Love, Fate And Magic
Chapter 7- Jealousy Isn't A Good Look
Regina continued to pace around her room, her eyes flickering over to the window every so often. She watched as Graham climbed down the balcony back down to the ground, and she let of a sigh. Removing him from her life was an essential step to regaining Emma back. The mayor continued to pace until she heard raised voices from outside. Frowning, she whisked over to the window, and opened it little and peered out side. Panic flooded through her when she caught sight of a blonde women staring down at crumpled heap which Regina assumed was Graham. This couldn't be good, this couldn't be good at all!
Regina continued to watch in horror as Emma questioned Graham, realisation spreading across her face. No, Graham would explain to her they were over! This wouldn't damage a thing. The mayor listened as Graham tried to talk but was dismissed by Emma, who stormed away. Did she believe him? Or did she think Regina picked Graham over her?! The brunette stumbled away from the window, unsure of what to do. Emma seemed upset, very upset. Is that a good thing? What if it meant she had feelings for the mayor? Regina smiled at the thought of the blonde caring for her. The smile faded however, when the brunette realised it may be Graham the blonde cared for and not the mayor.
Regina sat down heavily on the edge of her bed, her head sinking into her hands and she sighed. This was never going to be easy, she knew that from the start. But if Emma cared for Graham over her, this was about to become almost impossible. She had to fix this…but how?
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Emma stood rigid in the middle of her room, her eyes fixed on an old piece of paper lying on top of her bed. Regina, it was of Regina! The blonde couldn't understand why or how she had come to have it. She must have looked at the drawing a million times over the years, but only now she did remember she had it. Was this why Regina looked so similar? Had she been carrying this around this whole time, and never once considered the fact it could be of a real person? Emma dropped to her knees at the foot of the bed, her hands running delicately across the surface of the drawing, her fingers lingering over the signature at the bottom. It had been signed with her name, just like all of the others. Emma had often wondered if she had been some kind of art student before her accident, which could have explained the strange drawings. The landscape ones were unlike anything she had ever seen. Why had she drawn them? And where had she done them.
The blonde rested her head against the edge of the bed, trying to calm her racing mind. This picture confirmed she and Regina must have known each other in the past, and well enough for Emma to want to draw her. Her eyes flickered up to look at the other drawings, frowning at them. She had always wondered what they had meant; the people in them all looked bizarre due to their odd clothing. She reached out and picked one up, studying it closely. Captured within the soft pencil marks was a young man, around the age of 19 or 20, she wasn't sure. She had spent many hours staring at his face, always trying to reach something in her mind, but never able to. In all the pictures of him, she had drawn him wearing a ring. There was nothing special about the design of the ring, other than gentle wavy lines running across its surface. Emma had always hoped this ring had signified something, otherwise why did she have it? The blonde put down the picture and reached across the bed and retrieved the small metal ring, bringing it up to her eyes to look at it. Emma frowned at the small object, looking at the intricate design woven into the metal. There was writing on the inside, but she had never known what language it was in, the letters were unlike any she had ever seen before. The blonde sighed again, letting the ring rest in the middle of her palm, the light in the room dancing across it.
Emma wished she knew what it all meant. What all of these strange objects were, and more importantly where she got them. Her eyes once again found the drawing of Regina. It would appear Regina was the only person, who could ever give her answers, but the mayor didn't want her, she didn't even like her. Why would Regina help her? Emma was just a threat to her.
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All day long Emma couldn't get Regina or the drawing out of her mind. It was becoming quite frustrating, so much so that Emma felt her feet directing her towards Granny's to wash away the thoughts about the mayor with the strongest drink they had. Luckily Emma had not seen Regina since yesterday nor had she seen Graham, much to her delight. However her good luck quickly vanished when she rounded the corner from the bathroom and bumped right into Graham.
"Emma, what can I get you?" the blonde's eyes briefly darted to the perky waitress, before they returned to Graham.
