A/N: Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all the followings and the reviews. I wasn't so sure about the idea of this fic at first. Though I guess you'll see in this chapter if I did it right or not. I actually had a lot of fun writing it and I hope you will have just as much fun reading it.
Don't forget to review and if you have songs you want to see in this fic, do tell. I have an outline and a few songs prepared but some are not working very well so I'm open to suggestions.
(And if you want to listen to the songs they sing in this chapter to hear what it sounds like -though you'll quickly recognize them-, I'll put the names at the end so as not to spoil the surprise.)
When they finally reached the bar, Emma was surprised to find out that it was actually packed. It was definitely not something she would have expected on a karaoke night, knowing how embarrassed people usually were with their singing. But Storybrooke was proving itself to be quite a different town from what she had known up until now.
They made their way to one of the only available tables in one corner of the room and Henry tilted his head at Emma's less than stellar facial expression. "You make a funny face when you're surprised."
Regina stifled a laugh at the unexpected comment and Emma glared at her before focusing on Henry. "It's just that, I don't want to upset you with this, but usually karaoke nights are kind of… lame? They are embarrassing. How come there are so many people?"
"Don't judge, don't tell policy, Miss Swan. What happens here stays here." Regina was happy to supply. In fact she was convinced that it was more the curse's doing than anything else. People seemed to be forgetful in Storybrooke, they probably didn't even remember who had made a fool of themselves the previous week.
"And it works?" Henry and Regina both nodded so Emma dropped it. "If you say so…"
She was about to ask for a few embarrassing stories to taste this supposed policy when a good-looking waiter made his way towards them and focused his attention on Regina, seemingly ignoring the two other persons sitting at the table. "Hello Mayor Mills, I'm glad you could make it today. I was waiting for you. Is there anything I can do for you tonight?"
The way he had of staring at Regina made Emma's blood boil. Sure she had no claim on the woman, but she didn't appreciate watching some random guy obviously flirting with her. Fortunately Regina didn't seem in the mood for it either, as she offered him what Emma had come to recognize as her politician smile and decided to completely ignore the underlying message. "Two glasses of wine and one of juice would be good. Bring us some dips too."
She then turned away from him and replaced some hair that had fallen over Henry's eyes, which was promptly followed by a roll of eyes from the boy. When the waiter finally understood that he had definitely lost her, he went away with their order, his shoulders slumped.
Emma watched the scene attentively and waited for the waiter to be truly gone before talking. She let go of a low whistle who got Regina's attention. "Wow, you do know how to deal with unwanted attention! You didn't even have to say anything."
"It's just experience, Miss Swan."
Not content to leave it at that, Emma was about to follow up by another question on how often this was actually happening and if Regina actually indulged in it sometimes. For all she knew the woman could have a boyfriend. Sure neither she nor Henry had mentioned it but it was a possibility judging by the attention she seemed to receive.
However she thought better of it when she remembered Henry's presence at the table. She was turning out to be quite a pitiful mother. Not that she was trying to be his mother in any way, she had given up that right a long time ago, but the least she could do was using this day to get to know him better and satisfy his curiosity. Not to try and find out about his mother's love life.
Though one could argue that her love life had some kind of influence on the kid, and therefore it would be completely justified to inquire about it. In Henry's best interest.
With that new excuse in mind, Emma tried to be subtle. "So… it has always been just the two of you? No boyfriend?"
When she raised her eyes and met the brunette's gaze, she couldn't help but notice the mirth in the brown eyes and her mocking smirk. Apparently she hadn't been as subtle as she would have wanted to be. But it looked okay as Regina didn't seem offended by it, rather… interested? Could it be that Regina Mills was actually considering flirting with her?
She was pulled out of such considerations by Henry, who fortunately hadn't yet noticed the game his mothers were starting to play. Or maybe he had noticed and was just waiting to find out how it would play out, preferring to sit back and pretend nothing was happening. He was, indeed, much more observant than people usually gave him credit for.
