Chapter 23

"Belle, hey," Emma approached her friend and leant against the lockers casually, "Sup?" she asked, secretly wondering how her discussion had gone with Ruby.

"Hey, Em," Belle closed her locker and the two started walking towards the library.

Emma stared at her friend, "So?" she prompted.

Belle smiled, "We're back together," she finally announced.

Emma grinned widely, "Well, that's amazing. I'm happy for you," she bumped into her friend gently, "Really, I think you two are great for each other."

Belle bit her lip, "Thanks, Em. I think it will be different this time, I mean we're both in different places now…"

Emma nodded, "Sometimes you just have to get stuff out of your system," she said understandably, "I promise I won't be a jealous bitch this time," she added quietly.

Belle frowned, "You weren't jealous, though Em. I mean – "

"Well, I wasn't jealous like that, I guess. I was just jealous that someone else had your attention," she shrugged, "I was so used to it always being me and you against the world…" she trailed off.

Belle nodded slowly, "But now you have Regina," she stated.

"And you have Ruby," Emma said as she dumped her bag on the table and sat down, meeting Belle's eyes as she did the same. The two looked at each other for a moment.

"Not everything has to change, Em," Belle broke the silence.

Emma nodded, "Yeah, I know. I mean, at least we've got next year together, right? "

Belle smiled, "Yep, we do. Lucky you, a free proof reader for your first year of college," she giggled.

Emma rolled her eyes but laughed, "Yeah, lucky me," she agreed, stretching her arms and yawning, "Oh man, I'm stuffed, can't wait for these stupid exams to be over."

Belle smiled sympathetically, "Same here. We should all do something once they are, have a night out or a night in, I don't know. I mean, it'll be good for Regina too, right? No more marking?"

Emma nodded as she smiled, "Hmm, good idea. I'll talk to her! But you know Ruby's the one to organise celebrations."

Belle laughed, "This is true, I'll talk to her this arvo! Now, open that book and study, you."

Emma shook her head, "Yeah, yeah," she muttered, "You're the one going to Columbia, you're in but you still the need the marks, right?"

"Yeah," Belle sighed, "If I have a hope of getting a scholarship, I do."

Emma shrugged, "You'll get it," she said confidently, "Hey, I read your paper on Hemingway the other night, it was amazing. I mean, anyone would think it was a college paper."

Belle couldn't help smiling, "Thanks Em," she said, "But I thought Regina hates when you do that?" she quirked an eyebrow.

Emma shrugged and laughed, "She does, but hey, it was right there. I love reading your stuff."

Belle grinned proudly, "Why, thank you."

"Hang on, now? Do you really think that's a good idea?"

Emma was shocked; she and Belle were taking a break from study and she'd just told her best friend about her plans to tell her therapist about the abuse. She hadn't expected that as a reaction.

She couldn't hide the hurt from her reaction, "I – I thought you'd be glad… I mean, I thought it was a good thing."

Belle spoke quickly, "No, I do, Em. I really, really do and I'm glad you feel ready to face your past. I just wonder if you should wait until after exams, that's all. It's going to be hard, you know that, and I just think exams are going to be stressful enough…"

Emma frowned; she hadn't thought of that, "But…surely, sooner rather than later?"

Belle licked her lips, "Sure, yeah. I just don't want you to overload yourself. I mean, I'm proud of you, Swan, so proud of you for making the choice and I'll support you three thousand per cent."

Emma smiled, "Thanks, Belle… I hadn't thought about exams and all… " she trailed off, pondering.

Belle took her friends hand, squeezing it, "Just think about it, Em," she said, "And let me know if there's anything I can do. If you want me to come, or to back off, or to – "

Emma laughed softly, "I get it, Belle, thanks. You're the best," she hugged her friend tightly; it felt good having told her best friend; Belle always made her feel better… and gave her something to think about.

"A celebration? With three teenagers?" Regina thought out loud.

Emma rolled her eyes, "No, a celebration with your awesome girlfriend who will have just finished her exams and her two friends."

Regina smiled fondly at the teenager, "Hmmm," she hummed, "Well, if you put it that way, sure," she said definitively as she moved her mouth to her girlfriend's ear, nipping it gently, "I'll do anything for you, dear," she murmured.

Emma couldn't help smiling, "Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Mills?"

"Perhaps," Regina purred, thinking for a moment, "Debería esforzarse más? Está funcionando?"

Emma giggled, "Si," she sighed, "I swear I've learnt more Spanish from your seductions than the classroom."

Regina quirked an eyebrow, "Hm, I can't tell if that is a compliment or not, dear."

Emma laughed, "It is," she claimed, licking her lips.

Regina laughed lowly as she swung a leg over Emma's lap and wrapped her legs around the younger woman's waist. Emma's hands automatically went to Regina's blouse and lifted it, sighing as her fingers touched warm, smooth skin.

"You're perfect," the teenager mumbled, bending to place a kiss on her stomach.

Regina giggled, "Nobody's perfect, dear," she murmured.

Emma rolled her eyes, "It's an expression," she claimed in exasperation, "You don't always have to be so teachery."

Regina laughed loudly, "I'll remind you of that one day," she winked at the teenager, before pressing their lips together, softly at first before deepening the kiss as Emma placed a hand on her lower back and pulled her as close as she could.

Ruby smiled, kissing her girlfriend on the cheek, "Hey, you."

"Hey," Belle bit her lip.

Emma coughed, "Hey, Rubes," she grinned.

Ruby broke her focussed gaze on Belle and looked at Emma sheepishly, "Hey, Em, sup?"

Emma laughed, "You two are adorable," she teased, it being a rare occurrence to catch Ruby embarrassed.

Ruby shrugged, "Yeah, yeah," she muttered.

"Sorry, Em, guess we're still in a bubble," Belle blushed.

"Ah, the bubble," Emma nodded, "I know it well. Nice place to be until homework butts its ugly head in."

Belle giggled, "Did you talk to Regina about after-exam celebrations?"

Ruby's eyes lit up, "Celebrations?" she asked eagerly.

Emma smiled, "Yep, she's in. She can't wait to be finished all her marking, so we'll all be celebrating."

Ruby was bouncing on her toes, "Can I plan? I'm good at celebrations! Please!"

Belle and Emma laughed at their friends' eagerness.

"Yes, yes," Belle waved a hand, "We already elected you planner, jeez, calm down," she laughed as Ruby hugged her, "Let me go," she pushed the taller girl away playfully, "I have class, Rubes, jeez," she pushed again and ran out of Ruby's reach, hiding behind Emma.

"Uh-uh, don't get me involved in this," Emma jumped out of the way.

Ruby laughed, holding up her hands in a peace-making gesture, "Okay, okay, can't I at least have a kiss goodbye?" she pouted.

Belle rolled her eyes and approached her girlfriend tentatively, placing a quick kiss on her lips, "Goodbye," she murmured, giving a quick wave to Emma before taking off down the corridor.

Emma chuckled, "I'm glad you guys are back," she said honestly.

Ruby smiled, "Thanks Em. So am I."

Emma smiled at her friend, before hesitating visibly.

Ruby frowned, "What is it, Em? You know you already gave me the if I hurt her, you're gonna kill me speech… We don't have to do that again, do we?" she half joked.

"No, no it's nothing like that," Emma shook her head, "It's just…"

Ruby was confused, "Spit it out, Em," she prompted.

Emma hung her head, "It's nothing to do with you and Belle," she stated, easing her friends mind, "I need a favour," she said quietly.