AN: Thank you to all of the new followers and for the reviews! Special shout out to the facebook group that offered their opinons for me. I've decided it's going to be a bit of both. The song I used in this chapter is "I Get Off" by Halestorm. You should probably expect a few of their songs throughout this story. They're my favorite band and Emma's little game from the last chapter is something that Lzzy has said that she does. Anyway, thanks again! Here's chapter 3.
"Hi, Emma Swan!" said the blonde woman to Regina's right.
"Yes, hello," echoed the blonde to her left.
Regina rolled her eyes at her friends as she spoke to Emma, "These two idiots are Tatelyn and Maleficent, my best friends." She gestured first to the woman on her right and then the one on her left. They both looked at her aghast.
"That was just mean," Tatelyn said as she slapped her friend on the arm. She then turned back to Emma, "Neither of us go by our given names. Call me Tink, and this is Mel."
Mel was still glaring at Regina who had started giggling. "I'm so glad you find my mother's love of Disney so amusing. No, really. Keep laughing. You'd be furious if your mother had given a name like Maleficent," she said.
Emma gave the woman a smile. "I think it's kinda cool," she told her.
"Thank you," Mel replied.
"Your band is very good," Tink told her, changing the subject.
Emma blushed and shifted her feet while placing her hands in her back pockets, "Thanks, Tink."
At this point Mel looked pointedly at her blonde friend, "Let's go find some guys to dance with Tink." The two disappeared into the crowd together.
"Tink's right. You're really good." Regina said, bringing Emma's attention back to her. "How long have you been singing?"
"Oh. My whole life," she chuckled. "I always sang in the shower and stuff. When I was 15, I met Ruby and when I was 16, her Granny bought me a keyboard for Christmas and Ruby got a guitar. A few months and a newspaper ad later, David and Lily joined us. We've been together since."
"You're lucky to have such good friends."
"Oh, I know. They're great. Who knows where I'd be without them? Especially Ruby and Granny, they are more like family," Emma replied.
She and Regina talked about the band for a few hours and Emma took her around and introduced her to each of them, along with Aurora and Mary Margaret. Closing time came and Tink and Mel came along to collect Regina.
"Hey woman. We have to go," Tink was slightly slurring her words as she wrapped an arm around Regina's neck, using her friend to steady her.
"I know," Regina sighed, turning back to Emma. "It was very nice to meet you, Emma."
"Yeah, you too," Emma smiled at her. "You should come to our next show. We'll be back here on Friday night."
"I'll try," Regina told her. The two parted with easy smiles.
"What's up with that?" Ruby asked, coming to stand beside Emma as she watched the trio walk away.
"What's up with what? I can't make new friends?" Emma replied, turning to face her friend.
"Sure, but is that what that was? She's really pretty." Ruby pointed out.
"Obviously," Emma replied. "I think I've proven that I can have beautiful friends. Look around me."
"Yeah, well, you don't look at me the way you looked at her. I've never seen you look at anyone like that."
"I didn't realize I was looking a certain way, but whatever. It's nothing," Emma shrugged.
"Okay," Ruby replied, knowing that it was best to drop the subject for now.
Later that night, or rather early the next morning, Emma lay awake in bed thinking about the woman she'd just met. She had never before felt an immediate connection with someone like this, not even Ruby. Somehow Emma knew that Regina Mills was going to be a very important part of her life. She knew it more surely than anything she'd ever known. She drifted off to sleep some time later still trying to figure out what possible role the woman would play in her life.
"So what's with that singer?" Mel asked as they got into the car.
"Yeah, Emma," Tink added, emphasizing her name while winking at Regina.
"What are you talking about?" Regina asked.
"Oh, come on. The girl couldn't keep her eyes off of you," Mel said.
"Yeah, and you seemed to have problems looking away too. Is there something we need to know?" Tink chimed in.
"What? No. I can't make a new friend?" Regina rolled her eyes.
"You don't make friends." Mel was always blunt with her.
"You would't even have us, if we didn't make you spend time with us." Tink slightly pouted.
Regina looked truly hurt by her words. "Tink, I'm sorry if I've made you feel that way. I'll do better."
