A/N- Thanks for the reviews. I like to know what all of you are thinking; especially considering that I'm just as surprised by the turns taken in my stories as anyone else. I still have no idea where this is going (ok, to be honest, we all know where this is really going). I just haven't decided how our characters are going to get there. Therefore, comments, critiques, and verbal abuse are all welcome ;)
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Emma found her IM icon blinking when she booted up her computer the following morning. Thinking it was an odd hour for Henry to be messaging her, especially considering that he was to be in school at this moment, she opened up the screen to find a new handle and a new conversation.
Mayor_RMills171: Sheriff, I need to reschedule our appointment for later today. I will not be able to make our afternoon meeting; something has come up.
Emma sat down behind her desk. Since when did Regina instant message her? She shook off the coincidence and checked the time on the message. It had been sent only ten minutes ago; perhaps the woman was still online.
Sheriff. 7: Doctor's appointment? Probably a stomach ulcer from all the venom you've been spitting at everyone.
Mayor_RMills171: My body has long grown accustomed to the poison. Thankfully, or I would be sick from all of your ineptitude I have to swallow.
Emma's face twisted into a look that was part grin and part wince.
Sheriff. 7: Ouch, I think it's a bit early for such hatred.
Mayor_RMills171: Hatred is a strong word, Sheriff.
Sheriff. 7: Strong language for your strong stomach, Madam Mayor. What time do you want to meet?
Mayor_RMills171: It will have to be after hours. That is the only time I can fit you in.
Emma rolled her eyes, leave it to Regina to make it sound as though the sheriff were actually requesting this meeting.
Sheriff. 7: Can't we meet tomorrow?
Mayor_RMills171: Excuse me if I would rather spend my weekend relaxing.
Sheriff. 7: Headed to the beach?
Mayor_RMills171: It's February.
Emma grinned. An ice bath would serve you well, you cold bitch.
Sheriff. 7: You don't seem the type to let a little snow ruin your…fun.
Regina winced at the woman's coincidental word choice. No, the brunette did not allow anything to ruin her fun. Especially snow.
Mayor_RMills171: Come by around six fifteen tonight. Henry is meeting with Dr. Hopper at six, you may pick him up after school and drop him off at Hopper's office if you would like.
Sheriff. 7: Really?! Great! Yeah, I'll come by at six and show you my spreadsheet.
Mayor_RMills171: Very well, good day, Sheriff.
Regina signed off and sat back in her chair; as confused about her generosity as Emma was. What had possessed her to allow Emma to spend time with Henry? Perhaps it was because the blonde's sincere and honest explanation to 'Henry' the night previous had somewhat impressed the brunette. She had fully expected the blonde to completely bungle the whole affair and yet she had been straightforward and tactful; showing maturity and wisdom that Regina would never have dreamt she possessed.
Perhaps it was also because she no longer considered the blonde a threat. The sheriff had confirmed her suspicions about the lusty stares she had been receiving for the past few weeks. She also suspected the blonde to be thinking of something inappropriate the day of the council meeting when she had interrupted her gazing into space. She had startled so easily and blushed so deeply that Regina found it difficult to believe that her thoughts had been innocent.
This brought a smile to the lips of the brunette. What to do with this information, however? She knew what the Queen would have done. The Regina in the Enchanted Forest would have seduced her and used her as she did so many others. Or perhaps, because of the blonde's willful spirit, she would have kept her as a pet; abusing her over and over until she tired of her or until she submitted. These thoughts entertained the brunette greatly as she considered just how to manage some semblance of this arrangement in Storybrook.
Could she take on Emma as her lover? She had to admit, the prospect of breaking the woman as she had Graham was certainly alluring. However, she had possessed the Huntsman's heart; literally. Here, Emma was completely whole and Regina had no way of changing that without her magic. She was fairly sure that she could seduce the current sheriff. But would the woman play by Regina's rules? Or would she demand something of her that the brunette could not give?
A shudder of apprehension crept up her spine and she pursed her lips. Was the prospective sweetness of victory worth the risk of failure? There was something more dangerous about the blonde than there had been the former sheriff; or any of her previous lovers for that matter. Was the conquering of Emma worth the possibility of losing control? The Sheriff's wry, slow blink and cocky, shit-eating-grin flashed across her mind and Regina decided that it was definitely worth it.