"No. Mom doesn't date."
So ten years without dating? Emma snorted. Like someone could go this long without getting any. Especially when people were offering as often as they probably were with Regina. "Yeah… right."
But Regina stood her ground, her eyes fixed on Emma and a small smile on her lips. "No, my son is right, Miss Swan. I don't date."
The way she said it painted the picture pretty clearly. After all Emma didn't usually date either but it didn't mean that her bed had been empty all the time. Although she wondered how Regina managed to do that with Henry always in the house, but she must have her ways. Which meant that she still had her chances.
She berated herself as soon as the thought got in her head. No, she didn't stand any chance and she shouldn't want it anyway because she was Henry's birth mother and Regina was his mother. It was way too complicated.
To avoid embarrassing herself any further, Emma chose to concentrate on the stage where people were already singing. It didn't sound so bad actually.
Meanwhile Regina observed Emma's profile, finding that she was liking what she was seeing. But just like Emma before, she once again reminded herself that Emma was Henry's birth mother and that the situation was too weird for anything to really happen. And she was still suspicious of the blonde's motives towards her son, even if the blonde's behavior was actually pretty comforting.
Soon enough the drinks and the food were brought to the table and conversation started easily enough, everyone quite enjoying their night.
When they were done with the food Henry looked up expectantly at the stage then at Emma. "So, you're going to sing, Emma?"
"I'm not so sure, kid. Why don't you go?"
Regina shook her head at the obvious diversion tactic. "Don't be so scared. It's actually a lot of fun."
"And I believe you, you should just go first."
There was some kind of dare in Emma's tone which made Regina laugh. Apparently the blonde didn't believe that the mayor was the kind of person to get up and sing on stage. Well, she was about to prove her wrong. Not only did she not have any problem with it, but she was also doing it every week. "Alright. Do you want to sing with me, Henry?"
The ten-year-old nodded enthusiastically and quickly got up from his chair. "Yes! Let's show Emma how great karaoke night actually is."
Regina rose from her chair too, albeit with a lot more grace and placed her hand between Henry's shoulder blades. "You're right. I do believe that she still doesn't quite believe us."
And with that they both made their way towards the stage, Emma's eyes fixated on them. She watched them climb on the small wooden stage and Henry going to whisper something in the ear of the man in charge of the music. Meanwhile Regina went to lower one mike to Henry's height, apparently knowing very well what it actually was. She then brought a second one closer, placing herself behind it.
Henry ran towards his mike just as the first bits of the song were heard. He then started to sing with a huge smile on his face while Regina snapped her fingers in rhythm with the song, her hips rolling with the beat.
"When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we see
No I won't be afraid
No I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me."
He looked at his mother when he said it and the smiles they exchanged made Emma's heart clench. It was a bittersweet scene for her. On one hand she was happy that Henry had ended up with a mother who loved him as much as Regina did and who had provided him with everything all these years. It was heartwarming to be able to witness such a cute representation of the love between the mother and her son. But on the other hand her heart was aching for what she could have had.
She could have been the one up on that stage, singing with her son without a care in the world. She would have loved him. The memories of the moment when she had held him in her arms for the first but also last time were a testament to that. A single tear escaped her as she watched them sing the chorus together.
"So darling darling stand by me
Oh, stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me."
Although she could have tortured herself a lot more with these thoughts, she preferred concentrating on the love showing in her son's eyes. He had a mother and he loved her. He was happy, safe. Someone was standing by him, always. She probably couldn't have given him that. At the time she was just a scared teenager with absolutely no resources.
Dwelling on the past would do her no good, so she just listened as Regina and Henry continued blowing her mind with their little show.
"If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountain should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry
No I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me"
She wiped away the tear that had escaped her previously and cheered for the two people she had just met but couldn't get enough of. She looked around her and saw that people were just as happy with the song as she was. They were all smiling while looking at the adorable duo.