"It's alright, really. I didn't mean to say that. I know you have to worry about Henry and stuff," Tink said wrapping her arms around the brunette.
"Still, I'm sorry if I've hurt you. You matter to me too." Regina told her sincerely. "As far as Emma Swan, I think I need a new friend."
The two looked slightly offended.
"Oh, not like that. I'm not trying to replace either of you. It's just that you're the only two friends I have. You both have other friends."
They had nothing to say to that. It was true. Both of them had several other friends, but not Regina. Regina only had them.
"You're right," Mel told her. "I think you need more friends too." She had seen the way that Emma Swan looked at her best friend, but she knew Regina would never admit that she was attracted to the woman too. So she decided her best option for now was to steer her friend into a friendship with this singer. She gave Tink the look that said play along so she agreed that Regina needed more friends as well.
As Regina drifted to sleep that night her thoughts were on blonde curls and an easy smile, the woman that she knew she wanted to be friends with.
The week rushed by for Regina. On Wednesday night she had called Daniel to confirm that he would be picking Henry up for the weekend. He had assured her that he was, but now it was Friday afternoon and he had sent her a text claiming that he would have to work Saturday. He was backing out, again. Henry hadn't seen Daniel in almost two months, and had been so excited when she'd told him that his father was coming. Now she had to break her son's heart for the thousandth time. She would never forgive him for this.
"Hey Mom!" Henry jumped into the car excitedly. His face fell when he saw the way his mother was looking at him. "He's not coming, is he?" He asked without really needing the answer.
"I'm so sorry sweetheart," Regina said reaching over to smooth his hair. He pulled away.
"No you aren't! You're the reason he went away!" Henry yelled.
Regina didn't bother to respond this time, focusing on holding back her tears. She'd learned to just let Henry lash out at her. Trying to stop him usually made it worse. She hated Daniel for many reasons, but this was the main one. The look of pain on her son's face every time that his father let him down was the absolute worst.
Regina waited until he looked calm again before speaking. "Henry, I really am sorry. What would you like to do tonight?"
"You're supposed to be going out again tonight," Henry remembered. "You can take me to Grandmother's."
"They're out of town. I can stay home with you Henry," she replied.
"No. I told you that you have to go out. You have seemed happier this week. Do you think Mel or Tink would let me stay with them?"
"I'm not sure. Probably. They did mention at lunch the other day that they haven't seen you. I'll ask them." She smiled at her son. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay home with you?"
He grinned back at her. "I'm sure. Go have some more fun."
It was settled. Mel and Tink both wanted to spend some time with Henry, so he was going to have a movie night with them at Tink's place. Tink had assured Regina that she would be fine to go alone. "I'm almost positive that Emma will be looking for you. She'll take care of you again." Regina heard the smirk in her friend's voice, but chose to ignore it. She did like the band's music after all and it seemed as though her friends and her son were determined to see her go.
Emma was even more nervous than usual as she paced backstage. She calmed down enough to peek out and look at the crowd. Her eyes settled on a brunette in the front row that suddenly turned to meet her eyes as if she could feel that Emma's eyes had been on her. A wide grin spread on her face and she gave a small wave. The woman that had plagued her thoughts all week waved back with a smile.
Emma practically ran onto the stage after Will announced them. She wanted to be able to properly look at Regina. Tonight she was wearing a blue dress. She looked gorgeous. Emma beamed at her as they began to play their new opening song behind her.
You don't know that I know
You watch me every night
And I just can't resist the urge
To stand here in the light
Your greedy eyes upon me
And then I come undone
I could close the curtain
But this is too much fun
I get off on you
Getting off on me
Give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kind of love we make
When the line is crossed
I get off
I get off
There's so much left unspoken
Between the two of us
It's so much more exciting
To look when you can't touch
You could say I'm different
Maybe I'm a freak
But I know how to twist you
To bring you to your knees
I get off on you
Getting off on me
Give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kind of love we make
When the line is crossed
I get off
I get off
What you don't know
What you can't see
Is what I do for you
I do for me
I get off on you
Getting off on me
Give you what you want
But nothing is for free
It's a give and take
Kind of love we make
When the line is crossed
I get off
I get off