X

Best Friend Stories

Deep concentration on someone's face oftentimes reveals a lot more than what someone would bargain for.

Like the intent to simply seek out an expression. Only to further delve in and realize that the person's eyes were like windows to their soul. Little pools that swam with tears when one was sad. Or shone from happiness. Dull when bored. And in Regina's case, downcast and glistening from tears because of love.

Snow never understood why everyone wanted to leave the brunette inside a metal box. On display like a bad villain. When the truth behind those eyes revealed so much pain and so much hurt. The possibility of even having some slice of happiness was something that strained the older woman's expression and forced lines out on her once flawless face.

Now and again, behind her smile, Snow could detect the cracks that ached her friend's chest. The way her fingers slowly curled upon the table between them and the silence that ensued. Silence. When Regina would at least acknowledge her presence by making eye contact. When she would nod. Or she would shrug. But now…

Now her demeanor was changed. Those slumped shoulders suggested defeat. A warrior that had been beaten and torn from war, now sitting before a campfire and never even feeling the flames. But the scars. Those always seemed to hurt the most. Heartbreaks that stung her like bolts of lightning.

Snow studied Regina's countenance and frowned. She inhaled deeply. "I really don't like seeing you like this. It makes me uneasy. Not because I'm afraid that you'll lash out. But I'm just so worried about what's hurting you."

Nothing was said.

Instead, the older woman seemed to be lost in a daydream, staring outside without blinking.

"And I always know what's hurting you," Snow used a softer voice. "It's always love."

Regina let out a long sigh. Her arms circling around the teacup upon the table.

Snow reached out and enveloped the older woman's hands into hers. "Tell me what happened."

"I don't want to talk about it," Regina said halfheartedly. Her gaze slid away from the other woman and returned to the scene beyond the window where it rained and the world seemed to weep.

The silence ensued, filled with Ruby returning to fill their cups with more tea.

Perhaps it was something that displayed a change in her character because Regina never chose anything over coffee. Unless it was hot cocoa with Henry. But people could change when love seeped in. And so did she.

"Did the two of you sleep together?" Snow's eyes were huge. Upon lifting her cup, the porcelain froze just in front of her mouth.

"No." Regina's voice was barely audible. "We slept apart."

"But how?" The short hair brunette was astounded. "How did you allow that to happen?"

"More like…how did I fail to even envision the bitter end result of having her walk away," Regina's hoarse voice was affected by hurt. "I had her connected to me. I was so close. And then I…." Her clenched fists signaled anguish slipping in, "I don't know what the hell happened."

Snow immediately captured the other woman's hands between hers. "You only said what you wanted to say. You shouldn't have any regrets."

"Yes, but she drifted away. She tugged herself away. I can't get in –"

"You can," Snow nodded. "You already did. All it takes now is for you to show her how amazing it is to be with you instead of Hook. And you can't do that by sucking up Whiskey and then slurring your words."

"I needed to build courage," Regina said matter-of-factly. "I needed…fuel to push out the truth."

"A Queen never needs alcohol to say what she wants to say. Well as far as I know. You never needed that kind of motivation. You always said what you wanted to say and you were never intoxicated whilst doing so."

"Emma isn't a realm to conquer," the older woman said stiffly. "She's a woman who needs –" Her sentence was clipped off when the bell above the door into the Diner tinkled.

Hearts could beat wildly. Hearts could even slow down. But to come to a standstill. Just when you couldn't breathe? She lost all attachment to the ball of chaos swirling around in her soul and immediately the world fitted into place.

Emma appeared as usual, but with downcast eyes, bundled up in a grey sweater, the collar turned up. In she came and without even considering the seating options, her footsteps led their way.

Snow considered her daughter approaching the table, and she consciously swiveled her head back to observe Regina's face. Knowing that perhaps it wasn't wise for this kind of confrontation right after a sleepless night. But apparently the blonde's countenance displayed anything but displeasure in seeing the older woman.

