So sorry for the delay! Work has been keeping me busy. Hope you enjoy!
"David likes to go hiking! I love hiking! How crazy is that?" Emma rolled her eyes. Mary Margaret had been talking about the newest Storybrooke resident for two straight days. Sure, the guy visited a couple of times and Emma liked his easy grin and boyish charm. But even if her attraction to guys wasn't practically nonexistent at this point, she's pretty sure that he would definitely not be her type. He was just too goddamn happy and cheerful.
But Emma didn't mind Mary Margaret's infatuation all that much. Especially since it was so obviously mutual. Honestly, it was rare that the normally prim and proper Mary Margaret lost her head over someone worth anything. Not that she didn't get male attention. With her short trendy haircut, pale skin, and slender figure, Mary Margaret was the quintessential, modern-day attractive girl. It constantly astounded Emma that her beautiful sister was such a romantic and yet so shy when it came to any opportunities for it.
"You both like hiking?!" Emma adopted a sarcastically excited tone. "That's it. It's meant to be. You guys are going to get married in the woods, pitch a sex tent and never leave."
"Emma," Mary Margaret blushed. Emma laughed again. Her sister was such prude.
"Anyways, you'd know all about sex in the woods," Mary Margaret muttered. It was Emma's turn to blush slightly. That's what she gets for telling her sister anything. Her senior year of college, she and a beautiful red head named Michelle had decided to test the fortitude of their relationship with a weekend camping trip. After the dizzying amounts of admittedly fantastic sex, Emma had realized that she and Michelle just weren't compatible. Being trapped in a small tent for two full days tends to crack flimsy relationships quite quickly.
"Anyways," said Emma. "When are you going to see him again?"
"Mary Margaret smiled. "He asked if I wanted to go on his boat with him tomorrow."
Emma smiled. "That sounds great. I actually really like him. Too bad he has bad taste in friends."
"Oh, come on. You liked Graham. And Killian isn't horrible, though he doesn't really talk much."
"Graham was great! I was more talking about Kathryn and Regina. I guess he can't help having such a horrible sister, but he actually chooses to hang out with Regina."
"Kathryn isn't that bad once you get to know her! She was actually quite polite to me. And Regina seemed a bit..."
"Bitchy?"
"Guarded." Mary Margaret rolled her eyes. "And I know you're pissed about what she said. She really shouldn't have said that, but if she were actually horrible, I doubt David or even Graham would be so close to her."
"How did they become friends anyway?"
Mary Margaret laughed. "David told me that Graham and Regina have been friends since they were kids and ended up going to the same college together. Apparently, one night, David got really drunk with Killian - they were pretty close through their families - and stumbled into a random dorm room almost black out. It happened to be Regina's room and Graham was there too. Without even saying hi or anything, he threw up all over her floor and collapsed."
Emma let out a short burst of laughter. "She doesn't seem like the type to be too happy about that."
"Yeah, apparently she wasn't. But to her credit, she cleaned him up and let him sleep it off in her bed. The next day, David payed for the carpet cleaners and treated her and Graham to dinner. They've all been best friends ever since."
"Wow," said Emma, mildly impressed. "She's a bitch, but I guess not a complete sociopath."
Mary Margaret looked at her curiously. "Why do you hate her so much?" she asked. "You barely spoke to her."
Emma shrugged. "I got a lot from my small time with her." She still hadn't told anyone about her manuscript being rejected by Mills publishing.
"Well, tomorrow will be your opportunity to get to know her better," Mary Margaret beamed. "Because we are both going on the boat with all of them. I've already confirmed that we are both going, so you can't back out now."
Emma groaned. "Are you serious, Mags? What the hell am I going to do while you're off making out with David?"
"I don't know," said Mary Margaret sarcastically. "Maybe try talking to the others? Carrying on a normal adult conversation?"
Emma groaned again.
"I'm so excited about taking the yacht out tomorrow," said David dreamily. Regina rolled her eyes.
"Yes dear. we surmised that the fifth time you said it." She replied taking a sip of her scotch.
"Don't you think she's pretty? Like really pretty." Regina rolled her eyes again. This was at least the tenth time he said that.
"Like an angel," Regina said wryly. "Does she ever not smile?"
Before David could respond, Graham interjected. "Don't mind Regina. You know how much she hates it when people smile." Regina scoffed, accepting his good natured teasing. She looked at him for a second, his scruffy, handsome face and twinkling brown eyes. "Well, Graham, not everyone can look as adorable as you when they smile."
Graham rolled his eyes at her continued sarcasm and grinned. They weren't the type to show affection for one another, both preferring witty banter instead.
"Anyways," "Graham continued to David. "You guys do seem pretty compatible. But I have to admit that I also enjoyed Emma's company. She's pretty feisty." Regina resisted the urge to cringe. She still felt a little bad that Emma had no doubt heard what she said. But its not like what she said wasn't true.