However when her eyes fell on the waiter from earlier, her smile faded somehow. The way he was ogling Regina didn't sit well with the blonde at all. On an impulse she called him over with her best demanding glare and asked him for a glass of scotch, forcing him to turn away from the stage and go and look for her glass.
Then, with a satisfied grin, she turned back to the stage, just as the chorus once again ended. At this point Henry stopped singing and allowed for his mother to show her beautiful voice to their audience. He had noticed that Emma didn't believe in his mother's singing abilities and he wanted to show her that she had been wrong.
"So darling, darling
Stand by me, oh stand by me
Oh stand now, stand by me, stand by me
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me
Oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me."
Not only did it work to show his birth mother that the mayor could very well sing, but it also had one effect that he hadn't been expecting (and that he didn't notice, too young that he was). Indeed the sensual voice of the brunette, coupled with the move of her hips and the fiery eyes she was directing at her, had Emma clenching her thighs together and trying hard to focus on something else. The brunette certainly liked to tease.
Fortunately for the blonde the chorus came one last time and Henry joined in, somehow covering his mother's voice and diverting Emma's attention to him.
When the last note could be heard the room burst in applause and both Mills bowed while laughing before going back to their table. Henry excitedly ran towards Emma while Regina followed him more slowly, minding her steps in the dark room.
"So, did you like it?"
"I loved it, kid. You were amazing."
His grin widened, if it was even possible, before he plopped down in his chair, quickly followed by his mother. Once she was settled she turned towards Emma. "Well, did we manage to change your views on karaoke or are you still skeptical?"
"Still a little bit skeptical. I think I'll need a few more drinks. Not everybody has your voice."
"Something tells me you're just being modest, Miss Swan."
It was Emma's turn to smirk. "Wouldn't you like to know."
"Oh, I'll find out." With that she made a sign to the waiter who came back with two more glasses of scotch. She slid one towards Emma with a playful smile and waited for the blonde to drink it. If alcohol was the way to make Emma sing, then alcohol she would get. She then excused herself and left Emma with Henry and her glass of scotch.
As soon as she was out of earshot, Henry faced Emma with curious eyes. "You like her."
Emma almost spilled her drink, not having been expecting that at all. "What? …No. ...What do you mean?" She put her glass safely on the table, waiting for him to elaborate on his assertion. It hadn't even been a question… Was she that obvious?
"I can feel it. She likes you too by the way."
"I don't know where you are getting all of that, kid, but I can assure you that nothing is going on. I'm here for you, and you only."
He let that sink in for a few seconds while he took the time to examine her expression. Eventually he tilted his head. "I wouldn't mind, you know." He knew that he'd better get to the point soon, his mother would come back from the restroom and he wanted to get his message across before that. "If it's because you think that I'll be upset, it's stupid. I know you're here for me, but if you can make my mom happier too, it's awesome."
She didn't get the chance to respond. Regina was already making her way back to their table. It didn't stop her from staring at Henry though. That kid was something, that was for sure. She couldn't believe she had just gotten the green light to flirt with Regina from Henry.
The brunette in question arched her eyebrow at Emma's strange behavior. "Is everything alright, Miss Swan?"
"Emma."
"I'm sorry?"
"You should call me Emma."
Regina looked at her quizzically but didn't seem to get any other answers so she turned to Henry who just shrugged. "I think she wants to sing."
That had Emma quickly reacting. She suddenly snapped her head upwards and shook it fiercely. "Nope. No singing for me."
But Henry didn't let go. He fixed Emma with a knowing glare and discreetly angled his eyes in his mother's direction. "Come on Emma, you were just telling me that you had a song to sing before mom came back. Don't be a chicken."
She rolled her eyes at his son's antics but let herself be convinced. With a loud sigh she drank her glass in one gulp and rose from her chair. "Alright, kid, I'm going to sing."
