The week leading up to the Halloween ball went by in a blur for Emma, and other than her initial freak out she had been pretty calm about her upcoming date. Sure, she might have called Sarah in a bit of a panic Thursday night but that was just to make sure she knew all the lesbian dating rules or whatever.
Emma almost jumped at the sound of the doorbell, "I got it!" she yelled out and ran down the stairs to make sure her dad didn't reach the door first and embarrassed her endlessly in front of Fiona before she even had the chance to warn the poor girl.
"Hi.." She said as she opened the door and saw Fiona standing there. She was dressed in a red cheerleader uniform and her hair was in a tight ponytail. She looked really good.
"Santana, I presume?" Emma asked.
"You are correct. I figured since we are both super-hot and super gay, so I figured it was a perfect fit."
"Come in. I have to warn you though. Dad is probably more excited about this than I am, so I beg you not to judge me based on that. Apparently this is my first dance with a real date, according to him. So pictures are going to happen."
"Aww. Your dad is adorable." Fiona said, and Emma couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or not, so she decided to let it slide without further comment.
"And you are dressed as?" Fiona asked when she got into the living room.
"Buffy Summers." Emma said, and smiled, but when Fiona face made no signs of recollection, she added, "The Vampire Slayer."
"Oh. Yeah. I never watched that. Not really my thing."
"I didn't really think it would be mine either. But after I moved in here it was all Mary Margaret talked about, so she eventually forced me to watch it with her. And I fell in love with the show."
"Wait, after you moved in?" Fiona asked, "Haven't you always lived with your dad and sister?"
"No. I am adopted. Dad took me in when I was 10, and I was adopted about a year later…" Emma said reserved. She still didn't like talking about her life prior to coming to Storybrooke. It was so much about that time she wanted to forget. Things she wanted to stay buried, preferably forever.
"Oh, I didn't know."
"It's fine. Most people don't, I guess." Emma said trying to keep her mood up. "But I should get dad so he can do whatever it is he has planned."
"Cool."
"Dad! Fiona is here!" Emma yelled out for her father.
She turned to Fiona and said, "He should be down in a minute."
"So I guess your father doesn't have a problem with the whole you being gay thing?" Fiona asked.
"No. He was actually really cool about it." Emma smiled, and remembered how worried she had been about her dad and he been so amazing. "He was a little taken back at first. But in all fairness, so was pretty much everyone. Honestly, I think he was a little relieved."
"Why?"
"Because while being gay brings a whole bag of its own issues, I think he was always so worried I would end up pregnant at 16."
"He was worried about that?"
"Yeah. I think he has seen to many girls with my ehm... background end up in that situation. I guess his job brings his own baggage."
"What does your dad do?"
"He is a social worker. He specializes in difficult and trouble kids." Emma said, and thought about how she was once one of those kids. And again how blessed she was that he thought she was worth the risk. She turned around at the sound of her father coming down the stairs.
"Hello. You must be Fiona." Leo said as he reached the girls.
"Yes. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Blanchard." Fiona said and held out her hand, so Leo could shake it.
"Please call me Leo." He said with a big smile.
"Can we just take the pictures so that we can leave already?" Emma said, she just wanted to get to the dance. All the nerves were coming back, and she was worried her dad would do something to embarrass her.
"Of course sweetheart." Leo said in his most sickly sweet voice. "Anything for you."
"Dad…" Emma warned.
"Fine, I'll behave." Leo said, and smiled at his youngest daughter.
The two girls arrived at the dance, and it was already filling up. Emma looked around for her sister and Regina but could not spot either one of them. Her sister had decided to get ready with Kathryn, so James and David were going to pick them up at her Kathryn's place
"I see a couple of girls from the drama club over there." Fiona pointed over to a bunch of girls, standing next to the stage, dressed as what could only be described as sexy zombies. "I am just going to say hi okay?"
"That's fine. I am just going to get some punch or something in the meantime." Emma said, and was slightly taken a back when Fiona pecked her lips before leaving despite the fact that Fiona had done the exact same thing when Fiona had asked her out. Still it was strange that someone kissed her. Someone female.
While looking at where Fiona went over, she didn't notice Ruby sneaking up on her from the back and pinching her sides. However, not seeing Ruby didn't mean that Emma didn't realize it was her when it happened.
Emma turned around, and saw her best friend dressed as Katniss Everdeen, complete with the bow and everything.
