Regina awoke abruptly to the cockadoodledoo sounds blaring loudly from the left side of her bed. She stupidly thought that a rooster must have invaded her bedroom before her mind caught up to her body and remembered that she had chosen this particular screech as her alarm. She vaguely wondered why she had picked this infuriating alarm before she recalled that it had reminded her of the farm she had lived on as a little girl. But she wasn't an innocent, little girl anymore; she was a 38-year-old, loveless, faithless former Evil Queen with a pounding headache in her right eye.
I've got to stop drinking.
Without opening her eyes, she let out a groan and used her right hand to knead her right eye, while she extended her left arm to reach for the aspirin and water on the nightstand that she had placed there the night before.
Even though it was painful, she continued to make the same bad choices every day. Drink, get dressed for work, work until late into the night, return home, drink some more, get high, then masturbate to some porn before passing out- sometimes in her bed, sometimes on the couch. She was in a rut.
Every morning she seriously considered not showing up to work, but she knew that if she didn't go in, she wouldn't go to work again. One hitch in her routine, and it would all fall apart. So Regina went through the motions-shower, deodorant, perfume, lotion, makeup, and today she picked out a silk red blouse, a tight black skirt and black heels. She had to keep up appearances. The last thing she needed was even more meddling from Emma Swan.
Ever since their road trip, Emma had brought Regina lunch every weekday from Granny's-kale salad and root beer- and tried to talk to Regina to cheer her up. Most days Regina just poofed Emma right back to the sheriff station with not so much as a thank you, but sometimes she let Emma stay. Sometimes it was worth it to hear Emma talk about hope and second chances and all that crap just to get to hear how Henry was doing.
Regina grabbed 2 tiny bottles of vodka and downed them in one gulp before grabbing a banana from the kitchen on her way out to the office. She found she couldn't even work efficiently anymore unless she was buzzed.
She worked intensely from 8 am until noon filing paperwork, approving grants, and responding to emails concerning the town budget. For the next half hour, her efficiency greatly decreased. She began playing solitaire on her Mac as she nervously waited for Emma to show up. She wondered if Emma would have on that ugly red jacket again and just how tight her jeans would be this time. She really had to stop watching porn.
And like clockwork Emma knocked on the door and let herself in at 12:30pm.
"Henry misses you"
Emma hadn't said it in an accusatory tone, but Regina's guilty conscious interpreted the statement that way regardless. She hadn't been expecting that. Emma usually greeted her with a "Hey Gina", "Wudup Madame Mayor" or something else equally silly but charming or (Regina's personal favorite though she would never admit it) Emma would facetiously get down on one knee, bow her head and present her lunch above her head with a simple "Your Majesty".
Regina looked up from her desk to see Emma walking determinedly towards her as if she was marching into battle. Her jaw was set and her hands formed fists at her sides. Sensing that it would be one of those days, Regina had half a mind to snatch the lunch from Emma's hands and then poof Emma away, but then she noticed what Emma was wearing-no red jacket, a very fitted white tank top that showed off her toned arms and jeans so tight they looked painted on, her face was in light make up that really accentuated her blue eyes or were they green? and her long, blond hair was styled in soft waves around her face just the way Regina liked it. Fuck.
"Oh…well, I'm not quite in an acceptable state to be around him or anyone right now. I think that's quite obvious Ms. Swan, wouldn't you agree?"
"It's obvious that you're depressed. It's obvious that you need your family. We both miss you."
Regina looked up to see Emma showing her signature pout. Regina hated those puppy dog eyes. They reminded her of Henry and she always melted at that look.
"Regina, just let me help you. I can tell that you're hitting the booze, shutting people out and feeling sorry for yourself. That's not gonna solve anything. Trust me. I know. I've been there."
Regina didn't say anything but continued to fumble with some papers on her desk, being sure to avoid Emma's blue-green-hazel-seriously-wtf-color-were-they eyes.
"Damn it , Regina! It's been 3 months. It's been long enough. Get your shit together because this is the last day that I let you hide out. Tomorrow I'll drag you to Henry if I have to. I'm your best friend. You're supposed to lean on me during times like these."
Regina took a long pause before she said anything. Truthfully, she was touched. Although she could be annoying, Emma was always there for her. Always willing to help. Her chest had grown warm at her words. It was nice to remember that someone really cared about her feelings and how she was doing. She often wondered why Emma was so invested in her happiness and wellbeing, so true to her word. She sometimes even thought that maybe Emma had a crush (Emma had confided in Regina that her and Lily had been more than just friends), but then Regina remembered that Emma had Hook. The pirate mascot. She couldn't let herself get too attached.
"And what makes you think you're my best friend? I don't recall ever granting you that title."
Emma smirked, "I'm not one of your knights, Your Majesty. Regina, I'm your only friend. That pretty much makes me your best friend. I kinda assumed."
"You're a fighter, probably the strongest person I'll ever know. I know you want to come out of this rut. You just need help, and I can help you. Just let me help you, please."
Regina offered up a watery smile. "Thank you, Emma. For…well...thank you."
Emma flashed a big toothy grin. "I'll see you tomorrow at your place bright and early. And don't even think about punking out."
Emma turned to let herself out and Regina watched her go, trying hard but failing miserably not to notice the perfect shape of Emma's ass.
Luckily, Regina managed to look away just as Emma turned around to face her again.
"Ms. Swan, what is it?"
Emma was leaning backwards against the door with her thumbs in her pockets and looking suddenly, uncharacteristically shy.
"Just so you know...you're my best friend too. I'm gonna get you through this Gina. Whatever it takes."
Regina couldn't help but to genuinely smile back at Emma. They held each other's gazes for a few seconds before Emma turned and opened the door to let herself out.