A little late, but I promised you guys chapter 9 and here it is! :) It is now 2am, but I didn't want to sleep until I left this ready for you guys to read. It's a good chapter you won't want to miss. Oh, and the next one will be a nail biter xD enjoy!
Daniel looked around the entryway, hoping to see Regina, but there was no sign. But then he thought, that with everyone still lurking around the house at day time, it was probably not a good idea for him to head up the stairs to look for her.
And since Robert had already finished his last task, Daniel headed into Emma's study to retrieve the check she had left with a generous amount and signature written already on it.
He took the piece of paper in his hands as he folded it in half and placed it in his pocket. And just as he turned to leave… there she was.
Regina had stepped into the office to call her father for the day.
Both were frozen where they stood. Daniel had a huge grin on his face, while Regina was just in shock.
"Regina." he spoke through his smile, which only grew as the brunette quickly closed the door to the office and stepped right in. She would have asked what he was doing here, but her chance was interrupted as Daniel only ran up to her as fast as the door shut behind the brunette he had been waiting anxiously to see, and pressed his lips fiercely onto her own, capturing them in a desperately waited kiss.
He was finally here. He was kissing her, and she would go with him. His arms wrapped around her so fast, the brunette felt it hard to breathe.
Regina pushed him away just as fast. She was happy to see him, of course. But she was also frightened. She was scared of her feelings. Her and Daniel had been through so much together and she loved him dearly. But now… something in her was different. She was different. Ever since the night she met Emma, something inside of her changed. It was all crazy. I mean, how can you love someone so much and then stop as soon as you look into the eyes of the person you are now married to? Maybe it was true love.
"Daniel. Don't." Regina murmured as she stepped back from a very happy Daniel.
"What's wrong?" he asked as his smile disappeared.
"Not here. You're crazy. What are you doing here?" she asked, feeling nervous now by his presence alone.
"Isn't it obvious?" his brows furrowed in confusion. "I came to get you."
He walked towards her with his arms ready to pull her into his embrace again, only to be stopped in his tracks by the brunette's hand which was placed on his chest.
"Daniel." she spoke softly, "Daniel, you have to leave, ok?"
Daniel was beyond confused. This wasn't the way things were supposed to be happening. She was supposed to be leaving with him.
"Leave?" he asked even more confused.
"Yes." Regina nodded.
"No!" he shouted.
The brunette placed a hand delicately over his mouth, as she spoke in a whisper, "Shh! You're crazy, if you're thinking that coming in here with a false name isn't going to make things worse. If Emma finds out who you really are, she'll kill you. Please-"
Daniel's arms soon found their way around the brunette's form, "Then, let's go." he said in a pleading tone.
"Now?" the brunette's voice asked in surprise.
"Yes. She just left, right? We have a chance. Please." he pleaded again.
To his surprise, the brunette shook her head as she backed away from his embrace once again, "I can't do that, Daniel."
"Why the hell not?" he asked as he stepped closer to her once again, wrapping his arms around her from behind this time. "Regina, this is our only chance. I came here risking everything to find you. I'm not leaving without you."
Regina's eyes closed, hearing how desperate his voice sounded. She could easily leave with him right now. Just walk away without any sort of explanation and with Emma away, by the time the blonde would find out, they would be far away from here. Together.
Only, now Regina didn't want to leave. She couldn't do this to Emma. She couldn't leave her just like that.
The brunette turned around to face Daniel, looking into his eyes as she spoke her next words, "Daniel… Emma is my wife."
The man grew desperate as he backed away, "You were forced to marry her!"
"Keep your voice down." she whispered. "We can't talk in here, not now. Someone could hear."
She couldn't bring herself to hurt him more. But, she had to try and make sense of things to him. She had to try to convince him to leave. Emma could not find out.
"Then, when?" he asked with hope and desperation in his eyes.
The brunette felt frustrated now with all this going on. Why did he have to come now? That's what she kept repeating to herself in her head as she looked into the man's eyes. He loved her still. She could see that. This was not going to be an easy task.
