Regina took them right in front of Gold's pawnshop. She tried the door handle, but it was locked. Emma pressed her nose at the glass and looked inside, shrugging.
"Looks like nobody's there… Maybe she's in the library?"
"Maybe, yes." Regina nodded and offered her hand to Emma, who hesitated.
"It's not that far, we can walk there," she said and to avoid seeing Regina's face she already stepped out in the direction towards the town centre. Regina quickly caught up with her and slipped her hand in Emma's anyway, without even looking at the blonde. Emma's lips spread into sheepish smile and squeezed the hand in hers in a loving gesture.
They were walking in comfortable silence and warmth spreading through their veins. The first and only thing that disrupted their peace was actually one of them. Regina tugged at Emma's hand fiercely and pulled her into an abandoned street they were passing by. A surprised gasp slipped past Emma's lips before Regina turned it into a moan by pulling Emma into a kiss. They melted into each other as if it was the most natural thing they had been doing for ages. Maybe this was the magic of love they needed to feel. Comfortable and understanding. You can't love somebody you don't understand.
They parted only when the heat was leaving them breathless. Emma looked into the dark eyes that only mirrored the love she herself felt. She couldn't help but let a small laugh escape her lips and she pulled Regina closer until their noses were touching.
"You're amazing. This is the best twist of fate ever, screw Ariel's love at first sight." Emma said and Regina joined her in free careless laughter which made her look like the life hadn't left her with so many scars and wounds, even if that effect lasted only for few seconds. Emma loved seeing those sparkles in Regina's eyes and swore to herself she would try every day for the rest of her life to make her laugh and see the light buried under all the hurt.
"We should probably go," Regina said and pulled away though still staying in Emma's personal space.
"Oh my god I totally forgot about Belle! You're so distracting," she mockingly scolded Regina while she put a hand on the small of her back and led them back to the main road.
They were afraid of people seeing them, so their hands stayed separated this time. Not that it helped to hide the affection they held for each other.
Out of sudden there was a wave of magic coursing through the town and disappearing as quickly as it came.
"What the hell was that?" Emma asked with a puzzled expression.
"Gold." Regina guessed and picked up her pace in the last few meters towards the library, knocking at the door loudly.
"You know you can just walk in, it's public-" Emma said but Regina was already striding inside.
"Oh, Regina, hello… Emma? Good to see you back!" Belle beamed as she saw the blonde appearing behind the Mayor and her expression transformed into a sly knowing smile.
"Hi," Emma smiled back, but cut right to the core of the reason they came. "We need to ask you something-"
"Where is Rumplestiltskin?" Regina asked impatiently.
"He went to the well with the necklace, he wants to restore the magic." Belle answered, looking proud that her husband was on the side of heroes this time.
"What happened? Who took the magic?"
"Morgana of course-"
"What was the deal with Blue Fairy in this?"
"Wow, you know a lot." Belle looked in amusement at both of them.
"Only pieces we're trying to put together," Emma smiled shyly and shrugged.
"Mother Superior joined Morgana's side without a question." Belle affirmed Regina's theory.
"But what was this all about? Why did Blue join Morgana? What did even Morgana want?" Emma jumped in, barely stopping the flow of questions whirling through her head.
"Well, Morgana was always jealous of her sister-"
"Ursula." Regina explained, been through this conversation once before.
"Exactly. So she tried to conquer as many kingdoms as she could to prove herself better than her. Concerning Blue Fairy, we don't know – but nobody ever had with her." Belle finished with a slight tilt of her head.
Regina and Emma nodded, processing the information in their heads.
"Thank you so much Belle." Emma said and Regina joined.
"Yes, thank you."
"I'm glad that I could help." Belle smiled and furtively inspected the pair in front of her. "But how did you two break the curse?"
"That's a longer story for another time," Emma said as she saw Regina taking in a sharp breath and tensing. "Uhm, one last question. When we were on our way here, we felt a wave of magic… was that – was that it? Was that the magic brought back?"
"I felt it too, but no, that was not it. Rumple said that what he was—is about to do will be more like a tsunami, more fierce as a reaction to this kind of curse." Belle hesitated for a while before adding: "But this wave felt very familiar to the one when you kissed Henry and broke the curse."
"True love's kiss," Regina breathed and thought about all the couples in Storybrooke who could have shared this one.
"I actually thought it was you two, when you showed up together only seconds after…" Belle admitted and revelled in the blushes creeping to the women's cheeks.
"No, it was not- we didn't-" Regina stuttered but Belle didn't let her suffer longer.
"You know, people aren't entirely blind. You two belong together. And I am pretty sure Emma doesn't use lipstick." Belle tapped at her upper lip and Regina turned in horror to see that Emma indeed had a smear of Regina's lipstick on and slightly above her upper lip. Without thinking, she cleaned it off with her own thumb and Belle only chuckled.
