I don't own these characters; Disney/ABC does.

3: Feast

Emma had to fight off the urge to jump up from the sofa as Regina's keys sounded in the door. Her heart pounded, but eased the second Regina stepped inside. She grinned as Regina shut the door. Wait, she had bags. Emma rushed to help.

"Here, take your food." Regina handed her a brown bag with handles.

Emma accepted the bag. "What's all this other stuff?" She had to look like a chicken as she moved to see what was in the bags. "Gifts for me?" She put her free hand on a handle, planning to take one from Regina.

Regina scoffed as she pulled away. "I promise you nothing here is for you."

Emma put on an exaggerated pout, dropping her shoulders. "Well, that's not fun."

Regina gave her a strong glare. "It'll be even less fun when I take your dinner back."

"But, you can't go shopping and just not buy me anything. How's that fair?"

"I brought you food. Seems like I did buy you something."

Emma whined and rushed away, going back to the couch to uncover her meal. Regina made her way upstairs. Emma whined loud enough for Regina to hear her at the top of the stairs.

"Stop pouting. I just want to take a hot shower," Regina said, voice exhausted.

Her tone gave Emma pause. Should she keep up being annoying Duckling? Should she dial it back? No, definitely not. In fact, when Regina was bothered by the outside, that was the time to turn Duckling up.

"I wanna eat with you, though!" Emma replied, hitting the couch with her palm. Her statement was the truth. She liked taking meals with Regina, even if Regina was not going to eat. Of course, she enjoyed being around Regina point blank.

"Then wait a half-hour." There was a sigh. Again, she sounded so exhausted, not her usual mean.

Emma made sure to groan as loud as possible, like she was in significant pain. She would not eat until Regina came back, but she put her books and things aside to make space for her food, as well as Regina's food if she decided to eat. She also cued up Air Jaws. They both loved to see great whites bursting out of the water.

Regina returned quickly, much too fast to have enjoyed her shower. But, Emma would cuddle her close and that had to make up for the quick shower. Regina settled on the sofa in a short, blood-red nightie. Emma ogled her bare, shining legs without any shame.

"You could at least pretend to look away, Duckling," Regina said, sounding more like herself, so the shower worked some kind of magic.

Emma scoffed. "What for? Not like you don't know I'm looking. Respectfully, of course." She grinned and offered Regina a wink.

Regina laughed. "Of course." She wrapped her arms around Emma, pulling her close.

Emma did not resist. "I do like you wearing stuff like this around me. You're so comfortable."

"Well, you are just a pet, Duckling." She kissed the top of Emma's head.

"I still don't think you quite get how pets work." Emma smiled.

Regina rolled her eyes. "Eat your food, Duckling."

"Are you going to eat, too?" Emma asked as she popped open her food container. Drool pooled in her mouth as soon as she laid eyes on the sautéed shrimp with linguine and spinach. The wonderful smell made her stomach growl. Then, she realized there was another box. "Oh, is this dessert, too?" She's so awesome to me.

"Yes. I figured you'd want to try their tiramisu since they're somewhat famous for it," Regina answered.

Emma snorted. "As expensive as they are, they should be famous for everything on the damn menu. But, I've heard tons of amazing things." She had always wanted to try the dessert. "Is it really all that it's hyped up to be?"

Regina gave a little shrug. "You can decide. You have a meal in front of you, after all. Would you like me to get you something to drink? The only thing they had that you'd drink was soda and I'm not letting you drink soda this late."

Emma made a face. "You're so damn responsible. They didn't have flavored lemonade?" What the hell kind of restaurant did not have lemonade?

"Not a flavor you'd like. I'm sure you'll be fine with the iced tea here."

"You're not wrong."

"I know I'm not."

Regina got up and brought Emma a tall glass of iced tea. Then, she settled back on the couch. Regina wrapped her arms around Emma again and Regina started the show while Emma went to work on her meal. It was as delicious as expected.

"What did you have for dinner?" Emma asked around a cheek full of food.

"Same as you," Regina answered.

Emma nodded. "So, you wouldn't want more?" She would love nothing more than to share a meal with Regina.

Regina waved that off and scowled, like the very idea made her full. "No, Duckling. Please, eat your fill. I had more than enough."