"Tonight. I'll go to you." she confirmed him.
Daniel then let out a sigh of relief as he held her in his arms, "Regina." he murmured as kept close to her. Hopeful that they would soon be far from here.
She gave him a warm smile as she backed him away, "Go. I'll see you tonight."
He smiled, "Until tonight." he cupped her face in his hands as he placed a sweet and quick kiss on her lips, those lips he had missed for what felt like centuries, "I love you, Regina." he spoke softly.
Regina walked him towards the door as she held it open, "Daniel, please. Just go." she pleaded as he quickly obeyed her, leaving the house to tend to his duties, until he waited for night to come around.
As the brunette shut the door behind him, she let out a sigh filled with so many emotions mixed together, "This can't be happening. Not now." she said to herself.
She couldn't hurt Daniel, who had finally come all this way just for her, but she couldn't hurt Emma either, who she now saw with different eyes, even if she couldn't bring herself to tell her how she felt just yet. This sudden change of feelings was scary for her after all. And after how things started with the blonde, she wanted to move slow. Do things carefully.
Daniel came into the guest house after a day's work, just beaming with happiness. Neal looked over at him as he was already helping himself to some food.
"You look happy. What's up?" he asked his friend.
Daniel sat at the table as he helped himself to some food, "I saw her. She's coming over tonight."
"That's great, man! So, she still loves you, then?" Neal asked, smiling at his friend's happiness.
"Of course she does." he sighed as he took a bite of his food before him, "Wait until you see her, she's so beautiful. She really is."
"Please, tell me that we will be leaving from this place." Neal pleaded.
Daniel nodded with a smile that wouldn't leave, "We are. As soon as Regina and I talk tonight, we'll leave. She'll be coming with me."
"Good." Neal smiled.
After Regina was done with her phone call to her father, the brunette felt exhausted from all the thoughts roaming around her mind after seeing Daniel. She let herself go on the couch of the living room, as she sighed, leaning her head back as she thought what she was going to say to Daniel later tonight. This gave her a massive headache.
Her headache only got worse as Lily walked into the room, "You're still here? With Emma gone, I figured you would have left already." she asked, no doubt wanting to bother the brunette.
Regina closed her eyes at the sound of the woman's voice and rubbed her temples with her index and middle fingers, "I'm really not in the mood to fight with you today, Lily. So, just leave me alone."
"Don't tell me that you're missing Emma now." the girl chuckled, "Don't you have to at least feel something for someone to miss them?"
Regina glared at the girl, ready to kick her out. She could have. This was her house too, after all.
Her thoughts were soon interrupted as a knock sounded at the door, making the brunette stand up to quickly answer it. Her lips curved up into a smile at the man standing before her, "Father Gabriel."
The priest smiled back, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Not at all. Come in." the brunette spoke as she stepped away from the door, closing it as the man made himself at home. "I'm sorry to say, Emma isn't here. She had to go to Chicago for the weekend." she informed him.
"That's a shame. I was hoping to see her." the man replied.
"Father Gabriel!" Mary Margaret's voice sounded as she made her way into the living room, smiling at the man. "It's good to see you."
"Would you care to stay longer and join me for breakfast? I could really use the pleasure of your company for the day." Regina asked him.
"I'd love that. Thank you." he replied.
"I'll have an extra place set up at the table for you, ma'am." said Mary Margaret as she stopped at the sound of Regina's words.
"Make that three."
"Are you expecting someone else, ma'am?" the pixie haired woman asked.
"I'd like for you to join us for breakfast." informed Regina.
Mary Margaret's eyes grew wide in surprise, as did Lily's who was standing there listening to everything, "Me? Oh, no ma'am, I couldn't."
"Mary, she's asking out of the kindness of her heart. Join us." said the priest.
"But Ms. Emma-" Mary Margaret protested, as she was soon interrupted by Regina's words.
"Is not here." the brunette smiled, "And, while she's not here, I run this house. I'd really love for you to join us."