"Nothing." She said dismissively, pushing past Graham to leave. She came to sudden stop just before the door when a dart slammed into the wood next to her head. "What the hell?" she snapped, turning back to look at the sheriff. "You could have it me!"
"I never miss." He said smugly, waltzing over to her. "You've been avoiding me? Since last night when you saw me…"
"Leaving the Mayor? And, yes that is a euphemism. I'm not avoiding you, Graham." She said crossing her arms. "I just have no interest in having this conversation. It's your life and I really don't care." Emma pushed open the door and left briskly, leaving behind a disgruntled Graham.
"If you don't care, then why are you so upset?" he yelled after her, running to catch up.
"I'm not upset." She didn't look at him.
"If that were true you'd be at the bar with me having a drink and not running away." He jumped in front of her, trying to block her path.
"It's none of my business. Really." Emma tried walking away again but Graham continued to follow.
"Can we please talk about this? I need you to understand."
"Why?" The blonde stopped finally and looked at him, truly confused by his behaviour.
"I don't know... Maybe so I can understand." Emma shook her head before answering.
"You need analysis, go talk to Archie." The deputy gestured behind her but Graham dismissed it.
"I want to talk to you." He said simply.
"Your bad judgement is your problem, not mine." Emma said coldly before continuing to walk again.
"You don't know what it's like with her. I don't feel anything. Can you understand that?" Emma frowned at him, she knew what that felt like, she knew exactly what it was like to not feel the things you should. She quickly brushed away her own thoughts and returned them to her conversation with Graham.
"A bad relationship? Yeah. I understand a bad relationship. I just don't wanna talk about yours." Graham threw his arm out in front of her to stop Emma once more.
"Look, I know you and Regina have your own issues, and I should've told you about that before you took the job."
"Yeah, why the secrecy? We're all adults. You can do whatever you want." Emma kept a straight face and Graham continued to talk.
"Because I didn't want you to look at me the way you are now." Graham muttered.
"Why do you care how I look at you?" The blonde couldn't keep the bafflement out of her voice.
"Because…"
"What?" Emma stared at him, waiting for a response but none came. Instead Graham leaned forward a kissed her, his hands grasping the sides of her face. But as soon as it started it stopped, and Graham lurched backwards.
"What the hell was that?!" she yelled at him. She watched as he looked around, his eyes wide.
"Did you see that?" he asked his voice breathless.
"How much have you been drinking? That was way over the line!" she snapped at him.
"I'm sorry, I just-"
"What? You what?"
"I need to feel something."
"Listen to me, Graham. You are drunk and full of regret. I get it. But whatever it is you are looking to feel, I can tell you one thing," she said sternly, staring him down. "You're not getting it with me." Emma turned and walked away, leaving Graham to stand lost and alone.
Xxxxxxxxxx
Emma wandered down the stairs next morning; a heavy wait seemed to have settled on her permanently over the last few days, weighing her down heavily. When the blonde reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes immediately fell on a bunch of flowers lying on top of the table.
"Really?" she mumbled grabbing the flowers and slumping over to the bin.
"Oh, hey, wait. What're you doing?" Called Mary Margaret, running from her area of the apartment into the kitchen as Emma slammed the flowers into the bin.
"If Graham thinks flowers'll work on me…"
"No, those were mine." The teacher trailed off.
"Oh…From David?" Emma asked frowning at the brunette.
"No..." she sighed. "Dr Whale."
"Why would Dr Whale…" Emma began while pulling on a jumper but stopped when realisation hit her. "Are you serious?" the blonde gawked at Mary Margaret who began talking quickly.
"I know. It's a disaster."
"No, that's amazing. You're getting over David." The teacher frowned.
"First of all, there's nothing to get over, and second of all it was just a one-night stand." Mary Margaret justified, busying herself with coffee.
"Not according to those flowers."
"Yeah, maybe I shouldn't have called him." The brunette muttered.
"Oh, my god! You called him?" Emma chuckled, grabbing a glass from the shelf. "That is definitely not a one-night stand."