"You'll split the tiramisu with me?" Emma gave puppy eyes, poking out her bottom lip. She had to share some part of this meal with Regina. Food brought them together after all.

A small smile lit up Regina's face, making her brown eyes sparkle. She was so beautiful. "If you're willing to share."

Emma nodded again and went back to eating. "Your food's still better." She winked once she was all done.

Regina chuckled. "You always say that."

"It's always true." Emma winked.

The tiramisu was shared between them with one spoon. Emma did not comment on it, not wanting to break the moment. It was pure magic. As was the dessert. Then, Emma laid her head in Regina's lap and focused on great whites launching themselves out of the water at seals and seal decoys while Regina caressed her head.

Then, the show was over and Regina did not start another one. Emma did not mind. Whenever Regina played in her hair or stroked her hair, it was a surefire way to make her drift off to sleep. From the feel of things, Regina braided her hair and then took the braid out, only to do it again. Her eyes were about to close when Regina surprised her.

"I'm sorry you had to deal with my mother," Regina said in a low voice.

Emma let out a little yawn. "I didn't really have to deal with her. She was barely here for a minute. It was weird she let herself in."

"Yes, Mother has issues with boundaries. I'm not surprised she managed to make a set of keys."

"We could put a chain or bolt on the doors if you want."

Regina hummed. "It's a thought."

Emma would prepare for it and be more than ready for action whenever Regina gave her the word. "Should I have called you when she came? I didn't want to worry you." She turned enough to see Regina, wanting eye contact.

"It's fine." Regina glanced away and when she looked back, her eyes misted over. "I'm happy you trust Maleficent enough to call her when you think something might trouble me."

Emma shrugged. "She's all right. She's, like, your person. I mean that in the sense that if something happened to you, you'd want her to know."

There was a nod and Regina was silent for a moment. "She was right to warn you away from Mother."

Emma swallowed down her shock. Regina might open up to her. This was beyond rare. Was this because their relationship changed? Was Regina trying to tell her that they were a little more than they used to be? Emma's heartbeat increased.

Emma took a chance. "She made it sound like your mother is dangerous."

"Because my mother is dangerous and she has always been more so when it comes to me, especially if she thinks I'm making a mistake." Regina took a deep breath, body shivering, and she stopped playing in Emma's hair. Not good.

Emma twisted, wrapping her arms around Regina. "She hurt you?"

Regina swallowed to the point where her throat visibly moved and gave a sharp nod. "So much…"

Emma never would have guessed that about Regina. Honestly, it never occurred to her that abuse happened with rich people. Beyond that, it never would have occurred to her that Regina was abused because Regina was a badass. But, yeah, it can happen to anyone. Wish it wasn't Regina, though.

Emma hugged Regina tight. "It's okay. She can't hurt you now."

Regina laughed. "Oh, you wonderful idiot. She could hurt me now as much as she could at any point in my life since she knows you're here."

Emma's brow wrinkled. "Huh?"

Regina kissed her forehead. "She could hurt you, kill you, like she did Daniel."

Emma had so many questions while Regina was willing to talk, but she had to maintain control. Regina opened up because she was hurt, possibly scared. She did not want to bombard Regina. She would let Regina tell her however little or as much as she desired. The important thing here was Regina needed her and trusted her with the information.

"Who's Daniel?" Emma asked.

Regina smiled, but tears shimmered in her eyes. "The sweetest man I'd ever met."

"You loved him?"

"With all my heart, Duckling. With all my heart. Mother would've never approved, though. He was the help."

"The help?" Emma arched an eyebrow. She understood Regina was rich. Richer than she might be able to fathom really, but now things were starting to have a Downton Abbey vibe and she was not sure what to make of that at all.

"He was a stable boy."

"You had your own stable?"

Regina snickered. "Focus, Duckling." She caressed Emma's cheek and her fingers went back to Emma's hair. "The important thing is that Daniel was the love of my life and my mother didn't approve. We planned to elope."

Emma was unable to hold back a smile as she pictured a young Regina in a Juliet-like dress, on a balcony, with her stable boy waiting at the bottom for her. "Oh, that's cute."

"I should correct that. I wanted to elope."

Emma scowled. "He didn't?"

