Heyyyyy guys. So, once again, thanks to everyone who reviewed my story. You guys are awesome! Also, thanks to all those who favorited my story and um... added me to their "Story Alert Subscription." I decided to go ahead and finish the story to the best of my ability. And to those who reviewed earlier, I hope it's lived up to your expectations... so far. OH and one more thing. I'm sure most of you have already, but I recommend checking out "Stirrings and Coffee" by MayorIsHot (yes. she. is.) Brilliant writer right there, and it's definitely something I've enjoyed. And now that I've gotten all that out, go ahead and read!
After leaving the mayor in her dazed state, Emma wandered aimlessly through the streets of Storybrooke for several hours. In the midst of her distress, she wound up in front of the collapsed mine. She ducked under the yellow tape that surrounded the area. Emma carefully slid down the side of the crater, dusting up her pants along the way. She plopped down on the powdery earth, hands splayed behind her back and legs sprawled out in front of her. Emma stared up at the twinkling dots of light in the sky. If only the whole "wishing upon a star" gimmick was real.
Emma wondered why she had come here. She was well aware that her heart knew why she was here. It's just that... her heart wouldn't tell her brain. It did that a lot. It's as if her heart had a mind of its own. It was constantly telling her what to do and what not to do. What was right and what was wrong. It's what controlled her "super power." Her heart would decide whether the person was lying or not. And she usually listened to it, because it was usually right.
But sometimes, her pride got in the way of her conscience. Like back at the graveyard, when she punched Regina. It was a sudden impulse because Regina had insulted her pride. She wouldn't back down without a fight. But in those brief moments pushed up against the wall, Emma felt Regina let go a bit. She wasn't squirming as much as Emma would have anticipated, if Emma was thinking rationally. Which she obviously wasn't.
Emma sat there in stillness, taking in all nature had to offer. It was pretty nice, there was never any of this tranquility in Boston. The moon was mostly out, only hidden by thin wisps of clouds. And the crickets (which Henry said were new here) chirped in their high soprano voices. All was peaceful on the exterior. But inside, Emma could feel herself boiling. Regina had such an intense effect on her. She could drive her crazy, confuse her, even crush her very soul. Emma leaned deeper into the dry dirt, until she was lying on her back.
But there were those rare and precious times when Emma saw Regina's facade crumble. Emma wanted to dig deeper, to break down the walls Regina had created. And that's when it hit Emma. She was at the mine because this was where she saw Regina's humanity shine through for the first time. It was the first time Regina had shown Emma vulnerability.
Emma had made a mistake earlier today, and she knew it. She didn't mean to snap, but Regina was pushing her. And... and... she was too close. Emma didn't like it when people got too close. There was always the chance that she would end up getting hurt in the long run. Emma didn't want to go home tonight. She didn't want to face Mary Margaret and the questions she would ask. And she was exhausted.
So Emma curled up into a tight ball and tried to capture as much warmth as she could. Only then did she observe how cold it was out tonight. Frustrated at herself for not driving, she pulled her leather jacket tighter around her upper body. Emma let the fatigue settle in as her eyelids fluttered closed. She was knocked out instantly, with the ground as her only mattress.
Regina was wide awake. A little drunk, but still awake. These days, her cider seemed to be her only comfort. It's bitter-sweet taste intoxicated her, and she kept coming back for more. Tonight, Regina didn't even bother getting dressed for bed. She sat in her office, blinds closed, lights on. Regina poured herself another shot and chugged it all down in one gulp. She sighed. Regina had sent Henry off to Mary Margaret's. Indeed, Regina despised the woman, but she knew Mary Margaret would keep Henry safe. Besides, Emma... Emma. Regina choked up a bit.
She had finished crying hours ago, but it still stung. Emma had insulted her, there was no hiding from that. But Regina was hiding from something. The fact that she reacted so strongly to Emma's harsh words was frightening to Regina. She kept replaying the scene over and over again. It was challenging to not focus on the words, but on the expressions. She could see Emma's anger and frustration. She could sense some kind of desperation in the woman. Like she wanted to tell her something.
"I guess I'll never know now," Regina thought aloud, slurring the words a bit as the alcohol began to set in. "She hates me, no doubt," Regina whispered to her cider glass, as if it would listen. "I just... I don't know. I just didn't want her to take Henry away from me. He's all I have left. And Ms. Swan is just so... stubborn. And she never takes my orders. And she always stares at me with those... enchanting green eyes. I swear, I could get lost in them. And she's..." Whoa. Hold on a second. Where was all this coming from? Regina thought. And then she panicked. She needed to go get some fresh air. In her haste, Regina lost her grip on the cider glass and it shattered into several pieces.
"Dammit!" Regina cussed. It didn't matter, she wanted to get out now. Clumsily, Regina shoved herself off the couch and steadied her weight along the walls. Shuffling slowly, she exited her office and snatched her overcoat. Draping herself in it, she opened the door and stumbled out. Regina had enough sense left in her to lock the door. She took a deep breath and ambled to her car.
Regina started the engine and backed out into the street. Shifting gears, she drove away from her house. She steered the vehicle for about a fourth of a mile when things started to get dizzying. The road seemed to be swerving a bit. It swayed back and forth. Regina blinked and rubbed her eyes, trying to straighten everything out. Her head was pounding, and her ears filled with white noise. She accelerated the gas and sped up. Regina's nose inhaled the sharp scent of alcohol and her mind began to reel. Trying desperately to concentrate, Regina felt herself start to sweat. It was getting warmer and warmer. Operating the car was getting more complicated. The world seemed to be spinning out of control. And suddenly, she slammed on the breaks.
Forcing the door open, Regina tumbled out of the car, barely landing on her feet. She panted, sucking in as much air as she could. She walked away from her car, and took in her surroundings. The huge ditch, the roped off areas, the dirt. She was at the mine. Groaning, she took a seat on the edge of the ditch. Regina squeezed her eyes shut and tried to regain her bearings. She sat there for what seemed like forever. Exhaling, she opened her eyes. She felt much better.
With a new alertness, Regina shot up and scanned the area. Finding nothing, she was about to return to her car when something caught her eye. It was the outline of a body, curled up in a fetal position. Staggering down the slope, Regina rushed over and kneeled down next to the body. Her breathing hitched when she discovered who it was. She could see Emma's body rise and fall and didn't panic. What is she doing here, of all places, in the middle of the night? Regina thought. It didn't matter, though. Emma had saved her before, and Regina felt compelled to return the favor.
Scooping up the sleeping figure in her arms, Regina adjusted to the weight. Shifting the woman in her arms, she decided what to do. Trudging up the hill, she heard Emma whimper softly and murmur unrecognizable words. Emma nuzzled her nose into the crook of Regina's neck. A fluttering sensation began in Regina's stomach and she glanced down at the blonde's face, which had formed a small smile. Regina couldn't help but duplicate it.
They had reached the car and she blindly felt around for the handle. Once it had opened, Regina set Emma down carefully onto the back seat before strapping into the driver's seat herself. Regina looked back at Emma, who was still sleeping peacefully. She veered back to the road and drove all the way home, this time fully concentrated. Regina wasn't going to be alone tonight.
That's a wrap, for now. I may not be able to upload the next chapter for a while, I have visitors staying in my house, so I'll be busy. Most likely, I'll get it up by next Friday. But in the meantime, since I'm half Asian, I wanna wish everyone a HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!