"Okay, I'm still learning. I've never had one before…I felt guilty." She admitted, not looking at Emma.
"Why? There's nothing wrong with what you did. Trust me." Emma reassured. "One-nighters are as far as I ever go."
"Yeah, but that's because you're…"
"Because I'm what?" Two women stared at each other for a moment before Mary Margaret back tracked.
"Never mind."
"No, tell me. What do I do?" Emma asked a little more forcefully.
"You're just protecting yourself." The brunette said eventually. "With that wall you put up."
"Just because I don't get emotional over people…"
"You don't get emotional over people? The floral abuse tells a different story." Mary Margaret pointed out, making Emma scoff.
"And what story is that?" Emma asked.
"Look all I'm saying is that, this wall you put up…It may keep out pain, but it will also keep out love." Emma frowned at her.
"Love?" She asked. "Who am I stopping myself from loving?" Mary Margaret fiddled with the flowers for a moment, placing them carefully into a vase.
"You may not see it yet, but I do." The brunette turned to face Emma, a pitying look on her face. "You and I both know it's not really Graham you're upset with."
"I don't know…What?" May Margaret didn't answer and simply smiled at Emma who continued stare at her.
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Regina slid from her car gracefully and looked up at the police station before her. After much consideration the mayor could no longer sit around and hope Emma would come to her. Her heels clicked loudly as she glided down the hall towards the main station. Sounds of movement reached her ears as she rounded the corner to see Emma bent over retrieving a fallen dart. Regina couldn't help but let her eyes graze over the blonde in such a compromising position
"Our tax dollars hard at work, I see." Regina sassed, watching as Emma rolled her eyes.
"Graham isn't here. I assumed he took a sick day with you." Emma quipped, still not looking at the mayor. Regina stiffened at Emma's words, her fears about the other night being confirmed.
"Ah yes, well that is why I'm here." She watched as Emma walked over to her desk, placing down the darts.
"You don't have to worry Madame Mayor, I'm no threat to you and him."
"Well that's where you're wrong." Regina began, and Emma's eyes slowly rose to meet hers. "There is no me and him."
"No? Is it just a bang and go kind of thing then?" The mayor supressed a flinch at the blonde's words, putting on a mask to avoid Emma picking up on anything.
"Miss Swan you misunderstand, whatever I had with Graham is over." Emma frowned at her, something flashing in her eyes briefly, relief?
"Well that's nice of you to share with me." Emma turned back to her desk, clearly done with the brunette.
"Like I said the other day, my taste lie elsewhere." She smirked at the visible shiver that ran through the blonde. "However, it would appear your taste do lie with our sheriff."
"There's nothing going on between me and Graham." Emma said bluntly, looking back at Regina who sighed.
"Really? You can't think of anything that might have happened?"
"Nope." Regina huffed at the blonde; clearly Emma felt the need to be difficult.
"Miss Swan you forget I have eyes everywhere." Regina gestured with a finger and Emma rolled her eyes.
"Fine, nothing happened that had any meaning." The mayor nodded, not letting her rage at the idea of Emma with anyone else show through.
"Graham is not a path you want to go down Emma." The blonde's eyes widened at Regina.
"Are you telling me I shouldn't date Graham?" Regina shrugged.
"Not telling, merely advising." Emma scoffed at her.
"And why would you care who I date Madame Mayor?" the blonde asked, something shifting in the emerald pools again. Regina stepped closer to Emma, invading her personal space just a little.
"Well let's just say I've found someone who fit's my tastes." Regina winked at Emma before turning to leave, not looking back at the bewildered deputy, staring opened mouthed after her.
Xxxxxxxx
Emma sat with her legs dangling out of the car, she had been waiting sometime for Graham. The blonde had received a rather distressed call from Mary Margaret explaining about her weird encounter with Graham and how worried she was about him. After looking around for a bit, Emma found the police cruiser parked outside of the mayor's house. During her wait, the blonde went over her even stranger encounter with the mayor herself.