"No, he wanted to tell Mother. The worst and last decision of his life."

Emma's forehead furrowed. "Last decision?"

"He went to Mother, telling her his intentions to marry me, even though he was aware she had plans to marry me to someone from the upper classes. Mother only believes in upward social mobility. She married up and I'd have to do the same."

This was getting weirder and weirder. "Like she arranged a marriage for you?"

Regina's mouth twitched, like a smile was almost there, but it did not make it. "You're getting ahead of the story." She gave the end of Emma's nose a gentle tap.

Emma wiggled her nose. "You booped me. Now, you're getting the hang of this pet thing. Okay, wait, how old are you at the time?"

"Seventeen, about to graduate high school at the top of my class."

"And elope apparently." Emma grinned.

With a snort, Regina rolled her eyes and scratched Emma's scalp. "Daniel went to her, even though I pled with him not to. He never understood how dangerous she was. He understood she's a bitch, but didn't understand her true bite. After he told her our plans, the next morning, he dropped dead from a heart attack, at nineteen."

Emma's eyes widened. "Wait, what? How'd she do that?"

Regina gave a weak shrug. "I have several suspicions, but nothing concrete. She poisoned him, but made it look like heart failure. She walked around for weeks with a smug grin, as we all knew there was no way this healthy, athletic nineteen-year-old died naturally from a heart attack. Unfortunately, we couldn't prove otherwise."

Emma gulped. That explained why Maleficent ordered her to leave if Cora came around again and made sure she did not tell Cora who she was. Cora might kill her to keep her away from Regina. This was crazy. What the hell was life like growing up with a mother like that? How is Regina so cool if her mother's like that?

"She killed him — the man you loved — so you wouldn't elope? So, you'd marry some non-existent rich guy?" Emma asked.

Regina's smile was soft, but sorrowful. "Not non-existent. She already had him picked out, had a plan to have us meet, for me to endear myself to him, and it all worked as she planned. Almost, anyway."

Emma sat up a little, wanting more. "Who was it? Did you get married? Are you divorced now? A widow?" So many questions! Rich widow would explain some things about Regina.

And there was another kiss on her forehead to calm her down. Regina's eyes were warm now, amused by her pet. "You're rather familiar with him. I'm surprised your little friend didn't let the story spill."

"My little friend?" Emma gasped. "Mary Margaret! I was wondering how you two knew each other."

"Yes, I was almost married to her father. She's partially why Daniel died. I saved her. Her horse had run away with her and I managed to pull her free. Later on, I found out Mother set the whole thing up. Your little friend was quite taken with me after that."

"How old was she?"

"Twelve, maybe thirteen. She swore I was a superhero. Little does she know, I'm just extraordinary on a horse. She talked me up to her father afterward and her father was quite excited to meet with me. Because of his interest, Daniel couldn't elope with me obviously."

"Because of your mother or because he was gonna step aside?"

"Mother never would've let me elope with Daniel, but once Daniel learned Leopold Blanchard wanted my hand, he felt like he had something to prove as a man. I think he wanted Leopold to know he existed, to know I'd take him a million times over Leopold."

Emma frowned. "He should've just left with you. Why'd he want to talk to your mother, though?"

"Well, that's where your little friend comes in. She spied us together not too long after her father showed interest. I told her about how we were a secret, but how in love we were and how we planned a life together. Because she saw us, though, Daniel wanted to go talk to Mother."

"His fatal mistake." Idiot. I would've taken Regina and run. They would have lived happily ever after. No, we will live happily ever after.

"Yes." Regina's voice cracked on such a small word, like she was broken inside. "It wasn't completely his fault, though. Your friend… she told Mother."

Emma winced. "She did? Why?"

"I'm sure Mother tricked it out of her. I've seen Mother manipulate some of the scariest men with ease. Playing a twelve-year-old child who had recently lost her own mother had to be nothing. Of course, I still don't forgive her talking out of turn."

Emma hugged her as tight as possible, like she would never let Regina go. Hell, she never would let Regina go. She was a little surprised to learn Regina held a grudge against one of her dearest friends, but that was between Regina and Mary Margaret.

"I'm so sorry, Regina. So, how'd you get out of marrying M&M's father? I can't imagine he wasn't interested, even though he's gotta be old enough to be your father, let alone her father."

