She woke up to screams, angry voices yelling. At first, she thought she was hearing things but then it got louder and Regina could make out what was being said.
"We need to question her! She may know something!" Charming, that insufferable oaf, stated and Regina heard affirmative hums and yells.
"She hasn't left the house! No one has seen her in days!" Snow defended and Regina couldn't help the smirk that showed. They had certainly come a long way.
"And why would my mom do this?" Henry shrieked, his voice giving out on the last word. Regina jumped from the bed. Her son was distressed and they, whoever they are, were accusing her of a crime she didn't commit… again.
"Oh, I don't know, kid. Maybe because she's the Evil Queen?" Damn angry dwarf. Grumpy then let out a sarcastic laugh but many stayed quiet and Regina felt like fist-pumping, even though it was highly undignified. She had made amends with many of the citizens and they seemed to be somewhat supportive of her. Even now, she could understand that they wanted to rule her out. After all, she didn't have the best track record. At least they weren't charging in with pitchforks and torches. She didn't have time to fix charring.
"Grumpy!" Snow scolded as Regina climbed down the stairs quietly, her bare feet padding softly as she went. Using her magic, she changed from her 'hobo chic', as Emma had called it, to a tightly pressed skirt and silk shirt, making sure to fluff her hair in the process.
"This is serious! A murder, okay? We need to cross of every suspect that had a motive!" Well, damn. Who kicked the bucket? And why would she have a motive? The only person she wanted to strangle was Grumpy and apparently he was still up and annoying. She ripped open the front door and watched as everyone jumped collectively.
"What's going on?" She asked calmly, leaning against the door jam. She took in the crowd that consisted of Snow, Charming, and their former advisors. Even the damn flying blue cretin was there.
"Regina, I know you had nothing to do with this but we have to ask." Snow quickly inserted before her husband could speak up. Granny, Ruby, and Henry nodded to show support. Regina sighed, stepping onto the front porch, and looking to Charming for answers.
The man cleared his throat and spit out, "Hook was killed last night, on his boat. Some of the Lost Boys were going to play a prank on the Captain and found his body at around 4:00 am. Ruby said she saw him leave The Rabbit Hole at around 1:00 am. So, Regina, where were you from 1:00 am to 4:00 am last night?"
"Wait, wait, wait. Killian Jones is dead?" When Regina saw Snow's apologetic nod, she felt her body freeze. Deep down she had a feeling but she shook her head. Emma wouldn't so this. No, Emma wouldn't but The Dark One would. Regina screwed her eyes shut and whispered; "I was in bed at that time. I fell asleep around 3:00am."
"Was there anyone with you that confirm that, your majesty?" Grumpy bellowed and everyone threw him an incredulous look, "What? She's been seen fawning over that thief!"
Regina rolled her eyes, "No, I was alone during that time. What happened to him?"
"Blunt force to the back of the head," Snow gulped, "His body was taken to the hospital."
Regina gasped, feeling tears rise in eyes and burn in her throat. She never cared for the pirate, especially after he helped Greg and Tamara strap her to a table and electrocute her. She worried for Emma, even though she had seemed calm when she saw her. Regina tried to think back. What time did Emma appear to her? It was around… 6:00 am. The blonde had seemed jovial.
Regina cleared her throat and looked at Charming dead in the eye, "I have not left this house in days. I was nowhere near the Captain's boat last night. I did not kill Hook. I was here."
Charming nodded sympathetically, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Regina, but—"
"I don't have the best track record and, with Rumple being incapacitated, I became the first suspect." Regina stated sadly. Would it always be this way? When things went wrong, the finger would be automatically pointed at her. She would always be guilty until proven innocent. She was just thankful that they asked her and didn't just take her in, like with the Archie incident.
"No! We didn't automatically think of you but then… we remembered how you were with Emma and we thought… you had reason to hate Hook." Snow stuttered and Regina felt her body tense. Did the bumbling idiots figure it out before Emma and Regina did?
"What are you going on about?" Regina attempted to sound calm. Snow threw her a pitying look, shrugging her shoulders.
"You and Emma care for one another in a way friends don't. It's more and we understand and accept it. When Emma scarified herself and you ran for that dagger, we knew for sure. Hook and Robin didn't matter because you two were meant to be." Snow whispered, not wanting to embarrass Regina. Charming reached forward and squeezed her bicep affectionately.
"I'm sorry for taking Emma from you again. I truly am." Regina turned swiftly and shut the door, blocking them from seeing the agonizing sadness in her eyes. The brunette stumbled into the study and plopped down heavily.
All she could think about was the possibility that The Dark One had killed Hook. Emma had said that the rage overtook her completely. She suddenly overheard a creaking door and turned to see the blonde that she had been thinking about making her way over to her.
"Hi," Emma whispered and it reminded Regina of the first time they met. Emma cleared her throat of emotion, "I didn't kill him. I was… at my place when it happened."
"Good," Regina sighed with relief before quirking an eyebrow, "Now I'm wondering who did do it. Did Hook have enemies besides Rumple, and I?"
"Well, he wasn't winning any contests but… I don't know. It's just… murder, ya know?"
"Emma, these citizens may have been living in this realm for a long time but they're still barbarians. Murder was child's play in the Enchanted Forest."
"Yeah, I guess." Emma sat down next to the brunette and propped her feet on the coffee table. Regina let it slide. She knew that while Emma wasn't in love with the pirate, she had loved him. Regina could admit that Emma and Killian would have been fantastic friends.
"I'm sorry for your loss." Regina lifted her legs and tucked them underneath her backside as she reached forward to caress the blonde's cheek. Emma pursed her lips and nodded jerkily.