"Hey, you two", she said smiling and sliding into the seat right next to her mother. "I definitely need a cup of hot cocoa. What are you having?" Her head drifted to consider Snow's choice.

Regina was still staring. "I'm having…" she tried to breathe but couldn't, "…tea."

Emerald eyes gazed in awe across the table at the brunette. "What happened to the usual? I know you love your coffee."

The actuality of having the blonde speak to her in such changed spirits seemed to mute Regina. At first. Snow nudged the older woman's boot under the table and she startled a little.

"I don't feel very coffee today," Regina said, offering a smile. "Maybe it's the weather."

"Not pleased to hear that," Emma kept her eyes on the brunette. Her face was unreadable. "The weather can be such a bitch sometimes. Especially when it's raining. Would you like a bagel too? I know that it's not your thing but –"

"Of course I'd like one," the older woman immediately gave in, although Snow had offered earlier to provide just the same and was declined.

Emma's kind eyes only rested on Regina a little longer, leaving the latter to deeply consider the previous night's events. There she sat in her corner delving into all the chaos and trying to untangle everything. In order to find the root cause of warming emerald eyes directed her way instead of tears and a saddened face.

As usual, when the pixie cut brunette was between any kind of love captivating scene, she would fluff up in a corner and soak in the feelings. And sitting there, Snow could feel the warmth emanating from the two women, especially Emma. Because although she might be in denial, her daughter still deeply cared about Regina. Deeply. If she didn't care, then she wouldn't have been there in the first place.

She wouldn't have come into the Diner and approached them after a chaotic night, only to sit down and offer the other woman a bagel. Oftentimes, Emma reminded her so much of herself. Always having enough space in her heart to love everyone before herself. To protect the ones she love. To care so much more.

"Here," Emma was handing Regina the bagel swathed between a tissue. Their fingers brushed, as it was unavoidable and neither of them flinched but seemed to savor the connection. "It's warm. So it's good for this kind of weather."

"Thank you," the brunette said softly, slowly lifting the morsel up to her lips. "You're an angel." She slipped in before taking a small bite, her eyes never leaving the other woman.

"I try," Emma seemed to sink into the seat, curling up as if those words had a massive effect on her.

Finally when Snow had left to meet David at the Sherriff's station, the two women had the space all to themselves. Which was filled with silence for a very long time whilst they ate. Nevertheless, the tension that would have been created, never seemed to happen. In fact, it was probably the attitude in which the blonde sat that soothed the brunette's mood. As if she was so comfortable, snuggling up just near the window.

"About last night," Regina began, as her throat ached and the rain poured down outside.

"Yeah I behaved so stupid," the younger woman confessed. She sucked on her thumb and considered it. "I don't know what the hell happened to me."

At first she was kind of struck dumb by those choice of words. But then her mind latched onto a thought and chased it.

"Where are we now?" Regina wanted to know. Her chest was aching all of a sudden. "I don't mean to be ever so blunt but…what I said last night, I said it in all honesty."

"I can see that," Emma said, leveling her cool expression on the other woman. "Alcohol's worn off and you're still sending me heart eyes from across there."

"I don't…have heart eyes." Elbow on the table, the brunette rested her chin upon curled up fingers. "And everything I said to you last night was done with purpose."

"So…you regret nothing," the younger woman stared, her bagel almost finished already.

Regina's brows knitted. "Why would I?"

"I just thought…" Emma swallowed finally. She swallowed hard and continued that long stare, fearing that the brunette would suddenly offer a smile. That she would somehow confess that everything said last night had been a joke. Her being under the influence of alcohol.

"You thought that I lied?" Regina's arms were folded.

"Dunno," the blonde shrugged, shifted in her position and avoided eye contact.

"Why on earth would I lie about something like that?"

"I've seen alcohol do some pretty messed up stuff to people," Emma said warily. "Maybe I thought that it wasn't genuine. At least most of it."

