Hey! So FanFiction wouldn't let me upload a document for some reason, so that's why this is late. And I'm sorry for that. As always, love my readers, reviewers, subscribers, and favorite-ers. You guys rock. Hope you enjoy it.
The rest of the day went by leisurely for Emma, and she sat at her desk, picturing the mayor working at her desk. Reports were slow today, only parking tickets, and Emma finished her paperwork several days before. She watched the clock every so often, and when the hour hand hit 5:30, she locked up the office and returned to the apartment.
"Emma! I didn't expect you to be here," Mary Margaret said, catching sight of the blonde in the mirror. She ran her fingers through her short hair once again.
"Yeah, I had plans tonight. Where you going dressed up like that?" Emma asked. Mary Margaret turned around, showing off her sleeveless blue dress.
"Well, since you bailed on me," the teacher pointed out, "Ruby made Ashley and I go to The Spell with her."
"You don't sound too happy about going," Emma noticed, eyeing the clock. 5:45.
"Oh believe me, they're my best friends. But, I was hoping to spend Valentines Day with David, y'know?" Mary Margaret said, grabbing her keys, "I guess there's always another time." "Yeah, yeah," Emma said, only half listening, "I get you." Mary Margaret nodded, putting on her jacket and shoes.
"You're leaving now?" Emma asked. Mary Margaret looked at her.
"I'm meeting Ruby at Granny's first. No offense intended when I say, I just need to get out of here," Mary Margaret explained.
"Of course. I understand. See you later?" Emma questioned. Mary Margaret thought for a moment then gave a wicked smile that was so unlike her.
"If everything goes like I want it to, I won't see you again until tomorrow afternoon," Mary Margaret said. Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Too much?" the teacher asked, checking her hair one last time, "It's true, though." Emma smirked.
"You go girl. Oh, and Happy Valentines Day," Emma said as Mary Margaret walked out the door.
"Let's hope," she mumbled as the door shut. Emma sighed in relief as the lock turned and footsteps proceeded down the hall. She hurried to her room and sifted through her closet, looking for the perfect thing to wear. Normally, she wouldn't care much about clothes, but tonight was different. All of these unexplained feelings in her heart and the fluttering sensations in her stomach didn't make any sense. And Emma didn't know why, but, she needed Regina to want her as much as she wanted Regina.
Frustrated that she couldn't find anything, Emma flopped down on the bed. She stared up at the ceiling, thinking. A thought occurred to her and she bounced off the mattress, digging deeper into the closet. Her eyes lit up with satisfaction as she removed the dress from the hanger. It was the dress she had worn the night Henry found her. She had had the stains taken out several days after she arrived in Storybrooke, just in case she might need it again. Emma thought it was perfect. She took a quick shower then struggled (dresses weren't really her thing) to put the dress on. Emma checked the clock once again. 6:35. She checked herself in the mirror.
"I can't go around looking like this... People might start asking questions," Emma said to herself, always protective of her personal life. Plus, she didn't think Regina would want people to know they were... "socializing." Looking around, she grabbed her jeans and tank-top, throwing them over her dress. Then she put on her red leather jacket and looked back to the mirror.
"I look so stupid," she said, but didn't attempt to remove the extra clothing. Snatching her keys, she slipped into her high heels. She exited the apartment and drove off in her Volkswagen Beetle. Emma arrived at The Spell around 6:45. She stepped out and pushed the front door open. Walking into the restaurant, Emma was greeted by a waitress behind a computer.
"Happy Valentines Day and welcome to The Spell. Do you have reservations?" the waitress asked.
"No, but I was thinking," Emma paused, carefully flaunting a couple tens in front of the waitress, "That maybe you would have something available."
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but we don't take bribes," the waitress stated. Emma nodded.
"That's okay, I got this, too," Emma said, flashing her badge. The waitress gulped and looked around shiftily.
"Sheriff Swan, I've heard so many great things about you. How nice to finally meet you," the waitress said sweetly, "And how many people?" Emma smirked, glad her plan worked.
"Just me. Oh, and Mayor Mills," Emma said, "Official town business, it's confidential." The waitress gulped again, typing on the keyboard.
"I'm guessing you'd like a private room?" the waitress asked. Emma smiled.
"That'd be great, thanks," Emma said. The waitress typed some more.
"I don't want any interruptions, the only time a waiter is allowed to come in is if they're bringing menus, our food, or the check. And even then, I wanna hear a knock on the door. Otherwise, I will get a waiter myself if we need anything." Emma said. The waitress nodded.