"So in love. Don't worry, I'm a vault until you want to tell. But people already suspect it, just so you're warned." Belle grinned at the couple who was at momentary loss of words.
"We should go… check up on-" Regina started, throwing a look at Emma, who understood immediately.
"Yeah we definitely should. Thanks Belle, see you around!" she greeted way too loudly and stumbled quickly out of the library with Regina close behind.
"Well that was embarrassing-" Emma said but broke into laughter again.
"How can you be still so cheerful?" Regina looked at her incredulously.
"Because she was okay with it? Which is awesome because I won the first prize," she smiled cockily and Regina couldn't supress her eye-roll.
"You have very low standards if you call the Evil Queen the first prize," she muttered sarcastically and Emma kissed that attitude off her lips.
"I was talking about you, all in all. And you're not even evil now, so shhh."
Regina half-smiled at that and slid her hand down Emma's arm before interlacing their fingers.
"When I said we should go check up on Zelena, I meant it, we don't know what will happen when she has her magic back."
"Oooh that wasn't just excuse! You've got a point. Let's go." Emma said, squeezing Regina's hand.
"You try it."
"What?" Emma stared at her in surprise.
"You try poofing us there." Regina explained as if she hadn't spoken clearly before.
"What if I fail? What if I hurt us?"
"I taught you and I trust you. Now do it, we don't have all day." Regina pushed her with a teasing smile, watching in silence as Emma closed her eyes and concentrated with all of her being until their surroundings blurred and they disappeared.
They fell hard, but Emma could feel pine needles under her palms so they had to be in a forest at least. She lifted herself up and jumped to her feet, helping Regina up by tugging at her hand.
"Thanks dear." Regina said and looked around. "Not bad, we're two minutes of brisk walk away from them."
"I'm still fascinated at how well you know these woods." Emma looked at her in astonishment.
"Maybe the bandit Regina wasn't that much of an opposite of me, was it?" Regina smirked at the memories of their weird adventure of twisted fates.
"Maybe not." Emma agreed and picked up her pace to walk side by side with Regina. "Would you trade it though?"
"Mm, what?" Regina looked at her, awaiting further explanation.
"Well, if Henry didn't interfere with the story… would you rather be a bandit, finding true love with Robin Hood after crashing his wedding?"
"No." Regina didn't hesitate answering. "Not even for a minute."
Emma smiled at her and kissed her cheek clumsily while keeping on walking.
"You would?" Regina asked, giving Emma opportunity for lightening the mood with a joke.
"Without a doubt, because being locked in a tower, knowing everyone's gone crazy, talking shit about me, not knowing where our son is and then having you not remember me, yes that is definitely what I am aiming for in my life." Emma used very Regina-like eye-roll before hearing the brunette laugh and joining her.
Their laughter was torn by the magic wave, which really felt like tsunami and shook the ground a little.
They exchanged wide eyed looks and ran towards the place where they left Marian and Zelena a few hours ago.
"Hey, shhh!" Regina whispered and stopped them mid-tracks. Emma looked at where her gaze was aiming and spotted the same.
An arrow flew through the air and missed the target of about a feet.
The two women's laughter filled the air.
"But this time I was close!" Zelena said in a playful tone, Marian only shaking head.
"Only because I was guiding you!" she laughed and lowered the bow, Zelena still holding onto it. Marian was standing behind her, their bodies flushed together. Zelena turned around so she was facing Marian and let go of the bow, circling her arms around the maiden's waist, pulling her closer. The bow fell on the ground and Marian wrapped her arms around Zelena's neck, pulling her down for a kiss.
Emma's clumsiness had to make itself known right at that moment, because she slipped of the root she was standing on and a yelp escaped her before she could stop it.
"Are you okay?" Regina asked in worried voice, helping Emma up.
"Yeah, totes. Thank you."
"Who's there?" Marian called out and aimed the bow towards Emma and Regina.
"Just us again!" Emma called out and Marian let the bow fall by her side again. Emma and Regina walked from behind the trees towards the couple.
"Came to check up on us, sis?" Zelena asked, tilting her head.
"Well, yes." Regina admitted. "Now that the magic's back, we wanted to make sure Marian was alright."
"I am, more than that." Marian smiled lovingly at Zelena, who wrapped her arm around her waist as they were standing side by side.
"You two… are together?" Emma asked, looking at them with a small smile creeping on her lips.
"Everybody deserves a second chance." Marian said and felt Zelena's hold on her tightening.
"The True Love's Kiss… that was you?" Emma asked and the couple in front of them blushed slightly, Marian leaning her head against Zelena's shoulder.
"Indeed," Zelena said and kissed Marian into her hair.
"I just don't get it!" Regina suddenly burst out in frustration. "Are you really getting your redemption with Robin Hood's ex-wife?!"
