One knock.
One became two.
Two swiftly became ten in what felt like a nervous tick the offending hand couldn't control. Emma shifted her weight from one foot to the other as she waited, holding her hands behind her back.
It had been an hour since Regina had left Emma and her bug to mope together in their misery. Apart from not replying to Emma's messages Regina had now set her phone to voice-mail, making Emma come out of her yellow refuge and stand in front of Kathryn's door.
She raised her hand again, but the door opened at the same time. Kathryn had to take a step back when she found herself almost nose to nose with pale knuckles.
"Where's the fire Sheriff?" she asked eyeing her strangely.
Emma's hand retracted like a spring and took its due place behind her neck, "No I-uh I just gotta call from Henry and I wanted to give Regina his message."
Talking to Kathryn over the phone had been pleasant. Watching her stare at you with one eyebrow raised was daunting. Emma didn't know whether it was because the woman now knew her as Mary Margaret's daughter or because lie detectors weren't exclusive to saviours.
"Ok", she stepped back warily, "Come on in, I was just putting on tea. Stay for a cup."
Emma smiled gratefully and headed for the sitting area. Regina must have been expecting Kathryn because her smile fell as soon as she laid eyes on her, what Emma hoped, not-ex-girlfriend. Gulping, she smiled before sitting beside her.
After taking a moment to internally give herself a pep-talk, she started, "Regina, look-"
"I'm sorry I shouted at you."
Emma's head whipped in Regina's direction, "O-k, not what I was expecting."
Her fingers went through her dark hair roughly, "No. I promised myself if we're doing this I wouldn't snap at you without hearing what you had to say. But I'm still so angry, and god Emma", she let her hands fall on her thighs, instead of what Emma thought was supposed to be her head, "why can't you just listen to me?"
Emma looked at her with guilt ridden eyes, "I was just trying to help." Her eyes drooped as she stared at the floral cover on the table, her fingers playing with the hem of her jacket, "I should never have called Kath-"
"No", she waved it off, "Don't-don't apologise. But just please consult me first."
"Yes ma'am", she smiled in relief. The smile turned bigger as she leaned sideways, hovering near Regina's shoulder, "Does that mean it went well here?"
"Well I told her about mother, that she saw me with my secret liaison."
"Ooh you make me sound so sexy", Emma chuckled as she snaked an arm around Regina.
"And", Regina continued ignoring her comment, "she agreed to come to dinner once and then I can tell mother she said something, you know, not nice and then we will never have to invite her again."
"Regina! What the hell! You're going to pretend to be friends?"
"Yes, see, much better than I expected."
Emma shook her head, "Babe", she huffed as she tried to get Regina to face her, "Regina, please look at me. I know you want to be her real friend. Just give it a try."
Regina turned sideways with a neutral expression. Emma smiled as she tucked brown locks behind her ear, "And if she can't see it then I'll just give her a lot of fake parking tickets. 'Kay?" She winked as she closed the distance. It was difficult to kiss Regina because she began shaking, finally having to pull away so she could let out the laugh bubbling in her throat. She brought her hands up to Emma's neck, making sure to pull her ear in the way eliciting a dorky Ow, so she could finish what Emma had started. Their lips had just re-connected when they heard a sharp breaking sound. Both of them flew apart and, as expected, found Kathryn standing there. The amalgam of tea and shards of white on the floor was a surprise.
"Sorry", Kathryn squeaked and actually swivelled, trying to pick a direction. She finally just turned around and headed back to the kitchen.
"I take it you didn't tell her I'm your secret liaison."
"Emma", Regina barked before taking a huge breath to calm herself, "Just please clean this up."
Emma looked at Regina disappearing into the kitchen and then at the mess. Grunting, she stood up trying to find a cloth all the while muttering under her breath, "What the fuck do I look like? I'm not Snow White, I don't have fucking squirrels shooting out of my ass who help me."
Kathryn was sipping water from her glass when she heard Regina enter.
"Sorry, tea, sorry." Her hands gestured the room outside but ended up making weird signs so she forced them down, clutching the glass instead.
"No I am sorry. I should have told you, and I'm.. sorry, I keep telling her to be careful outside but Emma has the brain of a two-year old." 'Apparently so do I when I'm with her', Regina completed inside.
When Kathryn didn't say anything she took a step forward, "Is it because Emma is a woman?"
"No", Kathryn shook her head, "God no."
"That's good.. I guess." Regina looked around the room awkwardly, "I just wanted to say that-" she looked at Kathryn's unwavering attention to her glass and sighed, "that we were leaving."
Regina chided herself, taunting the bright idea of talking things through with the woman. She was just about to leave the room when she heard Kathryn speak.
"Between the two of us I always thought you were a lousy friend."
Regina turned around slowly, "Excuse me?"
"It made me feel better, that I was in someway helping you by being your friend."
"I..", she tilted her head as brown eyes narrowed at the figure still looking down, "I should leave now."
