AUTHOR NOTE: We're so happy at the feedback to the previous chapter! Thank you! =) This one was actually a bit difficult to write, but we believe the final product is continuing to keep our ladies IC within the context of our story. We hope you all enjoy!
Couple of other things: Considering the curse was meant to last forever, even though Gold knew it would break, we felt that there was no need for a mortician in town. There were no foreseeable deaths since Storybrooke was stuck in an ageless loop and Regina would be extra cautious about anyone near the graveyard since her vault is there. So a good question was posed about who took care of Graham's funeral. Regina took care of it along with the coroner. Also, more importantly, this chapter does reference some abuse but nothing explicit is mentioned.
And as always - We are neither A&E nor ABC; we do not own OUAT. We just play in a certain town in Maine and its fairytale land counterpart…
Chapter Six
My poor little prince. He had to face the loss of his father far too soon. And, he'll have to do it twice: now, and then again when Henry regains his memories. When we defeat my damned sister, Regina thought.
More than once, Robin had given her concerned, imploring looks. Regina ignored them and refused to make eye contact. She found it hard to believe that he'd had a connection to Baelfire, but it had turned out it was Robin Hood who had helped Neal get from the Enchanted Forest to Neverland! The small world nature of their existences was sometimes baffling, even to her.
The mourning party had left the cemetery and met at Granny's Diner for a wake. Granny had insisted on taking lead on this aspect of the funeral which was fine by Regina. She had made funeral arrangements as promised and the irony was not lost on her that she had a role in burying two of Emma's love interests. That fact was what had made her especially reflective and quiet, both at the cemetery and now at the wake as she stood toward the back of the diner, watching the others as they mingled.
Emma had taken up a spot next to Henry in the booth he was sharing with Mary Margaret and David, barely listening to what the three of them were talking about. They were sharing heavily edited stories of Neal and Henry just soaked it all in. She was grateful for it, despite the underlying feelings she felt towards them. But today wasn't about her. It was about remembering Neal Cassidy, and the life he lived and gave up to protect the ones he loved. Emma would be forever grateful for Regina's help in giving him the burial he deserved.
Green eyes flittered through the crowd, looking for no one in particular but somehow they immediately went to Regina. Her gaze lingered on the mayor as the savior's mind went back to reeling all over again at the revelations that occurred in the vault. As much as she was able to understand why, it was still a crazy concept to grasp that Regina Mills had feelings for her.
And you know you care about her. Just ... how deep does it go? Emma had agreed that Zelena probably wanted to elicit a struggle between the two of them. It just happened to backfire on her. The only problem, as usual in this town, was the lack of breathing room to figure anything out. The savior wanted to really understand her own emotions and express herself clearly, but there was never enough time.
"There you are, Swan!"
The drawl of Hook's voice made the savior roll her eyes. His voice was tempered given the solemn occasion at least. She regarded him but said nothing, just waited expectantly to hear what he wanted. Hook and Neal may not have been on the best terms as Neverland proved, but the pirate still had a history with him.
Hook pressed his lips together, quite confused at the lack of response from Emma. He attributed it to the mourning atmosphere and the blonde's continued disparity in how to handle her son's missing memories. "I just wanted to pay my respects to you and your boy, Emma. And seeing that there's a lot on your plate today, I thought it be a good gesture to take young Henry on a walk and reminisce about his father together."
That suggestion brought Emma to her feet, clearly struggling with his request. Taking Hook by the arm and leading him a few feet away from the booth, she spoke clearly and concisely because she was in no mood to explain herself again. "Not a good time right now for this. Maybe another time."
"What better day to speak about the boy's father than this day?" he argued. "I only want to help him during this rough patch. And to help you."
Perhaps if the conversation hadn't gone the way it did in Regina's vault, Emma may have taken Hook up on his offer, but it just wasn't going to happen. Not when she realized that all of the sass directed at her about Hook was due to jealousy. And agreeing to have him go off alone with Henry and not talk to Regina about it first? Emma wanted nothing to be misconstrued between them. "I appreciate the sentiment but it still has to be another time," she said without hesitation, glancing briefly towards the mayor.
Just as Hook approached Emma, Regina had been just about to approach the Charming's table herself to pay her respects once more to Henry and Emma. She planned on going back to the mansion to plot how best to train her love interest / protege. But, Tinkerbell came up from behind her and grabbed her elbow, angling her toward the counter.
"Is that who I think it is?" the fairy whispered with excited glee.
"That highly depends on what you believe, Tinkerbell."
Unfazed by her taciturn nature, Tink said, "That is the man with the lion tattoo! From your past! It's not too late, Regina! You should talk to him."