"Ruby! Why do you have to do that every time?" Emma said annoyed.
"Because it's fun." Ruby said and smirked.
"I hate you sometimes."
"No, you don't." Ruby said, and Emma laughed because Ruby was right. Emma could never hate her best friend.
"So, where's your date, Buff?" Ruby asked.
"I lost her to the sexy zombies over there." Emma said, and pointed towards the stage.
"Aww... poor Emmy. Lost her date to the zombies already. Are you that boring?"
"Ha ha. No, they are drama kids. She wanted to say hi. And please don't say that, I am nervous enough as it is."
"Oh, come on. You already made out like crazy at Graham's party, so I am pretty sure she actually likes you. Just be yourself, and she will fall head over heels. I mean, who could possibly turn you down?"
"Everyone." Emma said, "I'm not smooth like you."
"Are you implying I am easy, Em?"
"No. That would be my sister."
Ruby laughed, "Yes. That is true. But just relax Em, Fiona likes you. She wouldn't have asked you if she didn't."
"That is a different tune coming from you. Don't you have a bunch of money on her and Katie getting back together before the end of the month?"
"I changed my mind, okay? I want you to be happy. And maybe Fiona is the girl to make you that."
"Thanks. But onto something completely different..." Emma said, "Where the hell did you get a bow?"
"Believe it or not, Peter had one. Apparently his sister does archery, or did. I am not sure."
"Really?" Emma asked, "And speaking of Peter. Where is your date? Did you lose him to a bunch of sexy zombies too?"
"I actually don't know. I lost him almost the moment we came in. I think we got separated inside the superhero posse over there…" Ruby said, and pointed to a rather big group of people dressed as everything from Thor to Superwoman.
"So what was he dressed as?"
"Robin Hood."
"Really?" Emma asked, amused.
"Yeah." Ruby smiled, "It better than Peter Pan."
"But doesn't he also need a bow? Or doesn't the non-Fox version of Robin carry a bow?"
"Oh, he does." Ruby said dreamily. "He certainly does."
"Since when were bows such a turn on for you?" Emma asked curiously.
"Since I saw Peter with one. And he can actually use it. I guess I should have said that Peter and his sister do archery."
"You are so weird." Emma said.
"Emma, look..." Ruby said, and pointed to something behind Emma. Emma turned around and saw Regina.
Emma almost expected a spot light and for Jesse McCartney's "Best Day of My Life" to start playing, but instead of being dressed as Cinderella, Regina was dressed as something else entirely. Dressed completely in what looked like black leather, Emma could only assume Regina was dressed as a mix of the Evil Queen and Maleficent. Well, either that or a dominatrix.
"Hot damn..." Emma said.
"Hell, I am right there with you." Ruby admitted, "She looks amazing. Who knew our fearless president could rock leather like that?"
"I had no idea. But seeing it now, I wonder why she doesn't always wear clothes like that…"
"She looks pretty great." Ruby agreed.
"I'm going to say hi." Emma said, but as soon as she turned around to start walking towards Regina, Fiona appeared.
"Wanna dance?" Fiona asked.
"I was actually…" Emma started, but changed her mind. She could talk to Regina anytime; she was here on a date. And if she wanted this to go well, she would have to pay attention to Fiona.
"You know what, never mind. Yes, I would love to dance with you." Emma said, and took Fiona's hand and lead her out on the dance floor. The Rumbling Dingoes style wasn't exactly slow ballads but Emma enjoyed just dancing next to Fiona before Killian said, "And now, we are going to play something completely different. This goes out to all of you lovers just beginning out there."
You never know when you're gonna meet someone
And your whole wide world in a moment comes undone
You're just walking around then suddenly
Everything that you thought that you knew above love is gone
You find out it's all been wrong
All my scars, don't seem to matter anymore
Coz they lead me here to you
"I love this song." Emma said, as Fiona pulled her closer.
"Good." Fiona smiled, "I asked him to play it."
"Really?" Emma asked.
"He owes me a favor."
I know it's gonna take some time
But I've got to admit
That the thought has crossed my mind
This might end up like it should
I'm gonna say what I need to say
And hope to god that it don't scare you away
Don't want to be misunderstood
But I'm starting to believe that
This could be the start of something good
"I'm really glad you asked me to come with you." Emma almost whispered.
