Hey everyone. I'm sorry this took so freaking long. I was in an accident, and had a minor concussion. I'm perfectly fine, though. My head just hurts a little bit. While I was recovering, I had barely any free time, but I've gotten two chapters finished, and more on the way. I'm taking off for spring break on Saturday, so between recovering, and traveling, I have no idea when I'll be able to upload. Thank you all so much for your patience. You guys are awesome.
The rain poured mercilessly down on Storybrooke, and the citizens had returned home in a hurry. Regina, being mayor, had done her rounds, checking that everyone was safe. Unfortunately, she hadn't taken her car, and she still had more than a couple blocks left to walk. Frustrated, Regina pushed the door to Granny's open and stepped in. She shook herself, letting the water drip to the floor. Her hair was soaked, just like the rest of her body. Glancing around, she noticed the diner was relatively empty, besides Ruby and Leroy. The man was in a corner booth, staring out at the rain. Ruby was wiping the counter. She looked up.
"Hey, Mayor Mills," Ruby said, observing Regina, "Wow, it must be harsh out there." Regina glared daggers. Ruby ignored her.
"You know where everything is," Ruby told the older woman, nodding to the back.
"Thank you," the mayor forced out, teeth gritted, body shivering. She didn't let it show as she walked past the waitress and into the washroom. Carefully removing her damp blazer, she was about to toss it into the dryer before thinking clearly and hanging it on a clothesline. Sighing, she leaned against the washer and tapped her foot impatiently. Checking her watch, she felt that waiting might take a while, she might as well make the best of it. Pivoting on her heel, she was about to go order an espresso when the door behind her opened loudly.
The blonde closed the door and grinned when she saw Regina. Emma ruffled her long hair and wiped her boots on a mat. The brunette felt a stab of pain in her chest. She's not worth it... the words flashed through her mind immediately. Sucking in a breath, she turned around and continued to the counter. A firm hand grabbed her arm and whirled her around.
"Hey," Emma greeted, both hugging and surprising Regina, "Haven't seen you at all today." The mayor let herself sink into the strong arms for a second before remembering. Pushing herself away, her eyes burned with fury.
"What the hell are you doing? Did do you think you could get in my head, Ms. Swan? What were you trying to accomplish?" Regina barked. Emma scratched her head, flinching at her formal title.
"What're you talking about, Regina?" Emma asked, noticing the soft look in the other woman's eye when she addressed her by her name. The look vanished quickly.
"I heard what you said to Ruby. I'm not worth it? You're going to take Henry away from me?" Regina spat, "Fuck. You." The slap was loud, but the thick walls were the only ones who heard, besides Emma and Regina. Bringing her hand up to her stinging cheek, Emma looked hurt. The red patch of skin didn't fade, and Regina hated that it reminded her of her habit of acting on impulse.
"Regina..." Emma began, "What I told Ruby, I only said those things to protect you."
"Why would I need protecting? And even if I did, what makes you think that you could protect me? Why the hell would you even want to protect me?"
"I thought... I thought you didn't want people to know about us," Emma stuttered, before her expression fell a little, "I didn't want to ruin your image." Regina opened her mouth, then closed it, realizing what Emma had done.
"Oh," she said simply, "I didn't even..." Emma protected her image. No one had ever done that willingly. What did all of this mean?
"Regina, you need to understand. I'm here for you, okay? You need to trust me," Emma reasoned, squeezing Regina's hand.
"Yes, well. I suppose I may have looked into this matter a little too far," Regina said, staring down at their entwined hands with a unidentifiable look. Not even a thank you, or an apology... Emma thought, but chose to ignore it.
"It's okay. Don't worry about all of this. In fact," Emma purred seductively, "Why don't we sneak off and I'll show you just how much you're worth."
"What are you waiting for, Sheriff? Let's get drunk!" Regina said with a naughty smile.
There was a gleam in Emma's eye that Regina had never seen before. It was powerful and captivating, and Regina felt herself drown in it. No one had ever looked at her like that. Ever. Lying in bed, lights off, and Regina could still see that gleam.
"What?" Emma asked, immediately feeling self-conscious. Regina laughed.
"Nothing, I just... saw something," Regina replied.
"And... do you like what you see?" Emma questioned, no flirtation, just a genuine tone of curiosity. Regina bit her lip.
"I think I'm starting to," Regina confessed. Emma wasn't seeing what she was seeing, so there was no harm in admitting, right? Emma smiled, too drowsy and under the influence to fully process the words. She flung her harm around the brunette, pressing her closer to her body, molding their two forms together. Regina interlaced their fingers, and Emma's thumb stroked the mayor's hand. Regina's eyes closed and she sighed contentedly, the funk of alcohol leaving her mouth.
"If I could, then I would." The blonde's voice made Regina's eyes shoot open, but she remained unmoving and silent.
"I'll go wherever you will go. Way up high, or down low. I'll go wherever you will go. And maybe I'll find out a way to make it back someday. To watch you, to guide you through the darkest of your days. If a great wave shall fall, and fall upon us all, well then I hope there's someone out there who can bring me back to you," Emma sung quietly into the brunette's hair. Regina's heart fluttered at the words. She turned to face the blonde, who had shut her eyes and who's breathing became shallow with fatigue.
"Do you really mean it?" Regina whispered, aware of her voice cracking from the emotion. Emma managed an audible grunt of inquiry and Regina gulped, trying to form the words.
"Would you really find me? Would you go wherever I would go?" Regina paused, a tear escaping her eyes, "Would you guide me in my darkest days?"
"Abso...lute...ly," Emma garbled faintly, before her breathing evened out. Regina felt the tear roll down the side of her face and onto the pillow. A small stain appeared on the otherwise white pillow, and as the tears continued to leak from brown eyes, the stain grew. Soon enough, there was a tiny puddle of liquid. And just as the tears continued to stained the pillow, Regina felt Emma continue to stain herself on the brunette's own heart.
"Well, then I have a secret to share. Henry... Henry was right about the book, about me. I'm her," Regina slurred clumsily. But Emma was submerged in a deep state of slumber and the Evil Queen's confession fell on deaf ears.
I've uploaded the next chapter, too, so be sure to check that out.