Emma closed the door of her yellow beetle, feeling rejected. Yet again, she reached out to the stoic Regina, but to no avail. She sat for a moment, glancing out into the forest wistfully. Wondering why she even bothered trying, she turned on the car, and drove to Granny's to have a drink before returning home and facing her mildly overbearing parents.
She sank down onto a stool at the counter with a defeated sigh. Although she had made some progress with Regina, it didn't fulfill her wishes. Ever since she arrived in Storybrooke, she felt drawn to Regina, who had a complexity to her that was entirely unique. Regina was powerful, dark, clever, and quite attractive, Emma had to admit, blushing. She hadn't felt this way about another woman since her childhood love, Lilly, but the similarities between the two were striking. Emma sighed wishfully with the thoughts of Regina dancing through her mind.
"Hello, Swan." Hook kissed the top of her head before sitting down next to her.
"Oh, hey! I didn't know you were here," Emma apologized warmly with a genuine smile, although slightly disgruntled by his display of affection. She wasn't quite sure if she considered herself in a relationship with him yet, although he surely seemed to think so. However, she had enjoyed their kiss a few weeks ago.
"I just got here. You look upset," he remarked, signaling to the bartender to bring them drinks. "What's wrong?"
Emma shook her head with a dismissive look. "Oh, it's nothing, just-" She swallowed the rest of her words as she felt his hand rest on her denim-clad thigh, desperately wishing he would remove it. "It's nothing." The drinks arrived, and she took a sip. She closed her eyes wearily, convinced the entire diner was staring at them as Hook continued to rub her leg.
Suddenly the door burst open with a jingle, revealing a disheveled Regina. Her black hair was blown about, and there was mud on her normally pristine work pants. She stalked over to Emma, who looked surprised to see her in such a state.
"Emma, I… I need to talk to you," she confessed quietly, glancing around.
"Ok," Emma agreed willingly. She was glad for the interruption, and her heart leapt joyfully at the prospect of being around Regina.
Regina looked pointedly at Hook. "…Alone. Come with me."
The two walked out of the diner, to Hook's dismay, but another glare from Regina silenced his protests.
"I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier," she offered tenderly, Emma looking down at her feet. "I really didn't mean to sound so insensitive, I know I hurt you." Emma opened her mouth to speak, but Regina continued. She gazed sincerely at Emma. "I've just been having a really hard time trying not to unleash my anger on anybody, but-"
"Regina," Emma interrupted.
"Yes?"
"It's ok," she assured Regina, glancing up shyly to meet her intense stare. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Really?" Regina's entire persona softened with relief. She hesitated before continuing. "I care about you Emma. I really do. I just want you to know that, because it's rare for me to find someone that I don't want to hurt."
Emma couldn't hide her joy anymore, and threw her arms around a startled Regina. Regina was shocked at first, but flattered. She embraced the blonde tentatively, relieved to have gotten some of her feelings out in the open.
"Regina," Emma said contentedly once they broke apart, her eyes scanning Regina's newfound look of… was it love? Admiration? Whatever it was, it was a look she had never seen given to anyone except for Henry. Regina's deep brown eyes locked with hers, and Emma had the urge to kiss the beautiful woman in front of her. "I… care about you too." She took a step closer to the mayor.
Regina didn't get the chance to answer, as Emma leaned forwards and pressed her lips against Regina's. Emma reached up and grasped the back of Regina's head gently. Taken by surprise, Regina's eyes widened with a quick intake of breath, but then closed as she realized what was happening. Emma pulled Regina closer to her, savoring the contact. Regina's lips were as soft and perfect as they looked, and she relaxed into Emma gratefully, her hands coming to rest on Emma's sides. The blonde's hands moved and entwined in Regina's silky hair.
Footsteps and voices broke them apart. Hearts racing, they gasped for air. They gazed at each other with lovestruck eyes.
"We can't tell anyone about us," insisted Emma as Regina hurriedly smoothed her hair and nodded. "They can't know."
"Too late," came Hook's voice. He stood on the steps to the diner with his arms crossed. Emma winced, wondering how she could get out of this quandry.