Earlier that morning...back at the Charmings, after breakfast with her parents and Henry, and more conversations about apartment hunting and the pot luck, what to make etc, she needed some air and breathing room. Forfeiting the Bug, she decides to walk, taking the longer route to the Sheriff's station, that would take her through the park. As she strolls along, looking up at the various store fronts, Emma tries to get a sense of belonging, to feel a connection. Past the Dark Star Pharmacy, where Sneezy works, but remembers running into the Mayor during that time with Hansel and Gretel. "Do your job Sheriff" sounds in Emma's head, Regina's voice deep and sexy. Next she is passing, Granny's Diner, and all the various confrontations with the dark haired sorceress, in her tight pencil skirts, shirts with the top 3 buttons undone, high heels, the dark looks that could make a grown man cower, but never scared the blonde Sheriff. 'Arrgg...why do I keep doing this to myself' thinks Emma, 'Am I just a glutton for torture?' as she hits the entrance to the park. Just as she rounds the corner, past a clump of trees and shrubs, she stops. 'Crap...there THEY are' as the blonde sees Regina with Robin, looking very cozy as usual, hugging. After a few more seconds, Emma can't take anymore and abruptly turns and quickly heads for the Sheriff's station
Upon entering, "Well...well...how is little old me, being honored with the presence of the Town's illustrious Savior. Got your magic back yet, sweets?" Ignoring the comments from the cell that Zelena is in, Emma enters her office, closing the door.
Looking for anything to keep her mind off a certain brunette and that...Robin. Emma spies some paperwork to do and for once decided to get it done on time. But as she tried to concentrate on the reports, she started thinking about leaving. Yes it would be hard to leave, but she just did not feel comfortable here anymore. Something was missing, or rather someone, but it was so hard to be around Regina, when she knew she was happy with Robin, and not with her. The blonde Sheriff just felt so lost, plus she and Henry were happy back in New York, where she could just be herself, not the Savior, not the daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. She didn't have any history here. Emma needed to feel a part of something, but it wasn't here. Since being back, all she has done is fight, not just physically with Zelena, but with her emotions and feelings about Regina, not being able to bear much more of seeing the Mayor with that pine cone eating forest boy, who is not good enough for her, and why can't Emma be good enough, but then 'I could never be good enough,' quickly enters her mind, as she continues to self depreciate herself as usual. 'Why would she find me attractive. I always seem to have two left feet when I am around her. Always seem to spill stuff on myself. Always seem to say the wrong things.'
After a few hours, Emma slams her hand down on the desk. "This is bullshit! I need to get out of here."
The Sheriff bolts up, grabs her keys and heads out to the squad car.
What Emma doesn't see is that in the shadows of a doorway, a set of brown eyes watch her leave. Once she is outside, a figure moves toward the Sheriff's department. Mr. Gold has some unfinished business with Zelena, and he does not want any witnesses.
Emma hops in the Sheriff's vehicle, starts the engine and heads off, her insides all tied up, she feels like she is going to explode at times from all the frustration. Finally she ends up at the pier, again, she slams her fists on the steering wheel, "Damn it...I need to stop thinking about her! It's not doing me any good except to get me pissed off. Why can't she look at me like she does Robin. Can't she see what it does to me, seeing her all over him. I want it to be me...ME! I want to be the one that kisses her senseless, bring out that 1000 watt smile. Fuck!" Emma gets out of her car, slams the door, and with a determined walk, heads down the walkway. Trying to calm herself, she finally approaches a bench, and sits, looking out towards the vast horizon. Letting the sounds of the water hitting the pier, she slowly breathes in and out.
"Hey Swan...what are you doing out here all by your lonesome self?" Hook approaches, with his usual swagger. "I be glad to keep you company love".
Emma gives him a small smile but he can see some sadness in her eyes. "What has those pretty green eyes so sad looking, I know it's not me." He winks at her, trying on his best roguish smile, as he spreads his hands.
As he sits next to the blonde, she sighs, rolls her eyes. "Not now Killian, I'm in no mood for your 'all about me' attitude. I have a lot on my mind, and just trying to figure out the best way to tell my parents, Henry,...Regina...that I am leaving Storybrooke soon. I...I can't stay here. Don't feel I am home, not like I did back in New York." Emma runs her hand through her unruly hair.
Hook leans back and puts his arm along the bench behind Emma. "But what about us, I thought we were getting to know each other more. I was hoping we could spend more time together, maybe go out for dinner or something."
Dark eyes glint with venom, as they watch the leather clad pirate next to Emma.
"I appreciate the thought, but, really, there isn't an us. To be honest with you, I care about you, but I have been sort of using you as a distraction. At first I thought maybe if I could get closer to you emotionally, I could forget about.. Just I can't stay here much longer...not with...never mind." Emma groans as she shakes her head.