"Of course, Sheriff Swan," the waitress replied, coming around the desk, "Right this way." She lead Emma through the labyrinth of tables and then down a hallway of closed doors.
"This is your room," the waitress said, opening the door. Emma stepped inside and looked around. Without turning, she acknowledged the waitress.
"Bring Mayor Mills in when she arrives," Emma said. She heard footsteps as the waitress took that as her signal to leave.
"Oh," Emma added, "And uh, no one needs to know about this, got it?"
"I wouldn't dream of it," the waitress muttered, closing the door behind her. Emma surveyed the room. The walls were made of glass, but there were giant red curtains obscuring the outside world. There was a lavish chandelier hanging above a small wooden table. There were two matching wooden seats covered in leather cushions. On the table was a vase with a single red rose and a lit candle. She shuffled over to the chair and sat down. 6:55.
6:55. The cold night air bit at Regina's face as she trudged through the dark, lonely streets. She decided against driving, walking gave her more time to clear her head and sort her thoughts. The mayor pulled her overcoat tighter over her body, protecting herself from the wind. She stared down at her heels as she walked, memorizing the rhythm they produced when they connected with the road. Despite the superficial manner she exhibited, Regina was struggling inside. Her attraction to Emma had grown stronger over the last hours. Recently, the thought of the women made her weak in the knees and left her head spinning with a craving so intense only the object she desired itself was enough to vanquish it. Which was a good thing, because she was moments away from seeing Emma.
Regina stepped into The Spell and the waitress behind the desk put on a fake smile.
"Mayor Mills, your presence has been expected. Right this way, ma'am," the waitress said, still smiling. She guided Regina to the room. Regina smirked, Of course she got a private room. If she was honest with herself, she'd realize she was actually impressed.
"I can take it from here," Regina said, "Thank you." The waitress nodded.
"I'll be back in a few minutes to hand you the menus," she said and then left. Regina noticed a small crack in the curtains and she peered through the glass. What she saw was both strange and arousing. Emma took off her jacket, then stripped herself of her tank-top and unbuttoned her jeans. Disrobing revealed the tight red dress underneath. Regina knew it wasn't supposed to be provocative, but the way Emma was moving could've convinced her. Just then, Emma glanced up and caught Regina's gaze through the gap. She smirked then swayed her hips slightly, making Regina's throat dry. Then, she beckoned with her finger, mouthing the words "Come at me." Emma laughed and strutted over, opening the door for Regina.
"Hey," Emma greeted, ushering Regina in. "You look... great," she complimented, eyeing Regina's obvious figure through close-fitting black dress. Regina slowly raked her eyes up and down Emma's body.
"Uh huh," Regina said dumbly. "I mean, thank you. You clean up well yourself, Ms. Swan," she stammered, regaining her composure. Emma grinned then pulled out one of the chairs.
"Your majesty," she said, bowing slightly. Regina's mind clicked at the unintended innuendo. She sat down and Emma pushed her in until her stomach was several inches from the table's edge.
"Oh, so now you have manners?" Regina joked. Emma ignored her then took her seat as well. There was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Emma said clearly. The door swung open and a waiter walked in with two menus. He placed them in the women's hands.
"Here we go, ladies. I'll be back in a few to take your order," the waiter said, leaving as quickly as he entered. Emma flipped through the menu.
"So, what's good here?" Emma asked Regina.
"I recommend the steamed lobster. It's a Maine specialty," Regina suggested, "It'd probably be best if we shared, it's quite large."
"Lobster it is," Emma said. There was another knock on the door and the waiter entered.
"You two ready?" he asked, pad in hand. Regina ordered and they handed over their menus. The waiter crossed to the door.
"Oh and I'd like two glasses of your finest champagne," Emma called, "Bring on the bubbly!" Regina quirked an eyebrow. "What? I'm the one who's paying for it," she said, sticking her tongue out. Regina rolled her eyes. The waiter returned immediately with two flukes filled with sparkling gold liquid. The clinked glasses before sipping.
The two sat across from each other in silence, avoiding eye contact. Say something! Emma thought.
"So," Emma started awkwardly. Oh good one Emma, she thought.
"So..." Regina repeated expectantly. This was not going according to plan.
"We're actually doing this," Emma smiled.
"Please don't remind me, Sheriff Swan," Regina said, taking a sip of champagne.
"Save it, I can tell you're enjoying this," Emma reasoned. Regina smirked over the rim of her fluke.
"And what makes you so sure I do?"
