The Swan and The Nightingale
Chapter XXVII
The Morning After
She wasn't dead. That was Emma's first cohesive thought. You had to be alive to be so miserably hung over. Every inch of her body,including her hair, teeth and fingernails,hurt. She was pretty sure she was about to throw up. If she threw up in bed, she could probably roll over and away from it so she could die with a little bit of dignity. She was never drinking again. Not ever. It was a promise she had made to herself time and time again. One day that promise would stick, maybe.
The second thing that pinged through her mind, was that she was not in her usual bed. That set off alarm bells in her already aching head. It also meant she should definitely not throw up in it. Emma laid still and took stock. She was dressed,which was good. She cracked open one gritty eye. The room was large, dim (Thank God)and unfamiliar. She could see enough to know that she wasn't at Mary Margaret's loft or The Inn, but that was about it.
She lifted the blankets and could see last night's clothes, panties and all. Well that put her in the best case scenario. It wasn't the first time she'd woken up like this. It was the first time in a while, though. She'd been playing Sheriff and Savior and Daughter and Mom for what felt like a lifetime. It was all a little suffocating. She'd needed to blow off some steam and apparently she had. She just wished she freaking remembered it.
Emma could hear a shower running in the connected bathroom. If she wanted to get out without any awkwardness, now would be the time. She turned over and sat up. Her head spun and bile rose in her throat. God she felt like she'd licked the floor of a crappy bar, sawdust and all. She turned her head to look for her phone, but stopped short. There was a glass of water on the bedside table. There were two tylenol and a small package of tic-tacs too.
She downed the water and the pills then she filled her whole mouth with tic-tacs. She felt almost human.
The bathroom door opened and time slowed down to a damn near halt. Emma jerked around and opened her mouth to speak but everything she might have said, everything she had half-assed planned, went out the window.
"How are you feeling, Miss Swan?" Regina Mills stood in the doorway,an elegant silhouette against the bathroom lights. Emma stared. Maybe she was still unconscious and having alcohol and Regina fueled dreams.
"I uh"
Regina came closer, her footsteps light and fluid. She walked like a dancer or a predator. Emma blinked and tried to keep her mouth from dropping open. Regina was only wearing a robe. It was blue silk, fell midway to her knees, and was only barely tied. It was a tease,a taunt, it was torture.
Regina rubbed a towel over her hair, ruffling the sleek, dark perfection. It was already starting to crimp and coil into natural curls.
"Uh I don't know how I got here." Emma could feel her face turning scarlet yet at the same time, she was smiling. She was smiling so wide that her face hurt.
Regina came closer. She was morning fresh, barefoot, and smiling. She wasn't wearing her stilettos, a three piece power suit, or model-worthy makeup. She was more beautiful now, like this, than Emma had ever seen her.
"I don't know how I got here." Emma repeated, "But it is the best idea Drunk Me has ever had."
"Drunk You?" Regina rolled her eyes, "Esmeralda caught Drunk You trying to break in through the patio doors. She marched you up here" She ran her fingers through her hair which only made it messier and took a few steps closer. "Because Drunk You just had to tell me about your liquor fueled escapades with Miss Lucas and Princess Aurora." She didn't sound pissed, but she didn't sound impressed either.
Emma winced, half-headache and half-embarrassment,that did sound like something Drunk Her would do. Drunk Emma was sort of a dumbass.
"Then" Regina cocked a brow, "you proceeded to solicit me poorly before passing out across my bed."
Drunk Emma was a horny dumbass.
"I-um-sorry. Thanks for not banishing me to the couch, I guess." She pushed her hands through her tangled mess of hair. "or like a ditch somewhere. Not that I would blame ya." Stupid Drunk and Horny Her had screwed everything up. Typical.
Regina came closer, and grabbed her hand. Emma's fingers were caught in a bad tangle and the sudden jerk tore at it. "Ow!"
Regina smirked a little, "You're only making it worse. You're lucky that Drunk You was too cute to banish."
Regina had started to finger-comb through her hair. Her touch was soft and gentle, like she was petting a kitten. Emma let out a small moan and let her heavy head drop into Regina's cool-to-the-touch hands. Her headache was starting to melt away.
"Cute, huh?" Emma dared to speak after a moment. "I don't think I've been called cute since I was eight."
"Yes" She could hear Regina's smile in her voice. "Drunk You went to great lengths to pay me compliments and express your" She chuckled a little under her breath, "admiration of me."