"I'm glad too." Fiona said, and looked into Emma's eyes. They continued to dance while keeping eye contact and Emma could feel the butterflies in her stomach. She was really glad she had taken this chance. Maybe this really would be the beginning of something great.
Everyone knows life has it's ups and downs
One day you're on top of world
And one day you're the clown
Emma couldn't believe she was here, at the Halloween Dance with Fiona Moreno, slow dancing with a girl. 6 months ago she would never have believed this. Last year at Halloween Dance she had gone with Jamie Carter and he had been cute and perfect and everything Emma should have wanted. Yet, the whole time she had been watching the other girls. Wishing that she was there with someone else. Someone more female. And now she was. Not just with someone, but with Fiona freakin' Moreno.
Well I've been both enough to know
That you don't wanna get in the way when it's working out
The way that it is right now
You see my heart; I wear it on my sleeve
Coz I just can't hide it anymore
So maybe Fiona wasn't Regina. But Emma was starting to see that maybe she didn't have to be. Regina was a dream. A fantasy. Fiona was real, and she was right here in her arms. Dancing with her. Fiona had wanted to be with her tonight, and the least Emma could do was to be here with her. Fully and without reservation.
I know it's gonna take some time
But I've got to admit
That the thought has crossed my mind
This might end up like it should
I'm gonna say what I need to say
And hope to god that it don't scare you away
Don't want to be misunderstood
But I'm starting to believe that
This could be the start
Of course it was scary. Starting something new was always freighting. But she would never know if she didn't take the jump. And she was ready. Ready to take on the world as she is.
Coz I don't know where it's goin'
There's a part of me that loves not knowin'
Just don't let it end before we begin
You never know when you're gonna meet someone
Don't wanna be misunderstood
But I'm starting to believe that this could be the start
Coz I don't know where it's goin'
There's a part of me that loves not knowin'
Just don't let it end before we begin
You never know when you're gonna meet someone
And your whole wide world in a moment comes undone
Emma looked deeply into Fiona's eyes, and leaned in and kissed her. Of her own initiative this time. She wanted to kiss Fiona. She was almost breathtaking. The kiss started out slow, but soon grew in passion.
I know it's gonna take some time
But I've got to admit that the thought has crossed my mind
This might end up like it should
I'm gonna say what I need to say
And hope to god that it don't scare you away
Don't want to be misunderstood
But I'm starting to believe that
This could be the start of something good
"Wow. Killian is actually kind of good." Emma said, as the Rumbling Dingoes finished their first set.
"We've be back in 30 minutes, in the meantime enjoy this nice party mix." Killian said into the mic.
"I know. He was actually my first kiss…" Fiona admitted, "We were 9, I think."
"Really?"
"Yeah. He was still Karl back then, which seriously, if my parents had named me Karl, I would have gone Goth and pretended to be Goth pirate on stage with the name Killian too."
Emma laughed, "So how did you know each other?"
"Oh, I forgot you didn't always live in Storybrooke. We were part of the Golden Five, which by the way we didn't call ourselves. It was Killian, Graham, Regina, Michael Jefferson and me."
"Why were you called the Golden Five?" Emma asked curiously, and was slightly taken aback that Fiona and Regina went that far back, despite what Mary Margaret had told her about them.
"Because we were rich, and probably more spoiled than we should have been. I guess we were the kind of people who had Storybrooke been a bigger town with private school, would have attended it. Our parents hang out together, as rich people seem to do. So the five of us have known each other since we were kids and we were all raised by nannies who were also friends. We were always together."
"So why aren't you all friends anymore?" Emma asked, trying to keep it casual, even if what she really wanted to know was what really happened between her and Regina.
"I guess we grew apart. You know, when you are kids the things that make you inseparable is usually the fact that you live close together, or that your parents are friends. We practically lived in each other houses for 10 years. But then we grew up, became different people." Emma could sense that Fiona probably wishes she had kept better touch with them.
"I get it. I mean, I never really experienced it. I mean, before I came here, and before I met Ruby. I didn't really have many friends. I never stayed long enough at one place to really meet them." Emma said, trying to be casual about her past.
"People change. We grow up. I mean, just look at The Golden Five. With the exception of Graham and Regina, none of us are really friends anymore. I mean Killian has his thing, I have mine, and god knows what Michael is doing these days."