Regina shot her the look. "I've already spoken with him. His name is Robin Hood-"
And, just then, he had to look over. Wizened eyes crinkled when he smiled and gave a polite wave toward the mayor and the fairy. Regina nodded at him, then looked back at Tink.
"-and if you would like to get to know him," she said dryly, "I'd be glad to facilitate introductions. Otherwise, the subject is closed. Do you understand me?"
Robin opened his posture, making it obvious that they were both invited over to stand at the counter with him. Tinkerbell walked over, tugging Regina along with her. She looked toward Emma, hoping the blonde could give her an out, but she had problems of her own with the pirate.
"Care for a drink, ladies?" Robin offered.
Tink bobbed her head as Regina shook her head no. "I don't morning drink. Robin, Tinkerbell. Tinkerbell, meet Robin Hood. I'm sure the two of you can find a lot to talk about. Forest life and all that..."
Archie Hopper had observed the brief but intense interaction between Emma and Captain Hook and felt it was his duty to intervene in his own polite way. Clearing his throat and looking apologetic for interrupting, Archie said, "Perhaps I could offer a compromise? Since I have history working with Henry already, I could ask him to take a walk with Pongo and me? I promise to keep to safe topics…"
Hook had given the cricket an irritated glance, not at all pleased for the interruption. He had lost his opportunity in questioning why the object of his affections was looking positively distraught towards Regina.
"That would be really kind of you, Archie," the savior said with gratitude. "I'd appreciate it."
Hopper nodded, clearly happy to be helpful.
"Now hold on." Killian tapped the end of his hook against Archie's arm. "The bug and his dog gets immediate approval because they've worked together prior? I went to Neverland to help save your boy - offering my ship and last magic bean …"
"That you stole," she reminded him, cutting him off before Hook could go on painting an idealistic picture of what happened. "Let's not forget that. Or …" but she faltered then. How to explain the turmoil she was feeling inside that didn't hint at her true motivations that involved Regina.
Brows raised in curiosity, Hook took a step forward towards Emma in delighted challenge that she was unable to properly express herself. "Or what precisely?" he questioned, smirking in the knowledge that it perhaps had to do with their one moment of intimacy in that wretched land. A kiss. Emma's behavior around him had been spotty since regaining her memories, but she had trusted him in New York to take the memory potion. He, of course, presumed with bristling arrogance that this was all about her feelings towards him.
"Or how immediately before that, you watched Regina get tortured," she snapped with a viciousness that took the pirate and Dr. Hopper by surprise.
Archie recovered and cleared his throat, speaking softly but forcefully. "There's clearly history here that needs to be worked out, but now is not the time or place. If you'd like to come see me later, I am willing to listen and mediate, but… right now the focus needs to be on Neal's remembrance. And doing what's best for Henry." He glanced toward the teenager who, frankly, looked politely bored by now. "Can I introduce him to Pongo and give him something to do?"
She tore her gaze away from Hook and nodded apologetically towards Archie. "Yes. You're right. This is about Henry. And Neal. I'll walk over with you."
Emma didn't bother to look over at Hook. She was clearly done speaking to him about her grievances and as kind as Dr. Hopper was, it wasn't going to happen in the future either.
The psychologist nodded and accompanied her over to the table.
"Hey, kiddo. This is Dr. Hopper, but everyone around here calls him Archie. And this handsome young man is Pongo," she smiled down at the dalmatian, patting his head. "Pongo and Archie - this is Henry." Now Emma was focused entirely on her son and missed the dual relieved looks that her parents had given her. "They wanted to personally pay their respect."
He smiled at Henry and offered his hand in handshake. "Hi, Henry. Your father… he… he was an amazing man. Did a lot of good things while he was in town. But I… well, I know what it can be like to be here with the somber moods and what-not. Pongo's in need of a little exercise. Care to walk with us awhile? Just to get some fresh air?"
Henry looked eager, but still glanced over at his mother. Emma smiled, giving him an encouraging nod. "Go on if you want. I think it'll do you some good."
"Alright," he said, sliding out of the booth and onto his feet, where an excited Pongo butted his head against the young man's leg. It made Henry smile - something that Emma had missed seeing on a regular basis. "You think I can walk him too?" he wondered, giving the excited pooch some scratches behind his ear.
"Absolutely. Pongo would like that," Archie said with a smile.
The duo plus dalmatian went out the back door and had no sooner left when the front door banged open, admitting Zelena. Her mad blue eyes roved over the room, leering openly at Mary Margaret's baby bump, before setting her sights on Regina.
Thank goodness Henry left with Hopper! she thought. At least that was a stroke of luck on our side!
"What do you want, witch?" Regina snapped, hand on her hip.
