Emma was woken by the sound of her phone buzzing on the nightstand next to the bed. When she leaned over to grab it and dismiss whatever notification was popping up, she woke Regina as well. By the time Emma leaned back against the pillows, her lover could see the blatant look of discomfort and surprise on her face.
"Babe? What is it?" the brunette questioned anxiously. "Are you okay?"
"I, um…"
"Emma?"
"It's… I'm okay."
"What's the matter?"
"I… I just got a text from an…uh… old friend. Who I haven't spoken to in like two years. She moved to Canada with her family after our sophomore year of high school, right after we had a falling out, and we never really made up."
"Okay… Then what does she want?"
"Apparently, she's back in the area. She wants to see me."
"You don't want to see her?"
"Well, we didn't exactly end on good terms."
Regina paused, studying her girlfriend's face.
Eventually, she asked, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Not really," Emma answered quickly, shaking her head and looking away. It didn't take long for her to continue talking, though, before Regina had a chance to reply, as she said, "We used to hook up, okay? We weren't… like… a thing, or anything. We just… messed around. But when things started to get more serious, I thought… I thought she felt the same about me, and she told me she did. That flew out the window really fast when I found out she was sleeping with one of my friends too."
"Oh, shit."
"Yeah. Anyway, we had a lot of fun together, and I guess I should be grateful for the good times." Then, Emma started to chuckle and told Regina, "I remember this one time, we broke into the abandoned paper mill on Central Street… I guess some people walking by heard us shooting cans with our BB guns and called the police. We ended up running from the cops. It was kind of hilarious. As soon as we made it to the woods, I tripped over a little tree stump and busted up my leg pretty bad. We told my mom we went swimming in the brook and I slipped. She bought it, but I wasn't even wet. God, we laughed so fucking hard when we went back up to my room."
Hearing her lover reminisce about fond memories with another girl made Regina feel uneasy, but the last thing she wanted was for Emma to keep things from her. Especially if this former friend was suddenly texting her looking to rekindle their connection.
"That… That sounds great. I'm sorry you two had a falling out." After a silent pause, Regina continued, "How do you feel about her texting you now? Do you want to see her?"
With a sigh, Emma replied, "I don't know. I honestly don't know."
Looking a little confused, Regina put her hand on Emma's shoulder and asked, "What did she say exactly? I mean… if you want to tell me. I don't mean to pry."
"It was really weird, actually. She sort of acted like nothing ever happened. The text says, 'Hey, babe. Back in Storybrooke. Would love to see you.'"
"Wow. That is… kind of weird… if you ended on a bad note. Um… So… What are you going to say?"
"I guess… I guess I should probably at least see what she wants."
Offering a weak nod, Regina looked up at the ceiling and sighed softly.
"Babe?" Emma asked. "What's the matter?"
"Huh? Nothing. I just… It's nothing."
"No, honestly, what's the matter?"
"I guess it's just… I mean… You said you two used to hook up… and that you had feelings for her. I…"
"Oh, honey," the blonde said softly, leaning over to cup the girl's face in her hands. "That was literally years ago. I'm over it. You're everything I could ever dream of."
Biting her lip, the girl's lover looked into her eyes, until she leaned in and kissed Regina's lips.
"I love you," Emma told her, stroking Regina's hair. "So much."
Later that day, after agreeing upon a time to meet her former companion, Emma stood in the doorway of the house and kissed her girlfriend again.
"I'll see you later, okay? I won't stay out too late, and I'll keep working on the lawn tomorrow."
"I'm not worried about the lawn."
"I know. I was just-"
But Emma was cut off by another kiss, which caused a smile to spread over her lips.
"I love you," the blonde told her lover, running her fingers through the girl's hair.
"I love you too. I'll see you later. Text me when you're on the way back?"
"Yeah, I will. Bye, babe."
"Um… Hi, Ruby," Emma greeted her former companion, glancing shyly at the girl sitting in the seat in the back of the local café.
