Emma and Regina descended the stairs of the White mansion as though they were teenagers who'd just had a sleepover, laughing and reminiscing on the lighter elements of the previous evening. As they strode towards the kitchen they were stopped in their tracks by an enquiring call.
"Sounds like you two had a fun night?" The two women exchanged a glance before Emma gave Regina's hand a gentle squeeze and they headed towards the sound, hoping to find the body it came from in a pleasant mood.
"Leopold, good morning," sang Regina, less formally than she intended. He merely gave a smirk back.
"Relax Regina, it's okay. I'm happy for you, honestly. I'd say I'm surprised, but if we're being truly honest with one another, we'd both married an image of a person, the very images that weren't of our own making." He looked into her eyes with a depth of honesty he'd never shown before. "I'm really happy for you, honestly."
She looked into his eyes as a tear slid down her face, she saw little but turmoil in his depths. It was almost overwhelming.
"Wow, you have been doing some soul searching." She finally stated, shifting her feet whilst feeling rather awkward, torn between wanting to comfort him and wanting to cry. When all else fails, a bit of sarcasm usually wins out.
"Yeah, well, it looks like you're also discovering who you truly are; you've a bit of a head start on me." He gazed into his empty coffee cup. It wasn't hard to consider what could be going through his head. "The good news is I can tell you who I don't want to be, so I suppose I have made a bit of a start as well." That was it, she caved and knelt before him and took his hand.
"Leopold, you are a good man and you will always be a good friend… if that's something you want of course..." He smirked slightly, nodding agreeably, though he looked bone weary. "I can't apologise for the way things have turned out, I probably should, but I can't. I want nothing more than for you to feel free too."
"Is that what you feel, free?"
"It is, but I'm very fortunate, fate seems to have thrown me a bone for once. I won't abandon you to this, I promise." With that he planted his hand on hers and offered her an appreciative smile.
"Another coffee?"
"Please." He responded whilst handing over his cup as Regina turned to leave. "Emma, may I have a quick word." She rocked back on her heels with her hands in her back pockets of the jeans she'd borrowed from Regina for a few moments as she slowly responded.
"Sure." She slowly scooted over wondering what on earth this man could want from her. He nodded to the seat next to him and she slowly sat, perching herself as close to the edge as she could possibly get.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you. I… I just wanted to ask you something." As he looked into her eyes she saw for the first time a genuine, almost gentile man. "Do you love her?" Emma felt her insides twist at that very word. She was sure she did, but it was such a strong word, fortunately, she had Henry and knew what at least one form of love felt like. She ended up having to ask herself some different questions to truly answer, such as, how she felt when she saw the other women distressed, what would she do if she suddenly would never got to see her again and how she felt when they touched, or she watched her smile and laugh….
"Yes, I do, I absolutely do." That was all he needed and they both visibly relaxed.
"Good, now to other business. This husband of yours…" She sunk a bit in the chair at the reminder of Killian, his behaviour, her infidelity – this was a mess. "Now don't worry, I won't be telling him anything, though I don't agree with the morality of what you are doing, there are bigger things at play here." Her interest instantly peeked, and she was grateful for the change of subject.
"My… Regina has filled me in on your predicament and his, side job, for want of a better word. I'm looking into what I can but with him being the Sheriff, he seems to be fairly adept at what he does, it's early days though and until a few shipments come in I've nothing to truly look through yet. I think I may have to acquire more specialist help too, but I will not let this town fall into the hands of criminals. Anything you can tell me that you think will help, please, please do so. I want him gone and based on what Regina has said, I'm pretty sure you do to." She nodded and played with her fingers for a few moments.
"What do you know of the new club that's opened up?" She asked, something in her gut didn't sit right.
"Oh, that thing. I went for an 'afternoon showing' a month or so ago, not long after it opened. Had a meeting with the owner. I can't for the life of me understand why they've opened here. Seems as though it would be better suited in Vegas, or at least a major city."