Lily scoffed as she left the room. This is something she would be sure to tell Emma about.
Mary Margaret was filled with embarrassment as to how can someone as elegant as Regina want her company at the table. But she smiled, since Regina has been nothing but nice to her, and she did enjoy the woman's company.
"Well… I'd love to join you. Thank you, ma'am."
Mary Margaret soon left to have the table ready for breakfast. Even the massive headache Regina had been having earlier went away, as she truly enjoyed their company while Emma was away. Not even Lily was around during their meal to ruin that nice moment.
After breakfast however, Regina had asked Gabriel if he could stay for a shorter while. Truth is, she needed to tell someone about Daniel being here or she would burst. And who better than him?
They stepped inside the study so they could talk privately. Right away, the man knew something was troubling her as Regina soon became tense, letting out a sigh as she sat next to him.
"You seem troubled. What's going on?" he asked as he kept his eyes on her.
"I need guidance, father." replied the brunette.
"I'm listening." the man nodded for her to continue, but the brunette only began to shed tears, as he became more worried, "Is it Emma?"
"No." Regina shook her head, "No, she's been calm lately. It's... " she sighed, "It's Daniel, father. He's here."
"Here in this house?" he asked in shock.
The brunette nodded once again, "Worst part is, Emma doesn't know. She's had him in front of her for days now, and she doesn't even realize it's him."
The man's eyes nearly popped out as his shock only grew, "How on earth is that possible?"
The brunette explained, "She hired two new employees. Turns out one of them is Daniel. He's under a different name. He found out where I was, and he's here for me, we already talked today."
"By God, Regina." was all he could say, as he was still trying to process her words.
Tears fell from Regina's eyes again, "I'm scared, father. I'm scared of Emma finding out the truth. She told me so herself, if he ever set foot here, or came anywhere near me - she'd kill him."
This was true, the blonde would be very upset if she knew, but sh would never want to kill him. Of that the priest was sure. Regina needed to tell her, she needed to be honest. Sure, it would still hurt Emma but it wouldn't be as worst as it could get if she kept it hidden.
"You have to. Or at least tell him to leave. He has to respect the fact that you are married to Emma now." he replied.
The brunette shook her head, "If Emma finds out that Daniel has been here this whole time… they'll kill each other. I don't want that. I can't have Daniel getting killed because of me. Or even Emma. I don't want anything happening to her because of me."
"Emma would never kill anyone. She says a lot of things in the heat of anger, but believe me. She is the kindest person I know." he assured her.
"Not about this, father." the brunette replied, "Daniel wants to talk with me tonight. He wants me to leave with him. He won't leave unless I go with him."
"That's insane!" he shouted, looking calmly into the brunette's eyes, "Please… tell me you aren't considering this."
The brunette stayed quiet, because there was a small moment where she had considered it. But, it was gone just as fast as soon as she thought about Emma. If she couldn't be honest to Emma about her feelings just yet, she could at least be honest to herself about them. As much as it hurt her to admit it to herself, she no longer loved Daniel.
"Regina. You can't consider this idea. It won't end well. If he really loves you, he'd be a man about this whole thing and confront Emma face to face. But, has he? No. He'd rather run away and expose you in the process." Gabriel said over the brunette's silence.
Regina sighed, "I know. He's not thinking clearly. Plus, I can't leave Emma like this."
Gabriel took Regina's hands into his own for reassurance, "It's going to be alright, Regina. Emma loves you."
There was no doubt in her mind that Emma indeed loved her, but she was afraid of all that love fading away as soon as she spoke the truth.
Tears fell from her eyes as she looked up at the man, "Once she finds out that Daniel is here, she'll hate me."
"Then, let me talk to him for you. Maybe I can convince him to leave."
Maybe he was right. Maybe he would have a better chance at convincing him.
She nodded, "Thank you, father. But, you can't tell Emma. Please." she begged.
