"How many leather jackets do you own?" Regina glared at Emma who stood on her front porch wearing, this time, a black leather jacket. Truthfully, she liked the ensemble; the younger women looked sexy and little edgier with her normally cascading curls swept up into a ponytail. Underneath, she could just catch a glimpse of the emerald blouse Emma had worn when she seduced her in her office and she discovered a particular fondness for the article of clothing.
"I don't know. How many trench coats do you own?" Emma volleyed back eyeing her navy Burberry trench she'd just pulled over her wool gray dress.
Her eyebrow ticked up. "Touché."
"You ready for this?"
"Yes. I don't have much of a choice, do I?"
"Okay. Let's go." Emma didn't loiter as she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving her to follow to the waiting Volkswagen. The blonde appeared as nervous and uncertain as Regina felt on the inside, Emma's gaze shifting restlessly, and her fingers drumming against the steering wheel as they cruised silently through the streets toward the center of town. They left much unsaid, holding onto the stoicism they had always relied upon. The sheriff had composed herself by the time she parked along the curb in front of town hall. A hard defiant look in her eyes and shoulders squared confidently.
There was a group of townsfolk milling around stone steps of the government building though not as many as Regina had expected to be. And they stood solemnly unlike the raving, angry mob from five days ago, curiosity blinking in their eyes, as they seemed to speak in hushed tones amongst themselves like a flock of misplaced pigeons.
"Wait there." Emma said briefly as she got out of the car and jogged around to the passenger side. She opened the door and let Regina step out, meanwhile keeping her sights on the crowd, she imagined in case there was any trouble. She gently held onto Regina's elbow, her touch more comforting than leading as they walked toward the door. A man broke from the pack and approached them, she tensed but Emma didn't.
"Sheriff Swan." He greeted her and Regina recognized him as Michael Tillman, Nicholas and Ava's father.
"Mr. Tillman." The younger woman shook his hand. "How are Hansel and Ava?"
"They're good. Thank you for letting them stay with Henry and Mr. Booth."
The blonde nodded in acknowledgment. "Ready to go in?"
"Yeah." He bobbed his head anxiously. "I think everyone else has already arrived."
Emma gestured for him to go ahead and they followed close behind, ignoring the inquisitive looks as the passed up the stairs.
Regina nearly laughed at the scene laid out in the nearly empty auditorium. On the modest platform seven figures sat with ceremonial dignity though the effect was lost to the fact they were seated on metal folding chairs. The people looked his like were taking themselves too seriously, putting on royal airs, despite being dressed in a variety of ordinary cardigans or flannel. On the far left Snow White held her head high with the grace of a princess and her seeming favorite pink sweater, on her right was David with a grim expression on his face. Granny was on his other side with her granddaughter standing at attention by her shoulder. Then the dour looking Blue Fairy and Dr. Hopper followed by Doc and finally Geppetto all stared at her waiting to pass their judgment. The podium had been moved to the side in favor of a small table with a scale placed ominously on the surface; the gleaming gold trays proudly balanced.
The Huntsman was in attendance as well. He leaned causally against the wall in the back of the room, his wolf familiar lying at his feet, the pair simply acting as witnesses to the proceedings. He saluted to Emma as they passed and the animal lifted her head from the ground with interest at their arrival. Mr. Tillman shuffled down the center aisle and hurriedly took a seat on the left side in the front row, seemingly afraid like he was on trial himself. Regina schooled her face into a cool mask of indifference as she glided down the row though her heart thudded uncomfortably against her ribs with a sickening heat coiling in her stomach. She took the seat that mirrored Mr. Tillman's on the right while Emma remained standing beside her, arms crossed tensely over her chest.
Snow cleared her throat as she began what probably was a prepared monologue, "Now that everyone and the accused is present I will start by explaining the rules of the tribunal. We shall use the scale to cast our votes. Everyone on the high council will get one stone. All the stones weigh the same as everyone's vote carries the same weight. The representative of the people will get three stones since the will of the people should carry the most weight. Now, does the accused have anything to say in her defense?"
