The Feeling is Mutual
When Emma heard the news, it took her all of five minutes to drive straight over to the Mayor's office, because there was no way in hell she was going to let this happen. It didn't matter if she was on duty-this took precedence over whatever crime was taking place, which didn't happen often anyway. She stomped into Regina's office without a hello or any politeness whatsoever, much as she had when she had found out Regina had published the story of how Henry was born in prison.
"No way, Regina. There is no way Henry is going to be in a ballet recital. He will be crucified by all the other boys."
Regina did not look surprised to see her. "Are you saying you want to teach him that it is something to be ashamed of? I, for one, do not believe in gender constructs. This will teach Henry not to discriminate because of that."
"Okay, but I'm teaching him some karate then, because he'll have to learn to defend himself if he's going to be dancing the Nutcracker along with a bunch of girls. Does he even want to do that?"
Regina looked down, trying to hide her shame. "No, but I promised that we would help out with the Storybrooke Fall Festival this year, and the only thing left that Henry could sign up for was ballet."
Emma grimaced. "Poor kid. Can't…I don't know, can't you like…sign up for something yourself to save your son getting a black eye and a soiled reputation for the rest of his life?"
"Oh, so he's my son now, is he? I have to do something? Why don't you sign up for something, Miss Swan? You claim he is your son as well; prove it."
Emma huffed. Regina was so over the line. "Fine, you royal pain the ass, I will."
Regina watched the blonde stalk out of her office, a smile playing on her lips. It was so easy to manipulate Miss Swan sometimes, it almost made it boring. Almost.
Revenge was just too sweet. Not that she appreciated being called 'a royal pain in the ass.' At least the royal part was true, because of course she wasn't a pain in the ass. How could she be? Emma didn't own a mule.
Henry was relieved when he heard that he didn't have to wear a leotard, and he was so grateful to Emma for helping him out, that Regina became wracked with jealousy. Her resolve to just let Emma help out with the festival was breaking; she wanted Henry to look at her the same way he looked at Emma. So she called the Fall Festival organizers and asked if there was anything left she could sign up for.
There was one thing left; the drama department was putting on Twelfth Night or What You Will, and they needed actors for it. The festival was only two months away, so it was urgent to get the show casted, and Regina jumped at the chance. She would show Henry that she loved him. She would show him who the better mother was. And lastly, she would show Sherriff Swan that messing with her was a bad idea.
Little did she know that Emma had signed up for the exact same activity.
Emma sat at the bar, drinking her 2nd shot, not caring that she had to work in the morning. She was on a budget, and plus she was her own boss, which made it even better. Well, technically, Regina was her boss, but why quibble over details?
August Booth was sitting with her as an unofficial chaperone even though she kept insisting she didn't need one. There was no reason she needed to be babysat; she had just had a long day, that was it, and why the fuck did he care? It was just Regina being her usual self, arrogant, bitchy and vindictive. Same old, same old.
She didn't ask herself why it seemed to always be Regina who drove her to drink. But August, the stupid asshole, brought it up anyway.
"Why is that a common theme with you?" He asked as she ordered her third scotch.
Emma turned to him, not tipsy yet but definitely getting there. "What do you mean?"
"Why do I always find you here after you and Regina have butted heads?"
"Maybe because you're stalking me?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
August chuckled. "Or maybe it's because she is the only person who can get under your skin. Make you crazy, make you want to drown your feelings."
Emma sighed. "It's this stupid festival coming up. She guilt-tripped me into signing up for this stupid play, and I don't even like acting. But, classic Regina, she used our son as blackmail." Emma gave a mirthless laugh and downed her drink in one gulp, opening her mouth as the burning liquid assaulted her liver.
"What play is it?"
"Shakespeare."
August gasped. "How can you call that stupid?"
Emma frowned, then realization hit. "Oh, that's right, you're a writer. Sorry."
When Regina showed up for auditions at the Storybrooke Community Center, she was grinning evilly. She knew that she would get called back; she had to, because the organizers were desperate—they really needed actors. She prided herself that she wasn't too bad at it either, and besides, who would have the guts to reject her?
