Butting Heads Chapter 24: Undisclosed, an once upon a time fanfic

A/N: I don't own the characters or Once Upon a Time, quite unfortunately. Thanks for sticking with me this far, y'all.

Emma awoke to a loud commotion in the front hall. Rubbing her eyes gingerly, she glanced up at the clock. The red numbers blared 7:15 at her, and she vaguely wondered what in the hell would be going on at such an ungodly hour. Groaning, Emma stretched her way out of bed. She thought she heard Mary Margaret talking animatedly to...wait, was that Ruby?

Always famously on cue, Ruby ripped Emma's door open, nearly pulling the damn thing off the hinges. Emma just gaped at her, open mouthed, struggling to find the words to ask her what was going on, but Ruby clearly had other plans.

"Get dressed. You have ten minutes. We have to go."

Emma's eyes widened and she nodded once before turning around on her heals. Ruby left, shutting the door behind her, and Emma quickly hopped in the shower, lathering and rinsing as fast as she could. She hadn't the foggiest idea what Ruby was up to, but she knew everything was ok; had something been amiss, Ruby would have informed her immediately, this much Emma knew. Emma brushed her teeth and pulled on her clothes in an instant, before grabbing her phone and marching downstairs. Her parents sat at the table, both looking slightly worse for wear at having to deal with Ruby's apparent spunk so early, clutching enormous mugs of coffee and appreciatively munching on the pastries Ruby had brought them.

"I'll have her back in a few hours, I promise!"

Mary Margaret nodded halfheartedly, as David merely grunted in response, the two girls leaving with a rushed "bye mom, dad, love you."

As Emma adjusted her mirror, Ruby fastened her seat belt and held her hand out expectantly. Emma supplied her with an odd look.

"What?"

"Give me your cell phone, Emma."

The look of horror that washed over Emma's face was priceless to Ruby, but she knew in the end it would be worth it. Emma quickly texted Regina, telling her good morning and that she would be out and about for a while so if she didn't respond to her that would be why, before wistfully handing her phone over to Ruby.

"Wanna tell me what's going on Rubes?"

Ruby's sole response was a wicked grin, and Emma's fear was evident in her sigh.

"Where to, Rubes?"

An hour and a half later saw the yellow VW pull up in Augusta. The Maine weather was lovely, albeit a bit warm, and Emma was ecstatic to step out of her bug and stretch her legs for a bit, regardless of her ignorance of Ruby's plan. The duo made their way into a small cafe and quickly ordered breakfast, eating it halfheartedly as it just wasn't the same as Granny's. Ruby pulled out her wallet to pay, and as they left the diner Emma asked, not for the first time, what exactly they were doing. Ruby's evil grin grew once more, and Emma face palmed heavily.

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you."

Emma's sigh showcased her apparent relief, and Ruby shrugged.

"Regina put...entirely too much into my account, Emma. Like..way too much. So I figured, what the hell, maybe I should do something nice for her with it. Which is why we're here."

Emma looked up, finally noticing where Ruby's footsteps had taken them. A black awning hung over a darkened shop, intricate silver writing inscribing the words Enchanted Boutique on the windows. Emma gulped before following her best friend into the store, hoping they weren't there for the reason she thought.

Unfortunately for Emma, Ruby had, of course, brought her to the modest, albeit fashionable, boutique for one purpose: lingerie. Emma had never owned anything really sexy before; granted, most days she was doing awesome to have a set that matched at all. Because of this, her eyes grew wide as her older, more experienced best friend waltzed through the store, on a mission, Emma following meekly behind her as Ruby pointed out item after item. Finally, mercilessly, Ruby spun on her heels and gave Emma a once over.

"Look, Ems. I know, this is new to you. But...trust me, you'll both thank me."

Emma simply nodded, still altogether in shock, and let her best friend set about the business of picking out her 'respectable nightwear'.