"Wow," the girl said softly, rising from her seat. "You look incredible."
"I… Um…"
"Your muscles have definitely gotten bigger." When Emma simply stared at her, watching her smile widen, Ruby asked, "What's the matter, champ? Cat got your tongue?"
"N-No. I just… It's just weird to see you, after so long."
Suddenly serious, Ruby replied, "In a good way or a bad way?"
"I don't know, honestly."
With a sigh, Ruby told Emma, "Listen, I know things ended badly with us… and I'm sorry. It really was completely my fault. But I've missed you, Emma. I've missed hanging out with you. Causing trouble with you."
This earned a smile from the blonde as she sat down at the table across from where Ruby had been sitting.
"So how've you been?" Ruby finally asked, after taking a quiet moment to look the girl over.
"I've been really good, actually. Couple bumps in the road. Actually got arrested for the first time. But… I've got a really good thing going with a girl I went to school with, and she's… She's amazing."
Raising an eyebrow, Ruby commented, "You're going steady? I'm surprised."
"Why?"
"Not exactly your gig, Em. You're more of the, uh… fuck-and-run type."
"Excuse me?"
The anger that flashed over Emma's face was a warning to the girl across from her, and Ruby understood it all too well.
"Listen, I didn't mean… I just meant… I'm sorry. I've just never known you to be the type for commitment."
"Except with you, you mean."
"That was… I…"
"You were different. Yes. But I got over you and the bullshit you put me through, and you're right, other than you, I've always been the type to keep my distance. Still, I think 'fuck-and-run' is a little harsh."
"It is. I'm really sorry. I was projecting on you, honestly, 'cause that's how I am, and I know it. I'm sorry."
Emma's eyes widened as she looked at her former friend and found sincerity in her eyes. The confession was a surprising one. Something she never would have expected from Ruby.
"It's always worked for you, though. You've always been happy with it. It never worked for me. It just left me feeling empty. Now, I feel… whole."
"Wow, Em. This girl must really be something special for you to talk like that."
A smile spread across the blonde's lips as she replied, "She is."
When she noticed Ruby biting her lip, Emma asked, "What?"
"Nothing. I just… I think about you a lot, Emma. All the mistakes I've made. But of everything I've ever done… of all the people I turned my back on… you're the only one I regret losing. I made a big mistake, letting you go. And sleeping with Belle… I…"
"I know it wasn't just Belle, Ruby. Don't pretend like she was the exception."
"Em…"
"You were sleeping with Peter too."
"Emma. Look… I'm really sorry. I really am."
"That doesn't change anything, Ruby. It does make me feel better to know that you regret it, though, honestly. It's kinda like sweet revenge, in a way. I don't want you to suffer or anything… I just wanted you to understand what you did to me."
"I loved you, Em. I just… didn't know how to show it," Ruby told her sadly. "I still do love you."
Eyes widening again, Emma sat up a little straighter and gripped the edge of the table until her knuckles turned white.
The silence didn't last long before Ruby cleared her throat and asked, "So how'd you and this lady get involved? Blind date? Ad in the paper? Woman seeks woman who likes long walks on the beach? Cause I know you sure as shit weren't looking for a tutor."
The brunette forced a smile, even though she was clearly uncomfortable on the inside.
"I broke into her house, actually," Emma chuckled. "She hit me in the head with a metal baseball bat."
"Are you serious?"
"Yep."
"God, you're such a hoodlum!" Ruby was grinning as she added, "I'm proud of you! But wait… How the hell did that end up getting you the girl? I mean, you broke into the chick's house and she realized how stunning you are, or…?"
A light blush rose to Emma's cheeks as she looked away and shook her head, saying, "No. She took me to the hospital. She felt guilty, so she started spending time with me. She took care of me while I was healing. Made sure I put ice on my head… Made sure I woke up every few hours when I got back from the hospital with a concussion. She's an angel, honestly."
"An angel with a strong swing, apparently, if she put your tough ass in the hospital."