"Oh, sis-" Zelena paused for dramatic effect as the assembly reacted to that news. She didn't seem surprised that Regina had kept the family secret quiet. That was the story of Zelena's life! "-I am here to call you out. Now that you all know who I am, let's cut to the chase. At midnight. You and me. On Main Street. I challenge you, Regina."
Fear pricked her soul, her mind going back to Rumpelstiltskin's letter. But, she was a former queen and did not let the feeling show. "This isn't the wild west, sis."
Zelena closed the space between them faster than anyone could really react. Regina held her ground, glaring at her as the redhead said, "No, dear. It's the wicked west. Tonight! Just you and me! Don't back down or there will be con-se-quences!"
Cutting through the crowd quickly, Emma wanted to get closer to Regina in case the verbal threats were just a distraction. "The only consequences happening around here are the ones you're going to face," she declared, breaking free to stare down Zelena.
Like Regina, Zelena was not about to show fear… no matter how she felt about the so-called savior. She only smirked at the blonde, then gave them both a knowing wink. "How adorable! I'll see you tonight, sis!"
And with that, she poofed away in a green puff of magical smoke. Regina looked around the diner, meeting the expression of every person who looked at her.
"Yes! She's my damned sister!" she growled. Eyeing Leroy, Regina said, "As if we all don't have relatives we'd like to get rid of."
Leroy just gaped back at her.
David had long since stood up, defensively standing next to his wife and looked angrily at Regina. "And you withheld this information? How long have you known about this?"
Regina gave him a withering look. "And what secrets have you kept, shepherd? We've known for a whopping 18 hours or so, not that it matters. Emma and I learned this just after you left the park with Henry."
Now David's expression softened into disappointment when he regarded his daughter. "You knew as well. And didn't tell us?"
"Oh please. Like it would've made much of a difference if you knew," Emma countered, not affected by the hurt that she heard in her father's voice. "Finding out she was Regina's sister didn't help us find her any faster. She just shows up uninvited like always. And besides, it's not my place to go around spilling Regina's business to the entire town."
David shook his head in disagreement. "But whatever Zelena wants with her is our business when it affects the life of our unborn baby. Whatever she's planning, we need to share all information available so we can work together to combat her."
Regina shook her head. "You heard her. The vendetta she has concerns me. I have to face her alone."
"The hell?" Emma blinked, entire body jerking back in surprise as she eyed the brunette. "I know she wants to throw down with just you tonight, but we talked about this. We do this together."
Oh, cute. Our first fight, Regina thought sarcastically. In front of the whole town.
"I know that. I'm referring to tonight," she said with forced patience. "And with that said, if you'll excuse me, I do need to prepare for this… showdown."
"Then I'm coming with you," the blonde insisted.
Regina was going to insist that she stay put on account of Henry, then remembered he wasn't a boy anymore. Then, she was going to insist because she was used to doing things in a solitary manner, but she ended up biting the inside of her cheek instead. Regina gave a curt nod and, since Henry was already gone, proceeded to poof Emma and herself to the mansion.
"The hell, Regina?!" the savior unceremoniously fell against the couch with frantic eyes. The poofing hadn't caused any unwanted effects. It just caught Emma by surprise. "Give a warning next time!"
"Magic has its own dramatic flare, dear. You'll have to find your style. Mine is for making a dramatic entrance and exit," Regina said with a thin smirk.
With that, she walked to the decanter in the den and decided that she'd lied to Robin: she was indeed going to have a morning drink. Regina poured a glass of cider for herself, then one for Emma out of courtesy, and took a hard swallow of her own before walking back to the living room with the glasses.
"I hope you didn't insist on coming with me in order to give me a patented Charming family pep-talk about good triumphing over evil," Regina said matter-of-factly.
With a roll of her eyes, she took the glass. "You know their continuous optimism drives me nuts. I won't subject you to more 'contrived drivel' or whatever it is you'd say." She took a sip of the homemade cider and immediately smiled with another memory of them sharing this drink. "You're not going to kick me out again right?" she asked cheekily, shaking the contents of the glass. "I get to finish the glass this time?"
Regina smirked, but a genuine smile was peeking behind it. "We'll see if you can stay on your best behavior, Miss Swan."
She sighed then and sat down beside her. Knees pressed tightly together, the skirt of her dress was taut enough that she could've set her cider glass atop it successfully. Regina held it in both hands though as she stared blankly at the other side of the room.
Scooching closer, the savior shifted her hips so she was facing Regina more directly to talk. "My best behavior? Need I remind you of the unauthorized poofing you did minutes ago?" The playful smile on her face faded once the mayor's mood had fully registered.
"Hey," she said quietly, nudging Regina gently knee to knee, "We'll stop her."
"The overall war, yes. The battle tonight? No. You can't interfere tonight, Emma," Regina said, turning to look at her. "There isn't enough time to train you and I don't want her to try and do anything to you if you step in, savior magic or not."
