The scene with Reina and Jefferson is from Reina's POV. I figured we need to get into her mind a little and see what she is like. There will be more from her. Also, Jefferson is a little bit different from the one in the show.
Enjoy and review!
The clock shows 7:58. Two minutes before the Sheriff is supposed to walk through the door. Two minutes before her work day begins. I'm sitting on the same desk as yesterday because the chairs are...low. I'm the Evil Queen and I'm used to sitting high on a throne and not on some miserable chairs.
Today, I have a different reason for being here. I have to return the jacket she forgot at my house yesterday. I debated for long time whether I should come here or call her from the office. I even thought that I could invite her for dinner tonight, but then I remembered that Reina is here. No, Emma should stay away from her. For now.
I walk into the station with coffee in my right hand and keys in my left when I see Regina sitting on the desk again in a dark blue, mid-thigh dress.
"Seriously?" I step forward slowly without breaking eye contact with her. "You haven't noticed that we have chairs around here?"
I put my coffee and keys on the desk that is nearest to the door. I move forward so I can lean on the desk and stretch out my legs, crossing them at the ankles. It takes all my willpower not to jump on her and tear that dress apart.
"I'm fond of this particular desk. It's quite comfortable. You should try it sometime," she says with that low, seductive voice.
When I think of it, she has always spoken to me with that voice. I had never seen it like a flirt until we kissed. Why is it that it took a kiss for us to see how we really felt about each other?
"I did try it," I say in the same tone. "And you are right. It's really the perfect desk for a make out session." I smirk at her.
Silence falls around us as I rub my hands on my thighs. They itch to grab her by the waist, but I...why I don't go over to her?
"You forgot your jacket." Regina breaks the silence and takes the jacket by the collar, passing it to me without moving from the desk.
She wants me to go to her. Her eyes are calling me; her lips are slightly parted, just waiting for me. I feel the pull and my heartbeat quickens. I push myself away from the desk and take a step forward, walking over to the brunette. I grab the jacket.
"We need to slow down," she says, her voice barely a whisper. Loud enough for me to hear it, but also quiet enough to show me that she doesn't really want it.
I take that extra step forward that brings us face to face, noses almost touching. I immediately feel the heat from her. I lower the jacket to my side, but she doesn't let it go. She licks her lips while her eyes hold my gaze.
"Why?" I breathe out.
"I...I'm n-not ready," she stumbles over the lie.
"Really?" I take a step back like someone has just thrown an ice water over me. The same chill runs down my spine. She lets go of the jacket.
''I...'' She takes a moment to gather her thoughts. ''Don't you think that there's a reason why we didn't do it twice? The first time you stopped because you didn't want to rush it. Last night, my sister walked in on us. Well, now I don't want to rush it. You were right. It feels rushed.''
That's not all. There is something else she is not telling me.
''It's your sister, isn't it?'' I ask, finally looking directly at her. ''Because before her, you...''
''No, Emma.'' She stops me. ''It's me. I think that the reason we stopped twice is fate.'' I stare her like she has three heads. ''Don't you believe in fate? Don't you believe that everything happens for a reason? And if it doesn't happen, then it's not supposed to happen?''
''What...no. Are you fan of Henry's book? Coz that's all bullshit, Regina.'' I lean on the desk behind me and leave the jacket there. Our eyes meet. ''Henry's book is a bucket full of crap. There is no happy ending. There is no one and only True Love. Snow White, the Evil Queen, and all the others are just characters in some stupid book that feeds on children's imagination.''
So she doesn`t believe I exist. Nor her mother and her father.
''No one is so stupid to curse someone just because they think they might be prettier than they are,'' she says laughing at her own statement.
Well, at least she thinks I'm not stupid. I'm relieved.
"Are you even listening to me?'' Her voice brings me back to here and now.
''What if it's all true, Emma?''
''What the hell?" she says, clearly becoming agitated. "A second ago, we were talking about why you aren't ready to take the next step with me and now we're debating whether the Evil Queen exists or not. How the hell did that happen?'' She is upset. I suppose I can understand that.