Gabriel nodded as he knew he couldn't say a word about what he just discovered. But, he would convince Daniel to leave one way or the other.
The day was over and done with. Father Gabriel had stayed for the entire day until dinner as well as they talked some more about this new issue that the brunette now had to deal with. Emma had called to report she arrived to Chicago safely and would be back by Sunday morning.
The moment had come for Regina to talk to Daniel. He had been pacing back and forth in the guest house waiting for her arrival. He got his wish as there was a knock at the door.
He rushed to the door and swung it open, a smile creeping up on him as he set eyes on the brunette, pulling her inside and into a passionate kiss, which Regina soon broke apart.
"Daniel." she said firmly as her eyes looked over at Neal who was just gawking.
"I'll give you two some privacy." said Neal as he stepped outside of the guest house.
Daniel soon spoke, "I have a bag packed. We can leave right now."
"Daniel." replied Regina, trying to get his attention.
Daniel's eyes looked her over, noticing she had no bags with her, "Where are your things?"
"Daniel!" Regina grew aggravated as the man stared at her blankly, "I'm sorry." pools of tears formed on her eyes, "I'm not going with you."
He shook his head, "It's going to be okay, I know this is sudden and you must be in shock, but Emma isn't here, we can-"
"Daniel, you aren't listening to me. I'm not going with you." the brunette repeated.
He wasn't expecting this. Regina had to go with him, it's what they had planned ever since they were forbidden to be together.
"No. No, Regina, you don't mean that." he took her hands into his own, "You always said you wanted us to run away to be together. Now, we can."
This was going to be harder than she thought. His heart was going to be broken. But if she was going to tell someone the truth about her feelings, it would be him, right now. He needed to know, so he could leave and not cause any trouble.
Regina was wrong, and she knew this now, but she didn't love Emma then. Now it was different. Now, she wanted to be with her. It was silly to her sometimes how her love for Daniel was so big, she still loved him. It just wasn't the same kind of love anymore. That love - her heart now belonged to Emma Swan.
She just needed to do it quick. It would be like ripping off a band-aid.
Regina shook her head, "I'm married now, Daniel. Emma really loves me, and I-"
"You what?" Daniel asked her, not liking where this was going at all.
Regina could practically see the hurt and jealousy in his eyes now. The very same she saw in Emma's everytime his name came up. It was then, now she understood how the blonde felt all this time.
"You don't love me anymore?" he asked in a low voice, afraid to even think about the idea of losing her.
The brunette's hand cupped his cheek as she spoke softly, "Daniel." tears fell from her eyes, "You have to leave. I don't want this to become a problem. You could get hurt."
"Answer my question." he replied firmly, not caring about anything right now.
Regina closed her eyes for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to say it, "Daniel, you'll always have a special place in my heart. I loved you so much. But I'm not going with you. My place is here. With Emma."
"Loved." he repeated her word as he scoffed, tears of his own falling now.
Regina broke into a cry, "I'm sorry. You have to go." her voice broke, "As much as we dreamed of having a life together, it's not possible anymore. I'm sorry." she turned towards the door as she began to walk out.
Regina gasped as she felt Daniel slam the door close as he stepped in front of it.
"Daniel. Let me out." Regina demanded.
She hated that she was hurting him. Because it hadn't been long since Regina dreamed of him coming here so they could run away together. But now… that wasn't possible anymore. Not when her feelings have changed.
Daniel was not having it, "No! Regina, I risked my life for you. I'm here exposing myself for you!" he shouted, breaking into a sob.
Regina hated herself right now, but it was the only way to get him to leave.
"I'm sorry! But what else do you want me to say?!" she cried.
There was a pause from them both, until Daniel spoke, now with anger in his eyes and a lot of pain in his heart, "Did she touch you?"
Of course he would ask that.
The brunette sighed as she unsuccessfully tried leaving again, "Daniel, stop." she really didn't want to hurt him anymore worse than she already had.
"Did she?" he asked, looking into her eyes now.