"You're seriously telling me not do anything?" she said incredulously, gripping the glass within her hand even tighter as she bristled with frustration. "You know how well that works with me," she warned.
Regina downed the rest of her drink and quickly set the glass on a coaster, on the side table. As she went through the motions with the glass, she said, "You have to stay out of it. Emma… you saw his letter. Zelena is more powerful than me. I'm not going to let you risk yourself. So help me, I'd poof your ass off Main Street and into a kennel at the shelter if I had to."
"Great. Please do," she said, narrowing her gaze. "And make sure to bring Pongo. He'd be better company than you are right now. I get that you're afraid, but come on."
No matter what she felt for Emma, Regina did not tolerate backtalk well. She never had. Acting on instinct, she curled her fingers and almost magicked Emma back to the diner without a word. Instead, she swallowed hard and relaxed her hand, glowering at the blonde.
"You can feel free to leave. It was your idea to accompany me," she pointed out. "I am not quite in the mood to play polite hostess. I have a few larger issues on my mind right now."
Like the fact that Zelena will humiliate and defeat me in front of the whole damned town tonight. How do we protect Henry from this?
The weight of her words made Emma backpedal, knowing what had triggered in her snapping at Regina. "I'm sorry. It's ... " she sighed, repositioning her legs over the edge of the couch to set the glass aside on the coffee table. " … I'm just worried what'll happen to you. And I can't do anything about it. I know I have to stay out of it. She set the rules and if we don't abide by them, she'll end up hurting someone …" Like Henry. Emma was a passionate fool whose temper sometimes got away from her, but she understood consequences all too well.
Regina nodded, accepting the apology. She was glad to realize Emma realized the stakes of this game her sister was playing. She smoothed her already perfect skirt as she gathered her thoughts.
"Emma… what I need to say won't be easy, but you have to hear me out. Zelena will… hand me my ass tonight, as you'd be apt to say. I will do my best and fight my hardest and most cunning, but I am under no illusion that I will come out victorious," Regina admitted. "If… if the worst happens, I want you to do what is best for you and Henry. Don't avenge me. Just do what you need to do for Henry's sake. If that means you just get out of town with him. Focus on our son."
She sat there speechless for a moment, grabbing the cider and downing it in two gulps because Emma knew her immediate reaction would stir the pot and start another fight. Licking her lips, she found her courage to look at Regina, green eyes hardening under the pressure of this situation. "This is shit timing. All of it," she finally said. "You telling me you care about me? And now you're going on about the possibility of getting killed?"
"Well not intentionally. Of course not," Regina snapped.
Shaking her head, Emma worked her jaw, chewing on the inside of her cheek with despair. "It's not going to happen. No," she said adamantly. "You're not dying on me."
The mayor sighed heavily and rose, pacing the length of the living room. There was the whole day with which to prepare for this wild west showdown Zelena planned, but Regina really had no idea how to prepare. Regina thought about this older sister of hers and how insanely jealous she was of the life she had. She considered how Zelena had studied her, and thought she knew what she was missing.
"If she really is family and was truly trained by Rumpel," she mused aloud, talking to herself, "she'll go for the heart. For my heart. It's what he'd taught all three of us. Zelena might not even want me dead because the ability to control Gold and me would give her even more power. At least in her own mind…"
Regina stopped cold and turned to stare at Emma, who jerked back as if the force of the mayor's stare had shifted her upon the couch.
"What?" asked savior with great confusion. "You got a plan?" this time asking with some hope within her tone.
"Perhaps…" Regina certainly looked more determined than she had since discovering that Zelena was referenced in the letter. "I cannot face her with my heart beating in my chest. It has to be what she's after. It's what we do. Collect hearts and control others. So, I will have to hide mine to keep it from Zelena's covetous clutches."
"And then she can't kill you either," Emma chimed in, but wasn't entirely certain. She only had a pre-school degree in magical arts after all. "Right?" she asked, need reassurances that her line of thought may have some merit here. "I mean, if for some crazy reason she does try and do that … if you're heart isn't there ... could you die?"
Regina paused, giving the surreal question serious thought. In her experience, deaths had been directly related to the crushing of one's enchanted heart. She had no way of knowing if physical injury or harm could still kill her, even if her heart were safe. Gold would likely know, but there was no consulting him in his state.
"I don't know," she said simply.
Deflated, she wouldn't let it consume all of her hope. "You're really sure she doesn't want to kill you?"
Regina could only shrug. "Emma, I have no idea. She hates me. That is all that's clear. I'm only following the single trail I can think of where all things lead back to Rumpelstiltskin. He would've taught Zelena how to take a heart, and that's certainly the modus operandi in my family."