Regina froze a moment. She hadn't thought that she would be allowed to speak and now her mind hummed blank for a second. There was nothing she could say to these people that would change their opinions now. This trial was merely a formality, delaying the inevitable moment when she banished as guilty. She took a steadying breath to make her final declaration, "No. I cast the curse and I can't regret it. I found I could love again with Henry and then I- I fell in love… And I will never regret that. If that makes me guilty, than so be it."
Snow's lips twitched at her at audacious words, her nose flared in agitation and she barked. "Fine. We will proceed. Jiminy if you would pass out the stones."
The cricket of a man produced a brown pouch and rushed to the princess to present the bag to her. She reached in and pulled out a piece of white marble sanded down to a flat oval. He then went down the line, each person dipping their hand in to retrieve the gem. Archie hopped off the stage and extended the pouch to Emma but the Blue Fairy spoke out shrilly, "Emma isn't on the high council."
The room stood still until Snow proclaimed calmly. "She is my daughter. Of course she is on the council."
The sheriff warily accepted her token, squeezing it tightly in her fist. Dr. Hopper dumped the rest of the stones in Michael's hands and scurried back to his seat. The raven-haired princess rose from her chair and strode to the scale at center stage. She continued to talk in her slightly lofted voice. "To vote guilty markers will be place on the left, not guilty on the right. I will begin… Regina for your crimes against my family I find you guilty."
She stared fiercely at Regina and dropped her stone onto the left tray. The balance sunk heavily against her. As she returned to her place, David stood walking steadily to cast his vote. He echoed his wife's words. "Regina for your crimes against my family I find you guilty."
As he took his spot back next to Snow, the Widow Lucas remained unmoving in her seat, eyes straightforward. She announced solidly. "I defer my vote to my granddaughter Red."
"Eugenia-" Snow started in protest but the elderly woman cut her off.
"No, I'm a bitter, old war dog. It shouldn't be up to me to decide. It should be for the young to make the choices for the future." Granny said unwaveringly. She looked over her shoulder and addressed Ruby, her expression wide with shock. "Go on girl. Whatever you decide is right by me."
Tentatively taking up the burden of pale rock, the younger woman stood before the balance and paused as she deliberated. Finally her voice floated out, small but firm. "I know what it is like to lose someone you love, to be responsible for that. And I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I won't be responsible for another love lost. I vote not guilty."
A thrill shivered up Regina's spine as the wolf girl nodded in deference to Emma. She delicately placed her piece of marble on the right, the scale barely wobbling from the guilty verdict. Ruby stepped away to rejoin her grandmother, avoiding the glowering look from the Blue Fairy as her marched to the little table. She began with talking with righteous conviction. "The Evil Queen is and will always remain evil. We must stop her now when we still have the chance. I find her unequivocally guilty."
The queen could feel Emma prickling with anger at her words and the left side fell further down.
The fairy stalked away and Archie took his turn, spinning his stone pensively in his fingers as he walked up. He shoved a hand in his pocket, rocking a little on his feet and started thoughtfully. "We've all walked on dark paths before, myself included… But I truly believe that love can redeem us. I can't in good conscience deny anyone a chance at that. Not long ago Emma and I talked about ending a war and figuring out the best way to do that and I believe this is it. Regina, I find you not guilty."
He put his vote with Ruby's bringing the total three to two. The difference rapidly grew against her however as Doc and Geppetto placed their markers on the left with little fanfare, the five guilty ruling so heavy now that the tray nearly touched the table. Emma took her cue, leaving her post by Regina, and made her way to the stage. Her boot clipped at a reluctantly pace like a somber tempo on a metronome. She stopped to the right of the scale staring at the device for a long moment. Then shining jade eyes turned to lock onto Regina's, her voice hoarse, "I love her. And that should be enough."
The blonde set her vote on the right but the scale didn't flinch. It wouldn't be enough. A single tear slid down the queen's cheek in mourning for all that she was about to lose. Emma wiped at her face, jumping of the short platform to realign herself with Regina. Her hand came to rest on her shoulder and Regina covered it with her own to anchor it there.
Snow made a little ahem noise, pointedly ignoring their contact, "Mr. Tillman, if you would cast the final vote please."
The man stood slowly to finally take his turn behind the scale. He took a deep breath. "When Sheriff Swan asked me to be the representative for the citizen vote, I didn't understand. I thought anyone could stand up here and vote for the guilty verdict. I mean, she has admitted as much that she cast the curse. But the Sheriff asked me to talk to the people, and I have a lot these past few days."