Oh man, she wasn't sure what she had done, but Regina didn't seem too upset. It couldn't have been too bad.
"I should be upset with you." Regina's fingers were still combing through her hair. "but I am trying to turn over a new leaf. A less vindictive one, so I will let you off the hook-this time on one condition."
Honestly? She was putty in Regina's hands. She could ask for anything and Emma would move Heaven, Hell and whatever damn fairytale lands were in between to give it to her.
Regina tugged her hair gently so she turned her face up. They were less than an inch apart.
"Anything." It was a risky thing to say to a woman who had been the Evil Queen. Emma would do it though. "Just say the word."
Regina leaned closer, Emma could feel lips brushing against her cheek.
"Take" She pushed Emma back down onto the bed, "a shower."
Regina retreated to her closet, laughing. Emma laid there, still aching like a son of a bitch, but smiling. Evil not so much, but Regina was definitely the Queen of Snark.
Emma got to her feet and was pleased that the room didn't spin. She shuffled to the bathroom and made an effort not to think about a half naked Regina. The bathroom almost made her forget about the woman, almost.
"This is it. I died last night and went to Heaven."
Regina's private bathroom was nothing short of magical. The room belonged to some five star luxury hotel or a mega-rich celebrity in Beverly Hills. There was a huge sunken tub in the middle of the room and a walk-in-shower the size of Emma's first apartment. Everything was marble, glass and shining stainless steel. It was huge, modern and overwhelming. Emma looked around and could see little bits and pieces of Regina spread across the room: A glass bowl with potpourri here and a pair of abandoned earrings there. A small family of rubber ducks was hidden among half a dozen scented candles of on the edge of the bathtub around the faucets. Emma picked one up. It was small, green, and it squeaked. They had to have been Henry's. It was all too easy to imagine Henry splashing around in sudsy bubble baths in the ridiculously large tub. It was even easier to imagine Regina treating herself to a bubble bath surrounded by flickering candles and a big glass of wine.
"Get it together, Swan." She looked around the rest of the huge room. Regina had set out a two big fluffy white towels on what might be a warming rack. There was an ipod docked to a speaker and Emma grinned. Madam Mayor probably sang in the shower.
Speaking of the shower, she needed one. Emma could smell herself and was surprised Regina had let her in the house, let alone her bed. A shiver went down Emma's spine at that thought. She'd spent the night in Regina Mills' bed. Oh man, that shower was going to be ice cold. Emma groaned. Stupid hangover. Stupid Drunk Emma. She wriggled and fought her way out of last night's dress and got into the shower.
"Holy shit. I'm gonna marry this woman for the bathroom alone." The shower was amazing, like a dream. Emma had gone without showers before. She had done quick splash baths in sinks and used way too many truck stop and gym showers. She'd used prison showers while pregnant, which had been the worst. This, on the other hand, was awesome. She marveled at it all. There was gentle shower falling from a ceiling mounted sprayer and jets that shot out from the wall. The water temperature was controlled by a damn dial with a digital readout. Regina had it set for one hundred and ten degrees, which was damn near scalding. Emma lowered it down to one-hundred. She was so lost in the luxury, that she forgot all about needing a cold shower. Until, of course, she reached for the shampoo.
The scent hit her and Emma was lost. She knew it, had breathed it in every chance she got. Regina's scent had been haunting her since their first awkward meeting. Emma had just all but snuggled with her and smelled it on her dark clean hair. The scent was intoxicating and sent her strait to fantasy land.
She'd had fantasies about Regina before, but these were different. These fantasies were about what it would have been like if she'd woken up a little bit earlier. About how well two people would fit in the shower. About touching and kissing warm and wet skin. About how sexy Regina would look pinned up against the marble wall. About how her legs would wrap right around Emma's waist and-
Emma let out a long and pathetic groan. She inched the water temperature down a bit. Regina was doing her a favor and she was being a total pervert. Regina, who had been showering right where she was only a few minutes before her. Regina who decided to barely tie her robe. Regina who had kissed her.
Oh damn it.
Emma turned the knob down further. She didn't look at the digital read-out, but she finished her shower with water that might have been strait from the dead of winter ocean. To help with her hangover. That was her story and she was sticking to it. Okay, maybe it was because her son's other mother turned her into a hormonal teenager who had just figured out she was bisexual all over again.