Emma sat up straight with a realization of just how true that statement was. "Yeah. It is. Even your mother tried to take my heart …" But Cora hadn't succeeded. Whether it was the power of being a child born of True Love, her status as the savior, or both, one couldn't say. It was just fact that the Mills women had a penchant for heart stealing.
Regina's eyes widened. She growled, "Mother tried to take your heart?!"
Her outburst momentarily took the savior aback. "Regina, it's fine. She couldn't. Pick your reason but Cora couldn't pull it from my chest." She then smiled apologetically. "I really thought you knew but as usual, a lot of things go unsaid around this town where we presumed they were already talked about."
Regina made a dangerous, exasperated sound. "I've really had it with my blood family."
But, learning this did galvanize the mayor into action. Knowing that Cora would've killed Emma if she could have - something that she had once wanted to do herself! - made Regina very angry. Having someone to destroy - like Mother - had always been her style. If she could channel that rage back at Zelena, then maybe there was reason to hope.
"Alright! It's settled that my heart needs to be somewhere secure. The mansion is not safe, nor is the vault… as much as it pains me to say that. Where in the hell can I hide my heart that Zelena would never find it?" Regina asked.
"Since a random hole in the middle of the forest is probably out of the question," she said offhandedly - neither woman aware that Regina had actually tried to bury her heart as such back in the Enchanted Forest. "Why don't we go with something she'll never expect?" She pushed herself off the couch and approached Regina with stark determination. "Give it to me."
Emma had shocked her twice in as many minutes. And that was evident in how she addressed her. "You must be joking, Miss Swan."
She scrunched her face towards the side, but let the Miss Swan name slide. "One," she held up a finger, "Zelena's afraid of me and doesn't know that we know this little tidbit. Regardless of what she might believe is happening between us, she'll never believe you gave up your heart to anyone. You're too controlling like her." She smirked, shrugging at the truth of it, "No offense."
Regina pursed her lips. "None taken. I think."
"Second point," and of course she held up another finger, "I just told you Cora couldn't get my heart, and we know your vault's not safe. So, your walking vault just happens to be standing right here."
It was simple logic to Emma, but was it possible to do this? That she wasn't certain of. Could two hearts occupy the same space through magic? Regina had fallen silent, considering the possibility and the consequences. It was, frankly, a crazy idea and Emma was right: Zelena would never anticipate a move like this. It was also ridiculously intimate in a way that made Regina squirm inside.
"Emma. You'd really do this for me? You'd be willing to carry my darkened heart in your chest? Because, you know, if it really is what Zelena wants… this will last longer than just today and this evening. You'd have to protect my heart until… until this is done."
Emma's mind had been made up since suggesting the possibility of securing Regina's heart. "Of course I'd do this for you. I want to help and if I can't fight alongside you tonight," she said with desperation, "then at least I know how I can keep you safe from her."
She slipped her hand into Regina's, squeezing it with reassurance. Regina squeezed her hand back.
"And I will do this for however long it takes." The conviction in her voice was admirable, but even it faltered with uncertainty. "This is also assuming it can work."
Regina flushed and actually smiled despite the severity of the circumstances. Brown eyes zeroed in on Emma's green ones. "I think this answers the question of your feelings for me?"
She chuckled, closing her eyes for a split second. "Asking you for your heart does kind of paint a picture huh?"
"With only significant quantities of hand-holding to go on, I'd say so," Regina said with a wink. "Not so much as a first date or first kiss, and already, you want me to give you my heart…"
"Who the hell has time to date in this town?" she pointed out, stepping closer into Regina's space. Her heart quickened at how bold she was being, but she considered this moment compensation for having been an idiot Charming - taking so long to realize what was right before her the entire time. Eyes narrowed, a smile slowly spreading across her face as Emma fixed her gaze upon mayor's. "Second one I could easily catch us up on …"
Regina took a deep breath and held it. She smiled again, staring at Emma. "We ought to have at least one kiss before you completely take my heart."
"Funny," she said quietly, leaning in closer as the savior brought her free hand up to cup Regina's cheek gently, "I kind of presume I already did ..."
Regina's smile widened, showing in her eyes, despite the stress that precipitated this. "Well, you'd best be certain, Emma."
Her lips parted with a soft sigh. Now fully understanding just how deeply she cared for Regina, Emma could allow herself to feel. How her name was just spoken by the smooth, silken, voice of the mayor, she couldn't help feeling a shiver of anticipatory nerves run down her spine. "Yeah. I think I'm liking that suggestion. To be certain …" she whispered, green eyes honing onto brown ones before she closed the distance between them, pressing their lips together softly.
Regina gasped into the gentle kiss, moving her lips against Emma's as she closed her eyes. She found herself clutching the blonde's biceps for balance's sake because her legs had gone watery and Regina thought she might fall down!