Brown eyes met into his, "Yes. I let her." she admitted boldy.
The man's heart had just been ripped out of his chest with the brunette's words. But he did ask, and he was conscious of that. Of course he knew Emma would try to have some form of intimacy with her. Who wouldn't? Regina was absolutely beautiful. But he never imagined that she would allow it, willingly.
His eyes grew angry, filled with jealousy once again, "Why?" he asked through clenched teeth, "Why would you do that to us?"
Regina grew aggravated, "She's my wife, Daniel. She has every right."
"No, she has no right!" he finally exploded as his fist met the door, making the brunette take a step back, but she wasn't backing down now.
"She has every right! I let it happen, don't you get it?!" she shouted.
"No, I don't get it! We are supposed to be together, Regina, we always talked about this." he wanted to hear it. Even if he knew it would kill him, he needed to hear it from her. His hands cupped her face, wiping away the tears from her eyes, "What changed now?"
Regina shook her head as she stepped away from him, "Daniel, please. Don't."
"What is it? Tell me." he asked again.
"Daniel, stop." replied the brunette, which only made him angrier.
"Tell me!" he demanded now.
"I've fallen in love with Emma!" Regina soon shouted.
And there it was. Out of the brunette's own mouth, the words he dreaded to hear. The words the brunette hadn't even admitted to herself just yet - until now.
As for Daniel, he literally fell to his knees right in front of Regina. Crying.
Regina hated seeing him like this. This is exactly the pain she wanted to keep him from, but he wouldn't let it go. He couldn't let it go.
"You wanted to hear it." she said.
He looked up at her with glossy, wet eyes, "You're lying."
The brunette shook her head, "No, Daniel."
"You are. You're just scared, that's all. I get it." he insisted.
Regina sighed, "Daniel." she soon kneeled down to be at the man's level who was still kneeling in front of her, "You have to leave. I don't… I don't want you here." tears rolling down her eyes now, she had to admit that was a little harsh, but he needed to understand. As much as it hurt, "Please. Just listen to me, for once and go. Please." she begged now as she then stood up and made her way to the door, but not after looking back at him one last time, "I'm sorry. I really am. I didn't expect for this to happen, but it did."
"Just like that, you are walking away from what we had? Over her." he replied in a soft tone of voice.
"Goodbye, Daniel."
And just like that, Regina walked out. No looking back.
Daniel didn't leave. He was hurt and convinced that Regina was probably just confused. It was now Sunday morning when Neal informed Daniel that Emma had just arrived.
He walked out to meet up with her in front of the house, trying to keep his cool in front of her, because one thing was for sure now. If he hated her then for bringing Regina to this place so they wouldn't escape together, he hated her much more now that she apparently had the brunette's heart.
Emma had just finished hugging Lily, as she was the first one to run outside to greet the blonde, when the blonde smiled his way as she too walked up to him.
"Greg. How were things?" asked Emma.
"Everything's been running smoothly. Robert left with no issue." he assured her, earning another smile from the blonde.
"Excellent. Thank you." replied Emma.
"Welcome back." his tone was serious at first, but he composed himself instantly.
"Thank you." said Emma, happy to be back.
Mary Margaret soon made her way out outside, smiling at her daughter, just dying to give her a hug, "Welcome home, ma'am. How was your trip?" she asked instead.
"It went really well, Mary. Thank you." she smiled at the pixie haired woman, "Where's-?" the blonde's words were cut short as she saw the one person she was most anxious to see coming out the door as she made her way up to Emma with a smile so wide, it made her cheeks hurt.
Regina then realized in that moment just how much she had missed Emma during the weekend she was away. And now she had her back, and she loved her.
Emma's own smile only grew as she stared at Regina smiling, the brunette was taken by surprise as Emma reached behind her back as she placed a single red rose in front of Regina, which she had been hiding underneath her jacket and jeans.
The brunette's smile grew as she took it from the blonde's hands.
"This was the most beautiful one of all. I knew it had to be yours." Emma told her wife, who's eyes couldn't stop shining before the blonde.
