Chapter 20
Emma pulled back from Regina smiling at her.
"I've been really stupid haven't I?" Emma asked
Regina smiled nodding "you have a little bit dear yes"
"I'm sorry, I guess I just got the wrong idea of everything"
"What on earth made you think I was interested in Robin?"
"Well the way he is with you at every meeting and how you are still unbelievably nice to him"
"I'm nice to everyone at the meeting"
"I know, I guess I just looked further into it because of what he was like with you and then I heard you say 'we'll get you sorted' when he was talking about living arrangements"
"And do you know why that is?" Regina interrupted
Emma shook her head
"With being a lawyer and helping to organise a support group for a variety of people I have a lot of contacts in various places, which means that I may be able to locate Robin to a more suitable place and pull a few strings" Emma looked at Regina, Ruby had been right all along "which is something I'd do for anyone at the group" Regina added
"I really did mess up" Emma said running her hands through her hair "I guess you said no when he asked you out?"
"I did, which if you had stayed an extra thirty seconds you'd have found that out, you'd have also known that instead I agreed to have a dance with him tonight, just the one though"
Emma groaned, she really had jumped to conclusions
"And instead I go and get drunk" Emma said turning her head away from Regina feeling embarrassed.
"It's alright, we seem to have sorted things out and in my opinion things have turned out for the best" Regina smiled at Emma causing her heart yet again to flutter.
"I suppose you're right" deciding that she might as well get it all out in the open Emma asked "did I do or say anything particularly bad or embarrassing that night? Other than being incredibly rude to you - sorry about that"
"It's ok, what do you remember?"
"I remember you arriving and then I remember being horrible to you and then I remember falling over but it's all a little hazy and I remember leaving and then crying by my car, but I don't remember anything that was said or getting to your house"
"You didn't say anything bad dear don't worry, although you did seriously consider taking on a bouncer" Regina grinned at Emma who blushed slightly feeling thoroughly embarrassed.
"I'm really sorry I handled things the wrong way, I have a habit of screwing things up, I guess I just thought you like many people didn't want me"
Regina lifted Emma's chin so she was looking into the brunette's beautiful dark eyes
"And I will say to you what I said to you that night, when did I ever say that I didn't want you?" Regina gently placed her lips against Emma's
/-/
Emma Swan. She was truly an idiot, but as she danced with Emma closely pressed against her, she reminded herself that she was now her idiot.
The two of them slowed down as the music stopped, Emma looked at her in a way that made Regina feel like she was the only person in the room.
"Now what?" Emma asked
"Well I guess now you should probably take me on that proper date you promised me" Regina replied. The two women smiled at each other before Emma leaned in slightly.
"Emma" Emma stopped and looked at Regina confused "I don't think we should be so… out with… us at the moment"
"What?" Emma took a step back from her "how can you say one minute that this is what you want and yet not want to be open about it?"
"I merely meant that we should get a feeling of what we have here, get a chance to be us and figure each other out. If people in the group find out about us so early they it could make things difficult"
"You mean like Robin?" Emma asked, jealousy apparent in her.
"Robin is one of them yes, but it could put us in an awkward position, especially with me organising the group"
Emma didn't look too convinced at what Regina was saying, she didn't want to hide Emma, but she wanted some time with just her and Emma, before everyone around them start getting involved with their relationship.
"I get I just want to enjoy us for a while"
"I can understand that"
"I'm not saying we have to keep a secret, I obviously expect you to tell Snow and David, but maybe not be open about it for now with people at the group"
"And Maleficent? You live with her, might be kind of hard to hide it"
"Well she's like family, so I will tell her of course, I'm not hiding you Emma" Regina smiled at her. "if someone asked me, I'd tell them"
Emma nodded, seeming to understand more what Regina meant.
Just then Killian walked back over
"Sorry ladies, may I cut in?" he then dragged Emma off to dance, and they were quickly joined by Lacey and Ariel, Regina smiled, seeing that the blonde was having fun. She then turned and walked over to the bar
"Apple martini please" the bar man nodded before he quickly returned with her drink, she began to sip it slowly when she was joined by Maleficent
"I take it you've finally gone for it then?" she asked
"I have no idea what you're referring to" Regina replied, trying to fight the smile that threatened to take over her face.
