Chapter Text
Emma was having lunch at the diner with Snow. It was a rare day off and she was trying to enjoy it. While she and Snow were talking her phone went off. There was a message from Regina.
R- Henry won't be visiting for a while.
Snow sees Emma start to shake with rage and asks, " Emma, are you ok?"
Emma curses, stands, grabs her coat and storms out of the diner, heading in the direction of city hall. Ruby then walks over to Snow, " is she ok?"
"I- I'm not sure." Snow says and turns to look at Ruby with worry.
Emma storms into city hall and straight to the mayor's office, ignoring the protests of the secretary. She throws open the doors and yells, "What the hell is this Regina? You can't stand the thought of me being a part of his life can you? It's not enough that you've cursed everyone and ruined my life in the process, you have to try and turn him against me too?"
Regina looks up from her desk and removes her glasses to peer at a panting Emma, then to her secretary. 'I'm sorry madam mayor, she wouldn't take no for an answer. I tried to stop her." says the secretary.
"It’s alright Mildred, please cancel my next appointment, I have a feeling this may take a while." Regina says as she stands to walk around her desk. "Take an early lunch, I'll handle Miss Swan."
"Yes Ma'am", says Mildred as she walks to her desk to gather her things.
"Well Miss Swan, what is it this time?" Regina asked exasperatedly.
"You just texted me saying I couldn't see Henry for a while. What did I do this time? I've followed your rules, I've done everything you've asked of me. It's not right Regina, he's my son." Emma said.
In an instant, Regina had her pinned against the wall by her throat. Emma’s eyes went wide at the sudden realization that she was pinned by Regina. She thought anger would flood her emotions but it wasn’t anger, it was lust and want. "Need I remind you he is MY son, not yours, you gave up that right. You are in his life because I allow it. And as far as your past? I didn't put you in that damn wardrobe, Snow did that. So before you come in here and try to threaten me, remember that, and remember that I am capable of many things, Miss Swan, and I am not afraid to use that to my advantage."
Just then she hears Emma groan. She's momentarily stunned, but just as quickly, schools her features and begins to smirk. She leans back enough to look in Emma's eyes and sees they have darkened, her breaths are starting to come in shallow, and her cheeks have reddened. Slowly Regina takes notice of Emma, of the arousal, and lust in her eyes. Her smirk only grows at this. "Oh, so the savior is not so innocent after all," Regina says. As she's about to question her further, the door swings open and she turns to see none other than Snow White herself. Her smirk somehow grows impossibly bigger, baring her teeth. She looks back to Emma, only to see how her face has paled having her mother enter at a time like this. Regina laughs an evil but alluring laugh. Then loud enough for Snow to hear, "Oh Emma, tell dear Snow here what I have just discovered." Emma's eyes go wide as she looks to Regina, then Snow then back.
"I don't know what you’re talking about Regina." Emma says.
Regina tightens her grip around her throat, only to watch as Emma groans again, closing her eyes and turning a shade redder.
Regina leans in to whisper, feeling a now noticeable bulge against her own center. "Tell her, and I will give you what you desire, Em-ma."
Emma then growls, louder this time, loud enough for Snow to hear. Snow steps forward thinking Emma is in pain.
"ah ah ah, not another step Snow. You know what I’m capable of." says Regina. Snow stops dead in her tracks, knowing full well what Regina can do with the snap of her fingers. She watches as Regina lifts her free hand to the side of Emma's face and runs her finger across her cheek bone. Regina leans in to whisper, while staring at Emma’s lips as she passes over them, "be a good girl and tell mommy your little secret, hmm?" Regina's finger traces over her own hand around the savior's throat to her collarbone, and down the top of her shirt just grazing the tops of her breasts. Emma feels like she's left a burning trail where she's touched her. Feeling that same burning pull low in her belly, making her painfully hard, she swears you could see it through her special briefs, and skin tight jeans.
"Fuck you, Regina!" Emma spits.
"My my, Miss Swan, you are a feisty one aren't you?" Regina says as she revels in this feeling. She loves what she sees. That fire in Emma just makes her quiver with want.
"Regina, you're hurting her!" Snow exclaims.