Regina nodded. "He's older than my father by some years. Maleficent saved me. She feigned interest in me at the time."

"Feigned?" Emma's eyebrow went up. "Didn't you guys date, though?"

Regina made a vague wave with her free hand. "Not until later. But, she didn't think it was right for Mother and Leopold Blanchard of all people to decide my fate. It worked out well for her. I helped her not too long after that break a fairly nasty drug habit."

Emma's eyes went wide. "What? I can't imagine her on drugs." She took a moment to try to picture it. With no context, yes, images passed through her mind. But, knowing Maleficent now, it was super difficult to figure out what drugs Maleficent might have been on. She fought off the urge to pry. "You're leading a damn exciting life. Is Maleficent rich enough for her to be a better pick than M&M's dad?"

Regina shook her head. "No, not even close, but the idea of me being homosexual was a turn-off. Very conservative group."

Emma pursed her lips. "I haven't interacted with him enough to pick that up, but that explains some things about Mary Margaret, even though she's a great friend. More than that, though, it explains why your mom looked at me like I smelled bad."

Regina took a breath and held Emma close, holding her like she was the most precious thing ever. She kissed the top of Emma's head "I won't let her take you from me, Duckling."

"I'm not going anywhere. I kinda need your kisses to live at this point." Emma grinned and Regina gave her exactly what she wanted, a sweet kiss on the lips.

Emma stretched out, making sure to keep her arms around Regina. She yawned and Regina scratched her scalp again.

"Not to mention, I definitely need your food at least twice a day," Emma added with a dopey smile.

Regina chuckled. "I'm serious, though, Duckling. I won't let her take you from me."

Emma hummed. "I believe you. I've never felt this safe or comfortable with someone." And the fact that Regina just opened up to her, shared with her, let her know Regina was the same. Regina trusted herself with Emma. That was huge.

"I'm glad." Regina sighed, body relaxing. "Now, shall we watch one more episode of Air Jaws before bed?"

Emma smiled. "I'd love nothing more." This was the truth. This was heaven. It was always heaven.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina had a fire lit under her thanks to Mother's little visit. It was time to break from Rumple, just as she broke from Mother. She needed it to be understood she held as many cards as they did, with or without Maleficent. She would fight them if they wanted that and she would fucking win. This is my life and Mother won't get a chance to do to Duckling what she did to Daniel.

Regina dressed in her sharpest pants' suit, earning a whistle from Duckling as she left the house. "Destroy only the people who deserve it," Duckling called from the table, where she ate breakfast.

"Oh, I promise to do just that," Regina practically purred and closed the door.

Rumple would be in her office an hour after she arrived if he was wise. She had time to set up her desk to be as intimidating as possible, putting out awards and recognizable baubles given to her by influential townspeople. She made sure the chair across from her was uncomfortable, and lopsided with a simple glue dot she balled up and stuck to the chair leg.

She debated with herself if she wanted to invite Maleficent to this, but decided against it. She needed to show her strength alone. Rumple needed to understand she was not to be trifled with and it had nothing to do with Maleficent being there. It was all Regina and her own power, her own connections, her own ability to devour him whole.

Rumple was late, which Regina expected, even though it was not a smart move. He wanted to seem in control of the situation. She had things to keep her occupied. She checked in with a few people, making sure the information she planned to share with Rumple was more than accurate.

She heard Rumple's distinct cane tap before he opened the door. She gave him a tight smile, as she usually would when having to meet with him. His expression mirrored hers as he sat down in the chair she prepared for him. He twisted a bit, as if trying to get comfortable, and then settled, not wanting to embarrass himself or show weakness in front of her. Of course, it was too late for those worries.

"Regina, I have to assume you called this meeting because you've finally come to your senses and plan to run again. It's tight, but I'm sure we can work out your nomination considering you're the sitting mayor," Rumple said.

Regina shook her head, snickering. "No, nothing of the sort." The insanity of this man to think he can just bend me to his will like that.

With a smile, his eyes twinkled with cruel amusement. "Still trying to restore the sorted state of your hopes and dreams?"