Regina sat there and folded inwards. She was collapsing. "So whatever I said, you never took me seriously…The intent behind my words. Nothing truly sank in as me being downright honest with you."

"Look, I never saw that side of you," the blonde explained, still avoiding eye contact. "You can't blame me. There were things that got to me –"

"Like what?" Regina croaked, her brown eyes glistening from tears.

Immediately emerald ones latched onto hers. The seriousness in that look from the younger woman suggested that she had been torn away from being tangled in a web of confusion and now all severity in the situation was revealed in the brunette's tone of voice.

"Stuff that you…said," Emma said slowly, gesturing a little above the table.

"It was all basic to you, wasn't it?" the brunette's tone signaled her becoming terribly upset.

"Regina, I listened to you, okay?" the younger woman tried a levelled tone in return. "I'm not saying that I didn't listen. Or I didn't care. I heard what you said."

"Okay." Brown eyes tore into the blonde's soul. Just for a few seconds. She displayed her completely wounded heart and then Regina cast her eyes elsewhere, arms still folded.

The mobile resting on the table began to vibrate in a pulsating manner. Both of them stared at the device, and for a few seconds, nothing was done. Then with a scowl, Emma snatched up her phone and slid a thumb across the screen.

"Yeah," the call was answered, but her tone didn't suggest a friendly mood. "I told you not to call me."

Regina sat across the table and couldn't help but listen in. In the meantime, her tea cup was slowly lifted up to meet parted lips. She sipped, her attention never diverting from the other woman.

"Yeah but you made it clear that you want nothing to –" Emma's eyes fluttered close. She was definitely frustrated. "Look, I don't want to discuss this now. I said that I can't do it today and that's it." Her voice rose a few octaves. "No, Killian. Stop being so damn paranoid. I'm in the Diner." Her gaze rested on the brunette. "By myself."

Regina's heart sank, and she suddenly felt the burden of being a secret. Of sitting there and being the witness of something crucially damaging, not only to her mental state, but to her emotions.

"I can't talk right now," Emma said into the phone. "I'll call you later."

"No," the brunette suddenly mouthed, shaking her head. There was a bitter taste in her mouth. "It's fine. I'm leaving." And without awaiting a response, she rose up, weak in the knees and pulled her purse along.

"No, wait!" came the blonde's response in a hurried fashion.

But she couldn't wait. Not when lies were being told and sides were taken. To conceal from him the obvious truth. Simply that she had chosen to spend time with her. Why would Emma lie? Why wouldn't she just accept things as they were?

The door.

Focusing. Trying to focus on something. Anything that would suppress the urge to cry and to stop the shaking. Because she was suddenly losing control. Her fingertips felt so cold, and without even considering her options, the brunette pulled the door open and rushed outside into the downpour.

By the time her slumped form found shelter, she was drenched. The black long sleeved shirt and black tailored pants she had on were soaked through. And she was trembling, hugging herself under the shed attached to the Animal Shelter. Emma was nowhere in sight. But would obviously catch up in time. So providing that enough damage was done, the brunette darted through the rain and disappeared in the haze.

X

"Well you fucked up, that's what," Ruby nodded at Snow. "She fucked up, right Snow?"

"Of course she did," the pixie cut brunette nodded to show approval. "Big time."

Emma was gawking.

There they were, seated upon the carpet in the Charmings' apartment encircling a game of cards. David was in the kitchen stirring a pot of soup whilst Henry was buried in his videogame on a sofa in the corner.

"So both of you know about her feelings for me?" The blonde lowered her voice to prevent her son from eavesdropping.

Ruby slammed down her card and offered the other woman a smug look. "Anyone who doesn't know about Regina's feelings for you is an ass."

"I mean, she even went to Archie about it", Snow said whilst assessing her hand. She plucked a card from between the ones splayed out between her fingers and pressed it down neatly onto the pile. "She told me about that. Emma I am so disappointed in you." Her scowling expression was directed in the blonde's direction.