''Emma, listen to me,'' her gaze wanders around the station. Everywhere but me. I might lose her completely if I don't give her a decent explanation. ''Look at me.'' I continue when her green eyes gaze into mine. ''Emma, I am not ready to go that far with you because I have never been with a woman before.''
''Okay,'' she says surprisingly kindly though her hands are still gripping the desk.
''What?'' I ask, not believing my ears.
"I'll wait for you to hear the call of fate or whatever...but you have to tell me right now why. Because all you said so far is only partially true. There is something more. You are holding something back. Regina, you feel something about me and I feel the same way about you too.'' Emma tilts her head and smiles at me, melting my heart. But at the same time, I feel a stab from her words.
''Regina, I've never felt this way before. I've never felt wanted like I do with you. I've had a lot of people in my bed, but the want I feel for you is beyond everything I've ever experienced.'' She pauses and my heart clenches.
''I...'' Emma continues. ''Last night at the dinner...it's the first time I felt like I was at right place at the right time. I felt right. I felt you close to me and it didn't scare me." It's the exact same way I feel. ''You feel right and close...'' her eyes start to water and I'm pretty sure mine will too, eventually. ''I used to be a 'hit and run.' But you changed that. Yesterday, you got me all hot, and now you are making me bothered. I don't get why, but it hurts me.''
The blonde comes to me and hovers. She looks at me with a firm gaze, demanding the truth. I swallow hard, trying to keep whatever this is inside of me. I fear that I might spill it out and end up losing her and this indescribable feeling I have for her. I don't want to lose it. I have lost enough. All I can tell her are half-truths. I hope it's enough for the time being.
''I haven't felt something so strong in a very long time. I have almost forgotten what it feels like to want someone that much.'' I hold her gaze that enters my soul with such an ease. It is so intense I feel afraid. Afraid that I might wake up from this dream.
There it is again, the need to be close to her. Her chest rises and falls in sync with my heartbeat. Why is it that all of a sudden we feel so much for each other? Has it always been there and we were just blind? Was it that kiss that opened our eyes?
Even through my watery gaze, I see the truth in her eyes. I hear the truth in her words.
''See. It wasn't so hard,'' I say and give her a small kiss. It takes all my will power not to act on my feelings.
''I need to go to work now, Emma,'' she says after clearing her throat.
''Ok. Go.'' My eyes wander all over her face, drinking in her beauty. God, this woman is so gorgeous.
''But you are blocking my way, Ms. Swan,'' she says with a teasing voice and I force my eyes to fall on hers.
I step back from her and raise my hands in an "I give up" gesture. ''You are free, Madame Mayor.'' I can't help but grin at her while watching how she jumps off the desk and straightens her pose.
''Have a nice day, Sheriff,'' she says and walks out of the office with her usual sexy swagger that makes my blood boil. Damn, this woman.
I press the bell on Jefferson's house. I haven't seen him in a while. Five months to be exact. Since the last time I was here.
After a while, he opens the door and runs his brown eyes over my body. He takes in my black heels, black trousers, and red blouse with three buttons undone until his eyes meet mine.
''Hi, Reina,'' he greets me with half a smile. He has always had the ability to distinguish me from Regina.
''I brought breakfast,'' I give him my best smile and hand him the bag from Granny's. I take a step forward to enter the house, but he doesn't so much as move a muscle.
''Why are you here?'' he asks, surprising me.
''Is this the way I deserve to be greeted?'' I'm offended, but before I can throw some clever remark at him, he grips my forearm and pulls me into the house.
After he shuts the door, he pushes me against the nearest wall and presses his body flush against mine. His lips capture mine in a passionate kiss that includes only lips. I toss the food bag in an unknown direction, locking my hands behind his head and wrapping my legs around him. He takes the hint and dips his tongue in my mouth, deepening the kiss while he carries me to his bedroom...
An Hour Later
''Mmm,'' I purr with my head rested on his chest. Our naked bodies are covered with silk sheets from the waist down. My right hand traces lazy circles on his left shoulder.
''Mmm...'' he confirms. We both giggle before his stomach calls out. ''I'm hungry.''
''Well, I dropped the bag downstairs.''