"Thank you." replied Regina, "I'm happy you're home."
Both Daniel and Lily's expressions were of pure jealousy. Their jaws tightened.
"You must be tired and hungry. Why don't we go inside and I'll bring you some breakfast to your room?" said the brunette.
Emma's expression was full of surprise at Regina's words, but she certainly wasn't complaining, as she headed inside the house with Regina right beside her.
Daniel came into the guest house, raging mad and knocking down a chair in the process. The jealousy was getting to him. He didn't want to believe that Regina could have fallen in love with Emma, his boss, but it was true. He witnessed it and he hated it.
"Daniel, you have to calm down." said Neal.
"How? How do you expect me to calm down?" he asked his friend, "You should have seen her with Emma." he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, "I'm dying here."
"Then, what the hell are we still doing here? Let's just leave."
"No." Daniel shook his head.
"Daniel, with what Emma paid us, we have enough to get away from here. If you stay here, it will only hurt you more."
"I am not leaving without Regina!" Daniel shouted.
"Regina doesn't love you anymore, man. She said so herself." replied Neal.
The man was taken by surprise as Daniel then grabbed him by his shirt and pinned him against the wall in anger, "Regina loves me! I am not leaving here without her!"
Neal pushed him back, "Wake the fuck up, Daniel! If she wanted to, she would have left with you already. She loves Emma. It's over."
Emma was lying back in bed as she sat up to a knock at the door. Regina came in with a tray of food for the blonde as she smiled down at her, setting the food off to the side, "There you go."
Emma was more and more surprised at this new attention she was getting from the brunette, but again she wasn't about to ask questions, "Thank you. You didn't have to do that, I could have gotten it myself."
Regina simply smiled, "I'm your wife, Emma. You had a long weekend, I don't mind tending to you for once." she stood there for a minute just staring at Emma. How could she not have seen it before? Now that her feelings were out in some way, she realized how much she had missed this woman.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked as she caught her staring, which caused Regina to snap completely out of the trance she had found herself in.
"Yeah." she smiled once again, "I'll let you eat in peace."
"Regina." the blonde called out as her hand reached for the brunette's, "Stay. Please. I haven't seen you since I left here on Friday."
Regina chuckled, "You only didn't see me on Saturday, Emma."
Emma smiled, "I could only be a second away from you and that alone is forever to me."
Before her now was the Emma she had missed so much. Her smile grew as her cheeks turned red, doing her best to hide it from the blonde, "Very well, then." she took a seat next to Emma on the bed.
"You know, while I was away I actually did a lot of thinking." said the blonde.
"About what?" asked Regina.
"Us. This marriage. Look, Regina I know I made a lot of mistakes when I married you-"
Emma did do a lot of thinking, and she wanted things to work between them from here on out. Her words were interrupted as Regina did some thinking of her own. Maybe Gabriel was right, maybe she should start by being honest with Emma and telling her about Daniel. So, she spoke…
"Emma, I wasn't exactly perfect either. I hurt you too much, I realize that now. I want to start making things right. Start by being honest with you."
"Honesty is all I ask for." replied Emma with a surprised tone at the way things were escalating.
"I know. And you deserve the truth. Which is why, I have to tell you-"
She was about to do it, about to tell her everything, when a knock at the door sounded, interrupting her words.
Both of them sighing in annoyance for having this moment they were having interrupted, "Hold that thought" said Emma as she stood up and answered the door, "What do you want, Lily?" she asked aggravated as Regina rolled her eyes.
"Did she put you in a bad mood so fast?" Lily asked, only aggravating Emma more.
"Lily, whatever it is you have to tell me, can it be later?" replied Emma.
"I just wanted to remind you that Storybrooke's Festival will be happening soon. I was wondering if we could go." said the girl.
"We'll talk about this later, okay? Please." she shut the door before Lily could have a chance to say anything else, as she walked back to Regina, sitting down beside her, "I'm sorry."