"Look love, I don't know what all is going on, but I thought we talked about this, why you belong here. Your family is here. You're the Savior, and the town needs you. Is it the Evil Queen, has she done something, trying to fight you over Henry?" Hook scratches the back of Emma's neck, but she tries to shrug it off.
"Stop calling her that! She's just Regina, she's not evil, and no...we are not fighting over Henry. We both love our son. Regina and I are friends,...I just wish...she wasn't with Robin. I don't care for him...he isn't good enough for her. She barely knows the guy, yet they cling to each other like love sick Koala's.." Emma continues to rant, not paying attention to what she is saying. "I don't understand why she doesn't see me...I mean...I am way better looking than that forest hobo...and." The blonde Sheriff stops as she hears Hook chuckle, giving him a look of dismay. "What?"
"Swan, are you hearing yourself?" Hook shakes his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you are choosing the Evi...err...Queen over me. Okay, we both look great in leather, but I am definitely more good looking." The pirate states.
"Wait..what...SERIOUSLY? Did I just say all that out loud? Shit!" Emma puts her head in her hands, as she groans, "I can't believe I said all that. But..never mind that, as far as me being needed, that's just it. I don't feel part of this town. I am not one of you. All I am is someone who was prophesied to end a curse. To bring back the happy endings. That could take years, and till that job is completed, I will never have MY happy ending. Don't get me wrong, I love my parents, my son...uh...but I can't stay here. I can't stay here, around...her..around...them...it's just too hard. My mind is made up. I will stay till the end of the week, then I have got to go." Emma stands, looks down at Hook, giving him a smile. "I hope I haven't upset you, about us, I never intended for you to get serious about me. I apologize for any misleading ideas I gave off" the blonde gives the pirate a sheepish look.
Standing to join Emma, Killian puts his arm around Emma, pulling her to his side. "No offense taken, remember, I am a survivor, but I see you are determined to leave, but before you go, I would like to thank you love,"
"What for, for breaking your heart?" Emma scoffs, as she looks sadly at Hook.
"No...for giving my heart back. For a long time, before I met up with you, I was much like your Regina, in a dark place. All I could think about was my revenge against the Crocodile. To avenge my Milah's death. But you helped me to heal, and even though I shall never forgive that treacherous leach, I don't have the deep drive to kill him either." Hook bends down to give Emma a chaste kiss on the lips and hugs her. "C'mon Swan, let me walk you back to your car."
At the other end of the parking lot, a black Mercedes speeds off, leaving a dusty trail behind.
Half hour later, Regina is in the middle of her kitchen, with a apron on, removing various cake pans and 2 pie pans. With the potluck starting around 6pm, she has a few hours to make a cake and two pies. Moving around quickly, she focuses on her task, using the baking as a way to keep her mind off a certain blonde and that, no good, pirate.
Soon her kitchen is a mess of pans, bowls, mixer, and various ingredients. She starts to sift flour, baking soda, salt and some spices into a bowl. Then next the wet ingredients, and starts the mixer. Next she goes over to the other counter top where she spreads some flour on a cutting board, then goes to retrieve one of two large balls of pie crust dough she had already made earlier, and stored in the refrigerator to chill before rolling out. Apples, cut up and mixed together with cinnamon, nutmeg, and some brown sugar are waiting in another bowl. She keeps on with her frenzied baking for about an hour, adding the cake batter to the pans, putting those in the oven, going back to the pies, when she hears the doorbell.
"Who in the hell is visiting me? I wasn't expecting anyone today." Regina mumbles as she wipes her hands to go answer the door.
The doorbell sounds again, and as she opens up the door, "The doorbell is working fine, you don't need to keep pushing it...Oh..." Regina stops, looking at Mary-Margaret, who is standing next to a stroller, "What can I do for you dear? I am in the middle of something," states the brunette.
"Well I was sort of in the neighborhood and thought I would stop by..." Mary-Margaret looks around, then back at Regina, hope in her eyes.
"Sort of in the neighborhood, this isn't the normal route for you to take a stroll" huffs Regina, as she rolls her eyes.
Mary-Margaret smiles, "No..no it's not...actually, David and Emma are driving me nuts. They won't let me help with the 'Famous Charming Wings' that David is making. I swear those two are like two peas in a pod. Stubborn...well anyways, I decided to take the baby out, since it's such a nice afternoon, and the next thing I found myself here. I thought...maybe we could talk."
"Hmm...well I am in the middle of baking for the potluck, I suppose we can talk while I continue. Come in." Regina stands back, holding the door, as Mary-Margaret pushes the stroller past.
"Thanks, I didn't really want to bother you, but..I don't know, felt a need to talk with you. Maybe to clear some more past demons..." Mary-Margaret gives Regina a shy, hopeful look.