''And now I have to go and get it?'' He and I both know that this is a rhetorical question. He frees himself from my embrace and the sheets. Once he is up on his feet, he starts looking around for his boxers.
''I believe what you are looking for is next to the door,'' I say, deciding to help him. Although, I don't mind him walking around naked.
He puts them on and leaves without turning to me. For a second, I feel a little guilty for leaving Storybrooke and him. But this way, the reunions are much sweeter. I sit on the bed with my back pressed to the headboard when he returns with the two French breakfasts in plates and with forks. Such a gentleman.
''Here you go.'' He hands me one of the plates and I wait for him to take his place next to me. ''Enjoy your breakfast,'' he says finally.
Each of the plates contains a croissant with jam, black coffee in a Styrofoam cup, and a cup of strawberry yogurt. Some things never change regardless of time.
We eat in silence, occasionally throwing each other glares. This feels like back home. Like in the Enchanted Forest when we used to wake up next to each other on an almost regular basis.
''How long are you going to stay this time?'' he asks, not bothering to cover his desperation while he chews his croissant.
I turn my head to him, ''I'm here for good, Jefferson.'' Silence blankets the room again. I know he has tons of question circling in his mind right now. I should clear the fog a little, right? I take a sip of my coffee. ''The curse is going to break soon, so I have to stay.''
''Is that so?'' His mouth is full of food. I can see that he's hurt. Most likely because he isn't the reason I'm staying.
''Yes. Regina and I need to make some final preparations.'' I take a bite from the croissant.
''I thought she didn't want the curse to be broken,'' he says as he turns to me.
''She doesn't, but it's already written...''
''By Rumple. He made all of this.''
''No,'' I snap at him. Sometimes he can be very dumb. ''All of this is predestined to happen. Rumple just took it from Blue and gave it Regina.''
''Just...just like that he played with Regina's life so she could become the monster he needed for enacting the curse.''
I glance at Jefferson. If I had known that Rumple had meddled in her life, I would have done something to stop him.
''We need to get Emma Swan on our side. Regina will take care of that.'' I steer the conversation in another direction.
''Well, I wonder how that will happen. Last time I checked, they hate each other.''
''Regina will seduce her.'' I state a-matter-of-factly. Like it's easy. Like it's all business.
''And since when does she like women?''
''You don't need to like someone to sleep with them.'' I shake my head.
''You did so much to protect her from going on the other side...''
''But I failed, Jefferson...I failed.''
''And yet you are forcing her to do something she doesn't want to.''
''Oh, she wants it. She wants Emma Swan.'' Seeing his puzzled, face I continue. ''Last night, I saw them making out. If I hadn't interrupted them, they would have had sex.''
''Wow. That's...'' he loses his words.
''Yes, Jeff.''
''It's Jefferson.''
''Oh, come on. We've been sleeping together for a pretty long time. I think pet names are in order.'' I get up from the bed and start searching for my underwear.
''This is not a relationship. It's just blowing off some steam.''
''Really?'' I ask, putting on my undies. ''And here I thought that the purple hat you made me was a romantic gesture.'' I grab my bra and put it on.
''You are the real Evil Queen,'' I throw Jefferson a death glare. I really hate his labels. But his next words hurt even more. ''You don't do romance."
Yet here we are, I acknowledge unwillingly to myself.
''Wow. The fake Evil Queen does romance with Emma Swan?'' I question him using his labels. He is so into this romance stuff. I don't want to crush his dreams that I can ever return his feelings. I just can't. I want to, but I can't.
''I don't know,'' he throws his manly hands up in surrender and looks at me like a lost puppy. He wants me to say otherwise. To say that all of this, whatever is between us, is real. That it is not "blowing off steam."
''And the hat was a 'thank you'.'' Jefferson clarifies. Like I didn't know already.
''For taking you out of Wonderland after Regina left you there?''
Silence envelops the room until I am completely dressed.
''Are you in a hurry?'' Jefferson asks from behind my back. I feel him getting closer to me, pleading me to stay.
I turn to face him and look into his brown eyes.