"Do you miss it?" Emma asked.
"Yes and no. I don't know. Things were simpler back then. But I have nothing to complain about. I have great friends and people around me." She smiled at Emma, "But yeah. Sometimes I miss them. I mean we shared something that no one else did."
"I get it." Emma said, and took Fiona's hand and squeezed it.
"But enough of this serious talk. Let's dance some more."
"Sure." Emma said, and let Fiona lead her back out on the dance floor.
It had been almost an hour since Regina came, and Emma hadn't caught sight of her once since her entrance. She had lost Fiona again; she wasn't even sure where to this time, when she finally caught sight of Regina again.
"Wow. You look amazing." Emma said as she approached Regina.
"Thank you. You were the one who kept referring to me as 'Your Majesty', so I figured it was only fitting."
"That was like two times. Tops."
"If you say so, Miss Swan-Blanchard." Regina said in that tone she practically only used for that very sentence.
"So I am guessing a mix between The Evil Queen and Maleficent then?
"Something like that." Regina said with a twinkle in her eye. "What was your other guess?"
"How did you know I had more than one guess?"
Regina just looked at her as if it was obvious. And Emma had to admit that sometimes it was a little scary how well Regina knew her, despite only knowing her for a couple of months.
"Fine. It was dominatrix."
"Really?" Regina asked her tone almost surprised.
"Yeah. All that leather, you know. Besides you could totally pull it off."
You are entering dangerous flirting territory here, Emma. She tried to tell herself. She was here with a date, an actual female date, and yet she couldn't keep herself from flirting with Regina, But then again, their almost flirty banter have become a staple of their interaction.
"If you say so…Buffy."
"I didn't think you'd know who I was.."
"Stake, white dress and black leather jacket? Complete with the cross. Who else could you be? Hannah Montana?"
"I mean… I didn't think you knew who Buffy was. I didn't really think it was your thing."
"Graham is my best friend, Emma…." Regina said and pointed somewhere behind Emma, and Emma turned around to look for Graham. When she saw him, she laughed, he was dressed in an exact replica of Nathan Fillion's character 'Mal' from Firefly.
"I guess you have a point there. He is about as geeky as my sister." And as if the gods had heard her Emma saw her sister enter the room, with James at her side. He was dressed as what Emma could only guess what a very sleazy version of a fairytale prince. Not even close to what she would have considered a Prince Charming.
Her sister on the other hand was wearing a beautiful purple dress with some sort of jewelry attached to it. It looked like it was hand sown, and Emma suddenly realized why her sister had had a "no access" policy on her bedroom for the past month. She had curled her hair only slightly, giving her not full curls but something in between. It wasn't before she saw the necklace and her bracelet that things fell into place and she laughed. Her sister was dressed as 'Inara' from Firefly.
How her sister didn't realize just how perfect Graham was for her was beyond Emma's comprehension. The two of them had made elaborate cosplay outfits for a Halloween Dance. That is probably the closest thing to destiny you'll find in this life. But alas, her sister walked into the Halloween dance with a poor imitation of a Prince Charming instead of the Captain that would have made her outfit complete.
"Is she..?" Regina asked
"Inara. Yes." Emma interrupted, "Graham is going to have a heart attack when he sees her. It will be like all of his dreams come true."
"He has it bad for her, doesn't he?" Regina asked, almost sad.
"You see it too?" Emma asked, trying to ignore the sadness in Regina's voice. She still didn't really know what had happened between Regina and Graham, though Graham had told her that Regina broke his heart. Emma didn't want to know if Regina regretted it. And she really didn't want to know if Regina wanted to get back together with him.
Emma knew she couldn't expect Regina to be single forever, but she really didn't want her to get back with Graham. It would just mess things up. In so many ways.
"I think everyone sees it, Emma. Well, everyone except your sister." Regina said.
"God, I wish she could see it. James is such an asshat, and Graham is bloody wonderful. I just want them both to be happy…"
"Unfortunately, this is high school." Regina said, "And James is super popular, and those boys always gets the girl."
"That's pretty much what Ruby said."
"Well, Ruby is smarter than she lets on."
"Tell me about it." Emma said, and then laughed.
"So where is your date?"
"I don't know. I lost her somewhere. Again. I think it's the third time. She is slippery. " Emma joked, "Or maybe just really popular."
"So, are you having a nice time?" Regina asked.