"I guess I have to get used to that." replied Regina with an annoyed tone.
Emma shook her head, "No more interruptions. Now, what did you want to tell me?"
The blonde looked into her eyes with so much attention, so much love, so much hope; that Regina could see it all in those green eyes she had missed looking into so much. Even when they were angry. But this Emma she had fallen in love with now, she couldn't dare to break her heart like she had done with Daniel. She should have done the 'quick like a band-aid' procedure, but she just couldn't. The way Emma was looking at her was making it too difficult.
She shook her head and provided her wife with an honest smile, as she decided to lie about what she was about to tell her, "Just that, I want to know more about you. I mean we've been married for a while now and I realized that I don't even know your age."
It wasn't a total lie. Regina did want to know more about Emma. She was interested now, really interested. That soon escalated into another one of those moments that only they could have.
The blonde smiled, as she was beginning to love this side of Regina, "Twenty seven."
Regina smiled back, "When's your birthday?"
"October twenty second." Emma's smile couldn't help but grow, "This is certainly a big change."
The brunette spoke in all honesty this time, "Well, I did a lot of thinking too. And I really want to try. To get along better and possibly know more about you."
Emma looked down as she felt Regina's hand land on top of her own, looking back up into those piercing brown eyes she loved so much, "I do too. I always have."
Both women continued to have endless conversations during Emma's meal. They had started to know more about each other than they ever had before, and they both knew that they had a lot more catching up to do that than. There was still more things to learn about each other.
Regina soon sat the tray of food aside, "Mary will be pleased that you ate. She cares for you. I can tell."
"Do you?" Emma asked as her eyes never left Regina.
Regina soon found Emma's eyes and locked her stare on to them as she nodded, "I'm starting to."
"Are you?" asked the blonde as she began to lean in for a kiss.
She had been dying to kiss her, and right now was a perfect moment to do it. They had been connecting, she felt it. Even Regina wanted that kiss as she began to lean in herself.
Lips just about brushed against one another as another knock sounded just outside the door, making both women sit up as Emma only sighed in aggravation.
Mary Margaret made her way inside with a smile, "I'm sorry if I'm interrupting. I just came to get the tray, if you're finished."
Regina smiled, "She is. Thank you, Mary."
The pixie haired woman looked at Emma, her eyes shining bright with happiness, "It's so great to have you back home, ma'am."
The blonde smiled back, anxiously waiting for her to leave the room, "Thank you."
As the door shut behind Mary Margaret, Regina soon stood up from the bed, "Well, I should probably let you rest up. We have all day and all night to talk."
Emma stood up just as quickly and began walking towards the brunette, "You know… you don't have to go."
Regina saw that lust in Emma's eyes once again as she walked backwards towards the door. The brunette would love nothing more but to stay, but she couldn't make things that easy for her. A smile formed on the brunette's lips, she knew Emma picked up on the brunette's game, "I think I do."
Emma's hand soon was placed against the door as Regina tried to open it, blocking her in, looking intensely into brown eyes this time, "Just like that?" she asked as a smirk played on her lips. Emma knew Regina wanted that kiss, and that did things to her.
The brunette opened the door as she backed away slowly, eyes on Emma, "Just like that." she replied as both smiles only grew as the door closed between them.
They had not only had a moment, but they had flirted. Emma could clearly see difference in the brunette's eyes. She wanted her too, she was sure of it.
Emma managed to get some shut eye for an hour or two before she got back to work. There was always something to do.
Meanwhile, Lily was enjoying a walk when she was startled by a voice hidden between some trees that were far out from the ranch, "Lily."
"Robert, what the hell are you doing here? If Emma finds you here-"
"Just shut up and listen to me." the older man interrupted.
"I'm not going to help you, whatever it is you want." Lily assured.
"Even if it's to have Emma all to yourself?" he replied.
Lily scoffed, "Why would you help make that happen for me? You hate Emma. We all know that."