"What the hell?" the younger woman stared back. "I thought you didn't have a problem with Killian?"

"That was before I realized how madly in love with you Regina is. Regina comes first," Snow said matter-of-factly. "Besides, she's already family. And for you to treat her the way you are treating her, it's unacceptable."

"But I'm not even sure what I should do."

"Are you fucking delirious or something?" Ruby was always the blunt one. She suddenly threw her hand of cards down and groaned. "Look, I've had enough. It's time we talk about how brainwashed you are with Killian. First of all –"

"You're with a man who has no ambition whatsoever," Snow spoke up, "and he's waiting on you to ask him to move in with you. What kind of world did he grow up in? Where a woman must ask a man to move in with her? The man is supposed to do that. Emma, you're a Princess. And he's not living up to our expectations at all."

She remained silent, seated upon the carpet with the cards still captured between her fingers.

"No, I think she loves the idea of being the dominant one. Like owning her shit and doing what she wants. That's her." Lucas stated.

"Just for a second," Emma's eyes fluttered close and she held a hand up in Ruby's direction. "Can you please stop judging me? I'm me. I can't change who the hell I am."

"But you lowered your standards for Hook," Lucas pointed out bluntly.

Both of them glared at each other. It was Snow's turn to get in between two hard places and to settle the score whilst David took a seat on the sofa behind Emma.

"Wait a minute," she piped up, smiling. "Let's take a deep breath and talk about this. Let me…talk," she yanked Lucas back into her place as the taller brunette was about to playfully flip the blonde's ponytail.

"Let her talk," David agreed, sipping from his spoon.

"Emma," Snow's chest heaved as she considered her daughter, "do you even see a future with Killian? The two of you having a family and such? Do you really see that? Or is it just you wanting a family and being happy but you're not attaching him to any of it?"

"I don't want to say anything right now," Emma's voice shook a little. She seemed completely angered by Ruby's statements. "Let's talk about something else."

"Why don't you ladies," David rose up with his bowl of soup, "continue the game of cards whilst I take my daughter out onto the balcony and we have a little chat?"

Handing the bowl over to his wife, he gestured for Emma to accompany him but she appeared to be torn between two spots. Until her eyes rested on Lucas and finally, she unfolded herself. Anywhere was better to be than with Ruby and her rude remarks. Anywhere else.

The balcony was small and rather an understatement for the word. But it was enough to fit a comfortable chair. She sat on her folded feet on one side and David took the other cushion. Both of them said nothing at first, but merely observed beyond the railing where rain pelted down onto rooftops and the night seemed darker and dreary.

"I'm indifferent in the whole situation," David finally said, arms folded. He gazed at the scene before him. "Knowing that both persons have what they can have to bring to the table. And it's up to you to decide what your heart really wants."

"I never knew she felt that way about me, dad," Emma's voice was hoarser. "Apparently everyone knew except me. I'm talking about way back. Even before she was with Robin, there were these obvious feelings for me. And I didn't know. I didn't…know." Her downcast eyes glistened with tears. "It makes me feel as if I'm the problem."

"You're not the problem," David said softly, adjusting his position on the chair so that he could at least make some eye contact with her. "In fact, I believe that she pulled you into this a little too soon. And for your information, I didn't even know Regina was inclined to you in that way. Only last night I picked up something in the way she was talking about you. And I sat there and I found myself considering her carefully, only to discover that she seemed pretty genuine to me. Alcohol and all."

Emma sighed. She folded her arms, mimicking her father.

"I'll admit though, Hook seems laid back, doesn't he?"

"He…wants what he wants," the blonde explained. "He cares about me. I don't have a problem with him."

"I'm not saying that he's insufficient. I'm saying that you need someone to not only fight for you and care for you, but someone to also build you up. Someone who encourages you to do your best."

