needed. She smiled through the rest of her work shift.

"I don't want to snoop, but what can't you stand Ruby?" Teresa asked as she looked up from the dishes.

"Elsa." Ruby shrugged.

"Oh? I thought you liked her?" Teresa frowned. She hadn't worked there long enough to even be allowed to snoop like this, but she could hear concern in the girl's voice and it worried her.

"Well, I like her as a person, but I don't like how she's flirting with my sister.." Or how Emma's flirting back….

It just seemed too sudden for Emma to have moved on. If Emma was planning to use Elsa as some rebound, whether knowingly or not, it would really hurt the girl. No one wants to be second best in that situation. Emma would also end up feeling terrible. Anyone that knows Ruby, knows that Emma comes first! Always!

Later Emma found herself standing in front of Elsa's door. She was wearing her typical tank top and jeans. She had bought a bouquet of assorted flowers, and Elsa grinned when she opened the door to let the blonde inside.

"You look sexy in everything, now don't you?" Elsa stated with a wink as Emma studied her date's clothes. Elsa wore a tight dress with a bit of cleavage on display. The blonde licked her lips as her eyes lingered a second longer than they probably should have. We are just staying here, tight?

"Tight?" Emma spoke dreamily and Elsa gave her a confused look.

"Um..what?" she asked with a chuckle and Emma paled. I really just said that out loud didn't I?

"Sorry, I was in my head. We are just staying in, right? I mean you look great!" Emma tried to cover her tracks of embarrassment with more embarrassment apparently. Elsa just giggled as she nodded.

Just as they had said, the two ordered pizza. They ate in front of the TV, but Emma felt Elsa's eyes studying her. Emma put down her pizza slice, and as soon as they met each other's gaze, Elsa's lips smashed against her own.

At first Emma tensed and wanted to pull away. Aside from her fear of being touched she was still with Regina, right? No, Regina wasn't hers anymore. So Emma shouldn't feel bad for moving on. As the kiss deepened Elsa's hand became eager and went under Emma's tank top, the blonde suddenly got far more anxious. She pulled away, moving to the other side of the sofa. Elsa gave her a curious look.

"I'm ehm... I'm not so good with psychical contact. Never have been. So yeah.. " Emma shrugged, and it was at least a half truth. Emma felt like she had cheated on Regina somehow. It was irrational, but she felt bad. What amazed her was that she was more worried about the Regina situation than she was about the touching situation. She couldn't even control the small grin that presented itself on her lips as that thought crossed her mind. I almost feel like a normal person.

Elsa just shrugged and smiled understandingly in response. As the date continued, they just snuggled close on the couch. They were really just sitting close and holding hands while they leaned slightly towards each other, but Emma was so relaxed. For the first time in a long time. Emma was physically touching someone and not freaking out. There was no explanation for this feeling. Not even a proper description.

She decided that if she could just focus on the touching situation, she could ignore the cheation situation for a little while. It seemed to work out well, as the two had a simple conversation about Elsa's family after the movie had ended.

The next day Elsa continued to flirt with Emma, and Ruby got so fed up with it, that she refused to be out in the diner. She mainly kept Teresa company that day. She made a mental note to herself to talk to Emma after work. She had to! She couldn't let this, whatever it was, between them continue.

After Emma had taken an order from a customer, she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She scooped it up as Elsa took her order and sent it to the kitchen for her.

Emma almost fainted when she saw Regina's name on the screen. Her palms became sweaty as she unlocked it, then read the short text over and over again. She was happy that she actually got a text from the brunette, but then she didn't know what to think.

E - What's going on? Baby I'm worried!

Regina had returned to her room and hoped Daniel would stay at some stupid friend's place so she could just sleep. She didn't want anything else. Just sleep. She didn't even want to wake up. She snapped out of her stupor and dark thoughts as Emma replied to her text.

"Why do you even still care about me Miss Swan?" Regina said outloud to herself. I don't deserve you. You should hate me!

Re - I can't tell you. I'm sorry

Emma said goodbye to Elsa and walked up to her room. She couldn't concentrate with Elsa around her. She was exhausting her with all of her constant flirting. Emma still had strong feelings for Regina. She really just saw Elsa as a pretty distraction. Nothing more.

Emma knew she would have to somehow let Elsa down easy. She really didn't want to share her past with Elsa like she had Regina. She also didn't want to lead Elsa on anymore. It seemed that the new waitress was taking this seriously, and Emma felt trapped.

Maybe Ruby could help her with that. After she left Elsa's the previous night, guilt completely overtook her system. Emma hadn't even considered that she might be using Elsa before then, but she wasn't sure if Ruby had already knew that. Ruby did know her better than She knew herself. She had felt her eyes on her the whole day. Guess I gotta talk to Rubes later. Emma thought to herself.

E- I'm sorry if my long novel of a text freaked you out but it was the only text that got your attention. So I guess it did something good huh?

Re - Always the Joker, aren't you miss Swan?

Emma could see Regina in front of her. She could even hear Regina say those words to her with a beautiful wink quickly to follow.

The blonde was suddenly reminded of how much she missed Regina, and how this whole 'I'm done with you.' was just bullshit. Emma had tried to get into her head.

She couldn't forget Regina. How could she even think that before? Regina mills was a goddess! She's my goddess…. right? No! She is! She Definitely is! I'll do whatever I have to to get her back!

E - Please Regina meet me out in the forest. Our spot! In like 20 minutes! Please!

Regina read the text and took a deep breath. What was she gonna tell Emma? She would be absolutely furious when she saw all of the bruises, and especially her black eye. What did she have to lose though? Daniel hadn't broken her totally. At least not yet. Even just texting with Emma woke up that fire inside of her that she almost thought was gone! Fuck this!