"Emma Swan?" said Kathryn, her nose scrunched up as if she smelled something bad. "What an uppity little bitch. At that painful little get together at tiny little diner place, she asked if I was going to prom afterwards." Graham, remembering Kathryn's ridiculous dress, laughed loudly. Even Regina's mouth twitched.
"Emma Swan is hot," said Killian, giving his two cents from the couch as he finished his third glass of rum. "If I didn't have Milah, I'd bend her over and-"
"Yes, thank you Killian. I think we get it." said Regina, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
"Pretty sad story," said Graham, lost in thought. "Apparently their parents died in a car accident when Mary Margaret was 13 and Emma was 11. They would have gone into foster care, but Dr. Archie Hopper was a close family friend and stepped up. Good guy."
Regina started. That was the first time she had heard that story.
"Well, we'll get a chance to know them even better," said David with a huge smile on his face. "Have I mentioned how much I'm looking forward to tomorrow?"
Regina rolled her eyes yet again. "I have to get back to work," she announced as she pulled out her laptop. She rubbed her eyes and sighed, getting ready for a long night ahead of reading manuscripts and preparing for the investor meeting in a month.
"Remind me why I'm here again?" Emma asked as they walked along the beach to meet David and his friends.
"Moral support," said Mary Margaret. "Her face suddenly lit up as she saw them in the distance. "There they are!"
David spotted the sisters first and immediately ran over to them.
"Hey!" He smiled warmly at Mary Margaret. "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Thanks for inviting us," said Mary Margaret sweetly. After despairing over her lack of beach clothes despite living at a beach her entire life, She had eventually borrowed one of Ruby's sun dresses and wore a tasteful bikini underneath. David was not so subtly checking her out. Emma, a little less feminine,wore shorts and a tank top.
"Emma, its good to see you again too!" Said David genuinely as he led them to the rest of his group where the boats were. Kathryn was standing there in a skimpy blue bikini that looked encrusted with diamonds all over the breast area. Emma couldn't help but notice the toned abs and sleek legs. Wow, Swan. You really need to get laid.
Regina was off to the side wearing a longer white button down shirt tied at one hip and nothing at the bottom. Of course she looks fucking fantastic, as always, thought Emma bitterly. The look was complete by a large leather computer bag on one shoulder. Clearly she was planning to work on this little outing. Good. I don't have to deal with her then. She was currently on the phone and her voice was audible as they moved closer.
"Sydney, I don't care what Peter wants. He's a washed up drug addict who never actually grew up and has to realize that he won't get a better price than what we're offering. If he won't accept our terms, and he will, trust me, then its not a huge loss...Ok, I'm glad...Yes Sydney, I'll be back in the office in a week...Yes I remember the meeting...Ok bye."
Graham chuckled as she hung up the phone in time to greet the new arrivals. She nodded curtly at them.
"Hello, Ms. Swan."
"Hello...Ms. Mills," replied Emma in the same formal tone. Regina frowned but said nothing.
"You'll have to forgive Regina," said Graham easily as he put his arm around her. "Talking to her Vice President, Sydney can get pretty painful. Is he still following you around like a lost puppy?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "That was never a thing Graham."
"Obviously not on your part. But the guy literally stares at you. Its super creepy and everyone feels uncomfortable. Why don't you just fire him?"
"Because despite being in your words, 'creepy'" - Regina made air quotes - "He's good at his job and makes my life easier."
"Well, next time he gets drunk at your New Years party and won't stop talking about your...assets...I reserve the right to punch him in the face." Regina rolled her eyes but gave him a small smirk. Emma stood, watching their interaction closely. They were closer than she thought and he was clearly protective of her. Emma wondered if there was anything ever between them. She wasn't sure why she cared if there was.
As they got on board the boat (or floating mansion, as Emma decided to call it), Regina immediately went below deck where she was presumably finishing up some work.
"I thought we could go around the coast during the day and at night come back to my house for dinner," said David easily. "Since the house has its own dock, we'll sail right up to it."
"That sounds great," said Mary Margaret with a wide smile. Emma agreed to, albeit less enthusiastically. However, Graham quickly pulled her aside to chat with him and Killian.
"Emma Swan!" Graham's enthusiasm was contagious and Emma couldn't help but smile. "Anything life changing happen in the last two days?"
Emma laughed. "I broke my old record in Candy Crush." She looked at Killian who was surprisingly not holding a drink, though his trademark eyeliner was still there. "You aren't partaking in the festivities?" She pointed to the fully stocked bar on deck.
"I'm banned from drinking before 4," replied Killian sourly. Emma laughed.
"More for us then." Emma had a feeling she would need it with Kathryn giving her death glares, Mary Margaret completely ignoring her in favor of David, and Regina being...Regina.
"What's Regina up to anyways?" asked Emma. "Did I scare her off?"