Sighing, Regina moves towards the kitchen, "Right this way, if we must bring up more of our past, I like to do it in close proximity of knives," smirks Regina.
Mary-Margaret just laughs, "Just remember, I can throw knives as well as shoot arrows, Regina."
As they enter the kitchen, Mary-Margaret stops, closing her eyes, taking in a deep breath, "What is that wonderful smell?"
"Most likely, the Apple Spice cake baking, as I haven't yet started baking the two apple pies yet." The dark haired cook states as she moves back over to the oven to check on the cake. "Help your self to coffee dear"
"Thanks, do you need a refill?" Mary-Margaret asks, as she grabs the carafe from the coffee maker.
"Sure, why not." Regina moves her cup over while she turns to pull out the 3 cake pans from the oven, sitting them on the counter to cool. She then turns, adjusts the oven temperature for the pies, and puts both of those in. Setting the timer for 25 minutes. Back to the cake pans, she takes one, using a dull knife, she runs the edge around the cake pan to help loosen it up, then turns it over and taps the bottom of the pan to dislodge the cake layer. Putting it back on a cooling rake, Regina repeats this process on the other two layers.
All through this, Mary-Margaret parks the stroller, checks her son, who is asleep then sits, watching Regina, fascinated at how well and efficient her former step mother is in the kitchen. "You are amazing at this. Who would of thought back in the Enchanted Forest, that I would be sitting in the kitchen of the Evil Queen watching her make cakes and pies," smiles the young mother.
Regina stops, gives a small smile, "Well, when you have 28 years with no magic, and nothing to keep you occupied at home, learning to cook and bake was actually quite easy. In many ways, it's similar to potion making. Just gathering ingredients, putting the right amount of each together, stirring, some cooking, and there you have it. I guess it just came natural for me." The brunette returns to gathering the talked about ingredients to make the Spiced Cream Cheese frosting that will go on the cake. "So..you wanted to talk...so...talk".
"Hmm...oh..yea. Well, first off, it's Emma..." Mary-Margaret starts.
Regina stops a second, jerking her head up, but recovers and resumes her task, "Oh...what about Emma?", as she busily adds cream cheese, butter, powder sugar, lemon juice and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl, never looking up.
Mary-Margaret notices that Regina seems edgy when ever she brings up her daughter, or rather flustered. "Yea, she just seems, like, not herself since she returned from out there. At first I thought she was really happy to be back, but then she started to put those walls back up, like she is afraid to let anyone get close to her again." Mary-Margaret was trying to find a subtle way to get through to Regina without telling her about Emma leaving. She promised Emma she would not say anything to either Henry or his mother. She was bound to keep this promise. "Maybe, if you could talk to her. You both seem to have grown closer, maybe she can confide in you what is going on."
"We..are not...well I guess we have become friends, but I really don't know what I could do to persuade her to talk about her...feelings." Regina really was not ready to have this discussion, knowing how she feels for the blonde. "It's not like I am the best person to talk about feelings, dear." She puts on her best, regal smile.
"She trusts you, please? Both David and I have tried talking with her, but she just is so stubborn"
Regina laughs, "Wonder where she got that from." She stares at Mary-Margaret, with mirth in her eyes.
"Hey, I am not...well...okay..you got me there, I guess we both are." 'I know someone else in this room who is just as stubborn,' thinks Mary-Margaret as she grins, then puts her hand on Regina's. "It's good to hear you laugh.
Regina stops, looks at her former nemesis, then lightly squeezes that hand over hers. "Well, ..uh..thank you," as she shyly lets go and finishes up the frosting. Regina then pulls each cake layer over and starts to assemble the cake.
"You know, back when we were younger, I never told you this, and maybe if I had, things may have been different between us." Mary-Margaret starts, looking up at the brunette.
Regina scoffs, "Dear, not sure anything would of changed my fate, between my mother, and Rumple's meddling...I had no chance."
"Maybe, but I just wanted to say this, wanted to tell you for a while. I knew you were not happy with my father."
Regina jerks her head up, mild shock showing on her face, but Mary-Margaret resumes, "I know he only married you to give me a" the pixie haired woman makes air quotes, "'mother figure', but, I never saw you as my mother. When we first met, I knew we could be friends, even possibly best friends, but I saw you more as an older sister. I never could see you as my step mother," once more Mary-Margaret gives Regina a subtle look, trying to convey what she was implying. "But then I did some thing really stupid, or naïve. I wanted to believe Cora when she said she loved you, that she just wanted to understand you, and why she couldn't be close to you like she saw you and I." Tears from in both woman's eyes, "I just didn't want you to loose your mother. I know I can never, ever say I am sorry enough for all the pain my betrayal caused you, us, but, I do hope now, that we can bury the past, take fate by the horns and take control of our lives and just live, happy in this world and with ourselves." By this time, Mary-Margaret has risen, moved over to Regina.