Emma finished up her shower, and despite the almost hypothermia, she really did feel better. She wrapped her hair and body up in sinfully soft towels and sighed when she remembered that she only had her party dress with her to wear. It would be like the walk of shame, only without the preceding fun. She didn't know where her heels were and she had no pocket for her panties. Stupid Drunk Her.
A curl of purple smoke caught Emma's attention and when she turned to the door she saw neatly pressed clothes were waiting for her on a hanger that she was sure hadn't been there before.
"Really, Regina?"
There was even a practical black bra and matching boy shorts and thick boot socks sitting on the bathroom counter.
"I bet you even got the sizes right."
She pulled the pants, fitted khaki cargo pants, and grinned when they fit perfectly. Speaking of professional, she pulled the black polo on and blinked at herself in the mirror. The Storybrooke Sheriff's Office Shield was embroidered on one side of her chest and Sheriff E Swan was embroidered on the other. There was a heavy leather belt fit with a place for her badge,cuffs, holster, flashlight and several other things went perfectly with everything. It was official, Madam Mayor had a uniform fetish.
Emma pulled her hair back with one of the ties she borrowed from the collection of them that Regina had in a neat little bundle in one of her drawers. They were so odd and out of place. Had Regina's hair ever been that long in Storybrooke?
She looked herself over in the mirror and she wasn't as fancy as she had been the day before, but she still looked like, well, a small town sheriff. Honestly? It wasn't a bad look. This,all of it, was something she could get used to.
She left the bathroom and was disappointed to see the bedroom was empty. The bed had been made and the curtains pushed back. Emma smiled. The Mayor's bedroom window had a killer view of the town. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and it was going to be a beautiful day. Hangover aside, Emma was pretty sure that everything was perfect.
She went downstairs, and followed her nose to the kitchen. Regina was dressed, heels and all, in a killer sleeveless black dress. Her hair and makeup were perfect and if she took off her apron, she would be ready for any runway in the world. Regina moved gracefully in her kitchen, flipping bacon and slicing up homemade bread (who did that?!) for toast.
"Um Hey." Because Emma Swan was a master of communication.
Regina turned and smiled at her, "Feeling better?"
"Yeah. I'm good-great. Your shower, I mean wow." Oh yeah, she was a bumbling baby bisexual all over again. "And the clothes-I mean-thanks!" She could feel her cheeks flushing red. She was twenty-eight, not sixteen. She should be able to pull her shit together for five minutes.
Regina put her spatula aside, "Are you okay, Emma?"
She sighed, "I think I drank myself stupid."
Regina's lips twitched into a smirk, "How can you tell the difference?"
"Hey!" Emma chuckled, "I thought I was cute." She stepped closer to the other woman. "You said so yourself."
Regina's smirk stretched into a little smile. "Did I?"
Emma weighed the risks and decided that she was feeling brave. She came closer, until her front brushed against Regina's back. Emma wrapped her arms around Regina's waist and just breathed it all in. She could smell the shampoo, conditioner and body wash that they'd both used, and she could smell breakfast. More than that, she could smell something else. Something that didn't come from a soap, cream or spray. It was that little something that was just Regina.
"Yeah. You did."
Regina was relaxed in her arms: warm, soft and inviting. This was not the woman that the rest of Storybrooke knew. This was a secret Regina, the one who hid behind magic, masks and mayorness. This Regina was special, reserved for only a select few people, only available a few moments at a time. She was Henry's Mom, Esmeralda's Daughter, and maybe (just maybe), Emma's Girlfriend.
"You're taking liberties, Miss Swan." She wasn't pushing her away, though.
"Can I take some more?" She whispered in Regina's ear and then pressed a kiss to the skin just below it. Instead of answering, Regina tilted her head to give her more access. Emma skimmed her lips along the offered expanse of skin. It was amazing, intimate, and was a whole new world for them both. One of Regina's hands covered her own. When Emma let her teeth lightly scrape across her neck, Regina let out a little moan. Emma felt that moan in every part of her body.
Regina turned and tilted her head and caught Emma's lips with her own in a kiss. It was only their second kiss, but just like the first, it was amazing. Kissing had never been so intense. Not with men, not with women, kissing Regina was a completely different experience. It was exhilarating and sexy, but it also felt warm and safe. Emma felt like she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Regina's hand rose and her fingers tangled into Emma's wet ponytail, holding her in place. Emma's hands wandered up and another little moan emboldened her. She gently cupped Regina's clothed breasts. Regina's gasp broke momentarily broke their kiss.
