The next night Regina insisted Emma stay over, for monitoring purposes of course. Between shared glances they both agreed. Waking up that morning in each other's arms was a new and wonderful feeling. Neither of them discussed the soft smiles, the cuddling, or the feeling of safety and warmth they felt waking up together. Unfortunately, that happy bubble was popped when Regina had to return to work.
Over the next two weeks, Emma spent most nights having family dinner with Regina and Henry, while the rest of her time was spent getting her new home in order. Mary Margaret had of course bought lots of decorations and insisted on helping Emma rearrange. As much as Emma didn't want to decorate, she appreciated her mom helping her.
Mary Margaret finally got the chance to take Emma on a tour of the town. She chatted animatedly about every building, street sign, and mailbox they came upon. Eventually Emma began to tune her out. She was still upset about the pregnancy and because Mary Margaret didn't know this, it made the situation a little awkward. Looking across the road, Emma noticed Town Hall.
"Hey Mom," Emma interrupted. "Isn't that where Regina works?"
Mary Margaret smiled softly at the look of admiration in her daughter's eyes. She realized Emma had feelings for Regina already but she decided now was not the time to ask about it. "Yes honey. She is the mayor after all. Her office is just on the second floor." She took Emma's arm and guided her towards the building. "Why don't you go up and say hi? I have to use the ladies room but I'll be right up after you."
Emma walked up the stairs and smiled wide at the thought of seeing Regina today. She checked in with Regina's secretary and followed her through the doors into her office. Regina was on the phone when they walked in but as soon as she looked up and saw her visitor, she quickly ended the call.
"Emma," she breathed. "What are you doing here?"
"Well, my mom decided today was the day to tour the town and I thought you might like a visitor." Emma walked across the room and leaned on Regina's desk.
"Thank you Emma, I would love a pleasant visitor today." Regina sighed as she turned her phone on silent and tossed it across the desk.
"Rough day?" Emma asked.
"Yes," Regina answered. "As a matter of fact, my Sheriff has just quit on me and his deputy is not qualified to take over. I don't know who I will hire as my choices in this town are quite limited."
Emma had worked for some time at the Sheriff's department in Boston before they laid off several workers. She enjoyed her personal training job but she missed the thrill of working in criminal justice.
"Regina, I'll do it! I worked at the Boston Police Department for several years. I'm more than qualified and I'd love to have something to do here." Emma bounced excitedly on her toes making Regina laugh.
"Ok Emma, send me your resume. I'll have you start as soon as Dr. Whale clears you tomorrow." Regina smirked when Emma rolled her eyes. She was entirely tired of not being able to do anything and Regina and her mother were very strict.
"Alright but as soon as my appointment is over, I'm heading straight to the station. I can at least fill out my paperwork and stuff tomorrow right?" Emma whined and slumped her shoulders, pouty face directed right at Regina.
"Yes Emma," Regina replied shaking her head gently at the childlike behavior she was quickly becoming accustomed too. Emma smiled back at her and held eye contact for what felt like ages before they were interrupted by Mary Margaret's arrival. They said their goodbyes and headed back into town.
The next morning, Emma followed Regina to the station where she met with Ruby, the Deputy Sheriff Emma would be working with. Ruby was tall and skinny with long dark hair and little streaks of red peeking out. Emma couldn't deny that she was beautiful but in her eyes, no one compared to Regina. Regina left to her office promising to return on her lunch break. When she returned, a scowl took over her face at the scene before her. Ruby and Emma were laughing hysterically, seated far too close for Regina's liking. When the girls noticed Regina's presence, Emma immediately stood and walked to her.
"Hey Regina, how was your day so far?" Emma noticed the scowl on Regina's face and followed her line of vision directly to Ruby who was desperately trying to find something to do and avoid eye contact with the mayor. Emma gripped Regina's chin lightly forcing her to look into Emma's eyes. "Regina, what's wrong?"
Regina shook her head, realizing she had been glaring at Ruby. "Nothing Emma, I'm fine. I assume all of your paperwork is done if you are both sitting here laughing at nothing in particular. This is not what the town pays you for Ruby, you should know better." Regina's clipped and stern tone was new to Emma. She found it to be scary but also a little bit arousing. The heat radiating off Regina's angry body was turning her on like nobody's business.
"Yes Madame Mayor, I am so sorry," Ruby said rushing to her desk to get back to work. Emma watched the scene in confusion. They had just been laughing over Emma's retelling of her concussion accident. She'd been filling out paper work all morning and learning all about the town and the laws she needed to learn.