"Hmm. We met him last night as well, let's just say we weren't impressed in the slightest. Mary Margaret told me that he already knew the new Sheriff, which I thought odd considering we've not even been here for two weeks. I think they know each other and are both a part of something larger, it's the only thing that makes sense. I also noticed that the club had items for sale that my husband 'acquires'. I think they are at the very least in business together. Depending on how big and deep this thing goes, it may explain why the club is here. If you have a way of investigating people, I would check on Killian, this Robin bloke and a guy called Smee, though we don't know his surname or full name, but Regina has a picture of him. I also took some photos of the garage where he is currently keeping stock. I tried to get as many labels and product codes as possible when I took them." Leopold looked impressed.
"I must say, your initiative is impressive." Emma blushed.
"It was more Regina's, but we worked together."
"Oh?"
"Hmm, she distracted Smee so I could get the photos. It was her idea in the first place." He wasn't as impressed by this little revelation.
"That sounds like something Regina would do." He sighed and thought for a few moments. "Look, I don't want either of you doing anything too risky. Sure, keep your eyes and ears alert, but don't go out of your way and risk getting caught or worse." He quietened his voice, even though it was necessary, it was more out of habit.
"Listen, my wife…" He caught himself and let out a sad laugh. "That is going to take some getting used to." He internally berated himself. "She has a heart of gold and will do anything for anyone, but I also think she sometimes forgets how vulnerable her current situation can make her, especially when she's alone or 'cavorting with criminals'. Do you understand?" He saw the cogs in Emma's mind considering all possibilities.
"Look, please don't tell her I told you this, and I hate the fact that a large part of this was my fault, but I came home the other night to find her frozen in fear in her chair. She'd managed to wind herself up somehow. I helped her upstairs and that was when I ordered the alarm to be delivered the next day. If she's concentrating on something trying to hear, for example, listening to someone talk, she oblivious to anything else. She wouldn't have a clue what was going on behind her." Emma's gut wrenched. She could picture Regina sat there like a small, frightened child and she instantly knew that she was the one who placed that idea into her head. "I think she's only just realising how much her hearing is now starting to affect her and it's definitely gotten worse these last few months."
"That had crossed my mind, but I didn't really think how awkward it could be in certain situations. I will try and keep her away from this as much as possible, but equally, I can't lock her in a room." Leopold laughed.
"No, she can be extremely stubborn, I guess the whole point of this conversation is to ask you to look out for her. We may have a complicated relationship that I horrendously shattered, but it doesn't mean I don't care about her." Emma now understood the true point of this conversation.
"I will always look out for her. I promise." Their attention was stolen as they heard a crash and clattering from the kitchen. Both quickly ran out.
"Regina," Emma said whilst slowly opening the door. The coffee pot had fallen and smashed all over the floor Regina was stood staring out of the window, phone in hand. She was clearly filming something and hadn't heard them approach at all.
Emma carefully approached, not wanting to spook her as Leopold began to clear up the mess.
"Hey." Emma, said touching her arm to ensure she knew of her arrival. "Are you okay?"
"Look." Was all Regina said. Emma followed her gaze to see Robin and Killian standing outside the garage with Smee, clearly discussing something important.
"Well, that confirms that theory then." She placed her hand on Regina's shoulder. "Come on, you have enough to prove a connection, you don't want to get caught." Regina stopped filming and turned to see Leopold on his hands and knees with a dustpan and brush.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I was surprised when I saw them and dropped the pot. It's my mess, let me clean it up."
"No, you two go on." Said Leopold, looking up. "I'm down here now and don't worry about it. I'll clean it up. Just don't you two go doing anything silly. I will find out what I can about these three and the club. Please don't get too involved and don't approach them about any of this. Please!" Regina's heart clenched at the care he was showing. They nodded and Regina led Emma out.