"We're rising from the ashes. I've got a lot of people willing to help." She had been putting this together before she decided not to run for a second term. This had been building when she realized he played her and would continue to control her if she did not fight back. Burning the cafe got her on the ball, though.

Rumple leaned forward, frowning slightly. The light in his reptilian eyes dimmed. "Do you now?"

"Oh, yes." Regina rubbed her hands together for a moment. "I spent some time making a few calls to remind people of the favors I had done for them. Hell, some of them I even gave them the start to be in the positions they are now. They were more than eager to tell me how they would love nothing more than to lend a hand." And destroy this damnable imp in front of her.

Rumple's face pulled into a grimace. "They'd be more willing to help you if you were mayor."

This made her laugh. He was so ignorant of the people of this town, people he wanted under his thumb. But, it was not like he talked to people. No, he ordered and blackmailed and plotted and schemed. He never had a conversation in his life that was not connected to his machinations. A crack in his armor.

"No, actually," she said with cold politeness. "They're more willing to help me knowing I plan to not seek reelection." This had made her quite popular among people who mattered. "They had other nominees they preferred."

The people willing to help her also hated her as mayor because she would not bend to their will. She helped who she wanted, beyond Rumple anyway. Still, she built a solid network once she stopped and thought about it. No, none of them were the most trustworthy or reliable, but they all had one thing in common — they hated Rumpelstiltskin Gold and his hold on Storybrooke.

Rumple leaned on his cane and shifted in the chair. "You're willing to throw away an empire like this, Regina? This is a stepping stone to greatness, to true power. " True power for him. "Once you leave this, your mother will be in your skin. You make one false move and she'll skin you."

Oh, he thought the threat of Mother would put me back in line. She would have to work on herself to make sure people would stop trying to use her mother against her. "I've already settled things with Mother." As settled as they would ever be.

His eyebrow ticked up in interest. "Have you now?"

"For the moment, yes. This is Mother, after all." Rumple might have been the only person beyond her who knew how ruthless and relentless her mother was. Mother would be back with her usual nonsense at a different angle, but she had to regroup. It would be delicious when she had to use the fake marriage license on Mother.

He rubbed his palms against the top of his cane, now in thought. Did he want to test Regina when she had allies and also something close to her mother's blessing? He was powerful, yes, but it would be impossible to fight so many opponents on so many fronts.

"You could've been something, you know?" he had the nerve to say.

"I am something." She was happy. She was her own person. She was following her dreams. That was more many other people and she would always be better than average.

Rumple curled his lip at her and climbed to his feet, leaning on his cane more than usual. His glare was priceless. He stared her down as if she was nothing, less than nothing, a bug he wanted nothing more than to step on. Perhaps when she angered Mother next, he would come in to do just that, but for now, she was out of his reach. That had to piss him off more than anything else.

Rumple left without a farewell, slamming the door on his way out. Predictable. Regina sat up a little straighter, a thrill of victory shooting down her spine. This called for a celebration.

-8-8-8-8-

Regina came home for lunch and found Duckling dancing around with a bowl of macaroni and cheese in her hand. Homemade, of course, even though Regina kept a couple of the boxes around. Duckling was partial to that junk.

Regina smiled as she watched hips sway in short athletic shorts. Then, Duckling twirled and spotted her. The way Duckling's face lit up when she saw Regina would always brighten Regina's day and warm her insides. No one was as genuinely happy to see her as Duckling.

"Regina, what are you doing home so soon? I already got lunch." Duckling put her bounty on display, as if Regina had not made it for her last night.

"I can see that. I wanted to do something with you later this afternoon or this evening and I wanted your input," Regina replied.

Duckling shrugged. "I'm down for whatever you want to do. What brought this on?"

Regina let out a long sigh. "I just feel free for the first time. We could go out!" She would not mind being seen with Duckling. She did not care what they thought. No one would be able to use it against her now.

Duckling blinked. "Like together?"

"Yes. Oh, there is a sushi place I adore, but rarely go to. We could go. Have you had sushi before?" Regina stared at Duckling for a moment. "Of course you have. I should say, have you had proper sushi before?"

Duckling shrugged. "Until you, food was food to me. I now know different." She made a show of eating a forkful of macaroni and cheese and grinned the whole time she chewed. "You sure you wanna go out, though? I mean, won't people assume something to see the mayor sitting with… well, me." She motioned down to herself with her fork. Along with the shorts, she had on her yellow hoodie with the duckbill hood. It was clearly a favorite.