"mhmm, because that smile that you're trying to hide, that's not a dead give away at all" Maleficent smirked at her
"We seem to have made up, yes" Regina smiled before glancing back towards where Emma was still dancing
"Good" Maleficent said draping an arm around Regina's shoulder "not that I told you so or anything"
Emma suddenly noticed them looking at her and stopped, waving awkwardly, the two turned back towards the bar
"Well isn't she awkwardly adorable" Regina turned to see Cruella standing next to them, glancing over at Emma "I take it that's the one Maleficent told me about?"
"I wouldn't know, she wasn't supposed to tell anyone" Regina said glaring at Maleficent
"Oh lighten up Regina, this is a party after all, besides she isn't that bad, I've seen you go for worse darling" Cruella smirked at Regina before turning to the bar, Regina took a deep breath attempting to control her anger "I'll have 3 tequila shots and 3 sambucca shots please darling." the bar man nodded and returned shortly with their shots "shall we?" Cruella grinned daringly at the other two women, Regina glanced over her shoulder to see if Emma was watching, before quickly taking her two shots.
"Same again please" Cruella told the bar man. "so tell me darling" she faced Regina "Is your mother going to do your usual spectacular birthday party this year?"
"I should imagine so" Regina nodded
"Well I can't wait, she somehow manages to out do herself every year"
"Yes, I must say I agree" Maleficent added as the bar man returned with more shots "I don't like your mother but Cora Mills sure knows how to throw a party"
"To Cora's magnificent party throwing skills" Cruella said raising her shot glass, they all joined her and chinked their glasses together, before finishing their shots off and Cruella ordering more yet again.
Thanks to Cruella and the other dozen shots that she had taken Regina was beginning to feel the buzz slightly, she glanced towards the clock, an hour left till they had to meet outside and Regina had to organise everyone back onto the bus to head home. No more drinking she told herself as she allowed Maleficent and Cruella to drag her onto the dance floor yet again. After a few dances Regina took a seat at the side of the dance floor after promising Cruella and Maleficent she would return shortly. Regina allowed this time to observe the rest of the room, it seemed that Will had moved from the dance floor to the side of the bar and was chatting away to the woman she had previously seen him dancing with, and to Regina's pleasant surprise he didn't seem to be having too much difficult keeping himself up. Killian however seemed to be the most drunk of the two and was being helped into a seat by Emma and Lacey. She smiled before noticing that Anna was now sat with Elsa, neither looked happy, not to Regina's surprise she saw Jefferson standing at the doorway staring into the room observing everyone else, she looked towards the bar to see Whale chatting to a woman at the bar, someone who didn't seem too put off by his compulsive flirting. Regina walked into the other room, she saw that Aurora and Philip were sat chatting to another couple near the buffet table. She then saw a couple of people who she recognised and walked over to them.
"Frederick, Ursula how are you enjoying this evening?" Regina asked them
"It seems to have gone very well Regina are you enjoying yourself?" Ursula asked
"I am thank you" Regina smiled back at them
"Regina, Cruella was telling me before that your birthday is coming up, you managed to keep that very quiet" Frederick raised his eyebrows teasingly at Regina
"Yes, it is, it seems my mother is very keen on making each year better and bigger than the year before"
"That doesn't surprise me, from what I've heard of your mother she likes to show off"
"That she does" Regina commented "you two will have to attend this year, I shall text you the details"
"That would be lovely Regina thank you"
"Excuse me a moment" Ursula said to them before walking away towards the other room
"So how has your group being going this year?" Frederick asked
"It's being going well thank you, we have had two new people join this year, and yours?"
"Excellent, that's great. Yes we've been doing pretty well, people seem to be making steady progress and thankfully no punch ups this year, so I guess we have to be thankful of small mercies"
Regina smiled at him "yes, we haven't had any major relapses from anyone, although a few members are going through a rough patch, but we will shall see what happens"
"If I know you, they'll be fine" Frederick smiled before Regina noticed Emma walk into the room and go towards the toilets
"Sorry Frederick, I need to go and check on someone"
"Of course Regina, I will see you in a couple of weeks then"
Regina nodded at him smiling before she headed into the toilets after Emma.