Regina and Emma had decided to go to the diner for lunch as Emma had to collect Henry from Granny's anyway. They had both had a fantastic time playing old Sega Megadrive games and watching Disney films. Emma was a bit shocked to find out he'd nearly stayed up to midnight though. It turned out Granny was a late sleeper, late riser now she was no longer doing the morning shift at the diner. They also hoped going to the diner would give Killian a chance to conclude his dealings.
They hadn't long started eating when the doorbell rang. Regina always sat facing the door so she could see what was going on. She nudged Emma's hand. Emma groaned as she saw who had walked in, Killian and Robin. Killian made eye contact and Emma saw nothing but a deep-seated coldness emanating from him. The second he turned his attention to Robin; he reanimated and found his fondness.
"Robin, my I introduce my wife, Emma. This is her son Henry and our neighbour, Regina, she is the Mayor's wife, or was, if the rumours are anything to go by." Robin smiled at the two women.
"It's a pleasure to properly meet you. As it happens, I already met these two at my club last night. They seemed to be having quite the 'girls night' out. I am sorry again for our little, misunderstanding." He spoke directly to Regina, who wasn't quite sure what to say in such circumstances, especially considering the four of them and their 'unique' relationships. "I would very much like to make it up to you. Perhaps we could do dinner sometime?" Regina was clearly struggling with what to say.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea." Piped up Killian, before she could even formulate a response. "Robin here maybe just what you need to spice your life back up. How about we go on a double date?"
"Killian you can't just accept this for her." Emma tried, almost instantly being cut off.
"Nonsense, it'll be fun. Won't it Robin, Regina?" Regina began to speak, but was cut off before even a consonant escaped.
"I think that's a wonderful idea." Robin agreed instantly.
"How about tonight? We can go to the little Italian, what was it called, Tony's?" Queried Killian.
"Yes, it's got good reviews." Robin noted as Emma tried to open her mouth.
"Hmm, I can bring the ladies, I will even be a gentleman and be the designated driver. Shall we say 7?"
"Perfect. Anyway, I must go, I've a lot of work to do if I'm not going to be in office tonight." He gently picked up Regina's hand and kissed it lightly. "See you tonight, M'lady." He and Killian instantly turned and departed with haste.
"Why do I feel like we've just been set up?" Queried Emma who looked to Regina who was merely sat, shell-shocked.
"What am I going to do tonight?" Henry looked to his Ma.
"Umm." She turned back to Regina. "Regina, we aren't going. You do not need to do this and they can't make you, this is ridiculous. I will just tell Killian you weren't available tonight and had prior plans, you just never got a chance to say. I can't believe they just did that." Emma was still dumbfounded.
"Hey guys, did I just hear that right?" Because of course Ruby was eavesdropping. "Did they just railroad you into a double date tonight?"
"We aren't going." Said Emma, defiantly.
"Maybe we should." Came the small, unsure voice from Regina.
"What you can't be serious! Regina, there's no way."
"No, wait. It could prove useful." Regina eyed Emma in such a way to ensure she knew what she was alluding too. "Also, if that was intentional, it will probably prove far more 'difficult' in the long run. It's just one night and we can all part amicably afterwards. We don't need any 'unnecessary' hassle, Emma." Emma knew exactly what Regina meant, she didn't want things to become even more awkward between her and Killian, not when he was behaving so unpredictably. Emma sighed.
"Fine, but if it becomes even remotely awkward, we are leaving. Okay?" Regina acquiesced to that.
"So that leads me back to my original question. What am I going to do?" Henry Whined.
"If you two are determined to do this, I can come over and watch Henry." Emma looked to Henry who beamed. There was no-way he didn't have a little crush on her.
"If you're sure that's not a problem, I will owe you massively Rubes."
"Hey, it's no problem at all, we'll have great fun, won't we kid?" Henry grinned the biggest grin he could muster as Regina and Emma sat there quietly contemplating what had just happened.