"So Madame Mayor," Emma said slyly. "Care to join me for dinner at Granny's after work? I can pick up Henry on my last patrol of the day if that's ok with you." The mention of Henry seemed to lighten the mood in the room. Regina looked back into Emma's eyes and smiled.
"That sounds lovely Emma, I will let the school know that it is ok for him to leave with you. I'll see you tonight." Regina grabbed and quickly squeezed Emma's hand before nodding tightly at Ruby and taking her leave.
"Damn Emma," Ruby began. "What's up with you and the mayor?"
"What? Regina? We're just friends. She's my next-door neighbor and the first person I met when I got into town. She took really great care of me when I nearly died. We have dinner together with Henry sometimes. What?" Emma asked when Ruby gave her a look and raised her eyebrows.
"Right, just friends. Just friends that pick up each other's children and try to kill their friend's coworkers with their eyes. Seriously Emma, if looks could kill, I would have dropped dead."
"I think you're being dramatic Ruby. Regina and I get along really well and it's nice to have a friend in town. Stop giving me that look." Emma knew that there was more than just friendship brewing between her and Regina but Ruby didn't need to know that.
"Not to mention that she never lets anyone near Henry. I don't think anyone has picked him up besides Graham, ever." Ruby had known the Mayor for as long as she could remember. They weren't close but they were acquaintances.
"Who is Graham?" Now it was Emma's turn to get jealous. Who the hell was Graham and why was he allowed to pick up Henry from school if Regina never let anyone else near him. Sensing the jealousy coming from Emma, Ruby smirked. This was going to be fun.
"Oh Graham is the man you're replacing. Everyone thinks that he and Regina were sleeping with each other for as long as I can remember." Involuntarily, a scowl grew on Emma's face. Regina wasn't hers, she knew that, but it didn't stop the feeling of completely wanting to chop this Graham person's balls off. "You ok Emma?"
Emma responded with a grunt and excused herself to use the bathroom. Oh she was definitely going to ask Regina about this later. When she came back, Ruby dropped the subject, for now of course, and they continued working until Emma left to pick up Henry from school.
Boy could that kid talk. He held the majority of the dinner conversation, not noticing the tension between the two women at the table. Emma had a hard time keeping her eyes off Regina. She wondered if the rumors were true and why she was so angry. They had only met two weeks ago. Emma had no right to be mad about what Regina did before Emma had come along, but then again, Graham just quit his job yesterday. Now Emma was suspicious about his reasons for quitting and became increasingly more jealous as the dinner continued. Had Regina been seeing him when Emma wasn't there? Emma only stayed over those two nights when she was recovering. Was he there after her dinners and she just didn't know? No, stop it Emma. Regina has never mentioned him before nor was she distraught about his exit. She groaned internally. I'm falling so hard and I haven't even kiss her yet, she thought to herself.
On the other side of the table, Regina was expertly pretending to listen to Henry's stories while staring at Emma. She didn't understand her feelings of jealousy when she walked in to see Emma and Ruby laughing together. It wasn't like they were doing anything inappropriate. She didn't even know if Emma liked girls. Ruby certainly did, there was that one time when they were both drunk that Regina and Ruby ended up making out in the bathroom at Town Hall during the Christmas party. Regina shook her head. She didn't own Emma. She hadn't even kissed her yet. She had no right to be jealous or controlling. She smiled brightly at Henry and joined back into the conversation winking at Emma when Henry wasn't looking.
Emma jumped when she felt Regina's foot rubbing the inside of her calf. Regina sat on the other side of the table as if nothing was happening, sipping her iced tea and listening intently to Henry. A blush crept up her neck and onto her cheeks. Regina started to move her foot just a bit further up Emma's leg. She's doing this on purpose, Emma thought to herself. Was Regina coming on to her? Deciding that two could play this game, Emma grabbed a spoonful of whipped cream off the top of her hot chocolate with her finger. When Regina made eye contact, Emma licked the whipped cream off seductively.
Regina's olive skin covered her flush but that feeling of arousal between her legs would be evident if Emma were to slid her fingers into her pants and - what, no, stop thinking like that Regina. Smirking at Emma, Regina reached forward and ran her thumb across Emma's bottom lip, taking the leftover whipped cream and popping her thumb into her mouth. Emma's breath caught in her throat and she had to stifle the groan that was threatening to break out. That was the sexiest thing she'd ever seen. Regina went right back to talking with Henry as if nothing had happened. Oh yes, this was going to be an interesting night.