Michael shifted his weight nervously as he continued. "People talked a lot about injustices and hardships… but not from here, not from Storybrooke. It was in the Enchanted Forest. The Evil Queen may have cast this as a curse, but in many ways it's improved our lives. I know for myself, and many people agree, we wouldn't want to go back. I can provide for my children here. They won't go to bed hungry and there are good doctors for when they are sick… We have a chance at a better life."
He looked back to Snow and David. "Your highnesses, you sacrificed your daughter for us and we will always be grateful for that. People don't trust the Queen, not yet, but they trust Emma, just like you trusted her to save us all those years ago. She brought back the happy endings and we want to return the favor. For the people, I cast the vote of not guilty."
He dropped the white stones onto the tray, the pieces clattered noisily against the gold metal, and the balance swung dramatic with the new weight. The right side sank lower, six to five, proclaiming her innocence by one vote.
Regina had barely been able to perceive what Mr. Tillman had been saying, could barely understand what her eyes were seeing. She turned up her astonished gaze to Emma who had been squeezing the hell out of her shoulder. The blonde looked back with equal amazement, her chest moving up and down heavily as if catching her breath. A flood of adrenaline scorched her veins and Regina could feel herself shaking. She rose from her chair, hands finding purchase on Emma's hips. The sheriff's arms fell around her neck as they held each other in wonder. The fear that this would all vanish in an instant faded away. The brunette dropped her gaze to Emma's enticing lips. They were so close she only needed to lean forward a scarce inch to close the distance but she knew all eyes were on them at them and she hesitated. Emma, on the other hand, didn't care as kissed Regina ecstatically. The relief was palpable in the kiss, demanding confirmation of that they were not be to separate, which Regina gave into readily.
"This is a mistake!" A voice sliced viciously through the air. Pulling away, Regina looked to the source, feeling dazed. Her eyes landed on the Blue Fairy who stood with fuming rage. "You're making a mistake. That woman is not as innocent as you think."
Emma scanned the people above them who watched them uncomprehending and distraught. The sheriff said after a moment. "Well maybe she isn't as guilty as you think."
"Can you get us out of here?" She asked Regina quietly. The queen ticked her head down once in affirmation. Focusing on the feeling of Emma in her arms, and the happiness swelled; her magic exploded outward in her chest and they were pulled away in a puff of purple smoke.
"Whoa." Emma muttered as they landed in Regina's bedroom.
Once away from the condemning, unwelcoming stares of the high council, Regina collapsed like a house made of straw. She fell into Emma's frame, pressing her face into her neck and let out an undignified sob.
"Hey, it's okay." Emma soothed, directing them so they sat on the end of the bed. She rubbed her hands up and down the brunette's shuddering back. "It's alright. We're alright."
The younger woman held her tightly and let her cry; the emotions she'd been suppressing all day came flooding to the surface. Regina forced words out between her hiccupping breaths, "I thought I was going to lose you."
"I know. I know." Emma hummed. "But you haven't. You're not going anywhere. I'm not going anywhere."
Eventually the tears subsided and her breathing steadied. Lifting her head, she was met with by dewy meadow eyes looking at her with adoration. Emma cupped her face, running her thumbs over her cheeks to wipe away the traces of wetness there. Regina felt her breath get taken away just as she'd regained it. "Emma, I've never really said… You have to know- I love you."
The smile Emma gave her was painfully beautiful. "I love you too."
And they kissed. They kissed without the dread that this one may be there last. Emma nipped at her lower lip and she craved more. She wanted the entire woman as she shoved off her jacket. Emma pawed off her coat as well, hands immediate tracing the curves accentuated by her dress. Her own hand slipped under her green top to feel the soft skin there.
Regina pushed Emma to lie on her back, taking a moment to admire how gorgeous she truly was. Her finger stroked along Emma's part lips, the blond kissing the tips reverently. Her breathing hitched from the sensation and the thought she had. "You know there will be people who aren't happy about us. This is far from over."
Emma gave her a strange little grin, the light in her eyes undiminished. "I know it's not over. It's just the beginning."