"He does that," Emma said.

"Yeah, but he's taking a little too long to even look for a place. It's almost as if he's leaning on you to do all the work. And then he'll fall into place. I thought that he would have gotten an apartment at least with all the money he has. But he's staying on his ship. Doesn't that say something to you? Where a man stays is always reflective of where he wants to be."

She soaked up his words and read between the lines. Realizing that indeed Killian was opting to remain where he was instead of choosing another abode.

"Hook's life is at sea," David said softly, "where his passion lies in sailing the waters and discovering new lands. He doesn't know how to live away from the water. And that's not something you understand. Because when you want him to pave the path for you both to go somewhere, he's always going to want you to lead the way."

Emma lolled her head back and sighed.

"Regina on the other hand…well," David half laughed. "Although their pasts are similar, she's the one who fits closer to something you'd consider as normal than Killian. She has her head on her shoulders, that's for sure. And although I hate to admit it after all this time, you're the one that brought peace between us and you're the one that stopped the fighting. She's not going to fall for anyone else but you. And we kind of expected this to happen initially."

"You did?" Emerald eyes focused on him.

David laughed again. "Come on, you've had quite the impact on the woman. What else did you expect? For you to just remain as friends? I don't think so." He shook his head. "She's too powerful to fit with any man. I've always seen it coming. Even back in the days when she was Queen. No man could ever get in. But if you want to be with someone who will lead the way when you can't, then she's the perfect one."

"That's just it," Emma said, finally fitting into the conversation. "What about when I need her to show her mushy side and she just wants to own it all?"

"You mean her dominance might become a challenge?" He considered her.

"Yeah, like I'm only recently seeing this side of her. She's always been so at the top of her game. And she was always a piece on the board that I looked up to. Because she's been through so much and she's done things I haven't done. Unspeakable things, as she calls it. And I'm just wondering about the secrets."

"The second you begin to start wondering about the cobwebs in her closet, that's when you'll move further away from her. She's a complicated woman with a damaged past. But so are you," David pointed out. "And do you like it when someone comes to you and asks you about your past? About why you did the things you did?"

She thought about the drugs Neal often brought into their apartment, the temptations. She thought about picking pockets in Boston and stealing from stores. About being in prison. Fighting. Hating when someone asked her questions about those days because she felt as if they were going to judge her before understanding.

"Exactly," David observed her in deep thought. "She has nothing above you other than her age. And even that means nothing. I'll tell you one thing though, she's not going to stop coming after you. Because when Regina wants something, and especially when she's in love, she never gives up. That's how she is. She's going to try so hard until she can't try anything else and then she'll probably explode on us all."

Emma sat there, swimming in all those thoughts for a long time. As the rain fell, she saw what she desired through the haze like an illusion. Killian was handsome. He was chasing after her. But when she aligned her priorities, his path didn't combine with hers. It was the harsh truth but it was so obvious. That he wanted her to pave the way before he made a decision. And at times it was so frustrating to be with someone who couldn't take the upper hand and make the hard choices.

The phone vibrating immediately tore her away from those thoughts, and she pulled the device out. David chuckled when he saw the caller ID.

"I told you she wouldn't give up," he said matter-of-factly.

She stared at the display for a few seconds and then inhaled deeply. "I should answer."

"You really should," David urged her. "Go on," and he rose up, stretching. "I'll take myself back inside and join in on the game of cards."

When he had slipped inside and closed the door, she finally sat there with her form rigid. Then finally deciding that it was time to face the music, Emma answered the call.

"I'm sorry," was the first thing Regina whispered from the other end. The blonde could hear her breathing. The downpour was dull in the background but stronger on Emma's side.

"For what?" she clutched the phone tightly between her fingers, staring into the night.

"For trying to force you to love me back when you obviously don't," Regina said, trying as hard as she could to sound firm. "For wasting your time last night. For telling you the things I did."

MORE? Review!