Closing her eyes to fully appreciate their kiss, Emma focused on the softness of Regina's lips, how she responded back quickly, and how fingers curled around her arms. It caused a sigh to escape, feeling her body buzzing and wanting as Emma wished that this could have happened sooner. It felt so right. It was the complete opposite of what happened with Hook back in Neverland. That was an obligation, an intense emotional struggle of almost losing her father despite the disconnect she continued to feel toward David. It had opened her to the possibility of thanking the pirate in the one way he wanted. Looking back, Emma regretted it because all it had done was further Hook's obsession with her but most importantly, it had hurt Regina. Yes, she hadn't known, but now she did. She parted her lips, deepening their kiss as a silent apology for being so terribly blind.
Regina heard a moaning sound and realized, with some shock, that it came from her! She tightened the way she gripped Emma's shoulders, responding to the kiss. Her lips parted, desire racing through her veins. She pulled back abruptly though, staring at Emma with wide, dark eyes. Emma was doing much the same, wondering if she had done something wrong. Maybe she shouldn't have stepped it up a notch and kept the kiss light?
"You're kissing me," she stated.
"That's why you pulled away?" she asked stunned, yet also relieved. "I can assure you ... that was me kissing you." Green eyes shined with the same desire that had built swiftly between them while her thumb traced soft patterns across the brunette's cheek.
Regina licked her lips, looking quietly startled and vulnerable. "I… ahem. It's been a long time. A very long time." She smiled. "I'd… dreamed of this moment for weeks. And here it is."
Lips pursed together, Emma raised her chin as she mulled over Regina's confession. "A … couple of years? Wasn't that long ago, Regina. Not that I'm not standing here on a high knowing you were imagining us for weeks..."
She really didn't want to bring up Graham by name - not with the history that all three of them shared - but Emma was confident that Regina would pick up on what she was referring to. The mayor pursed her lips, trying to decide how much she wanted to explain or share. Regina really didn't want to explain how intimacy with Graham had been about power and control over Storybrooke's original sheriff. He had complained that he didn't feel anything; honestly, neither had she beyond the power trip.
"Emma… just… trust me when I say it's been years." Her expression softened. "But, I am pleased to know I put you on a high. Your kiss did much the same for me."
Regina went all mysterious on her, but Emma couldn't expect her to open up about everything so easily. She had always been so guarded with her feelings and the fact that they were standing here together, wanting to be with each other already spoke enough volumes than wondering what exactly Regina meant.
"Yeah?" A blonde brow arched upwards as she grinned. "Better than what you imagined too, I bet," she added playfully, but there was an underlying confident tone that could be heard.
Regina grinned and chuckled at Emma's swagger.
"Well, that would be kissing and telling, right?" she teased. "Even a former queen knows better than to do that…"
"But, it's me!" she almost whined. "You could totally tell me what was going on in that beautiful head of yours before we actually kissed." Both brows went upwards this time as Emma put on her best pleading look to overload the mayor with how adorable she was right now. "Right?"
But, Regina only smiled. This felt far more natural and comfortable than she ever would have imagined. It was new and familiar all at once, which made her wonder at the latter sensation. And, it grounded Regina back into the moment too. Emma had volunteered to protect her dark heart from Zelena's schemes. She pulled back, hands sliding down her arms to take her hands.
"Emma… having my heart won't be easy. In your chest for safe-keeping. Or in the emotional sense of caring for me. The latter, I'm sure you can believe easily," she said dryly. "I know your magic is naturally powerful. But, are you really certain that you can handle my darkness inside you?"
She could tell by Regina's tone they were back to being serious about the threat Zelena posed. "Honestly?" she paused to really think on this because it wasn't just a question to take so lightly. Regina's track record since becoming Gold's student back in the Enchanted Forest had really muddied the waters within the brunette's heart. "Yeah," she nodded, squeezing Regina's hands reassuringly. "I may not have experienced what you did, but my life wasn't easy too. I might be the 'savior' here and can basically do no wrong, but I'm not innocent. There's a lot more to my story then what you found out when I first came here."
Emma had her secrets too.
"Regardless, we both got to where we are now by surviving, or because of revenge. Either way, they scar hearts pretty badly. I'll adjust. I have no other choice but to so I can keep you safe."
It was all Regina really need to hear. She leaned in and kissed Emma then, sighing as their lips touched. It elicited a moan from the mayor yet again and she squeezed her hands, feeling the savior immediately return the kiss. Emma was more than agreeable for more kissing instead of talking because their first kiss had certainly left an impression. Specifically the moan that had been enticed out of Regina. She wondered how swiftly that could be duplicated, but Emma didn't have to wait long at all. Nor did the blonde wait in deepening it further.