"Thanks," Emma caught Regina's dainty hand and placed a sweet kiss to her fingers, "I have some good news though."
"What's that?" Emma's eyes were locked on Regina's unpainted pink lips, her own tilting upwards into a side smile.
"I haven't reverted in hours and I'm don't feel the darkness itching at my skin." Regina broke out into a wide smile and leaned forward to wrap her arms around the blonde loosely.
"Is it getting easier?" Emma nodded before connecting their lips. Regina's smile didn't diminish as Emma's tongue swiped her teeth. The blonde moved up on her knees, putting her head above Regina's. The brunette tilted her head back to keep their lips connected. Emma pulled back only to place several succinct pecks on Regina's kiss swollen lips before speaking up.
"How are my parent's doing with the search for Merlin?" Emma lowered her body down again, her eyes darting around the brunette's face.
"I don't know much but Henry texted me that they believe they found out where he is residing," Regina peered from under her eyelashes, "Emma… I should go with them… to search for Merlin."
"Please don't go. I need you here and they can handle it." Emma pleaded, her eyes continuing to dart from eye to eye. Regina simply nodded. The blonde clasped the brunette's hand before leaning in to run her tongue along Regina's bottom lip.
"You've been quite affectionate the last two days." Regina smirked, her cheeks puffing.
"Yeah, well, have you looked in a mirror lately?" Emma teased, trailing her finger down the space between Regina's breasts. The brunette shivered and stared into dark green eyes, licking her bottom lip sensually, "You're so beautiful Gina."
"And you are stunning Emma, truly stunning from the inside out." Regina whimpered as Emma began trailing wet kisses from her ear to her collarbone and back.
"So what should we do?" Emma asked, quirking a brow and smirking. Regina wanted to say that they could go upstairs and continue what they had started but the brunette didn't want to rush things. She had gone too quickly with Robin and it complicated things, made things unstable. She wanted to build a rapport with Emma first, build a secure foundation before becoming intimate.
"Maybe we could go to Granny's and you could show everyone that you're okay?" Regina watched as Emma took a moment. The blonde was gnawing at her lip and Regina was about to retract her sentence but Emma finally smiled shyly.
"Okay… I think I'm ready and it would be nice to see everyone." Emma chewed on her thumbnail as Regina patted her thigh lovingly.
Regina expected gasps of shock and silence to descend. But when Emma walked through the diner door, it was like the Pope entered. People whistled and yelled excitedly, pushing Regina back and away as they surrounded the blonde. They hugged, preened, and kissed her, on the cheek but still. Regina cleared her throat inaudibly as she took a seat at a booth gingerly and watched with intrigue and a bit of jealousy. Why? She didn't know. Most likely because this would change things.
Would Emma still love her when everything went back to normal? When she was the Sheriff again and Regina was reinstated as Mayor after her short leave? Things would change when everything calmed down. How they would change things was the question.
The town knowing could make it real. They could be embraced by the community, go on dates, and have fun days out with Henry. If the town didn't accept them, she wondered if Emma would run. The blonde wanted to fit in and dating The Evil Queen kind of made you stand out, just a bit.
Regina watched as Emma politely moved through the crowd and made her way over. The blonde strolled until she stood before the brunette, leaning down to place a passionate kiss on her lips, burrowing her slim fingers into Regina's soft locks. Well, damn. Apparently, Emma didn't give a fuck about what others thought about their relationship. They were literally making out in the middle of Granny's. Emma pulled back with a pop and nuzzled their noses. She shoved Regina lightly, making the brunette scoot over towards the wall, before plopping down next to her. Emma wrapped her arm around Regina's shoulder, pulling her against her chest.
Regina looked around subtly in an attempt to gauge everyone's reaction. She gasped when she saw everyone smiling at them, clasping their hands in excitement. She let out a sigh of relief.
"You owe me ten bucks." Regina heard Snow state before Ruby groaned. The wolf rushed towards the booth and whipped out a pad and pen.
"So the usual?" The ladies nodded and Ruby ran to place the order. The rest of the night was calm, the citizens asking Emma about her condition as Emma practically inhaled a grilled cheese. The group discussed Killians passing and Snow updated them on investigation. After the somber mood lifted, the group moved on to sweeter topics. Regina slowly chewed on her salad, smiling and observing the interactions quietly. Emma's arm never retreated and she occasionally placed loving kisses on her forehead causing the women in the room to clutch at their chests and fuss over the sweet gesture. Snow wouldn't stop darting her eyes between them while smiling largely. Henry watched his mothers will affection, happy that they were happy.
After a few hours of socializing, Regina saw Emma's eyes begin to droop. She wiped some leftover ketchup from Emma's cheek as she shook the blonde lightly.
"You want to go? Maybe you can stay all night this time." Regina watched as Emma nodded, a lazy smile on her face.
"Let's go baby." Regina groaned, amusement twinkling in her eyes as Emma rubbed her own sleepily.
"Don't call me that." Regina chuckled as she pushed Emma out of the booth with her hip. Emma stood and offered Regina a hand.
"The more you tell me not to, the more I will want to." Emma joked, pulling the brunette into her arms. They said their goodbyes and walked back to the mansion. Once they arrived, they undressed and snuggled into Regina's bed and into each other.
"Will you be here in the morning?" Regina whispered as both their eyes began to close. Emma scooted closer to her.
"I promise," Emma watched as Regina's breathing evened out before adding, "Thank you for loving me."
A/N: I'm kind of losing my muse so I might not update everyday. I'll try though! Scrolling through the Swan Queen tag on Tumblr helps a bit. Anyway, thanks for reading!