Several hours later, Emma and Ruby, both exhausted, nodded appreciatively towards the backseat. After the somewhat mortifying experience of having her best friend pull her into a changing booth, demanding she try on this and that, the pair had made their way across the street. Emma's small backseat now included her own set of luggage, which she and Ruby had to fight to fit in the space, which they filled with the lingerie, a sensible pair of black flats that Ruby had picked out for Emma, and a small bag containing a necklace Emma had fallen in love with. The silver swan perched elegantly at the end of a long chain, the tiniest of crowns adorning her head. Emma had never been one for jewelry, but Ruby recognized the significance at once; her name was the only thing Emma had always had, the one consistency in a lifetime of deviation. All in all, Ruby hadn't spent as much money as she thought, but Emma was still entirely thankful, and allowed the knowledge that in a few days she'd be absolutely alone with Regina Mills to flow through her veins and embolden her. The drive back to Emma's house was a far more pleasant one, and upon their arrival Ruby quickly distracted the Charmings so that Emma could hide the lingerie from them. Ruby finally allowed Emma to have her phone back, and she sighed softly to see that Regina had texted her several hours earlier, two words that made her heart ache: "miss you."

Regina had entirely too many clothes.

Not that she'd ever complain about it.

Except now, when she perched self-consciously atop her bed, eyes wandering to the multitude of items strewn haphazardly about her temporary home, trying to decide exactly what she was going to bring to wear to the conference.

A buzz from her phone alerted her to a text, and with all the grace afforded to an entirely too excited individual she leapt from her bed, grasping it and quickly reading the response from Emma.

"Miss you, too."

Regina couldn't contain her happiness. But she wouldn't admit it. She simply needed advice.

Fashion advice? From a teenager? Regina freakin' Mills..

Her inner voice was going to kill her, she just knew it.

"I seem to be in need of your help, Miss Swan, if you aren't entirely too busy?"

Less than ten seconds later, Emma replied. Regina spun slowly on the spot, before looking down at herself. How many times was she going to answer the door to Miss Swan in a bathrobe? Sighing, Regina quickly pulled on a pair of pressed slacks and a matching blouse, waltzing to the mirror to fix an errant, ever so slightly out of place hair before a knock on the door brought her back to reality. She promptly opened the door to a slightly flushed Emma, and shook her head as she gave the girl a once over. Really, Miss Swan was entirely too adorable, and Regina feared her heart might not be able to take it. She gestured to the clothes scattered about before fixating a look of desperation on Emma's face.

"What am I going to wear?"

Emma flushed a light pink and snorted, trying her best to cover up her smart ass response with a cough. Regina, however, had heard it, and she lifted a perfect eyebrow up slightly.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Swan, what exactly did you just say?"

Emma knew she couldn't get out of this one, so she figured honesty would be the best policy as she quietly responded.

"I said, nothing, hopefully, Miss Mills."

Both girls stared hard at one another and simultaneously sighed, looking away as fast as possible. Regina Mills knew she couldn't be alone with this girl for long; in the few short weeks that they'd been around one another, Emma Swan had systematically torn down nearly every wall that the brunette had spent so long erecting. Regina's body wanted her, her mind wanted her, her soul wanted her; and, perhaps most excitingly, she knew the blonde felt the same way. She quickly moved towards a stack of clothing, gesturing once more, to save herself or the blonde, who seemed to be lost in space, Regina wasn't quite sure.

"I have no idea what you're wearing, Miss Swan, so I don't want to wear anything that will clash with your clothing. Therefore, I need you to give me color schemes. Tell me what I cannot wear, etc."

Emma nodded, shaking her head quickly to clear it. She'd been daydreaming about the spectacular picture Regina Mills had sent her, and both women knew it; Emma noticed with glee that her hoodie remained draped across Regina's pillow, and she smiled warmly before helping Regina narrow down her clothing options.

Mary Margaret exhaled dejectedly, setting the phone back on the cradle, before calling her husband.

"Yes dear..yes, it appears so...they're not certain..would that be okay..? ..I know, don't want to leave her alone.."