Regina moved her hands to Emma's waist, holding her lightly as if she were fragile. Her lips moved against hers, moaning again as she quickly fell under the spell of desire that Emma weaved. It was much the same for the blonde who was quickly escalating their kiss. She brushed her tongue along Regina's lower lip, wanting to gain entrance as hands quested over her hips and soon up sides.
The brunette groaned and parted her lips, eyes rolling into the back of her head as she closed her eyes as desire raced through her. Her grip at Emma's waist tightened, kissing back eagerly. But, she once again broke the kiss. Panting, she stared wildly at the object of her affection, trying to believe it now that this was really happening.
"Emma… I…" Regina frowned, trying not to falter because she knew Emma would panic and that was the last thing she wanted. "I… I choose you. I… I… you just need to know that."
Wondering what was wrong now, Emma blinked in a daze to refocus on what Regina was saying because that woman's kisses were making it next to impossible to think about anything else. She licked her lips, looking positively confused at this out of context confession.
"I kind of figured that. With all the kissing. Which by the way, we've stopped doing again." She smiled patiently.
An explanation could come later, Regina decided. She'd expressed what she needed to say. A smug smile crossed her lips, gazing at Emma. "Then, you'd best kiss all the talk right out of me, don't you think?"
"I'm really beginning to enjoy these new challenges with our relationship, Madam Mayor," Emma said, her smile widening as she brought their lips together once more. They were right back where they had just ended, immediately demanding entrance inside Regina's mouth, determined to leave the other woman in a daze and no longer able to speak.
Regina yielded to Emma's kiss, sliding her arms around her neck at last. She understood that the words were not going to come easily to Emma, but could tell that the other woman was very much into her. And she let that desire for her show as she kissed back. The blonde was on guard though, despite the playful banter and the mounting desire that was rekindled as they kissed. She was readying herself for Regina to cease this once more, but it didn't dissuade her from pressing against the other woman with a moan of her own.
Because she didn't want to lose the momentum of this kiss nor give herself a chance to pause and second-guess their desires, Regina used her magic to poof them up to her bedroom. She slid her fingers through Emma's hair and pulled back, smiling, so that the object of her affection could see where they were now standing.
"I want you, dear. I want us."
Green eyes glanced about the room, surprised written all over them as it immediately registered where Regina had taken them. She eventually brought her gaze back around to Regina's, a look still heavily laden with desire - just not as intense. Despite the assurances that she was given, Emma really needed to be sure.
"I want you too." Her voice was thick with a different kind of need and had to take a moment to breathe. "You're sure?" she asked quietly. "Not that things aren't intense with us as a rule, but … things have been crazy. Between us and for us."
Regina searched her focused green eyes and gave a single, sober nod. "Yes, dear."
Emma knew some of her history, the watered down version at least, from Henry's magical story book. So, if she'd read between the lines, she likely understood that Regina was - in her own mind - damaged goods. The mayor just hoped that Emma understood her actual inexperience now and didn't fault her for it as she stepped back and slowly and silently undressed under the savior's gaze.
Not realizing she was holding her breath, Emma exhaled quite audibly as she accepted Regina's answer. Eyes blinked rapidly, still finding it hard to believe that this was really happening though.
"Let me help," she said softly, reaching for the mayor's blouse once it was unbuttoned. Fingers gently slid the fabric over her shoulders and leaned down to press her lips along skin, working her way slowly towards Regina's neck.
The brunette sighed with pleasure, startling at how amazing that felt. She'd never known intimacy or tenderness.
"Emma!" she exclaimed, tangling her fingers into the blonde's wavy mane.
"Easy there," the savior said, smiling against where she had just begun to work her mouth along Regina's jaw. "I barely started …"
"All new to me…" Regina smiled shyly, tilting her head as tingles radiated out through her body, starting from where Emma's lips touched.
That confession finally halted the savior because it pained her to hear that coming from Regina. Emma could have her conclusions as to the life that the mayor had here in Storybrooke or back in the Enchanted Forest, but it didn't have the impact of honesty and timidness that she could hear in Regina's voice. She place one last kiss against her jaw and pulled her head upwards, wanting their eyes to connect. It was making her rethink this. Was this really the right moment for this to happen? Everything was moving so fast despite how it felt so right. Her silence was surely making Regina wrought with fright and kissed her lips softly to abate the nerves they both were facing now. But she was cut off before their mouths could meet.
"Don't stop, Em. Please don't. If you do… I…" Regina fell silent and shook her head, not even knowing how to finish the sentence. It would devastate her to be rejected by the only person she'd loved since Daniel. Her voice dropped to a whisper, uncharacteristically pleading. "Please love me."