As she faces Mary-Margaret, seeing that sincere, hopeful, look, Regina breaks down, and hugs the other woman. "I...am so sorry, for all the pain I have caused you, David, and...Emma, the rest of the people in our realm. If I hadn't been so bent on you and your families destruction, Emma would of grown up in a loving home, with parents who would of worshiped the ground she stood on. She would not have this constant lost, lonely look she doesn't realize she has, that I wish..I..could..undo".
"Oh Regina...it's okay...shh..." Tearfully, Mary-Margaret hugs the sobbing woman, "I told you, we need to bury the past, what was done, was done. I know this sounds odd, but...I think this was meant to be, yea I know.." Mary-Margaret pulls back, looking at Regina, smiling, "what I said about fate, but sometimes..things happen for a reason. That doesn't mean you can't take fate and tell it to screw it's self and you set your own course. I...uh...really think...you need to talk to Emma, really...REALLY need to talk to my daughter. Tell her how you feel about her.."
"Wha..I have no idea what you mean..." Regina backs away, turns, and starts rummaging through drawers, trying to fend off more questions.
"Regina...stop...Stop! Every time I bring up Emma, you start getting flustered.."
"I AM NOT FLUSTERED!" shouts Regina, turning to glare at Mary-Margaret, but the short haired woman just keeps smiling... "and stop smiling at me like that..it's..."
Laughing, Mary-Margaret just smiles even more, "You. Have. Feelings. For. Emma." Each time she states a word, she pokes Regina on the arm.
"If you touch me one more time, so help me..I will...destroy...er...god...is it that obvious?" cries Regina as she turns, putting both hands to her head as she runs them through her dark hair. She turns again, looking with sadness.
"Well not sure if everyone has noticed how you look at Emma, the same goes for Emma with you" Snow takes a sip of her coffee, smirking. "But even David sees it, so I am sure a few others have noticed it."
"Look? What kind of look?" Regina stammers, wondering if it's just possible, but then quells that thought as she again admonishes herself that she could never be good enough for the blonde.
Snow just smiles. "You both stare at each other, when the other is not looking, with a look of adoration, like you worship the ground they walk on."
"And you're okay with how I feel..about...Emma?", Regina gives Mary-Margaret a questioning look, eyebrows raised.
"I told you before, that you both deserve love, and happiness, and if..that is together, than who am I to say it's wrong. Love is love, no matter how odd it may seem. Love finds a way to heal hearts. If loving my daughter heals your heart, then maybe that is why things happened for a reason." Mary-Margaret winks.
"Lo...I never said anything about...love...I..admit I do have...feelings towards Emma but...it's a moot point, since she has been pining away over that one-handed wonder.." SLAM as a drawer shuts "every time I see them, they are either holding on to each other for dear life," SLAM as another drawer is shut "or they are...kissing." Regina scowls, before going to the oven, as the timer has just started beeping. She checks the pies, and finding both of them, just right, pulls them out to set on the counter to cool.
Once more she attacks the cake, frosting it in less than elegant manor. Hearing giggling, she looks up at Mary-Margaret, giving her evil look. "What now?"
"Nothing Regina, you are just so adorable when you think about Emma. Don't worry about Hook. Emma likes him but she is no way pining for him. I think she just likes the attention he gives her. I am sure it probably stems from her loneliness, never really having anyone close while she grew up. Please...just talk to her? Before..it's too..." Just then Mary-Margaret's phone beeps, picking it up, she reads a text. "Well, crap, I got to go..." She hurriedly puts her empty cup in the sink, gathers up her things, and get ready to grab the stroller.
"Is something wrong? And before it's too what?" Regina wipes her hands, going over to Mary-Margaret.
"It's nothing, just Henry text telling me to come home, now,..and that it's not his fault. I have a bad feeling that my other two children have gotten themselves into trouble..again" Mary-Margaret rolls her eyes, and hurries toward the door.
Regina opens the door for her, as she passes, she puts her arm on Mary-Margaret. "Snow?...what did you mean...before it's too...?"
"Nothing..I promised I wouldn't say anything...just..talk to Emma, soon." With that, the pixie haired mother strolls fast down the walkway and out on to the sidewalk.
Regina watches, a perplexed look, as she muddles over what Mary-Margaret said. Checking the time, she has time to finish frosting the cake, then to go clean up, shower and head out to the pot luck. Emotions conflicting, she wonders about all that Mary-Margaret said, that maybe, Emma might listen to her, and maybe...oh..why do I put myself into this state of mind. Even if she doesn't care for that leather clad, smelly idiot...she would...could never see me in that way." Shaking off her starts back on the cake.