Regina frowned. Did she want to put up with the photographs and then the gossip articles that would come out? Storybrooke liked to pretend it was a small town, but it was a small city and liked junk news about itself as much as any other place. Duckling might find it hard to hang out with her friends for a while if people suddenly thought she was dating the mayor, even if Regina would not be mayor for much longer.

I don't want to make things harder for Duckling. Duckling was a pet and she deserved her carefree existence for as long as she wanted it. Still, Regina desired, no, craved, salivated to celebrate her victories.

"All right, then how about delivery?" Regina asked.

"Oh! And watch bad movies! I have a ton I know you haven't seen yet." Duckling bounced on her heels with joy.

It was impossible to hold back a smile. "I'm sure you have." Regina paused for a moment. "Are you sure you don't want to go out?"

Duckling stepped closer and pressed her forehead to Regina's. "I want whatever makes you happy because that makes me happy."

"Are you sure?"

"As sure as I want a forehead kiss and for you to explain some math to me, so I don't fail my GED." Duckling grinned.

Regina's smile grew into her own grin and she gave Duckling exactly what she desired. Forehead kiss. Then, she made herself comfortable on the couch and made sense of the math puzzling her darling Duckling. Duckling finished her macaroni and cheese and focused on her work.

A couple of hours later, a decadent amount of sushi was ordered. Duckling would be able to sample several. Mochi ice cream was ordered as well, so they would have some dessert.

Regina showered and changed into pajamas while the sun was still out, which was strange for her. But, after that, it was just sushi, bad movies, and Duckling. Perfect.

"Hey, Regina," Duckling said with a yawn. It was late now and her head was in Regina's lap.

"Yes?" Regina put a cornrow braid in the side of Duckling's head.

"You had a good childhood?" Duckling sounded like she hoped that was true, even though she knew otherwise after Regina told her about Mother.

Regina thought about it. "I had good things in my childhood."

Duckling snorted. "That's a copout answer. I had good things in my childhood and my childhood was shit. You already know, no one ever kept me."

Regina sighed. "My problem is that I was kept." She rarely talked about her childhood. Many people around knew, or at least had a clue, and had not cared. Why talk about it with people who knew and did nothing?

"Your mom was that bad?"

"I don't want to talk about Mother. This has been such a good day. I won't let her taint it."

Duckling smiled. "Good because I don't want to know about that then. Tell me some nice stuff."

Regina took a deep breath and stared into Duckling's hazel eyes. Duckling looked at her like she would share all her worldly possessions with Duckling. Hell, she would. So, let's share.

"My daddy bought me this house. It was a gift," Regina said.

Duckling nodded. "You've said. Tell me more about that. How do you get a house as a gift?"

"When I graduated from college, Daddy didn't want me to come back home. He saw how much I blossomed outside of Mother's house, so he made sure I never came to Mother's house. Thus, the house. We had many plans for this house. We schemed on all the things we'd do together," Regina replied.

Duckling was quiet for a second. "Did you get to do any of them?"

"Unfortunately, no. He would've been so confused to find out about you. I wouldn't have told him, of course, but he would've popped by one day to surprise me with a book or cupcakes or something silly and he would've stumbled across you. I'd have come into you two laughing with frosting on your noses."

"He sounds like he was a cool guy."

Regina swallowed down a familiar pain and eased it with fond memories. "He was. You would've loved to hear him play the guitar. He was amazing."

"We could've formed a band."

Regina chuckled. "You play an instrument?"

A sleepy laugh escaped Duckling. "Hell, no! I'd have been a huge burden to him."

"I swear, he would've loved you. I can hear him now, 'mija, your friend is funny, but her drumming is shit.' "

"I love it." Duckling yawned again.

Regina was not surprised Duckling fell asleep in her lap. Okay, this night truly was perfect. It was pleasant to talk about her father, even if it was only for a minute or so, as it was not something she often engaged in now. Duckling was a lifesaver. No, she would never let something happen to Duckling. She would fight the world for the woman in her lap if she needed to.

-8-8-8-8-

Next time: the cafe opens.