He nodded, "It's true, I do hate her. But I can help you, at least to get rid of the person that you hate the most. Regina. Without her Emma will go crazy for a while, but it'll be the perfect time for you to jump in and be her support."
Lily was interested, with Regina out of the way, she could have Emma. It was tempting, but she couldn't have Emma finding out she had anything to do with Robert's plan, "Emma would kill me if she finds out."
"Emma doesn't have to find out you helped me. She won't even know it's me. As far as she's concerned, I'm far away from this place. I can make it look like an accident." he smirked, "So what do you say? Will you help me?"
Lily thought about it, but it didn't take her long to decide. Truth be told, at this rate, she would do anything to have a chance with Emma.
"What do I have to do?"
Robert and Lily had come up with the plan of using Mary Margaret as bait, convincing her to head towards the stables. And as soon as she would go, Regina would hear her screaming for help and she would want to go help.
And Lily would get rid of two birds with one stone. Her dislike for Mary Margaret was obvious, but she hated Regina more.
Lily walked up to Mary Margaret who was entering the living room, "Mary. Regina asked me to get you. She said she had something important to tell you." she lied.
"Is everything okay?" asked the older woman.
Lily shrugged, "I don't know. She said she would be waiting in the stables for you. If I were you I wouldn't keep her waiting."
The pixie haired woman's brows furrowed in question, "In the stables? Why there?"
Lily rolled her eyes, "How should I know? Go ask her."
It didn't take Mary Margaret that long to head to towards the stables, where Robert was ready to make his move, as Lily just left the room.
While that evil plan was being carried out, Emma found herself in her office going over everyone's pay with Daniel.
Daniel was lost in his thoughts, as Emma just talked up a storm, "Alright, well I'd like to double everyone's salaries. Of course, that will include yours as well." her eyes looked up at the man who had been staring into space, "Greg?"
He snapped out of his thoughts as he heard Emma's voice calling for his attention, "Yes?"
"Are you alright? You were gone." the blonde replied.
"Yeah." he assured her, but quickly changed his mind, "Actually, no. I'm not alright."
Emma sat back in her chair, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
The blonde did take notice in his sad state, and she wanted to do the reasonable thing and help in anyway that she could. She cared for everyone's well being that worked for her.
"No. Unfortunately, no one can help me. It's matters of the heart. You understand." Daniel murmured, as Emma nodded.
"Problems with a girlfriend?" she asked.
Yeah, and it's all your fault. He thought as he nodded, "Yeah. Turns out, I came all this way, took this job to make enough money, to be able to finally be with her, and… turns out it's not happening."
He was confessing. Without giving any names, and without revealing his own real name but he was confessing. And Emma had no idea. After all, how could she know? The guy was still too much of a coward to not come out and say it.
Wanting him to feel like he had a friend to talk to and not just a boss, the blonde asked, "May I ask why?"
Daniel looked right into her green eyes as he spoke, "Someone stole her from me. But I'm determined to get her back."
"That's very brave of you." the blonde admired, and then she decided to open up to him, "Someone tried stealing my wife from me once, so I can understand perfectly where you're coming from."
Daniel grew curious on the blonde's answer, "What would you do if you were me?"
"I'd do the same thing you are doing. Save up as much money as you can. If you love her, no matter what, you take her with you." the blonde replied.
"Trust me. That's exactly what I intend to do." said Daniel. His eyes never leaving Emma's.
"Emma!" Out of nowhere Lily came bursting into the office, as Emma stood up from her seat and Daniel looked at her wide eyed.
"What's going on, Lily?" asked Emma.
"You have to come quick! The stables are on fire. And I can't find Regina anywhere. I think she may have gone in there." said Lily, as Emma soon just took off running with Daniel right behind her.
Regina was heading in there before the fire was started, as she had seen Mary Margaret passed out on the floor due to a head injury that Robert had caused her. And as soon as Regina had stepped in, he lid the place on fire with both of them inside. Horses and all.
Ooh, cliffhangers suck, don't they? lol *evil grin*