"Get of your high horse, sis, the Evil Queen lured the Saviour into her arms, that is much more absurd than this," Zelena deadpanned with a mischievous smirk. "Yes, you two have it written all over your faces that you're together."
"Congratulations," Marian smiled sweetly. "Everyone deserves their happy-ending."
"Except for Robin Hood apparently," Zelena chuckled.
"Yeah, we lured both his wife and girlfriend away from him," Emma grinned in sudden realization. "Poor guy."
"Well as long as we keep our girls happy, I frankly don't give a damn about him." Zelena shrugged and Emma nodded in agreement. She looked at Regina with a smile and eyebrow rising in silent question.
"Of course you make me happy, you idiot," Regina shook her head with amused smile playing at her lips and sneaked her hand into Emma's.
"So what's gonna happen with you two?" Emma asked, gesturing towards the new lovebirds.
"We thought we could stay here for a while and just… enjoy our everyday lives?" Marian looked at Zelena for confirming nod before continuing. "How about you?"
"We will have to put the town back in order," Regina sighed and then looked at Emma as she felt squeeze on her hand. "And then explore the true love the curse opened for us."
"Damn right," Emma smirked and resisted the urge to kiss her girlfriend, only because she somehow knew she wouldn't be comfortable with public display of affection, not yet anyway.
"Well then, maybe you should go," Zelena said, subtly implying for Regina and Emma to leave them alone and stop third and fourth-wheeling.
Emma caught that hint and couldn't help another grin creeping to her lips. "Of course we should. 'Gina, let's go, your turn in poofing us away. Good luck in all, you two."
"Same back at you." Marian smiled, affectionately scratching Zelena's back.
Regina and Zelena just nodded goodbye, one not finding the right words, second trying to keep herself from purring in contentment.
Regina turned to Emma, who was already not so subtly staring at her with that loving gaze, and in a second, everything was spinning as Regina poofed them away.
They walked into Charmings' apartment, separating their intertwined fingers.
"There you are!" Mary Margaret exclaimed and squeezed Emma in a hug. "We were just talking about that we should have a family dinner tonight to celebrate everything!"
"Uhm, everything?" Emma asked with puzzled expression and pulled away from the tight embrace.
"Yes! Regina saving you," Mary Margaret dedicated a thankful smile to Regina who was standing behind Emma, silently watching the scene. "Getting the magic back, defeating the villains once again, you two finding true love-"
Emma and Regina both immediately glared at their son sitting in the armchair. "Henry!"
He just lifted his arms in surrender and calming gesture. "I didn't tell anybody, I swear!"
"Snow is just really perceptive when it comes to True Love," David said proudly and wrapped arm around his wife's waist.
"Yeah thanks for not making us uncomfortable, guys," Emma said, her tone laced with embarrassment and sarcasm, making Regina chuckle. Emma turned to her and saw the love in her eyes, with no signs of caring about anything else.
"We will attend the dinner surely, not like we have a choice anyway, do we?" Regina smirked and took one step forward, so she was standing next to Emma. Mary Margaret just shook her head.
"You said the magic is back?" Emma asked, trying to change the topic and shoo all the curious gazes off them.
"Yes, that was the last thing I've been told at the Mayor's office, which is now gladly left for Regina again." Mary Margaret said with exasperated sigh.
"Maybe I should go check up on the office and events that had passed…" Regina mused out loud.
"Yeah, I think you could use the Sheriff around… " Emma said as they were turning to the door already. "See you guys in the evening!"
"And BEHAVE, Moms!"
Henry laughed out loud at the stern gazes he received from his Moms at his remark.
Emma closed the door behind them and sighed. Regina locked their gazes and took a step dangerously close, so close that they could feel their body heats mixing without really touching.
"The office will be abandoned, right?" Emma asked with a voice shaking from the intensity of her feelings towards the woman in front of her, who was driving her crazy as much as keeping her sane.
"I will take care of it," Regina whispered before capturing Emma's lips in a sweet, sweet kiss and poofing them away.
All was well.
And it was just the beginning.
AN: So this is it. I have no idea why I had such a need to pursue the idea of Wicked Maiden, I've never written or read fanfiction about them, but I couldn't get rid of the idea how cute they would be together :)) (and I hate Robin, Marian deserves better) Also I didn't expect to make this "more complex", "more adventurous" story, like include Gold and Blue and all, because I don't think I'm good at managing all of that, so I hope it made sense and didn't entirely suck :D
So I just want to thank you all again for reading this story and supporting it, it turned out much longer than I expected, but I enjoyed every bit of the way [the length was only my fault, but if any of you are familiar with procrastination, you understand why it took this long]. :)
Special thanks belong to:
LauratheChef for leaving a comment after every chapter – girl, you were one of the biggest motivators. Thank you :)
LyzzSQ same for you girl, your reviews made me smile and made me continue, thank you ;)
amy wood 581 thank you dear for giving me the idea of including Zelena into this story and for motivating me all along!