Regina leaned against the bathroom wall waiting for Emma to come out, as soon as she opened the stall Regina pushed her against the wall, the alcohol apparently kicking in.
She roughly placed her lips against, it only took Emma a second to realise who was kissing her before she was kissing her back. The kiss deepened as Regina snaked her arm around Emma's neck and Emma placed her hands on Regina's hips. Regina flicked her tongue out and Emma graciously obeyed opening her mouth, Regina slid her tongue into Emma's mouth and their tongue battled for dominance, the two only broke apart when it was apparent they both needed air.
"Have you been drinking sambucca?" Emma smirked. Regina blushed slightly before gently kissing Emma again, before they heard a cough behind them. Regina turned to see Maleficent standing in the bathroom with a smug expression on her face.
"Sorry to interrupt Regina, but it seems as though Robin has had one too many"
Great.
"Right, ok" Regina turned to Emma apologetically "I'm sorry, but I have to deal with this"
"I know it's ok" Regina kissed Emma again hoping that Emma knew that she would rather carry on with her than deal with Robin.
Regina followed Maleficent back towards the bar where she saw Robin slumped over with Will kneeling down trying to talk to him.
"Thank you Will" Regina told him sitting beside him
"It's normally me that needs the looking after not Robin, there's been many a time he's had to help me home" Will told them, still trying to wake Robin up. Regina glanced up at the clock before replying
"It's alright Will, we only have ten minutes left before we have to meet outside anyway, would you be able to help me get him outside?"
"Of course" Will said standing up and grabbing a hold of one side of Robin. Philip arrived at that moment and helped haul him up taking the other side of him.
"Thank you Philip" Regina told him, just then Whale appeared
"Will I think you should let me deal with Robin, it seems as though Killian may need a hand" Whale gestured towards Killian who was now swaying in his seat whilst Lacey and Ariel tried to talk to him.
"Oh bloody hell" he said before allowing Whale to take over and walking over towards Killian. Regina looked over towards them, torn between helping with Killian and helping with Robin, then she felt a hand on her arm
"Help Robin, I've got Killian" Emma said smiling
"Thank you" Regina said, placing her hand over Emma's briefly before walking out after Whale and Philip who between the two of them managed to get Robin towards the mini bus.
Regina let them onto the bus, handing them a bucket she had placed on the bus for the ride back just in case. Shortly after that Killian walked out with Lacey and Will assisting him
"Great party Regina!" Killian slurred to her as they walked past her to get onto the bus, Regina handing Will another bucket as they did so.
Where was Emma?
A few minutes later Emma walked out the party accompanied by everyone else from the group, Regina smiled taking out her check list, checking everyone off as they climbed aboard
"Thank you Emma"
"No problem, I'm sure you'll find a way to repay me" Emma winked at Regina causing Regina to blush and her stomach and slightly lower than that tingle.
Thankfully no one threw up on the way home and Regina called all the cabs they needed when they were five minutes away from their destination. With assistance they managed to get Killian and Robin - both now awake and singing at the tops of their voices, into taxis.
Finally everyone was in a taxi and all that was left was Regina, Maleficent and Emma, Emma's cab pulled up and Maleficent walked down the road slightly
"I had a great night, thank you for convincing me to go" Emma smiled at Regina
"I'm glad you had fun"
"I did, although as I was coming out of the toilet some woman practically jumped me in the toilets" Regina felt herself flush
"Is that so? I shall have to enquire about more security for next year then"
"Nah, it's ok, she was pretty hot anyway". The two women smiled at each other, before they closed the distance gently kissing, they broke apart though Regina already missed the contact.
"Goodnight Regina"
"Goodnight Miss Swan"
Emma got into the taxi and Regina watched it drive away.
"Our car is just around the corner" Maleficent called over, Regina walked over to her and the two walked towards their cab getting in and giving their address.
"So did you have a good night?" Maleficent teased
"The best" Regina said, still feeling the tingle on her lips where Emma's had been only moments ago.