Graham scoffed. "I don't think Regina's scared of anyone. She has a bunch of work she's finishing up. She'll probably have to go back to New York in a few days. Apparently running a company is actual work."
Emma smirked. "Who would have thought? Speaking of which, do the rest of you not have work?"
Graham laughed. "Kathryn and Killian are pretty skilled and spending family inheritances. That takes up most of their time. David is a master delegator and has the right people working for him. His hotel business is thriving, and he's still able to take long vacations like this, lucky dog. And I'm technically a lawyer, but you could say I'm in between jobs."
"So that's code for unemployed?"
"I prefer 'taking time off to explore alternate career opportunities.'"
Emma laughed again. "And Regina?"
Graham snorted. "Regina was born a 40 year old. I don't think she's relaxed a day in her life."
"Ugh, I know," said Kathryn as she approached them. "She's so serious all the time. She never comes with me to any of the club openings." She wrinkled her nose at Emma as if she were some gum on her pricey heels. Emma just smirked back.
"She was about as chill as she gets when we all went to Pemberley last year." said Killian nonchalantly. "And she still was taking calls for work."
"Pemberley?" Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Of course Regina would have a pretentious name for her house.
"Its actually a pretty famous vineyard out in Napa, though obviously you wouldn't have heard of it," said Kathryn smugly and Emma resisted the urge to punch her in the face. "The family's owned it for years. She spends most of her time out there."
"And so does Henry," added Graham. "He's the only one who can get her to take a break occasionally."
"What a nightmare," said Kathryn with a shudder. "Lets hope he stays at boarding school next summer when we head out there."
"Who's Henry?" asked Emma.
"He's my brother, Ms. Swan," said a tight voice behind them. Emma whipped around to see Regina coming up the stairs. She directed a dark look at Kathryn. "And he will be there next summer, Kathryn, like every other summer. I wouldn't bother going if he wasn't."
Kathryn flushed. "I was just kidding, Regina. You know I lov-"
"Save it Kathryn. You've got to stop holding a grudge against a 13 year old. He said again and again that it was an accident Sherlock was in your underwear drawer." To everyone there, it was clear Regina was holding back a smile.
"Who's Sherlock?" asked Emma to Graham.
"His pet snake."
Emma couldn't help her laughter. Kathryn just looked at her sourly but said nothing. Emma lifted her head to see Regina watching her smirking and almost gasped at the unexpected eye contact. Regina's eyes were dark brown, almost black and completely unreadable. She really is the typical mysterious dark beauty.
Regina for her part found it hard to tear away her gaze from those unexpectedly beautiful eyes. Are her eyes blue or green? Regina was sure she could get lost in them forever. In those eyes were intelligence, emotion, humor expressed so perfectly that Regina was almost shocked. And just like that, she had to acknowledge that the young girl she had barely glanced at before was beautiful.
The rest of the trip passed quite peacefully. David and Mary Margaret were in their own little world and completely ignored everyone else. Killian passed out once his 4 o clock requirement came and went. Regina had stayed up with the rest of the party for a while but as usual said very little, and the few words she had to say were directed at Graham. She eventually went back below deck to finish up some work, much to Emma's relief. She still thought Regina was arrogant, rude and a downright bitch sometimes, but her presence still made her nervous, and she wasn't sure why.
They were maing their way back to shore when the first drops hit their heads.
Emma looked up at the sky. "Uh oh," she said. She and Mary Margaret exchanged nervous looks. They had both lived along the coast long enough to know what an upcoming storm looked like and this one appeared to be a doozy. By the time they had docked the boat and run up to the side entrance of David's house, everyone was soaked to the bone and the wind was howling uncontrollably.
"Well that was an adventure," said David brightly. He was clearly still in good spirits. Everyone can go upstairs and take a shower. He looked at Mary Margaret and Emma. "There's an empty guest room with a bathroom that you guys can use. I have a few things that you guys can borrow and I'm sure Kathryn does too, right?"
Kathryn gave a thin smile. "Of course."
As they were all about to head upstairs, Mary Margaret suddenly stopped and gripped the railing.
"You ok, Mags?" asked Emma, worried.
"Yeah, I think so, just feeling a bit dizzy and cold," said Mary Margaret faintly. Emma was immediately worried. Ever since they were small, Mary Margaret was prone to debilitating flus that lasted for at least a week. She said as much to David, who stood by concerned.
"Well, no problem!" he said brightly. "You both have to stay until you feel better, Mary Margaret! You definitely can't go home in this condition." All the others in the house echoed this sentiment, though it was clear to Emma that Regina and Kathryn were less enthusiastic. Kathryn because she saw both women as beneath her and therefore unworthy of her time. Regina because she was generally a reserved person who did not do well with strangers. And it didn't help matters that for some unfathomable reason, Emma's presence set her on edge.
This is going to be a long week.
There definitely won't be a huge gap between this chapter and the next. The next will have much more interaction between Emma and Regina.