"Yeah. I mean, it's different. Yet very much the same." Emma said, and when she saw the somewhat confused look on Regina's face she continued, "You know, last year I was at this very same spot, except my date was a guy. And we did the same things I am doing with Fiona. We had punch, we danced, we had fun. But it was never… I don't know. It never felt right with him." Emma explained.
"And it's right now?" Regina asked, in that tone that Emma never quite could decipher. But Emma just chalked that up to Regina's past with Fiona, whatever that past might be.
"I don't know if Fiona is like the one or anything. This is only our first date," Emma joked, "but yeah. I feel better. I don't really know how to explain it. I just feel like it fits. I don't know how else to put it into words."
"I'm happy for you." Regina said, and it seemed like she was going to say something more when Fiona appeared behind Emma.
"Damn, Mills. Looking good. Who knew you cleaned up this nice." Fiona said to Regina.
"I see you went with the good old cheerleader, Moreno." Regina said in that somewhat disappointed tone that Emma heard her use that morning in the media room.
"Hey! I'm Santana Lopez. The hottest lesbian on network TV." Fiona defended herself, "I thought it was fitting."
"It's good to know your ego is still intact." Regina almost sniped, and Emma decided to take action before it good ugly.
"Come on." She said to Fiona, "I want to talk to my sister. And I want you to come with me." She took Fiona's hand, "I'll talk to you later, Regina." Emma said as she practically dragged her date towards where her sister and her boyfriend was, in hopes of stopping a potential bloodbath.
"I had a really good time tonight." Emma said, as Fiona walked her up to her door.
"Even though Regina and I almost came to blows several times?" Fiona asked, "I know she is one of your best friends. It's just..."
"You guys have some sort of history. I get it. I mean, I don't get it, but I am not going to push you two to spend more time together." Emma said with a smile. The dance had been pretty interesting, when it came to the two of them. The first interaction had only been the beginning. Emma didn't know what has set them off, but when she was off talking to Graham, she had caught the two girls fighting by the punch table.
"Thank you. I would never ask you to choose. Especially not after one date. But there is something that happens when Regina and I are in the same room." Fiona shrugged, "I'm really glad you had a good time though.
"I really did. It was really fun. I'm glad I took the chance on you, Fiona Moreno."
"Fiona Arabella Moreno," Fiona said and laughed, "And I am really glad you did too. I mean I even won a month worth of pancakes at Granny's."
"I can't believe you bought that many raffles."
"What? It's a good cause, also pancakes."
Emma laughed.
"I guess this is goodnight." Emma said as they stood outside their door.
"I guess it is." Fiona said, and leaned in and kissed Emma fiercely. Emma had come to realize she really liked kissing Fiona. Her lips were soft, and she smelled so good. It was so much better kissing girls than boys.
"Good night." Fiona said as the broke apart. "I'll call you tomorrow. I really want to have a second date."
"Me too. Talk to you tomorrow." Emma said, and opened the door and walked in. She closed it, and fell to the floor with a huge smile on her face.
"So I guess the date was a success then?" Emma was surprised by the voice of her sister, and turned towards the sitting room to see her sister sitting in a chair reading a book.
"Yes. It was great. I didn't expect you to be home though. I figured you would end up at James'" Emma shuddered at the thought.
"Well, he and Sean got drunk. I don't even know who brought the booze but I was just not going to do that."
"I'm sorry." Emma said, and sat on the armrest of her sister's chair. "I know you really like him. But…"
"Not tonight, Em. Please?" Mary Margaret said, and Emma could tell that she was properly upset so she decided not to push it.
"Okay. You look brilliant though." Emma said, and kissed the top of her sister's head. "It's fantastic. Are you sure you want to teach and not become a fashion designer or something?"
"Yeah. Nothing is better than the feeling of teaching someone something they don't understand."
"You are such a freak." Emma said, "But I love you anyway."
"I love you too." Mary Margaret said, "And I am really glad you date went well. You know I just want you to be happy."
"I know. But I think I am going to bed." Emma said, seeing as she had practically not slept the night before due to the nerves she refused to accept that she had had. "Good night."
"Good night, Em."
A/N: So you probably noticed this thing was unbeta'ed because my wonderful beta Sophie is on an extended hiatus from all things fandom (and internet), so if one of you wonderful people would want to beta for me, I would be eternally grateful.