"Too much?"
Emma's words were a mumble against Regina's cheek.
"No, I'm-"
"Burning the food."
Emma jerked away from Regina. Caught! She turned to see Esmeralda standing by the open patio doors.
"Would you like me to take over breakfast,Nightingale?"
Regina took the bacon out of the pan, "No. She's running late so I'm just making her a few sandwiches to take to work."
Emma perked up at that, "You are?" She straightened her perfectly fine collar, "You don't have to do that."
Regina smiled,"are you turning down BLTs with my special sriracha aioli and honey oat bread?"
Every single word made Emma's mouth water. "No, Ma'am." Regina stepped away from her and went to the refrigerator. "I'll put the extra bacon in a bag so you can share with Ruby or David."
Emma chuckled, "Share? Not likely. Speaking of, do they get these kickass uniforms too?"
Regina assembled two thick sandwiches and wrapped them in wax paper. "Yes. They'll be in your office in some boxes." She dropped the sandwiches in a small white paper bag for her.
"You're not going to write my name on it?" She fake pouted at Regina. "Also can you wiggle your nose and conjure up my boots or maybe I can borrow something that won't kill my feet?"
Regina grabbed a fruit cup and a granola bar and added it to the bag. "I used to put crayons in the bag for Henry so he could color on it after lunch. Would you like some too?"
Emma sneaked a peek over at Esmeralda. She was sitting at the island, sipping her tea and enjoying every second of their awkward morning flirtations.
"And" Regina shoved the bag into her hands. "Your boots are by the door and if you leave now, you'll only be a little late."
Great, Sexy Morning Regina had been body-snatched and Madam Mayor was back. Damn.
"Let me walk you to the door." Regina curled her finger around Emma's belt loop and tugged her along.
Okay maybe Sexy Morning Regina wasn't gone quite yet.
Emma threw a grin over her shoulder as Regina tugged her away, "See you later, Esmeralda."
Regina pulled her down the hall and into the foyer. There, sitting by the door were her boots, polished and "Did you put new laces in my boots?"
Regina untied her apron and draped it over her arm. "Those laces were dirty and one of them was knotted together and I-"
"You are amazing." Then she kissed her.
Regina immediately wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her back and Regina knew how to kiss. Emma had kissed her fair share of people, but Regina was something else. Though she had sworn off love about eleven years and eight months ago,Emma could see herself falling in love with Regina. They broke apart and Regina clung to her for a moment, like she didn't want to let go.
"I suppose you should go, Sheriff Swan."
Emma grinned, "You gotta let me go first." She slid her hands around Regina's waist and rested them on the small of her back.
Regina grinned, "I think you can be a little later." She pulled Emma back in for another kiss and all thoughts of sandwiches,boots and being Sheriff floated away.
When they broke apart Regina's head dropped a little and Emma let her forehead rest against Regina's. "I don't really want to go. Can't I just not Sheriff today?"
Regina chuckled. "Unfortunately not. Someone has to make sure Pongo doesn't chase Mrs. Jacob's cats."
Emma snickered, "That is too true."
Regina pushed her away gently, "Put your boots on. I have to get the newspaper before the sprinklers come on."
It was so domestic, like the opening credits of a cheesy sitcom. Regina opened the door and bent down to get the paper. She was humming. Emma pulled on her boots. She hopped a little and tugged them on one at a time. She went out the door, intent on stealing one more kiss.
Regina had the newspaper pinched at the corners and held it away from her. Like it was dirty or contaminated. Then Emma saw why and the happy domestic bubble they'd been playing in all morning popped. Emma felt bile rise in her throat and tears burn in her eyes.
"Regina, I can-"
How was she supposed to explain it,though? A picture was worth a thousand words and there were three. She was drinking, dancing, and licking Ruby Lucas. She had a vague memory of it, but-
"There is no need to explain, Miss Swan. Now go or you will be very late." Regina's face was composed and impassive, her voice clipped and cool. It was impossible to tell how she really felt.
"Regina, please-"
The other woman handed her the paper, "Have a good day, Miss Swan." Then she turned on her impossibly high heel, walked inside and shut the door behind her calmly. The click of the door lock engaging might as well have been a shotgun blast.
Emma punched the door,"Shit!" Her fist hurt and her heart hurt and Drunk Her was the biggest idiot in the world.