So after all this Regina did want her? Like really wanted her! Emma couldn't wrap her head around. But what happens next? Did Regina expect Emma to do something, or was Emma to wait for the mayor to make a move? It was a long time since Emma had dated anyone and even longer since she had been in any kind of relationship. The last one had ended rather nastily. Emma sat staring down at her hands, trying to calm her overworked mind. Maybe all Regina needed was some love in her life, since she didn't really have any at all. She got nothing from Henry, and everyone in the town seemed to be afraid of her. Perhaps she would be nice to people if someone paid attention to her a little. But then again maybe it was Regina who drove them away in the first place. It was clear she was hiding something. Something, Emma was sure involved her, and those drawings. Regina had lied about knowing her before, but Emma had proof they had met.
Emma sighed heavily, knowing Regina was a complicated woman. Whatever it was that made her want Emma gone so badly had practically vanished overnight, and now she was throwing herself at the blonde. The deputy shifted uncomfortably in her seat. This might all be someone long trick after all, some well thought out plan to get rid of the blonde. Emma felt anger prickle at her skin, and she shook her head. She wasn't going to let Regina get the better of her, not that easily at least.
Emma was pulled from her thoughts when Graham emerged from the house, looking lost in deep thought.
"I hear you're having a rough day." Emma said coming over to Graham.
"Who says?" he asked, eyeing her cautiously.
"Pretty much everyone. Maybe you need to go home and get some rest."
"I'm fine."
"No, Graham, you're not fine. You just went to see a 10-year-old for help." Emma said worriedly.
"He's the only one making any sense."
"What's going on?" Emma asked, watching as Graham twitched.
"It's my heart, Emma. I need to find it." The blonde stared at him for a moment before clearing her throat.
"Okay…So how are you gonna do that?" she asked slowly.
"I just need to follow the wolf." Emma's utter confusion broke through as her face scrunched up.
"What? What wolf?"
"From my dreams. It's gonna help me find my heart."
"I'm sorry…I thought we were talking in a metaphor here. You really think you don't have a heart?" Something stirred in Emma but she dismissed it, thinking it was just worry for Graham.
"It's the only thing that makes any sense." Graham said. "It's the only thing that explains why I don't feel anything!" He started to sound a little frantic and Emma put her hands up in attempts to calm him a little.
"Listen to me, Graham, you have a heart." He shook his head at her. "I can prove it." Emma slowly approached him and placed her hand on his chest, feeling a heartbeat. "See, it's beating. It's real."
Graham continued to shake his head, and Emma stepped a little closer, taking Graham's hand in her own and placing it on his heart. "Feel that. That is your heart."
"No, it's a curse." He pulled away from her and Emma sighed heavily at him.
"You can't really believe that's true." The blonde began, but her attention was suddenly caught by something behind Graham.
"What?" The Sheriff asked, turning to look and spotted a wolf standing by some trees. Graham immediately recognised the wolf and began to run over to it, Emma following behind him.
They kept up pursuit on the wolf, following it into a graveyard. The wolf came to a stop and Graham began to approach it but Emma pulled him back.
"Graham! Graham be careful." She warned.
"He's my friend. He won't hurt us." The wolf let out a howl before disappearing behind a large building. The two law enforces followed after it but it vanished leaving them alone in the graveyard. Graham looked around, confused as to why it brought them here. His eyes soon connected with a crest on the building next to them. Emma turned to look at it too, confused by what it was.
"What is it"? She asked, staring up at it.
"It's my heart." Graham muttered, looking at Emma. "It's in there."
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Regina felt very proud of herself as she walked along the path, a small bouquet of flowers in her hand. If everything worked out, she and Emma would be back on track in no time. She smiled to herself, realising how stupid it was to think Emma might choose Graham over her. The blonde's reaction earlier was enough to show she had an effect on Emma.
