AN: Hi all! Sorry I haven't updated the last few days and I'm being pretty crap and going away this weekend :p so there won't be an update now probably till Monday
But I promise that there are good things happening in the next few chapters! XD

Chapter 18

"Are you not ready yet?" Maleficent asked from the doorway of Regina's bedroom.

"I'll be ready in a minute dear"

"You've been getting ready for hours, Regina you look beautiful, now come on, otherwise we're going to be late"

Regina glanced at the clock, she was right, they were cutting it fine, just then they heard a car beep, Maleficent looked through the window

"and the taxi is here"

Regina looked in the mirror one last time to check her make up and hair were perfect, then she slipped on her heels, picked up her matching bag and walked downstairs to get into the taxi that would take them to meet everyone else. Regina was feeling nervous, she was nervous about making sure that everyone arrived on time and enjoyed themselves as well as making sure they all arrived back safe and sound but this could also be the last chance she had at making something work with Emma.

"Hey" Maleficent said to her as they were driving along the road, Regina turned her face to her "it's going to be alright" Maleficent gave Regina's hand a gently squeeze and smiled at her. Regina tried to return the smile but she wasn't sure how sincere it looked. She just needed to concentrate one thing at a time, and the first thing was making sure everyone got on the mini bus.

/-/

"Thanks for helping me get ready Rubes" Emma said as Ruby finished off curling off the last few sections of her hair

"No problem" Ruby smiled at her friend through the reflection in the mirror "oh by the way, thanks for saying you smelt like beer because I spilt it on you, it couldn't have just been some random drunk guy?"

"Why?"

"Snow told me off for drinking around you!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, she said something about how it's unfair to you and how I shouldn't tempt you because you're doing really well at the moment"

"Oh sorry Rubes" Emma felt guilty, Snow thought she was doing really well and she hated lied to her when in fact she'd barely made any progress at all except for now she didn't drink and drive

"it's alright, better I get it in the neck for that than you get it in the neck for actually drinking, and done!" Ruby announced as she let the last curl lose from the curling iron. The two women stood up admiring her work in the mirror

"Looks brilliant, I can't thank you enough" Emma turned and hugged her friend

"Yes you can, you can go get fancy pants tonight"

"You know you have to stop calling her that?"

"Why? From what I saw she did have fancy pants"

"Yes, but she doesn't always wear pants" Emma stopped suddenly realising how that may sound

"Alright, it's a bit early in the night to think about her not wearing any pants" Ruby joked, ducking as Emma threw the mascara at her.

"Emma you ready to go?" came Snow's voice from the top of the stairs, she stopped when she saw her "oh Emma, you look lovely"

Emma smiled shyly as she saw the woman had tears in her eyes

"Thanks" Ruby replied, the other two women looked at her "what? The make up and hair is my handy work thank you very much and I also helped pick out the dress"

"David's already waiting in the car, we should probably get going, we don't want to be late" Snow told her

Emma nodded and hugged Ruby "thanks again"

"Anytime now go get 'em" she winked at Emma before walking brightly down the stairs and out the apartment

"You ready?"

"Yeah I think so" Emma looked in the mirror again checking her reflection breathing deeply "you don't have to drive me you know? And you don't both need to come with me"

"I know, but we wanted to, plus I think you should could do with some encouragement" Emma nodded "You look lovely Emma, lets go" the two women walked out to where David was waiting in the car ready to drive them to the meeting point.

"You look lovely Emma" David told her as he drove off

"Thanks David"

"So Emma, is the guy you've been dating going to be there?" Snow asked

"Um" Emma said, not sure what to say she looked up and saw David looking at her in the rear view mirror, he had that look on his face. He knew. "um yeah, the person I was dating is going to be there"

"Well maybe you'll be able to get things back on track" Snow said cheerily

"Hopefully" Emma replied looking out the mirror, not sure how she was going to be able to fix things without sounding crazy and possessive.

When David pulled up outside the building the mini bus was already there as were a small group of people. Emma said goodbye to Snow and David and got out the car walking the small distance to the people

"Swan" Killian greeted her, giving her a hug "you remember Will?" Killian said as Will appeared as his side

"Yeah, I do"

"Y'alright?" Will said

Both of them were dressed in dark jeans and a shirt, Killian in a black shirt and Will in a navy.

"Hey Emma" Emma turned to see Lacey walking up to her

"Hey Lacey, you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm alright, how are you?"

"Yeah I'm good thanks"

Emma looked behind Lacey to see Maleficent standing talking to Aurora and a man who she didn't recognise, Jefferson was stood on his own, then she saw her, Regina, but her heart sank when she saw that she was stood talking to Robin.

Emma felt less optimistic about the night from that point on, though Killian had assured her that he had two hip flasks of rum should she change her mind about drinking.

Over the next few minutes Elsa arrived with Anna and a tall man with ginger hair whom Emma assumed was Hans.

Shortly after that Whale arrived and Regina told them they could all get onto the bus, Regina stood at the entrance to the mini bus and seemed to be ticking them off as they got onto the bus, as Emma walked onto the bus she kept her head down so as to avoid Regina's eye.

"Evening Miss Swan" Regina called

"Evening" Emma replied as she quickly stepped on the bus almost pushing Will over

"Bloody hell love alright, there's enough seats you know"

"Sorry Will, I tripped" Emma awkwardly stumbled onto the bus and sat with Lacey near the back the seats in front of Will and Killian.

Emma craned her neck to look at the front of the bus where Regina was sat, she was sat with Maleficent thankfully, but then she saw Robin lean forward in the seat behind Regina to talk to her. However Regina stood up to address everyone

"Hi everyone, great to see you all, especially when you all look so lovely" Regina's eyes hovered over Emma's as she said the last bit "we should arrive in Portland in just over an hour and a half, like I have previously said before no drinking on the bus, but other than that sit bit relax, have a chat and enjoy the ride" as soon as Regina sat down Robin leaned forward to her to talk to resume the conversation, Emma felt the anger and jealousy bubble inside her again. Thankfully distraction came in the form of Killian and Will, who together were like a comedy act.

The four of them talked and laughed the entire journey to Portland and when Emma's sides hurt from laughing so much she realised that regardless of what happened tonight with Regina if the bus journey was anything to go by Emma was sure to have a good night.

"Right everyone here we are" Regina said standing at the front as the bus pulled into a large car park at the side of a very large building. "can everyone meet back at the front of the building by half twelve please, other than that have a great night everyone and I will see you all inside" Regina smiled brightly as Will and Killian cheered.

Maybe tonight would be a goodnight Emma thought as she stood up heading in with Lacey, Killian and Will.