Regina woke up slowly. She hadn't slept that well in a long time but she soon woke up completely. Sitting up in bed she looked around slightly dazed. She was alone. The night's events came flooding back. What she had said and done. Letting the saviour in, letting go completely. And now she was alone.
Emma had woken up early. She had watched the sleeping brunette for what seemed like hours. Marvelled at the beauty of her relaxed face. But I felt like an illusion. Emma's mind whirled with all the Queen had done. How they had clashed on every level since they met. The anger and frustration consuming their lives as they constantly battled for dominance. At how perfectly they had come together that night. How they complimented each other, how they fit together. How could something so wrong feel so right? She was meant to be with Killian. Regna was meant to be with Robin.
Emma had had female partners in the past. She had never committed to anyone since Neal and defiantly not before but she had felt safe with women. She had felt in control. Regina was nothing like that. Could she even think about risking anything with Regina when she was still so wounded from Hook? No this was just desperation. This was just loneliness, two shattered souls seeking comfort in whatever they drank and whomever they fell into on their way into oblivion. She would not let Regina 'let her down gently' she would not be the subordinate now. Her pride dictated as much.
She slipped out as quietly as she could, picking up her scattered cloths as she rushed from the room. Trying desperately to ignore the missing body heat, the way her body seemed to crave the touch of the other woman even now. Silently making her way through the mansion grabbing her boots from where she left them at the front door and slipping out into the morning a pang of guilt shot through her. Was it wishful thinking that Regina would be upset she left. That she would be hurt. Emma told herself off. No not Regina. Regina would only be sorry she didn't get to gloat over her what had happened. Use it against her now or in the future. She had no choice but to await that time but now she was saving herself. She couldn't even fully convince herself.
As Regina woke up and realised that Emma had left, without leaving as much as a note, her pain seems to swell in her chest. It takes all her determination to get up out of bed and march towards her bathroom. Faltering slightly as she realises that is where is started last night, after giving Emma a towel which she sees is still on the floor where Emma dropped it. The desire for the infuriating blonde is adding to the head ache she already has behind her eyes, thinking the last glass of cider may have been a mistake, or even that last round of shots, or cocktails. But her inside ache at the memory of the evening she had spent with the sheriff last night. The connection she felt was not just booze. It was not just basic need for comfort. It was comfortable. It was real. It was something she never felt before and now something she must never want again. Even if Emma had not left, could she have let herself be so open? She had not disclosed any real secrets but the feeling she could was so foreign it scared her. When she was with Emma last night she had felt no fear. Emma chose to be there even though she knew exactly who Regina was, what she was capable of. She hadn't had to stick around, or walked her home, or even come in at the end of the night.
Emma went straight to the station. She had a change of clothes there, a place to shower and she could try and convince herself that she was busy, and not going to think about the previous night. She fired off a text to Mary Margret, explaining she had to nip to work to do paper work. She could collect Henry or have him dropped off at any time if it was a problem. It was fine Henry had gone to was going to a friend's house anyway and was not expected home until the next morning. Mary Margret had left a message on Emma answer machine figuring it would be ok. He wasn't at school the next day.
Regina was awake. She didn't know what to think. Undying fear at showing the sheriff. Hurt that she didn't get a note, hell not even a text. Nothing.
Anger rippled through her tingling with the familiar feeling. The safe feeling towards the blonde was slightly comforting. But is wasn't enough. At least Robin was honest, she muttered pouring herself a second cup of coffee, considering the bourbon in her dining room sideboard.
Regina found herself sat at her desk. Mindlessly looking at paper work she didn't need to bother herself with. With Snow being Mayor the towns running, day to day business were nothing to do with her. But she just couldn't let go. The woman was an idiot, too busy with her own family drama, to run the town effectively. Especially after having a baby, with the indistinct husband and the daughter, Emma. Old feelings of resentment and revenge filled her head. Her hand started glowing with the familiar purple magic at the thought of them. At the memories. Until the glass in the picture on her desk cracked and shattered. A shot of Henry, young and smiling up at the camera. Before all the drama started. She could not go down that route again. Not like that, not with dark magic. She would not lose him again due to the Charming family.
She needed a better plan.
Emma began to feel guilty by the afternoon. She had been a coward, she had run away. Just like her old self and she did not want to be that person anymore. She didn't want to be that person ever again. She had to see Regina. Face what she thought undoubtedly would be her wrath and a half. And deal with it. *are you free we need to talk* Emma fired a quick text off to the brunette. Trying to excuse the shame as she was too busy working to get into it now. But really she needed to think about what she was going to say. She didn't want Regina to rip her a new on before she was ready.
*I am at home, Miss Swan. You may come round when you wish* Regina's text back was not what Emma was expecting. It was formal but accommodating. No hint of nastiness made Emma worry. Why was she so calm? What could she be planning?
A knot of nerves tightened in the pit of her stomach. Regina was capable of a lot, wasn't she? If she was hurting, which she was, with what Robin did. Maybe running this morning was a foolish mistake. Surely Regina wouldn't go back, wouldn't risk her relationship with Henry now.
Surely.
She leaves it as long as her nerves let her. She has to suck it up and face it. She sent Regina a text letting her know she was on her way. Giving herself an extra twenty minutes to run home first. She wants to look like she has not spend all day in the office worrying about this, she want to go to Grannies and get lasagne with red pepper flakes in it. But she doesn't want to give Regina the wrong idea. This is not a date. This is an ending to something that shouldn't have even began. She wants to stop analysing herself. What they did cannot happen again, it won't go anywhere. Regina has to realise that, that it was just two drunken women who needed comfort, company and let it get out of hand. Realise that their pain made them think it was real, when it isn't.
{YeahrightEmma} her unconscious mind chirps up in a sarcastic and unhumouring tone reminiscent of the former mayor's former self. She pushed the thought down and down. Not letting it take root in her mind. Refusing to acknowledge it.
She arrives at the mansion exactly on time. She didn't want to be early or late. She waited with the bug down the street but no one needs to know that.
Regina was ready, she had taken her time to get ready. She wanted to look like she hadn't tried. She wanted to look fantastic but effortless. And that took time. Her make-up was minimal, natural but flawless. No colour, just the right enhancement. Eyes lined and lashed, lips a pale red, close to the natural hue of her lips, not the usual power house red she sported when she needed to be confident. Her hair fell naturally in waves framing her face, like she had just left it to dry after her morning shower. Natural think, smooth and silky. Her choice of outfit was equally relaxed. Plain black trousers loose fitting and flowing was she walked, with a blood red top that skimmed and hugged all her curves, in just the right places. She knew the blonde loved this top. She had seen her looking, eyes wided in town meeting when she had worn it. Showing her cleavage and curves of her waist she felt good.
Confident- this could not be made easy for Miss Swan.
She answered the door and looked her company up and down. The stare of royalty, intended to intimidate and dominate.
"Hello Miss Swan" she said allowing the Sheriff a moment. Watching her eyes widen as she looked Regina up and down. She couldn't help the smirk grace her lips. Emma tried to keep the look off her face, as her mind betrayed her.
"Do come in Miss Swan." Regina said with an air of confidence that made Emma core freeze.