"Oh, yeah. Definitely. She can swing a bat."
Ruby laughed at this and said, "Sounds like you found yourself a real catch."
"Yeah, I did. She's perfect for me."
"And she's okay with you… you know… being such a hood rat?"
Emma's face drained of color as she looked back up at her former friend.
"Is that what you really think of me, Ruby?"
"Hey, listen… I just meant-"
"I know what you meant. Listen, I'm gonna go. It was good seeing you, but… I…"
"Emma, wait," Ruby protested, grabbing the girl's hand as she started to stand. "I'm sorry. I'm an idiot. I didn't mean it like that. I was really just teasing… and you always used to say that yourself…"
"I said it because everyone else said it. I believed it because everyone else believed it. Even my own parents."
"Is… Is your dad still…"
"No. I mean, yes. Well… I moved out. You know they've known I was gay, but… They totally fell in love with Regina when they met at the hospital. When they found out we were going steady, they flipped a shit and told me to break up with her or move out. So I moved out."
"You moved in with your girl?"
"No. I mean, I stay with her a lot, but I have my own apartment now. Almost lost it when I got arrested, but her parents bailed me out."
"Wow. Sounds like they like you. And they know you two are together?"
"Yep. Regina wasn't out yet, but when they found out, they were all for it. Honestly, I thought her dad was gonna shoot me. He's an ex-marine, so…"
"Once a marine, always a marine," Ruby laughed. "Glad you didn't get your neck snapped."
"He definitely could have done it with his bare hands if he wanted to. I mean, he's… bigger, now that he's out of the military. But I definitely wouldn't fuck with him."
"I'm really happy for you, Em…" There was a pause before she continued, "So, what'd you get arrested for anyway? Grand theft auto? Breaking and entering? Burglary? Do her parents know this all started when you broke into their house?"
"Defacing public property, actually. Totally went to town on a building with some spray paint after Regina and I had a really big… I don't know what to call it… It wasn't a fight, really. It was just… We just stopped… I don't know. Anyway, we obviously made up after I got out. She was pissed when she found out what happened. But… I don't know. I just didn't care, ya know? Like, if she wasn't going to talk to me again, what did it matter what I was gonna do with my life? And no, they don't know what happened that night."
"Wow, Em… That's… You've gone a bit soft, aye?"
"Hey, shut up. I'm not soft! I just don't like upsetting her!"
In response, Ruby laughed and mimed the motion of cracking a whip, complete with sound effects.
"Knock it off, Ruby!"
"Whiiiiipped!"
"I am not!"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah!"
Although Emma had committed to her lover that she was done with her blatant disregard for the law, the desire to maintain her reputation suddenly flooded her, and to her surprise, she let it win out over her desire to please Regina.
"Prove it."
"How?"
"Let's go out tonight."
"And… do… what, exactly?"
"Whatever you want. Rock a little B and E action. Deface the town hall with spray-painted penises. We could even rob a liquor store."
Emma was clearly surprised at this, and she couldn't quite tell if the girl was serious or not.
"What's the matter?" Ruby asked. "Too whipped to maintain your rep? Too scared to do what you want? Too pussy to feel that rush again? I'm positive you miss it. I know you, Em. It's always been part of you, just like it's always been part of me."
"That's… I'm not…"
"I miss us, Em. I miss being partners in crime. I miss having fun and feeling that high with you."
"Listen, Ruby. Regina means the world to me, we've got a good thing going, and I'm not gonna fuck that up."
"Pussyyy," the brunette taunted, grinning at Emma. Then, her tone lowered as she offered, "She doesn't have to know."
"Ruby, you and I… We're over. You blew your chance. You could have had me. I would have given you anything you wanted. I would have done anything for you. I would've gone to jail for you. I almost did, remember? But you threw that away. You trashed what we had and tossed it like a dirty jizz rag."
