A/N: After Emma's little dream scene, I felt really bad, so here's another update! Sorry it isn't too timely, it's been one of those weeks, ya know? However- you may now put up the pitchforks and torches! I love the responses you guys have given me to this, and each new one puts a smile on my face, so thank you so much! Also, rating went up, not telling why! (; I do not own Once Upon a Time or any character likenesses, but the story itself is mine! Love to you all, please enjoy!
XX
Emma arrived at Regina Mills' house with ten minutes to spare. The blonde's nerves were in overdrive; she still hadn't quite recovered from the dream she had had about her teacher, and she wasn't sure she'd be able to calm the blush that would inevitably spread across her face when she saw her. Inhaling a deep breath, Emma grabbed the take-out bag and drinks and made her way slowly up the porch steps of 108 Mifflin Street. The house was enormous, larger by far than any house Emma had ever lived in, and Emma had yet to see the interior. Placing the drinks and take-out bag on the railing, Emma exhaled slowly before knocking three short times. Seconds later, Regina Mills opened the door to her charge, Emma's eyes widening almost comically. Regina Mills was, of course, dressed in business attire, but there was something strangely familiar about the particular outfit she had chosen; Emma stifled a gasp, turning away and parading it as a cough, when she realized that the very same outfit the woman in front of her wore was the one she had adorned in Emma's dream. Although she attempted to play the gasp off, Regina clearly caught on to the blush that burned it's way across Emma's face, and she raised an amused eyebrow towards the girl. Clearing her throat, Regina gestured behind her, and a soft "Are you coming, Miss Swan?" snapped Emma out of her reverie. Retrieving breakfast, Emma made her way through the front door, shivering as it closed behind her, all but trapping her with the perfect woman in front of her. Regina gestured to Emma's hands, and the blonde cleared her throat.
"Oh, um, I brought breakfast, Miss Mills. I hope that's okay with you." Emma's statement trailed off and upward, indicating a question, and Regina simply nodded, allowing a small, practiced smile to grace her lips.
"Yes, of course, thank you Miss Swan. Shall we eat, then?" On cue, Emma's stomach grumbled loudly, and she hung her head in shame and embarrassment, missing the amusement in Regina's eyes as she led the blonde through the front room into the dining room. Regina took her usual seat at the head of the table, and Emma unconsciously sat on her right side, sliding the coffee towards her teacher with a bright smile. Emma slid the slice of apple pie towards her teacher shortly thereafter, attacking her bear claw like it was the first thing she had ever eaten. Regina did her best to hide the wince at Emma's mannerisms, having grown up in the more proper lifestyle, but when the blonde's lack of grace appeared in the form of dumping out an assortment of creamers and sugar packets onto the table before her, she pinched the bridge of her nose between forefinger and thumb. Emma shot her an apologetic look, breaking the silence as Regina slowly bit into the apple pie she would never admit to liking so much.
"Sorry, Miss Mills, I wasn't sure how you take your coffee, so I brought a little of everything."
"It's quite alright, dear, I appreciate the effort, truly." Regina didn't dare let Emma know that people rarely, if ever, did anything for her, especially not something so insignificant as bringing her breakfast, and although the blonde was making a huge mess, Regina was truly taken aback by her thoughtfulness.
Emma nodded towards her once more, before continuing on. "I'm glad you like the apple pie, I wasn't sure what to get you, I just knew you liked apples..." Emma allowed her words to trail off, a barely there look of horror crossing her face. She hadn't mean to let it slip that she knew her brunette teacher liked apples, but there she was, spouting verbal diarrhea once more. Groaning, Emma allowed her head to slam lightly onto the table, before chancing a quick glance at her teacher. Regina just stared back at her, fork halfway through her mouth, an unreadable expression on her face. The women sat in silence, consuming the remainder of breakfast, both minds off in space, before Regina cleared her throat, standing up to clear away the debris. Emma's body reacted almost against her will, and she immediately jumped up to help clear up the mess. Ten minutes later saw both women walking the halls as Emma allowed her eyes to wander over every perfectly neat detail of Regina Mills' home.
"This place is beautiful, Miss Mills."
"Thank you, dear, it's alright."
"Alright? Seriously, Miss Mills, your living room is bigger than any place I have ever lived in, ever."
"Yes, well, size is not always the most important thing, dear."
Emma noticed a hint of sadness in her teacher's voice, and immediately changed topics in an attempt to cheer her up.