When they arrived back at Regina's mansion, their little game had continued. Emma hated losing and after the whipped cream, Regina was winning 1-0. Emma tied the score by waiting for Henry to go to the bathroom before taking the last bite of the pie on the table and moaning so much that Regina's skin actually did flush red. Of course Regina was not one to lose either. As they drove back home, Regina noticed Henry passed out in the back seat. At a stoplight, she took the opportunity to reach behind Emma's seat for his dropped leftovers, making sure her face was close enough that every time she breathed out, warm air caressed the side of Emma's neck. When Emma started squirming anxiously in her seat, Regina licked her pointer finger and drew a tally in the air. Regina 2, Emma 1.
After tucking Henry in, Regina returned to the kitchen where she had left Emma to find her pouring two generous glasses of wine. Emma hadn't noticed her presence so she quietly walked up behind Emma and placed her palm on Emma's lower back. Emma jumped up and spilled one of the glasses directly down the front of her shirt.
"Ah shit!" Emma was wearing one of her famous white tank tops, which was now turning a dark red.
"Oh my god, Emma," Regina started. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" She had meant to scare her but she didn't plan on Emma spilling red wine all over her shirt. "Come, you can borrow one of my shirts."
Emma followed Regina up the stairs and stood awkwardly in Regina's bedroom. It was large and the king size bed in the center looked incredibly comfy. Regina grabbed Emma one of the only t-shirts she owned and a washcloth and set them on the sink in the bathroom. When Emma peeled off her tank top, she realized her entire bra was soaked as well. Oh well, no bra it is, Emma thought to herself. She had no intentions of going home early tonight. She returned to the bedroom to find Regina had changed into a set of silky pajamas. Emma gaped at Regina until Regina's laughter grabbed her attention.
"Close your mouth dear, you'll catch flies. Not that you'd ever find a fly in this house." Regina took a moment to take in Emma's appearance. A warm fuzzy feeling settled in her stomach upon seeing Emma in her clothing. She scanned Emma's body until she got to—oh my, is that, yes that is- oh my lord.
"Close your mouth dear," Emma mocked trying to hid her discomfort at being scrutinized by Regina's demanding eyes. "Come on, let's go refill my glass of wine and watch some TV or something." Emma desperately wanted to be sitting close to Regina on one of those plush couches. This is what they do, they drink wine and watch television and pretend not to notice when the space between them decreases. Emma refilled their drinks and plopped down onto the couch next to Regina much less gracefully than she would have wished for. She would have been embarrassed if Regina hadn't seen her do much less graceful things like falling on the bathroom floor or tripping up the stairs one night on her way to help tuck in Henry. They both drank a couple of glasses each before the conversation died down and a tension began to grow between them. They had yet to discuss the events of this afternoon.
"Regina, can I ask you a question?" Emma asked almost nervously.
"Of course Emma, you can ask me anything." Regina replied, though she too was a little nervous as to where this was going.
"Ok then, who the hell is Graham and were you sleeping with him?" Emma winced at her outburst. She hadn't planned on being so straightforward or letting her green monster peek through. A flicker of shock flashed across Regina's face before she settled on a more intimidating expression.
"Graham is the former Sherriff who I was most definitely not sleeping with. Where ever did you hear such a thing?" Regina knew about these rumors since they had started but she also knew she was gay and Graham was as well. Graham was a good friend that she would miss dearly but completely in a platonic way.
"Ruby," Emma muttered, feeling a little ashamed at upsetting Regina. "She said that you didn't let anyone near Henry except for Graham and that you two had been very close for a long time. She said the whole town thinks you are sleeping together."
"Well I can assure you, we are not and never have been. I don't believe I am quite his type, nor is he mine." Regina answered hoping the message was coming across to Emma the way she wanted it to. It didn't.
"So you were just really close with a man that you weren't sleeping with? I'm not entirely convinced Regina." Emma didn't realized how jealous she had been. She tried to tamper her emotions. It was too soon to tell Regina she liked her.
"Emma, Graham left Storybrooke to move in with his boyfriend in Portland." Regina emphasized the word boyfriend and Emma finally caught on to that part.
"Graham is gay?" Emma hoped that there was more to this.
"Yes Emma, Graham is gay. As am I," Regina muttered the last sentence so quietly in the direction away from Emma that she nearly missed it.
"Wh-what?" Emma stuttered hoping she heard right. "You're gay?"
"Yes Emma," Regina responded exasperated. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Not at all Regina," Emma replied. It was now or never. "That will make it a lot easier when I do this." Emma slowly eliminated the space between her and Regina. Regina's breath hitched when she felt Emma's breath on her lips. Her eyes darted between Emma's lips and her own eyes until they fluttered shut and any distance left between them was gone.