Emma crooked her head to the side, listening intently at the conversation her parents were having over the phone. At the words 'leave immediately', she knew something must be wrong, and she busied herself in the bowl of cereal she had decided to have as a mid afternoon snack. Mary Margaret gave David her love, and turned around, regarding Emma with melancholy eyes.

"What's wrong, mom?"

"It's great Aunt Bertha, oh Emma..she's back in the hospital, and the doctors aren't sure she's going to make it this time.."

Emma tried to seem somber, really she did; however, she hadn't ever really had anything to do with Great Aunt Bertha, or, really, any of the extended Charming family. She did, however, feel for her foster mother, because if Mary Margaret were to be described using any one word that word would most definitely be sensitive. Emma nodded in agreement, hatching a plan to get her parents to leave her alone.

"Mom, why don't you and Dad go? I know you don't want me to stay alone here...if you wanted, I could stay with Miss Mills?"

Emma wasn't sure why the words had simply fallen out of her mouth, but once she said them she knew that's what she wanted to do. Mary Margaret looked skeptical; she was becoming more and more curious with ever passing day about her daughter's relationship with the woman, but she did not want to push her away, and knew that Emma would let them know what was going on in her own time. She nodded her agreement before pulling the phone off the receiver and dialing again.

"Miss Mills? Yes, I have a favor to ask."

Emma's head and heart perked up at the rich velvet of the voice on the other end of the phone, smiling to herself as Regina offered Mary Margaret sympathetic words and informed her she would be delighted, in fact, to have Emma stay with her for a few days, it would be no trouble at all. Emma could not help but let her mind wander, but her silent reverie was soon interrupted by Mary Margaret, informing Regina that she would be more than welcome to stay at the Charmings house whilst they were out of town. Emma wasn't sure how that would work; her bed was big, yes, but not entirely too big; if the two were to share it while her foster parents were out of town, then they'd have to be very, very close. Emma, of course, did not mind that at all, and she silently thanked her foster mother for being the greatest wingman of all as Regina responded in the affirmative.

"Well, now that that's settled, I suppose I'm off to pack."

Emma nodded morosely, quickly finishing off the remnants of cereal stuck to the inside of her bowl and washing the dishes. She had to tidy her room a bit before Regina arrived, and she wanted to make sure she had hidden the lingerie from her, for a later date.

Mary Margaret and David Charming drove away, Emma's pixie haired foster mother waving for as far as she could; Emma knew Mary Margaret would be quite unused to being away from her daughter for such a period of time, and thus placated her, waving back nonchalantly.

"She sure is.."

"Sensitive?"

Regina snorted at Emma's perfect descriptor and nodded immediately.

"Absolutely, Miss Swan."

Emma giggled before turning around grasping Regina's hand, pulling her up the steps.

"Come on, Miss Mills. I'll show you my bedroom."

Regina simply nodded, following the girl into the somewhat quaint house. Regina noted with a hint of amusement that despite the cramped surroundings, the house seemed somewhat warm. She could feel the love seeping throughout the room with every step, and there was such difference in her upbringing that she had a difficult time swallowing. Emma seemed to notice, fixing a somber look on the brunette and lessening her pace as she pulled Regina up the stairs to her bedroom. Upon arrival, the pair shared a knowing look; Emma noticed Regina's eyes had become slightly darker, and she squirmed under the teacher's lustful gaze. Emma shook her head, whispering softly.

"Soon, I promise."

Regina merely nodded before placing herself in the chair that she had formerly occupied. Emma busied herself bringing Regina's luggage up; thankfully, she had brought very little, so it took no time at all for Emma to bring up the two bags.

"Miss Mills, would you like to sleep with me..?"

Emma's face paled before immediately darkening to an almost inhuman crimson. Regina's eyebrow raised, and the amusement in her voice was all too real.

"Well yes, Miss Swan, but I wouldn't mind sharing your bed, either. If you think that's a good idea..?"

Regina's words trailed off softly and Emma knew exactly what she was implying. Would they be able to keep their hands to themselves, or would the mutual attraction prove too strong?

"Only one way to find out, I guess."

A/N: Your reviews/favs/follows give me life, friends.