And looking at Henry's excited grin and Regina's surprised eyebrow, she couldn't help but think that maybe it was worth it. And if it wasn't, the alcohol she had ingurgitated was enough to convince her that it was.
So she bravely made her way towards the man in charge of the music and said something in his ear which was promptly followed by a chuckle from him. And sure enough, when the first notes of 'Hungry eyes' could be heard, the audience started laughing. Apparently she would be the one showing everyone that karaoke could be embarrassing tonight.
She quickly went to the mike and asked for the music to be paused for a few seconds. When that was done and she had everyone's attention, she took a big breath and smiled to the audience who was looking at her curiously. "Hey everyone!" She was relieved when they all greeted her back while laughing. They had obviously all had quite some drinks so maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal if she made a big fool out of herself. "I would like to dedicate this song to one sexy brunette."
They all followed her gaze to see that Emma's attention was directed at Regina and they laughed. There were a few hollers for the mayor, which had Regina blushing. To say that Emma's intervention had surprised her would be an understatement. She quickly looked in Henry's direction but was relieved to find him with a wide smile and a glint in his eyes. It didn't seem to be a surprise for him and Regina wondered if he had a hand in this. But she didn't get to think about it much as Emma started singing.
"I've been meaning to tell you
I've got this feelin' that won't subside
I look at you and I fantasize
You're mine tonight
Now I've got you in my sights."
The attention and knowing smirks she was getting from the inhabitants of Storybrooke had Regina blushing pretty hard at first. However she quickly got over it as she reminded herself that she was no blushing maiden and chose to focus solely on the blonde's ridiculous gestures and the stupid grin she had plastered on her face. So she laid back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest and threw Emma a challenging glare.
Emma was not one to be intimidated though, especially not after the few drinks she had had, so she only sang louder and more enthusiastically.
"With these hungry eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got hungry eyes
I feel the magic between you and I."
Regina was biting her lip while trying not to show that she was actually enjoying the song. It felt good to be serenaded, even if it was in such a cheesy way. Henry's laugh made her turn her head towards him and she saw that he was seeing right through her attempts at keeping a neutral face, so she dropped it and shook her head while laughing.
"I want to hold you so hear me out
I want to show you what love's all about
Darling tonight
Now I've got you in my sights.
With these hungry eyes
One look at you and I can't disguise
I've got hungry eyes
I feel the magic between you and I
I've got hungry eyes
Now I've got you in my sights
With those hungry eyes
Now did I take you by surprise
I need you to see
This love was meant to be."
Everyone was singing along now, even Regina, and Emma felt pretty proud of herself. She made a mental note to follow Henry's advice more often. He obviously knew what he was talking about, judging by the happy face and laughs coming from Regina.
Emma was actually finding it to be one of the most beautiful things on earth when the song finally came to an end. There was a thunderous applause but Emma kept her eyes locked on Regina through it all.
Eventually she made her way back to their table with proud steps and plopped down on her chair, seemingly exhausted by such a show.
"Well it seems that you do enjoy karaoke, dear. Or do you still think that it's- what was it you said? ah yes. Lame."
"Okay, karaoke is not lame. But seriously though? I dedicate a song to you and that's all you have to say?"
"Actually it's going to take more than some hungry eyes to get me to say more."
"You're impossible, woman."
"I've been told."
While Henry was greatly amused by their easy banter, he didn't manage to cover the yawn that he had been trying to stifle for a while now and Regina immediately noticed. Checking her watch, she saw that it was already late and past Henry's bedtime.
It didn't take them long after that to leave the bar on Regina's orders and for Emma to be sent back to Boston in her death trap, as Regina had gently called it. There had been an offer to stay the night but Emma had politely refused, invoking some work she had to do in Boston the following morning. They would do that again someday though, or at least that's what they promised each other while waving goodbye.
Stand by me (Ben E. King)
Hungry Eyes (Eric Carmen)