''I have meeting to attend,'' I answer him truthfully. He smiles at me and I kiss him goodbye.
I walk back in the station and I stop when I see Regina sitting on the same desk from earlier today. She is dressed in a mid-thigh, black dress covered with a grey coat. She changed her outfit?
I look straight at her. Does she have a job to do?
"Congratulations, Sheriff Swan," she says to me with her mayoral voice and I knit my eyebrows. "There is about to be a big break in your case," she lifts her head high and I shake my head.
What the hell is going on here? She takes a deep breath and says, "You just got yourself a confession." Seriously?
"But I want you to listen to the whole explanation, so you understand," she slips off the desk and cross her arms in front of her chest, "why this happened."
"Oh, I'll hang on every word you say." I don't have a fucking clue what is going on here. Is she going to confess to me that she framed Mary Margaret?
"Sydney?" she calls out before I can react. "You can come in now." I stare at her dumbfounded while she gazes at the floor.
I hear footsteps approaching and turn around to the source. Sydney comes out from the staircase looking guilty as hell. Like he is being called into the principal`s office.
"Tell her what you told me," Regina says.
"It was me." He gulps. "I confess. I abducted Kathryn and held her in the basement of an abandoned summer home by the lake."
I lean my head forward. What the actual fuck?
"I bribed a lab tech to get me the heart from the hospital," I glare Regina. "And I used the same person to doctor the lab results."
"And the other thing," she encourages him.
"I b-borrowed some skeleton keys from Regina and...I planted the knife in your apartment."
"My keys," she says. "Can't help but feel personally violated about that part."
I throw my jacket and keys on the desk, "I'm supposed to believe you did this why, now?"
"I was gonna find her after the conviction, be a hero, then get the inside track on the biggest story to ever hit this town." Bullshit, I scream in my head. "I'd get my job back. Plus a novel and a movie, and I don't know. It sounds crazy now."
"I don't know about crazy," I say stepping towards him. "But false, yes. False as hell."
"I have maps to where the house is. You'll find chains in the basement, lots of fingerprints, I'm sure...hers and mine. But I didn't hurt her."
"The man has obviously suffered some kind of mental break." Regina's voice is closer to me now. She is standing almost next to me.
Sydney's eyes avoid us.
"He clearly hasn't been himself in a while."
"Yeah. It`s like his words aren't his at all." All of it is one big fat lie.
"Wow. You are so sold on your own rush to judgment that you can't see the truth anymore." Regina turns to me.
"A word in a hallway, please." I want to scream at her but I compose myself. I exit the room and she follows seconds later.
I pace back and forth in the hallway with my hands in my front pockets. Fuck. I`m so stupid. All of what happened between us in the last two day is manipulation. She was hoping to distract me and she has succeeded. She wanted to seduce me so I can`t back off from the case. Just enough for her to cover her tracks. Fuck, Swan.
She walks to me with more swagger than needed but I guess it feels too damn good when you win.
"Well, that was the biggest load of crap I've ever heard," I say while we walk towards each other.
"I'm pretty sure that's not true," she responds. Damn, this woman and her pretty lips that have no problem telling a lie.
"That poor man. I know you are all behind all of this." It breaks my heart but it's the truth. "I understand that you own the game and you've set the board so no one else can win," she lifts her chin up proudly as I continue. "But I am about to start playing an entirely different game."
I take three steps towards her, "I don't care what happens to you. I don't care what happens to me..." I stop inches from her. For a second there, I wonder why I don't feel the pull towards her but I dismiss the thought quickly. "All I care about is what happens to my kid," her face is completely emotionless I think I hear my heart breaking. "And you are going to leave him alone."
"Am I?" The way she whispers it make it sounds like she is saying my name. Yep, my heart is definitely breaking.
"Uh-uh. I'm talking." I cut her off. "You are sociopath, lady." Her winning smirk is driving me crazy. Why did I fall in love with her? "You tried to take away someone that I love, and now...I`m gonna take away someone you love." I flash a fake smile at her.
If she wants to play like a cold hearted bitch here I`ll gladly play the same way. Coz she has no idea what I`m capable of.
"I am taking back my son."