"And then the curse broke and suddenly my old friend wasn't just the mayor but the evil queen herself", Kathryn was rambling now, "And I thought that, fine, that was all you were, that was why we never had anything substantial." She finally walked around the counter and her eyes held Regina's, "But then this, you smiling and kissing Emma. I've don't think I've ever seen you smile like that Regina."
Regina stood dumbfounded.
"I mean I always thought I knew the best for you and I never realised how miserable you were, that I'd never seen you laugh like that once."
"You are feeling bad... because you didn't realise I was.. miserable?"
"I'm feeling bad because-", she paused, sensing Regina's disbelief. She sighed before she continued, "Because I never got to know the real you. For the longest time you were my only friend. And even if it was make-believe, it felt unnaturally real. Do you think we can try what we had before, but with more honesty?"
It was ungraceful and embarrassing but Regina's mouth remained open for a good three seconds before she shook it off.
"I can do that." Regina tried to smile but the sting in her eyes made her turn away.
She heard Kathryn approaching her. "I missed you, you know", she said as she turned the brunette around and brought her arms around her.
"I.. me too", Regina managed to say, resting her head on the offered shoulder.
"Ok to come inside?" Emma's voice broke them apart.
When Emma came inside the room the first thing she saw was Regina's wet eyes and automatically her fists clenched. But on the imperceptible shake of head she received, the sheriff blew a long breath, calming down. She walked over to Regina's side and threw Kathryn a mock-glare.
"Not fair Kathryn, I clean your floor and in return you make my girlfriend cry."
Regina's head snapped in her direction, her eyes emoting a silent threat.
"I mean", she tried to fix her words half-heartedly, "you made my, pff, my favourite mayor cry."
Regina rolled her eyes as she thought, 'Oh obviously that's what you think I have a problem with.'
"I am not crying Miss Swan and it would be best if you kept your mouth shut."
"Yea, probably some dust in her eye, and yours too I'm assuming." Emma smiled apologetically which was not all that apologetic. Kathryn laughed, walking away to put a pot of coffee and make up for the lost beverage. Emma and Regina walked up till the counter, the former waiting till their hands were hidden so she could hold the brunette's. Regina smiled as she squeezed back. Kathryn caught the exchange and couldn't help but smile herself.
Kathryn got pulled out of her thoughts when Emma addressed her, "So Kathryn, dinner at the Mills, huh?"
"Yes sheriff, any pointers?"
"Umm, no throwing water at her mom."
"Emma!" Regina harshly whispered as she jerked the hand in hers.
"Sorry", Emma grinned, "Wrong story."
Kathryn turned to keep the bottle away giving Emma ample time to steal a kiss.
"Sure you're ok?" she whispered. Regina nodded smiling back, her fingers tightening around Emma's.
"Coming?"
The sudden noise made Snow jump. She looked at the door, waving her hand in affirmation. Once the door closed, she resumed cleaning the mess around Henry's sleeping form. Once satisfied, she left the room, making her way to the sitting area.
"Oh, thank you darling", Snow graciously said when she spotted the steaming cup of tea that sat on the table for her. David smiled hesitantly, and Snow could see he wanted to ask something.
"Snow, how are you feeling? You seem a little off since.. her visit."
"Oh I'm fine."
David crossed his arms as his eyebrows rose in disbelief.
Snow blew the steam off the cup a few times only to keep it back down, "She just, I don't know, it's hard to explain."
"But she didn't even look at you, let alone talk to you."
"Exactly", Snow stood up as she paced about, "She sees right through me, like I don't exist. It's unsettling how easy it is for her to give up."
"Give up destroying you Snow", David's outburst made the woman stop. He wiped his face before continuing in a much softer tone, "I don't think we need to question her on this. It's not healthy and we definitely don't need the added stress if we're serious about extending our family. She has moved on Snow, now it's our turn."
Snow opened and closed her mouth before she finally nodded. She sat down, her hand wrapped around her tea-cup as she stared at it. David walked towards her, his arms going easily around the petite brunette as he hugged her from behind, "Speaking of stress, are you sure about next week?"
Snow's face finally lightened up as she looked up to him, "Oh, yes. I cannot wait for the fair."
Regina wondered if every child felt such pressure when they introduced a friend to their mother. She was nervous the entire time and if Kathryn was, she couldn't tell because of the huge smile on the blonde's face. Though Regina mostly suspected it to be on the expense of her discomfort and not due to her actually having a good time.
Regina had insisted on an early dinner, which thankfully had been quite uneventful. By the time they sat in the living room, Regina had vowed to never behave the same way as her mother in case Henry ever brought a friend over. She tried not to think of the probability of the situation.
"I've always seen her in short hair."
Regina grimaced as Kathryn made the obnoxious cooing sound for the third time since her mother had handed over her beloved locket.
