Regina had fully intended on exacting her revenge against the cocky Sheriff within the next few days, however, it seemed that Emma Swan posed more of a threat to her than merely of the physical nature. The brunette took action by pushing the apple turnover onto her with a gracious smile. Sure, she felt a slight pang of remorse but reasoned to herself that it was for the best; until Henry bit down into it.
The whirlwind of events that ensued was enough to drive the idea of retaliation from Regina's mind. The wraith and Emma's damned heroism. Regina's self-discovery that she was becoming her mother and then finding that the cursed woman was actually still alive. She purposefully refused to think about Daniel. It was less painful to think about her own uncharacteristic act of selflessness at the well; allowing the blonde and her infuriating mother through the portal at the last second. Top it all off with the strange conversation she had just had with the Sheriff outside of Granny's and Regina was set for life in the "awkward situation" department.
Her heels clicked on the street as she pulled her jacket closer to herself and considered the shift in power. Yes, she had magic but had vowed to Henry only to use it for purposes that were not evil. The brunette smiled sadly to herself: she didn't even know how to use magic for good. Getting into her car, she also considered how the town would run now. Would she still be mayor? Would her authority still reside as a political figure in this realm?
Regina found herself at her desk in her at-home office with a glass of cider. The house was large and dark and lonely as she scanned through all the documents that would be needed to ensure a smooth transition of power. She was sure she would be forced to retire her title but, for Henry's sake, wished to make it as simple as possible. It disgusted her, the thought of the Charmings running her town into the ground because of their ignorance. She sighed, sipped the cider, and began compiling the necessary documents.
Emma cursed herself. Why do I care? She asked herself as she got into her bug and began the drive across town to the mayoral manor. She could sense sadness and regret about Regina as they had had their strange and very uncomfortable conversation outside of Granny's. Emma didn't know why she had even invited her. She saved my life. She defended to herself. After trying to kill me…twice. Her subconscious fired back. Damn. The blonde shook her head. But something was off with the woman; she had seen actual remorse in her eyes and it was strangely chilling to the blonde.
Emma turned down the next road as she considered that Regina was now more dangerous than ever. Her power had been fully restored and she had been forced not to use it; the blonde couldn't even begin to fathom how difficult that must be. Another thought crept into her mind that caused her blood to heat instantly. The last time she had any significant contact with the woman (prior to falling into the fucked up world of her birth) was when she had roughed her up and left her by her car on a dirt road.
A shiver crawled up her spine. A lot has happened since then. She reasoned with herself. The circumstances are completely different than they were that night. It seemed like ages ago that the brunette was teasing her over instant messenger, but Emma knew that if anyone could hold a grudge that long it would be the Evil Queen. Another shudder shook her body as she considered that she might as well be a lamb walking into the lair of a tigress so powerful as she knew Regina to be.
The bug stopped on the curb outside 108 Mifflin Street and Emma could see lights on in a room upstairs. What am I doing here? She questioned herself. Checking on Regina. She answered; knowing that if something happened to the woman and she didn't at least try to do something about it she would never forgive herself. And judging by the resigned slump to the woman's shoulders, the ex-queen was in a dark place indeed. Sighing to herself, she opened the door and unfolded her lean frame.
Regina looked up from the documents when she heard a knock on her door. She turned and glanced out the window to see the yellow bug parked conspicuously on the street. What now? She wondered to herself and rose to make her way down the stairs, careful to slip her heels back on before she did so. The brunette already felt out of sorts; she didn't need the inconvenience of looking up at the blonde.
Regina arranged her face into an expression of boredom and opened the door. "Sheriff Swan."
"Madam Mayor."
"How can I help you?"
Emma just stared at her a moment. "I was driving by and thought I saw someone creeping around your house." The blonde lied. "May I check around?"
Regina looked at her suspiciously. What is going on? "I'm sure you're aware that I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, Sheriff? That no sort of weapon offered by this world can hold a candle to my magic?"
"I've heard." The blonde commented wryly. "Just let me do my job, Regina." Emma almost convinced herself of the false story. The brunette stepped back and gestured her inside as the sheriff made a show of checking all the windows and doors.
Regina noticed a nervousness about her and began to wonder exactly what the woman was doing in her home. When images of another night that the blonde had knocked forcefully on her door flooded her mind, the brunette smiled wickedly. Was she not due for retaliation?
"How did you find the Enchanted Forest, dear?" Regina asked as she poured another glass of cider for herself.
Emma glanced back at her trying to gauge her sincerity. Deciding the woman was making conversation, the blonde answered. "It sucked."
Regina cackled softly and the sound caused a strange stir within the blonde. "I heard the ogres are back."
"Yeah…they were a nightmare." She mumbled, remembering the towering beast before her and shivering slightly. "And they reek."
"I've never been that close to one."
"Didn't want to get mud on your heels?"
Regina considered the blonde and found that though her tone was sarcastic, the comment wasn't delivered with any real heat. "Only once in my life have I consorted with creatures as foul as the likes of that. And that was only because it was absolutely necessary."
"The curse." Emma realized suddenly as she remembered the book.
"Yes." Regina said quietly and sipped her cider as Emma moved about the room, satisfied that everything was secure against her faux intruder. The brunette allowed her eyes to roam over the blonde. "Would you like to take this upstairs?"