"Emma, I'm sorry! I was young. It was fucking sophomore year, okay? None of it meant anything to me, except you. I just didn't have the maturity to-"
"Look. I'll go out tonight. Just to prove you wrong about me. But nothing's going to happen between us. Not ever."
Ruby hesitated before replying, "I know. I can tell you're in love with this girl. You light up when you talk about her. I just wish I could see you light up when you talk about us again."
"I idolized you. I worshipped you. I-"
"Emma, please. Regardless of how you feel about us now, please just accept the apology. It's genuine, and I mean it. It's been a long time coming. I'm also sorry I didn't say it before now. I guess I was too scared to reach out from a thousand miles away. I wanted to say it to your face, and I never thought I'd get the chance."
"I accept the apology, but I'm never going to forget what you did to me. What you did to us."
"I know. I don't expect you to." After another awkward pause, Ruby added, "So, I'll see you tonight then?"
"Yeah. Tonight around nine? Back here at the café?"
"Deal."
When they shook on it, Ruby's fingertips lingered over Emma's palm as she slowly pulled her hand away.
Of course, Emma sent Regina a message when she was on the way home, as promised. When she arrived at the girl's house, Regina threw her arms around Emma and squeezed her in a tight embrace.
After the embrace ended, several moments later, the brunette asked nervously, "How'd it go?"
"It was… I don't know. We're, uh… We're going out tonight."
"What…?"
"We're going out later."
"Um…"
"Is that… Is that bad?"
"No! No. I just… I'm surprised. I mean, you just saw her for the first time in two years, and now you're going out again already. It just seems…"
"Are you upset?"
"No!"
"Are you jealous?"
"No!"
"Alright. Good. I don't want to upset you."
"You're… You're not…"
With a soft sigh, Emma leaned in and kissed the girl on the lips, then pulled away, saying, "I love you."
"I love you too, baby."
"Do you, um… Do you want to go upstairs?"
Raising an eyebrow, Regina nodded her head slowly.
Once upstairs, Emma immediately pushed the bedroom door closed and put her hands on Regina's hips, walking her backwards until the girl was sitting on the bed. Just as the brunette was about to open her mouth to speak, Emma pressed their lips together and straddled her hips.
"I love you," Emma whispered, lowering her lips to Regina's neck.
"Babe… What are you-"
"Shh. Kiss me."
Regina did as she was told, unsure as to where all the lustful energy was coming from but enjoying the sensations she was feeling as Emma's hands moved over her sides. It didn't take long for her to start moaning into the kiss, earning a smile from her lover.
Finally, Regina breathed, "Emma, wait-"
"What is it, baby? Don't you-"
"I'm… I'm getting…"
Tilting her head, Emma asked, "Huh?"
"You're making me… um… We should stop, before I-"
"Making you what, babe?"
"Wet, Emma," Regina replied, blushing brightly. "You're making me wet."
Grinning in response to this new information, the blonde kissed her lover's lips again and gave the girl's thighs a gentle squeeze.
"I'm sorry," Emma said, as Regina pushed her away gently. "I was just-"
"I want… I want to make love to you."
"Regina. No. Not now. Not yet."
"Then stop fucking teasing me!"
"I'm sorry! I got carried away, and then you… You said you were wet, and I just got… I got so turned on…"
Again, Regina blushed and lowered her head, looking anywhere but into Emma's eyes.
"Babe?" Emma asked softly, gently stroking the girl's hair.
"We need to stop, okay? Like, now. Before I shove you onto this bed and tear your clothes off."
"Okay. I'm sorry."
Reluctantly, Emma pulled away and sat beside her lover on the bed, not touching her at all.
"We should get dinner."
The blonde only replied with a nod.
"I'll probably be back late," Emma told Regina, looking into her lover's eyes as she stood in the doorway.
"Oh… Okay…"
"I love you, alright?"
"Yeah. I love you too."
With a weak smile, Emma kissed the girl's forehead and left the house feeling both nervous and apprehensive about the potential events of the evening.