Her throat seized shut, unable to find the words that could properly express how heart broken the blonde had become in hearing the desperation in Regina's voice. The only time that she had heard this much pain coming from her was when it was regarding Henry. The only soul that she loved. Which meant that Regina loved her. Not so simple as just having feelings for her.
"Regina…" she brought their lips together, letting that speak volumes louder than anything else she could voice.
Regina pressed herself tightly to Emma then, kissing back with a clear need and hunger. She gave herself to her former nemesis completely. Emma haphazardly shed off her jacket, not wanting to break the passionate kiss. She felt their tongues warring as the leather hit the floor. Hands roamed along the bare curves of Regina's torso, kneading flesh before she moaned in disappointment that they weren't full skin on skin. That need pressed Emma to break the kiss with a gasp, crossing her arms to grab at her own shirt to pull up and over her head.
Regina smiled and stared at her now half-naked torso. She reached to unfasten Emma's bra with a slight tremor in her hands. Laying her bare, Regina unfastened her own, wanting them equal.
"You're beautiful... so lean and strong," the mayor whispered. "Perfection."
She reached out tentatively to cup Emma's breasts, exploring the feel of her skin, grazing her thumbs gently over her nipples. Emma wanted to argue that it was impossible that she was perfect - not with the beauty revealed before her. Body toned with flawless skin, the savior brushed her hands along Regina's curves. She gasped softly, feeling her body respond to the brunette's touch and brought their mouths together once again, kissing her slow and sensually. Regina wanted to feel loved and that's precisely what Emma was going to give her.
Slowly she guided them towards the spacious bed, entirely making this about Regina now. Hands glided down towards the mayor's hips, sliding around the waistband to find the zipper, which was undone quickly. Tugging the skirt down, lips went in the same direction, sighing as she worked them along Regina's jaw and neck.
Emma's safe… this is safe… nothing like Leopold, thank the deities… Regina thought, gasping softly. Safe, it's all different…
The gasp was encouragement as Emma sought out new areas of warm skin to explore. She moaned softly, kissing along Regina's collarbone before questing lower to the swell of her breasts. Tearing hands away before fully undressing her, Emma grazed her lips around the curve of a breast as she cupped it, flicking her tongue out to circle an already hardened nipple. It made the savior's desire lance straight to her own core and quickly took in the small nub within her mouth.
Regina went rigid as she bit down on her lower lip, stifling any sound that she might have made. She ran her hands through Emma's hair to encourage her, but she was utterly silent because that's what she'd been taught to do… and thought that's what every partner wanted.
Emma could immediately sense that something was amiss and released the brunette's breast. Fingers lightly stroked from breast to side as Emma brought her concerned gaze to carefully search the mayor's face for a clue as to what was wrong.
"Hey… You okay?" she urged, seeing some form of conflict that Regina was struggling with. "If it's Henry, I know Zelena won't hurt him or anyone for that matter. She'll wait until tonight. And Archie knows how to contact me if there's a problem."
Regina snapped back to the moment and frowned, not having the first clue what Emma was talking about. Then, she realized that she'd been caught out of the moment and grimaced.
"I'm… I'm sorry I lost the moment, Emma. I've never known sex as pleasurable, and I don't know how to behave when you are making me feel alive."
"You have nothing to apologize for," she murmured, kissing into dark hair as Emma cradled Regina against her. "I'm sorry for thinking it was something completely else. I was way off."
She then closed her eyes, resting her head atop the mayor's with a mournful look as she voiced an earlier thought. "Look, I'm glad it's me that's able to do that for you, Regina. But maybe it's too soon for all of this happening right now? I'm not saying I don't want you. All evidence to the contrary," she said with a smile. "But we're both dealing with a lot of shit right now. On top of what this means to you personally."
"Yes… you're right. We're rushing on account of my sister and her threat. And, I should be preparing for tonight's showdown rather than let myself be distracted." Regina smiled sadly. "Even if you are a most worthy distraction."
Regina agreeing with her actually made the savior as equally sad. She had erroneously believed that there would have been a counter to her argument, and they would have just picked up where they left off - trying to prove that she could show Regina what it meant to feel the true pleasure of intimacy.
"I don't like being right," she admitted. "What I really wanted you to say was 'Shut up, Swan and kiss me'."
Regina started at that, actually chuckling. She pulled back and genuinely smiled. "Shut up, Swan and kiss me..."
AUTHOR NOTE: Not sure if we're going to be disliked for ending it there ;) but we felt it was such a good way to end the chapter. We've kept the rating T for now since nothing explicit happened. Would our readers like something more detailing the first time together or move on with the story? Either way we can work it in and if not now, we will do something that will raise the story to M in the future.
Also, belated Happy New Year to you all! =)