So I'm thinking of making "Connected" into its own story since some people have liked it so much. But that will probably happen AFTER this current story is completed. This story is enough work :) This chapter is for wicked73 with the prompt "Suggestion for you, maybe a little angry, but how about Emma getting into a fist fight defending Regina."
Emma usually had good control over her temper. She prided herself in letting no one know what she was really feeling, except for Regina, but sometimes things got out of hand.
Her day had been going well until she entered Granny's. Most everyone in town had come to the realization that Regina was no longer the Evil Queen, but a few of the dwarves had yet to join that group. Especially Leroy.
The problem was that their alliance was to Snow. And even though Snow and David were supportive of Emma being with Regina, the dwarves were not so trusting.
Emma stood at the counter, waiting for Granny to give her the usual order of her and Regina's breakfast. Regina had gone to work early, something about a large amount of paperwork, so Emma had decided to surprise her with her favorite breakfast from Granny's.
Leroy and the rest of the dwarves came up to the counter, stopping right next to Emma. "Hey there sister," Leroy said.
"Hi Leroy," Emma said. "What can I do for you? Something happen in the mine again?"
"No, nothing like that," Leroy said. "We actually wanted to talk to you about Regina." Emma glared at him at the way that he had said Regina's name. He had spat it out, like it tasted bitter on his tongue.
"What about her?" Emma asked. Leroy seemed to lose some confidence under her gaze, but he still continued on.
"We just want you to be careful," he said. "You never know what she might be planning. She could be making you fall in love with her so that she can use you later."
Emma's anger flared. "Shut up Leroy," she growled. "If you know what's good for you, you won't talk about her that way again."
"You see!" Leroy exclaimed. "She's already changing you! You're on her side now!"
Emma couldn't help it. Her anger got the best of her. Without thinking about it, she swung hard and punched Leroy in the nose. He fell to the floor with a thud, holding his nose that was now gushing blood.
"I love Regina," Emma said strongly. "If you ever talk about her that way again, in my presence or not, a punch in the nose will seem like child's play." The dwarves stared at her with wide eyes as she grabbed her food from Granny and stormed out of the diner.
Regina smiled as Emma walked into her office, but her smile quickly melted at seeing Emma's face. "What's wrong?" she asked.
Emma smiled at her. "Nothing that you need to be worried about."
"Don't lie to me," Regina scolded. She gasped as she saw Emma's fingers, which were swelling from their impact with Leroy's face.
"It's nothing," Emma said quickly, hiding her hand behind her back. Regina rolled her eyes before grabbing the first aid kit that she kept in her desk. She got up and grabbed Emma's hand, pulling her reluctantly to the couch.
"What happened?" Regina asked, sitting next to Emma and beginning to work on her fingers.
"I may have punched Leroy in the nose," Emma mumbled.
Regina froze. "You did what?"
"He was talking about how you're making me fall in love with you so that you could use me later for some evil plan," Emma spat out angrily. "A punch in the nose was the least that he deserved."
Regina pressed her lips together in a thin line and quietly continued to work on bandaging Emma's fingers. "You're mad at me," Emma said, confused. "Why?"
"Because you punched someone in the face because of what they said about me!" Regina exclaimed. "Maybe Leroy was right. Maybe I am a bad influence on you."
"That's not what he said," Emma argued. "He accused you of manipulating me for some evil plan of yours."
"It's implied that I'm a bad influence," Regina countered. She closed her first aid kit before standing up. Emma reached out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her back down onto the couch.
"Look at me," Emma commanded gently. Regina hesitantly looked at her.
"I love you," Emma said. "Screw Leroy. In fact, screw everyone in this whole town that thinks that you're still the Evil Queen. You're not her anymore."
"But you still punched Leroy on my behalf," Regina argued.
"Punching Leroy doesn't mean that you're a bad influence," Emma said. "It probably means that I should see Archie for anger management."
Regina laughed. "You're too protective for your own good."
"Only of you," Emma said.
"You're such a Charming," Regina said, rolling her eyes.
"Oh whatever," Emma said. "In that case, I'm fighting for love."
"How cheesy," Regina said, laughing. "It's perfect." Emma just laughed before pulling Regina in for a kiss.
It wasn't really a fist fight, but Emma's fist still connected with Leroy's face. Hope you liked the chapter!