"Oh, on the contrary my dear Snow, Emma here is quite enjoying herself, “aren't you Em-ma?" Regina goads. "Tell mommy the truth Emma, and you'll be rewarded."
Emma glares at Regina as the woman herself looks down to Emma's lips with a devilish smile and licks her own. She notices Regina has stepped a bit closer and is now pressing her body discreetly over Emma's. Regina's free hand, now hidden from Snow's view as she looks in Emma's eyes, brings it to Emma’s hip right above her ass, making her heart race. She lightly caresses her way up Emma’s rib cage until she’s able to graze the sides of her breasts.
"Tell me Emma", she whispers, "do you want me to touch you?" Regina asks
Emma moans, Snow takes it as a sound of pain and is desperate to help. She doesn't hesitate to say "Emma, just tell me. Whatever it is, then we can go home. I thought you two were becoming friends, I don't know what happened but we can work through it. Just tell me."
"I can't." Emma grounds out, looking to Regina with rage and arousal. Not only is she attracted to women, which she's sure isn't fairy tale appropriate, but she has fallen for the Queen. Their enemy. Over the years of competing for Henry's attention, and one another. The arguing, the getting in each other's faces, it's been exciting. She began looking for those moments because no matter how happy she is that the curse broke, Regina has always been Regina. The same person before and after the curse. After a while Regina was what she looked forward to. There were even moments of civility that made her think maybe, even if Regina didn't feel the same, that they could at least be friends and she would be ok with that.
"Emma, you can tell me anything, I'm your mother" Snow interrupts her thoughts.
"No Snow, I can't. It's not something you'll be comfortable with, and I don't know if I can bear the look on your face if I do, so just drop it." Emma snarls.
As Emma says this she sees Regina's gaze soften and she brings her hand to Emma's cheek and loosens her grip slightly around Emma's throat. Emma is alarmed at this action and snatches Regina's hand in mid air. "I don't need your pity Regina, I've accepted it a long time ago." Emma seethes at the thought of Regina pitying her, throwing her hand away just as fast as she had caught it.
"It's not pity Emma, it's recognition. I've felt what you feel, and could never pity you." She tightens her grip around Emma's neck a little and her breath ghosts Emma's lips as she whispers, "I need you to be a brave savior, I need you to tell your mother for me." She looks up from Emma's lips to her eyes and sees them pooling with unshed tears not yet fallen. "Tell her for me, and I'll make sure you never hurt like this again." Regina finishes. Hoping her eyes convey the sincerity of her words.
"Emma, you could never disappoint me. we've just found you. The past is the past and we can get through this." Snow pleads.
Regina looks deep into Emma's eyes and sees it. Sees the hurt she's about to inflict on herself, and releases her grip around her neck to rest her hand on Emma's pounding heart. "Tell her Emma. You can only hurt yourself by keeping it in longer."
Emma sighs heavily and a single tear falls. Emma angrily swipes it away. She looks at Regina and sees what looks like pride at what she's about to do, which spurs her on. She takes a step away from the wall and faces Snow, as Regina steps back and leans against her desk, arms across her stomach. "Its not my past Snow, it's all of it, my past, present, and future." Emma says composing herself, standing tall and releasing a shuddering breath. Snow looks confused then looks to Regina and back to Emma.
"What is it? Are you ok? Are you sick?" Snow immediately thinks.
Emma lets out a chuckle, "You could say that. It's probably what you will believe, but no I'm not ill. I'm just different. I like things I shouldn't, and my body isn't normal I suppose, and I need you to understand I've been struggling with this since I was fifteen." She looks down not wanting to see the look on Snow's face.
"Emma, it's ok. We'll get through it, whatever it is, we'll get through it together as a family." Snow says seeing the hurt written all over Emma's face.
Emma takes a deep breath and looks to her mother. "Snow..." she looks down and shakes her head and hands to rid herself of the nervousness. "I guess I'll just come right out and say it, rip it off like a band-aid." She looks back at Regina. Regina gives a comforting smile, then Emma looks back to Snow. " I like women, Snow."
Snow looks confused at Emma. "OK, I don't understand what you're saying Emma.