Re - I'll be there

Belle finally shut down her computer. She was done with her school work and just as the brunette had suspected, it had gone much more smoothly without Ruby begging for kisses and cuddles every other minute, like a love sick puppy. Belle shook her head with a big smile. God she loved Ruby and her childlike behavior.

"Belle, come on! You're boring! Put away those books and make out with me instead!" Ruby grinned as she was laying with her head in Belle's lap. The brunette rolled her eyes at her. She was almost done with the homework, and Ruby had hardly even looked at it.

"Rubes, you know you can't copy my answers all through school right?" Belle asked in a judgmental tone, but with a smile on her face.

"Actually, I know I can, cause you like, like me!" Ruby laughed and grabbed Belle, then wrestled her down and laid on top of the giggling brunette.

Though their relationship was really new and fresh, this kind of affection was old news to them, and nobody else seemed to notice it anymore either.

"God, I'm in a relationship with a child!" Belle sighed.

"Ugh, and I think I'm in a relationship with Regina!"

"Wait what?" Belle frowned confused. That was oddly specific.

"Relax Belle, I'm joking! I just mean that you sound as uptight as Regina sometimes when you speak. But hey, maybe that turns you on Hm?" Ruby purred and pressed her lips against her girlfriend's. "And maybe I should start calling you Miss French as well!"

"Shut up and kiss me, you idiot." Belle laughed then grabbed Ruby's shirt and smashed their lips together.

Rocinante looked back at Regina, as to ask if this was for real. They hadn't been out for a proper ride in weeks. They had only been 'allowed' to be in the paddock, and even though that was better than nothing, it wasn't enough for the stallion.

He needed to run. He had so much pent up energy that Regina decided to let him run as much as he wished. It was a risky move, since he was a former race horse, but she wasn't worried. Regina trusted him with her life.

She knew that if Rocinante would have been able to laugh and scream for joy, he would have probably done so right now. He was neighing and Regina couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.

As the wind whipped through her hair, galloping on her big horse, Regina felt her problems and worries leave her. That was probably why she loved riding so much. She was free. She was one with the magnificent horse beneath her. She absolutely loved that feeling! Unfortunately, she knew that reality would always catch up to her.

"Emma…" Regina breathed and pulled Rocinante's reins to make him halt. Regina studied the blonde for a short while, and when their eyes met it was like Regina's heart started to actually beat for real again.

She wasn't just a shadow, a hollow nothing. Emma made her come alive. With a low click of her tongue she made Rocinante move towards Emma a little more.

Emma patted Rocinante's neck as they came to a stop beside her. The horse nibbled on her shirt. Emma threw her arms around him and hugged him tight. Regina was so moved by the scene in front of her. She almost wanted to cry. As Emma offered Rocinante an apple, Regina jumped down to the ground, and Emma didn't know what to do or say.

It felt like she was meeting Regina for the first time, all over again. Her hands were sweaty and her heart was beating so hard. Emma almost thought it would beat right out of her chest.

How the hell could I tell myself I was over her? Because I'm clearly not! The blonde thought to herself as she bit her lip.

"Hello, Miss Swan." Regina said carefully and Emma felt how she blushed. What the actual hell?

"Ehm, Hi Regina.. I've ehm. God. I don't get why I'm this nervous." Emma shrugged. "I just… I just don't want to chose the wrong words and fuck this up again.."

"Again?" Regina frowned. Of course Emma would think this was all her fault. She didn't even know the whole story.

"Well yeah. It's my fault your mom has set you up with this Daniel right?" Emma asked and turned her attention to Rocinante, because it hurt to even properly look at Regina.

"Emma, it's not your fault. I think my mother has had this stupid kind of plan for years. So don't feel like it's your fault." Regina said and tried to get the blonde to at least look her way. Still, Emma refused.

"I bet you're happier with him. At least he has money." Emma stated bitterly then immediately panicked. She wasn't meaning for that to be said out loud. Damn it!

"Emma, I have never, and will never care that you don't have a mountain of money to throw around. Because a relationship is so much more than that. It's about being there for eachother, and making lifelong memories together every day. I'm not happy with Daniel. He.." Regina stopped herself, but she knew it was too late. The pause caused Emma to finally glance up close at Regina. The blonde took a step closer and put a finger under Regina's chin, carefully making her look up at her.

And there it was. Clear as day. A black-eye.

Emma pulled back and sat down on the grass, covering her head with hands. Regina saw how much she was hurting and knew she should have just ignored all of Emma's texts, like she had been doing. It had been for the best. Emma didn't deserve this. This chaos, this pain and this misery was Regina's alone to handle. Emma looked so small and just...defeated.

"Emma I…"

"Show me your body." Emma plead cutting her off

"Excuse me?" Regina snarled when Emma stood and walked up to her again.

"I want to see what he has done!" Emma said with a cracking voice. She needed to see how much of a sadist he was. Like that would validate all of her own pain.

Emma watched as Regina slowly took off her jacket, slowly revealing her arms. They were black and blue, and full of bruises. Her wrists had cut marks. Had Regina cut herself?

Emma shook her head and reached out then touched the bruises gently. Regina was frozen on the spot. Practically not able to breath.

"Emma?" Regina said, with tears slowly rolling down her cheeks. "Emma, I need you." the blonde grabbed Regina and pulled her into a hug and Regina finally broke down.

"Schh Regina. Schh, I'm here. This time around, nothing and no one is gonna take you away from me. I promise! I love you. I'm not leaving you again!"