"Because you haven't kicked me in the ass yet," Emma retorted. Regina set her glass on the table and looked down at her interlaced fingers resting on her lap. She didn't look Emma in the eye.
"I confess, maybe I'm not preventing this as much as I should," Regina said. Emma restrained the grin forming at the corners of her mouth.
"And is that a bad thing?" Emma asked. Regina paused, searching for the right words.
"I find this," she said, gesturing between her and Emma, "An interesting idea. Interesting in not a necessarily appropriate way."
"And why's that?"
"Well, first of all, your Henry's birth mother, and I'm his adoptive mother. It just doesn't end well. Second of all, I should really be running you out of town, Ms. Swan." And that no one can ever love me, Regina thought miserably.
"So it has nothing to do with the fact that I'm a girl?"
"Not entirely. I've done it before," Regina smirked.
"Oh," Emma mumbled, somewhat disappointed that she wasn't Regina's first. The mayor noticed Emma's upset expression.
"Did I say something incongruous?" Regina asked. Emma shook her head.
"Do you always talk like this?" Emma grinned, changing the subject.
"Talk like what?"
"Talk like you just came outta Harvard or something," Emma laughed. Regina quirked an eyebrow.
"Why do you ask?"
"I don't know, I just think you need to relax."
"Would you rather I talk like an illiterate?" Regina said, referencing to Emma.
"Hey! I'm not that bad, 'kay? I just don't wanna sound like I got something stuck up my ass all the time," Emma replied, "There were way worse kids than me in the foster sys-." Emma stopped abruptly, hiding her face.
"I take it you disliked your childhood?" Regina asked, a bit of concern sneaking into her voice. Emma chugged her champagne.
"Disliked? Oh no. I hated it," Emma admitted. Regina waited for her to continue, curiosity buzzing inside of her.
"I was always bouncing around from house to house, not really belonging in any of them," Emma breathed.
"And what made you think you didn't belong?" Regina asked genuinely. Emma's face twisted as she thought hard.
"How would you feel not knowing who you are? Who your parents are? Wouldn't it kill you to know why they abandoned you on the freaking side of the road?" Emma said angrily. Regina tilted her head.
"My mother died when I was a child. My father was murdered when I was younger," Regina said. Emma's expression softened.
"Oh. I'm... I'm so sorry. I had no idea," Emma apologized. Regina nodded.
"No need for apologies, Sheriff. It took a while, but I've um... come to terms with the situation over time." Emma nodded.
"Well, I always felt like I was missing something. Like there was this... giant hole in my life," Emma continued, glancing at Regina's expression, which was surprise. Regina realized that maybe Emma felt the same way she felt, too. And it scared her, knowing there was someone else like her.
"How come you aren't married?" Emma asked, changing the subject again. Regina spewed her champagne back into the glass.
"Excuse me?" she said, dabbing at her mouth.
"Well, you're obviously an extremely attractive and successful women," Emma said, delighting in Regina's faint blush, "So, why no ring?" Regina thought for a second.
"A lot of men find female authority a turn-off, myself not excluded. They can't stand the thought that my career is prosperous. And, I guess I just haven't found the right person," Regina smiled sadly, "I'm a difficult woman to love." Emma nodded.
"I know that feeling. One-night stands have kinda been my thing," Emma said.
"How coincidental. Your love life is just like your living situations. The question is; how long are you going to stay here?" With me, she continued subconsciously in her head.
"I'd like to stay here for a while. Y'know, for um... Henry," Emma lied. Regina smiled weakly. For Henry...
By 10:00, both women were slightly drunk and laughing. Regina watched Emma throw her head back and flash her teeth, and she felt her stomach stir.
"Sheriff Swan, you have an amazing smile," Regina breathed. Emma's laughter slowly died and she stared at Regina.
"Thanks. You do, too," she said. There was a brief silence as they looked into each other's eyes. Regina lost herself in Emma's and before she knew it, she was leaning in to meet Emma's mouth. It was a soft, lingering kiss, but to Regina, it was just as good as the harsh make-out sessions. She felt Emma's fingers gently stroke her cheek. They broke up the kiss, and Regina opened her eyes, partially blown away and breathless. She bit her lip. Reaching out, she placed her hand on top of Emma's. The blonde felt sparks run through her veins.
"Thank you for dinner, Sheriff Swan," Regina said.
"N-No problem, Madame Mayor," Emma stuttered.
"The restaurant is closing in several minutes."
"Then we better get outta here."
And that's all for now. Next update will be up by... Wednesday, if not earlier. Later, True Randomness.