The mayor frowned when she came within sight of her vault, the door hung open. Who would dare break into her vault?! She quickened her pace towards it, trying to see the intruders. When she was close enough she recognised the sound of voices that sounded like Graham and…Emma? The mayor approached the vault and peered through the gap in the door, her eyes meeting Emma's back.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" she called to them, watching as Emma spun around to see her.
"What are you doing here?" Emma asked stepping outside, Graham following.
"Bringing flowers to my father's grave like I do every Wednesday." Regina snapped, glaring at the two. What on earth had possessed them to break into the vault?
"Don't blame her." Graham said, moving in front of Emma. "It's my fault. I wanted to look in there."
"Really? Why? What were you looking for?" Regina asked, frowning at the sheriff.
"Nothing. It was nothing." Graham said dismissively.
"And what are you doing here? Tagging along for a little fun?" Regina felt rage bubble within her, as Emma put her hands up in defence.
"Look I'm not involved in any of this." Emma said.
"That's right she's not." Regina glared at Graham.
"I thought I warned you about this path Miss Swan." Emma narrowed her eyes at Regina.
"I think it might be a better choice than you think." The blonde said making Regina's eye's flash angrily.
"So this is what you choose? Him?" Regina asked coldly.
"What would it matter if I did?" Emma challenged stepping closer to Regina. The mayor breathed in sharply, her senses going into over load at Emma's close proximity.
"This will end badly for you dear." Regina warned her, staring into emerald pools.
"But being with you is a safe bet?" Emma growled at her, fists clenching at her side. Regina picked up on the hostility coming off of Emma and stepped back a little. What had brought on this sudden rage in her?
"You never know until you try." Regina muttered watching as Emma scoffed at her.
"I know your kind Regina, and it is not something I get involved with." The malice in Emma's voice tore through Regina like a knife and she stood stunned as Emma pushed past her. Regina turned and watched her go, Graham trailing after her, confusion all over his face.
Regina stood there until she could no longer see either Graham or Emma, shaking slightly with rage. How could Emma possibly pick Graham over her? What had happened to change Emma's view of Regina so suddenly?
The mayor spun on her heel and turned back to her vault, storming inside. She stood for a moment, running her hand over the surface of grave in front of her. Her eyes grazing of the plaque reading her father's name. Moving around to the side of the coffin, Regina placed both hand on the stone and pushed, moving it across the floor to reveal a set of stairs leading below to the vault.
Regina quickly climbed down the steps into vault and glided throw its halls, coming to stop before a wall of draws, each containing a heart. She scanned the wall before reaching for one the draws pulling it out to reveal a box. Regina plucked the box out and moved away, opening it up to reveal a brightly shining heart. The mayor picked up the heart, staring at it intently.
"No one is going to get in the way of my happiness again." She growled.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Emma stared at Graham while he busied himself around the office. He seemed to be deep in thought. The blonde slipped from her perch on the table and slowly approached him.
"Graham?"
"Look I'm sorry for dragging you there with me." He said, but Emma shook her head, smiling at him.
"It's okay." She said, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"What?" he asked, smiling slightly. Emma returned the smile, before softly leaning in and brushing her lips against Graham's. The blonde felt him move with her and she kissed him again, feeling his hand come up to rest on the side of her face. The kiss quickly ended when Graham jolted backwards, falling against the desk.
"Graham? Are you okay?" he stared at her, a smile on his face.
"I remember." he whispered.
"Graham?" he stood straight again, staring at her.
"I remember." He said again.
"You remember what?" he began to approach her again, smiling widely at her, a tear falling from his eye. "Thank you."
Graham began to lean in to kiss her again, but lurched back once more, grasping his chest in pain. He collapsed to the floor his eyes closed and his body lifeless.
"Graham! Graham? Graham! GRAHAM!" Emma repeated over and over again, desperately shaking his body. "Graham! Come on, Graham!"
No response came, he was dead.
A/N: Ah man, Graham dying to broke my heart the first time I saw it :O Sad times man. Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this super long chapter! Please review and tell me what you think :D Till next time Kids.