Emma bristles, remembering how dim her mother can be. "Snow, I ROMANTICALLY like women. Their smell, looks, curves. The soft skin, everything. I like to be with women." Emma explains
"But you had Henry, you were with Neil and Hook, I don't understand." Snow says.
"I told you, I've been struggling with it. And we never had sex. Neal was drunk most of the time we were together, he just assumed. As for Hook, it never got that far. Henry's my son, but I didn't give birth to him. I fathered him. His mother was a woman I dated before I met Neal. She got pregnant and gave birth in an abandoned house we were staying in at the time. When I realized I couldn't care for him the way I needed to I put him up for adoption, they assumed I gave birth because I'm a woman and I said he was mine, and rather than explain I let them believe that. I've hidden it away for years now. Only a select few know." Emma explains.
"I didn't know, I'm sorry. I didn't have much time when you were born, I just knew you were a girl. So you've been with a woman?" Snow asks.
"A few," Emma answers, feeling put on the spot. Not wanting to have this conversation even though she knows it's long overdue.
"Any in Storybrooke?'' Snow digs.
At that question even Regina is curious. "All this time I could have been seducing her rather than fighting her..." she thinks.
"Only one. Before the curse broke." Emma says. Regina's eyes darken and her features as well. She's a bit possessive at the things she wants. And she wants Emma.
"Who?" Snow asks, shock written all over.
"I won't tell you that. I'm not outing anyone else.'' Emma says, determined to stand her ground.
Just then, Snow's eyes go wide and a loud gasp is heard. Everyone looks to Snow seeing sudden realization spread across her face. "Ruby!"
"What? How could you possibly have guessed that? No one knew but us!" Emma exclaims. Snow dips her head, turning a bright red. "Snow, what aren't you telling me? How did you know?"
"Well," Snow starts, looking at Emma then back down to fiddle with her fingers. "You're not the only one with those kinds of tendencies Emma. Before the curse broke... No, before I met your father, Ruby and I were, well, she's my best friend. We lived together, and even shared a bed. We were so close. One night she told me of those same desires you have, of liking women. I knew then that I had feelings for her."
Sudden realization of where this is going hits both Emma and Regina. Eyes wide and breaths held.
"That night we shared our first kiss. We didn't stop there. We were secretly together for years. Until I met your father. Ruby was away with granny for a while trying to find a new cloak since hers was destroyed. I started falling for him too. So I guess when she returned, to make it easier on me, she made the decision to leave and search for her own kind. She thought she was making it easier on me." Snow then gives a watery laugh filled with sorrow of a lost love. "But I never got to make that decision because she made it for me. I know everyone in this kingdom, in this town. I know Ruby cannot hide that side of her. So she's the only one I know who would have been willing to accept those kinds of advances if not the one initiating them." Snow looks up, tears streaming down her face. "I'm not mad Emma, and I'm not disappointed. I want you to be happy, and if that means you find a princess instead of a prince, I will be happy to welcome them to the family." Snow finishes.
"Queen." Emma says.
"Excuse me" Snow asks, Regina now displaying the proudest smirk. She's beaming with pride, straightens her back and holds her head high.
"Queen", Emma says again. "I found a Queen, not a princess that I want to be with." Emma then looks up to Regina, " If she'll have me."
Snow looks confused for a moment. Then looks to Regina, and she can see the love in her gaze. "Oh, I see." Snow states. ”I may need some time to process this." Snow then looks at Emma's dejected face, she goes to Emma, lifts her chin and looks her in the eyes. "But... if this is what you want, if this makes you happy, I will accept it in time. No questions asked."
Emma smiles, and Snow pulls her into an embrace. "Thanks Mom." Emma says. Snow beams at the title she is rarely given, then walks to Regina. She's no longer smirking but sees the pride in those dark eyes.
"Just know, If you hurt her, I will stop at nothing to come after you." Snow states.
Regina's smile doesn't falter, but grows. "I expect nothing less. But my intentions are not to hurt her." Regina says and Snow can see the devotion in her eyes.