All of her bravado flew away like a runaway kite when she saw the dreadfully familiar red jacket nestled under a mane of blond hair. She grumbled and was about to turn tail and run when one of the organizers called for her, seeming surprised that she showed up. Regina regretted that decision.
The head organizer-Gayle was her name-told everyone to sit down and wait for their name to be called. Everyone auditioned and most of them were horrible. The only one who showed any promise was Miss Swan, and Regina was certainly shocked by that. Why she couldn't escape this infuriating woman was a mystery she would never be able to solve.
When Emma saw Regina, she didn't hide her misery. She kicked a chair in her anger over getting stuck yet again with this woman. The feeling was certainly mutual. They stayed on opposite sides of the room, not deigning to look at each other. When Regina was called up to audition, she read the lines offered with gusto and feeling, trying not to glare daggers at the blonde who she was sure was smirking at her.
"But rather reason thus than reason fetter," Regina spoke. "Love sought is good, but given unsought is better." She nodded and gave a cocky grin, sure that no one in the town could top her acting skills. Gayle got up hurriedly and clasped her hands together.
"Thank you, Madam Mayor, that was good." She addressed the crowd. "Okay people, we will be sending out emails to each of you who gets called back, and then we will cast each of you. If you don't have a preference of the character you wish to audition for, one will be picked for you. See you next week!" With that, Gayle and the rest of the committee took away the makeshift table set up in the auditorium and left.
Emma couldn't get out of there fast enough. She sprinted out of the room, not looking back. She did not want to think about what Regina had blackmailed her into doing. She wanted so badly to confront the woman on it, to call her out, but she knew it would go nowhere. Her next option was just to grin and bear it, hoping like hell she and Regina didn't have many scenes together. She tried her hardest to put on a smile, reminding herself that she was doing this so her son wouldn't have to be a ballerina.
The next week, Regina and Emma were called back, along with several others. They were cast and Regina was pleased to see that she would be playing Lady Olivia. Someone named David would be playing Duke Orsino, his friend Samuel Holden would play Sebastian, and Emma Swan was cast as Cesario.
"Miss Swan, can I have a word?" Regina had snuck up beside Emma, standing right at her shoulder. When she spoke Emma jumped. She was still on a buzz from the coffee she had had that morning.
"Wha—oh, hello, Madame Mayor. I was just leaving, I…um…don't see why I still need to be here." They were in the auditorium of the community center, just finishing their first acting lessons. They were given scripts and told to memorize them, that was pretty much it. Emma knew she should get home to study hers, but someone was keeping her from that.
"You haven't read the script, have you Miss Swan?"
Emma bit her lip. "No, I just got it—"
"Have you ever read this play before?"
"No…I read Romeo and Juliet in school, but that was the only Shakespeare play I've ever read."
"Well, I'll have you know that your character and mine are… romantically involved in this play. It is an interesting love triangle and I think it would be good for you to acquaint yourself with it."
Emma groaned. "You mean you and I have scenes together?"
"Yes, Miss Swan. Trust me, I don't like it either. Having to kiss you? I'd rather rinse my own mouth out with soap."
"Wait—wait a second." Emma had started to feel her head spin. "You and I have to kiss?" She riffled through the script hard enough to tear the pages. "Where in the hell does it say that?"
Regina would be enjoying seeing Emma this hot and bothered if it wasn't for the fact that she was a little insulted. Regina rolled her eyes and took Emma's script, feeling unwanted goosebumps as their hands brushed. She gulped and pointed to Act III, Scene I.
"Right after I—I mean, Olivia says "'Love sought is good, but given unsought is better', she kisses Cesario." Regina closed her eyes, trying not to picture it.
Emma was still incredulous. "But—I—but this is just—"
"I know. As I said before, dear, the feeling is mutual. Enjoy your evening." Regina strolled away, suppressing the urge to rip Sherriff Swan's head off.