"I keep telling her to grow out her hair but she hardly listens to me." Cora said looking at Regina from the corner of her eye.
Kathryn smirked at the tight-lipped expression Regina had, "Oh, that is definitely Regina. Never listens, does she?"
Regina shot her a dirty look in return.
When Cora subtly tried to ask her if Regina had a special friend during the curse, Regina couldn't contain her irritation. She quickly tried to divert the topic to Frederick and off of her.
And that worked. Somewhat.
"Frederick ?" Cora asked, "Is he your husband? Dear, why didn't you bring him? You absolutely must the next time."
Kathryn looked between Regina and Cora, "He isn't, I mean I-we never got married." Her eyes widened as she faced Regina, "Legally I may still be married to David."
Cora gasped with her hand going over her chest and Regina cradled her head. Hoping to not allow her mother to say another word, she got up ushering the older woman to leave, "Mother, why don't you bring the dessert you packed for her?"
"But they're staying together without wedlock", she said in a voice that was intended to be a whisper but sadly rang through the room.
"Mother. Cake. Now."
Once her mother disappeared out of sight, Regina sat next to their guest, "Kathryn, I'm extremely-"
"Apologise only for marrying me to David, not for your mom okay", Kathryn flashed an easy smile followed by a light laugh. She shrugged as she said, "My mother was the same. Very traditional."
"She was?"
"Yes", she smiled as her eyes grew distant, "I lost her when I was quite young."
Regina's hand rested near Kathryn's, unsure of protocol, "And your father?"
"He was taken from me right before the curse", she said quietly, this time her eyes glistening over, "I don't think I ever grieved him properly."
Regina felt a pang of genuine sadness on her sombre tone, her own mind going to her father. She took Kathryn's hand in hers trying to find the right words when her mother entered.
"Is everything alright in here dear?"
Kathryn sighed, trying to wipe her eyes discretely, "Oh yes, I just got a little carried away reminiscing. I should get going now."
As Kathryn composed herself, Cora gave Regina the plastic container. She accepted whispering, "Not a word about Frederick." Cora always found it endearing when Regina tried to chastise her. She smiled, placing her hand on her cheek briefly and walked Kathryn to the door.
"Now Kathryn, I don't want you to feel like you can't come here, you can come home anytime you want."
"Oh, that, yes sorry. I wasn't sure earlier", she lied that was accepted without any doubt.
"I hope you are now, please do come over more, Regina would like it very much."
Regina groaned as she heard only the last part, "It's getting late mother, say goodnight."
"Goodnight Kathryn, it was lovely having you over. Please bear my daughter's bad manners."
Regina rolled her eyes and almost pushed Kathryn till the iron-gate outside. Sure of privacy, she thanked Kathryn for coming.
"I'm very sorry if tonight-", she didn't get to complete her apology as Kathryn tackled her into a good long hug. Her blonde friend had quickly learnt that it was an effective way of shutting Regina up.
"I had a lovely time, I wouldn't mind coming back."
"Really? Because you don't-"
"Let me rephrase it, I would truly love to come back."
Regina exhaled, letting go of the tension of the evening in a long breath, "I would too."
"And I would also love it if you came over to meet Frederick . You only know Kathryn, I think you should get to know Abigail too." Kathryn took the plastic ware, waving as she retreated. A few steps ahead she stopped, turning with a teasing grin, "Bring your saviour too."
Regina laughed as she nodded. As she was turning back she felt her phone vibrate. Retrieving it from her pocket she read the message from Emma.
'How is it going?'
'Kathryn just left.'
A second later she got a call.
"Sorry I keep forgetting about your mad messaging skills."
"Oh do shut up." Regina said annoyed but Emma could make out the smile from the other side.
"So, how was it?"
"It was good", Regina sighed as her hands caressed the hedges, "Embarrassing but good. Kathryn invited us for dinner to meet her beau."
"You and Cora?"
Regina shook her head but then realised Emma wouldn't catch the gesture, "You and I."
"Who?"
"You and I, sheriff."
"Wait can you repeat that?"
"You, Emma Swan, and-" she stopped suddenly, "You know, I don't think I buy you being romantic ironically."
"Shut up", Emma said fondly, two oddly unromantic words that shouldn't be able to make Regina's cheeks pink. But they did.
"How is Henry feeling? He slept fine?" Regina inquired.
"Yea, he's pretty much ok now. I'll bring him by tomorrow morning."
"Should I set out an extra plate for breakfast?"
"No - ah - I have to get to the station extra early", she said awkwardly. She quickly tried to make up for it, "How about you and the kid skip lunch and we three can catch dinner at Granny's? He definitely deserves a treat after the hospital standard food he had to put up with today."
"That sounds feasible", Regina said softly as she stood at the foot of her door.
"Awesome, we can discuss Miner's Day then", Emma said excitedly making Regina shake her head, not wondering for the first time what was so special about this year's fair.
A/N:
Any thoughts, lovelies?