Snow leans in to hug Regina and is surprised when it's accepted. "Welcome to the family Regina." Snow says as she turns to Emma, grabbing her hand. "I will always love you Emma. I'm so proud of you for being brave enough to tell me. I'm heading home. I'll see you later." Then Snow leaves Emma and Regina alone.
"Are you alright Emma?" Regina asks from behind her.
Emma giggles, "It's Emma now huh? It only took me a few years and a show of embarrassment."
"No, that's where you're wrong Emma," Regina says smiling, "it took a few years yes, but it wasn't the embarrassment. It was the courage and bravery you displayed, and the willingness you showed to fight for yourself, to the one person you seek the most approval, no matter the consequences. You truly are my white knight." Regina says as she walks to Emma lifting her hands around Emma's neck. "I don't feel so alone anymore. I feel like I could have that chance at a happy ending, with you by my side."
Emma wraps her arms around Regina's waist and looks at her and asks, "So, you really want me? Not just to reward me for telling Snow, but actually want me? I don't want you to do anything you don't want to do, just because I told Snow. I want you to want it, me."
"Is that so hard to believe?" Regina asks, brows furrowing.
"Well, yeah. All my life no one has ever wanted me. Why would I believe it now after all this time without even the slightest hint in the past that you've felt the same?" Emma states.
"Emma, all those heated arguments, the standing so close, the seeking you out to argue over the most mundane things? What did you think that was?", she asks.
"I don't know, you, trying to intimidate me. Push my buttons I guess. I thought you had figured out what I felt and were using it to your advantage." Emma replies.
"No Emma, I didn't know. I did those things because you challenged me, and they excited me to no end. I felt alive arguing with you, being close to you. So I would seek you out, if only for a second of that passion and rush of heat I would feel every time." Regina said
"Really?" Emma asks grinning mischievously.
"Really." Regina said with a smile spreading across her lips.
"Can I Kiss you?" Emma asks.
"I've waited long enough don't you think?" Regina states. Just then Emma leans in and brushes her lips to Regina's, a collective sigh escaping them. Suddenly a beam of light rushes through them. They both jump apart. Confusion in their eyes.
"Woah, there's no curse, I don't understand.'' Emma states. As she's saying this she sees Regina, sitting back on her desk, hand on her stomach and a look of shock.
"There was one. One I put on myself a lifetime ago. I think you just broke it." Regina says, looking up in surprise.
"Wait, so this means...."
"True Love’s Kiss", Regina finishes for her. She laughs, completely caught off guard.
"I didn't think it was possible. Not after Daniel died."
"Regina? What was the curse?" Emma asks, looking scared.
"I made myself barren. I didn't want to provide the king with an heir, so I did the only thing I knew I could." Regina stated her head held high. But Emma could see the pain in her eyes.
"Well, I guess that's settled then." Emma said.
Regina giggled. "I guess so." Regina agreed.
"Wait, so why the message? Why keep me from Henry?" Emma asks.
"I'm not keeping him from you. If you would have come to me and inquired about my message I would have told you he is grounded. No he will not be going to see you, or anyone else for that matter. And only because I know you and disciplining our son do not mix. You can always visit him, I would never keep you from him. I just need him to understand the consequences of his actions." Regina explained.
"Oh, okay. Well, I hope you don't think that just because of this I'm going to go easy on you?" Emma said.
" I wouldn't dream of it dear." Regina answered.
They stayed there for a moment. Emma looked around, with her hands stuffed in her back pockets, while Regina sat on the edge of her desk just watching.
"Have dinner with me?"
Emma's head snapped over, a look of shock on her face at the request.
"Yeah, ok. Yeah, I'd love to." Emma replied.
"Great. I'll see you at 7, Henry will be with your father for community service as punishment for his misbehavior." Regina stood and walked behind her desk. She sat down and replaced her glasses and began on finishing up her reports for Monday's council meetings. As Emma goes to step out, she hears the mayor's last words.
"Oh and Emma?" Emma turns to look at her, and sees she's ducked her head to peer at Emma over her glasses, "Bring an overnight bag."
Emma turns beet red and starts to stammer, not quite able to string a sentence. "Uh.. ok, yeah. Um… yeah." And she hears a throaty chuckle as she stumbles out the door.