"Right, well, what are we doing, Miss Mills?"
A mischievous glimmer swam in Regina's eyes as she pulled the door open to her study, and Emma's eyes widened at the stacks of papers that lay before her. With a sigh, she slowly made her way to the desk, retrieving an answer key and pen and setting down to a long summer of grading papers.
XX
The first few days of Emma's defined 'punishment' went by without a hitch. Regina and Emma developed a working schedule very easily, with Emma arriving every morning ten minutes until eight, more often than not toting breakfast and coffee. The two women rarely spoke, but when they did the conversations were comfortable. Emma spent her first weekend with Mary Margaret, who doted consistently on her blonde foster daughter, and by the time that Monday rolled around Emma was exhausted. However, true to her word, she arrived by eight o'clock, coffee, hot cocoa, and snacks in hand and mentally prepared for another day of grading papers. Regina, however, seemed to have a different plan, for the two women spent the day developing lesson plans for the teacher's next semester. Emma was constantly surprised at how well they worked together, and even more surprised when she found herself scooting subconsciously closer to the brunette. Regina's eyes always widened for a brief moment during this time, but neither of them questioned it; for both women had a fear that giving their comfort a name would completely ruin it, as neither woman had had much stability in their lives. This is where Emma found herself, two days later, when Regina informed her she would be attending a four day teacher's conference in a week's time. Emma couldn't quite place it, but she felt undeniably uneasy about the prospect of not seeing the perfect brunette for such a long period of time. Sure, they'd spent weekends apart, yes; but Emma, whether she realized it or not, spent a great deal of her 'time off' on those weekends thinking about her teacher, holding her breath and counting the hours down until she'd be allowed to waltz through her door yet again, succumbing to that warm and adoring smile that Regina always seemed to keep under lock and key, allowing it's escape for Emma and Emma alone. Emma shook off her thoughts when she heard her teacher clearing her throat.
"Miss Swan, is something the matter?"
"No, Miss Mills, I just.." Emma's words trailed off, for how could she explain to her teacher that she'd miss her entirely too damn much? That she had grown so accustomed to seeing her every week day, that the break in tradition might be too much for her? How could she inform her former teacher that she had developed feelings for her, quite strong ones at that?
Emma's eyes flew to Regina as she pressed a smooth palm against her forehead, a concerned look growing in her eyes.
"You're kind of warm, dear, are you quite sure you're alright?"
Emma attempted to give a small nod, but she suddenly felt very dizzy, and very, very ill. Her mouth opened of it's own volition; thankfully, her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth and she gave a restrained choking noise before coughing harshly.
Feelings.. I have feelings for.. Regina Mills?!
Emma's inner turmoil was cut off when the brunette, still sporting that unfairly adorable half-smile of concern on her face, raised a perfect eyebrow, clearing her throat and leaning in. Emma was absolutely certain her heart would burst out of her chest, as Regina slowly moved closer to her.
"Miss Swan...?" Regina's whisper held something deep, but Emma was unsure of what. True, it was laced with concern, but there seemed to be something else. Fear? Trepidation? Emma couldn't quite tell, and before she had a chance, a sharp echo rang through the halls, and both women jumped apart as if struck by lightning. Emma blushed deeply, looking away and running her hands through her hair roughly before putting her face in them.
Was she...was she about to kiss me?
Emma could feel the heat bubbling in her gut as a shiver of desire ran through her, but before she could continue her quiet consideration of what exactly had just changed between the two, a loud commotion at the door got her attention. Was Regina yelling at someone? Emma shifted immediately into serious mode, sneaking quietly out the hallway and pulling her cell phone out of her pocket. Thankfully, her father was the sheriff, so if anything were truly wrong she'd be able to text him immediately, as he was always very good at responding immediately. Years in the foster system had prepared her for any and everything, and she quietly slid her head, just barely, out of the hallway and peered over the rail on Regina's stairs. Thankfully, she didn't have to strain to hear anything, as the two were fairly loud, and Emma's heart beat wildly with fear as she heard the dreaded man's voice.
"Sidney Glass, what exactly are you doing in my house?"
Emma immediately found her foster father's name, sending him a quiet text: 911 DAD, MR. GLASS.
Emma thanked the gods that her father knew where she'd been all summer, for an immediate response of 'on my way' found it's way onto her screen, allowing her a glimmer of hope. She quickly turned her phone off, sliding it into her pocket and crouching down, fearfully hoping that Sheriff David would arrive quickly.