165And the final SQ Week drabble that will be turning into a full fic!
This chapter is nothing new BUT! I have shifted a tiny detail as I will be incorporating something new into the story.
Please enjoy this chapter if you haven't read it before, and the new chapter will probably be up in a few days!
Regina gripped the back of the chair in front of her tighter, willing her anger to recede.
She had come in to her boss' office, not even bothering to sit down on the chair in front of his desk, ready to receive her new assignment. James was still smirking at her, as if this was one big game to him.
"I refuse."
James' fingers were intertwined in front of him, and he looked positively evil sitting in his chair, something Regina was sure that he did on purpose in order to look more intimidating. "Ah, but you can't refuse. This wasn't a request you can turn down, it's an order. Goes beyond my paygrade."
"But with the Rookie?" Regina practically spat the last word out.
He smirked wider, unlacing his fingers. "Everyone needs to start somewhere."
Regina practically growled "At the expense of my patience?"
"Swan!"
"Bear claws!" Emma jumped up from her desk where she totally hadn't been snoozing. Nah she had just been meditating... yes of course.
Her boss, the good-natured Graham, shook his head, a smile on his face. "Not a snack call Swan. Got a new assignment for you."
She looked over to her partner in crime and friend, Ruby, grinning, and then both turned to look at Graham expectantly.
His smile faltered here. "Sorry ladies, Detective Emma's got another partner for this one."
"For real?" Emma's excitement barreled through the fact that she should've been sad that she wasn't working with Ruby. She didn't even register the fact that she had to be working with someone else on this one.
Her friend quickly caught on to that, and with a playful shove, said "Already forgetting about us little people in your quest for fame and glory?"
The blonde rolled her eyes. "Of course not! You know I'll always think of you guys as my team."
Emma Swan had been in the police force for 5 years, and had already accumulated quite a bit of a reputation with her effective methods at solving crimes. Rumors started flying around that the higher ups had been considering on promoting her. Seemed like for once the rumors were true.
"So who is Emma's new lucky partner on this one?" Ruby was feigning jealousy, her lips pursed and arms crossed, but Emma could see that Ruby's eyes were sparkling with laughter.
Graham's initial reluctance to answer had both women on edge.
"Well?" Emma wasn't so ecstatic now. Who did she get saddled with? She hoped it wasn't Her Royal Majesty, Bitch Frost herself.
"Mills"
Well shit.
It was Emma Swan's first day on the force, and she was running late. She hoped her boss wouldn't be one of those stereotypical hardasses who were anal about being on time.
She rounded a corner, the coffee she was carrying dangerously close to spilling, and she smiled as she saw the Boston PD building come into view. She glanced up as the building loomed closer, and didn't even see as she crashed smack into someone.
Her coffee, previously in her cup, was now staining the perfect suit of the woman she had ran into. Said woman wearing the suit was glaring daggers at her.
Emma didn't have time for profuse apologies, so she just smiled sheepishly, grabbed some napkins that she had taken from the coffee shop, and stuffed them into the hand of still mute woman, yelling back her apologies as she ran into the building, leaving the soaked, and probably scalding, woman standing there like an idiot with her briefcase and some crumpled napkins.
The blonde had actually managed to snag a pretty laid-back chief, Graham as he insisted he call her, and her new partner Ruby was pretty friendly. They explained the inner workings of the department, including some of the less savoury characters, most of them pertaining to the detectives' floor.
Sidney Glass was a detective and avid photographer, and also the source of gossip for the entire PD. He was a friend of Ruby's, the two gossiping like old ladies constantly. But he could also be one hell of an extortionist, making sure to know what words would get what he wanted.
"Never give him material to use as leverage against you." Ruby had warned her.
But the very worst one of all was Regina Mills. Ruby said that although James Nolan officially ran the detective department, it was well known that Regina was the puppet-master the entire operation.
"God help you if you ever on Regina's bad side. Last person to do that was never heard from again."
Emma was sure Ruby was exaggerating, but she hoped she would never have to meet, or have to deal with her. She really didn't sound pleasant.
She ended up eating her words before the end of the day. Ruby had come back from lunch with Sidney and was already telling August, a fellow officer, about how some poor soul had spilled scalding hot coffee onto Regina Mills this morning, and had the balls to leave her just standing there outside with some napkins, not even offering to help.
The blonde had paled, but kept her head down. People spilled coffee on other people all the time. What were the chances that that was just her luck to spill coffee on the most frigid member of the force?
Apparently it was really high.
As she was leaving the building, she got on the elevator without looking up from her papers, and as she glanced up, she saw she was sharing an elevator with none other than Regina Mills.
Well, Emma didn't know that at the time, but she recognized the face from this morning, and saw that the clothes were now different and coffee-free. The blonde decided that maybe she should take the first step, maybe apologizing now would make the other woman forgive her.
She extended her hand towards the brunette, a charming smile on her face. "Hi, I'm really sorry for spilling coffee on you this morning, it's my first day and I was kinda in a rush, otherwise I would've totally helped you. I'm Emma Swan."
The brunette barely batted an eyelash after she finished her speech, her mouth set in a thin line. Clearly she was hard to please. As the elevator arrived to the first floor, she walked up to Emma, personal space be damned, and said, "Detective Regina Mills." She pushed past Emma roughly, walking out of the elevator as the doors opened. "You'd do well to watch where you're going, Rookie."
Emma could only stand there, now she was the one looking like an idiot, hand still raised to shake, mouth gaping. Just great.
Ever since then, the two have had their fair share of spats. They could barely stand to be in the same room together, making the Christmas parties super awkward. They never even acknowledged each other as anything but their derogatory nicknames. Regina called her Rookie, and Emma called her a variety of names, her favorite being Bitch Frost.
As Emma stood in James' office, the other woman could've probably melted the strongest metal with the glare she had on her face. Clearly she was just as enthusiastic about the arrangement as Emma was. But she could hardly complain, she couldn't exactly start already angering her superiors on the first day in her new position.
"Well, now that you two are all done with introductions," he was mocking them, they had been silent since Emma came in, Regina having already given Emma a dose of her signature lemon-sucking expression the minute she had come bounding through the door. "Your assignment. A very powerful drug kingpin will be hosting the party of the year. We need you both to go in for recon. We know that this man is well connected, and would only invite the seediest underworld characters to ever exist, all who are currently in the game. So what I want are names."
Regina spoke up, venom lacing her voice, "Then why do I need a partner? Or is the Rookie supposed to be part of those trashy druggies, she certainly looks the part."
Emma glared at the other woman, who didn't even deign to turn and face her glare. So they didn't share the same tastes in clothes, was that such a crime? She liked leather jackets and the Ice Queen liked pantsuits. Big deal.
James' smirk grew wider. "You need to get out more. No, it's Valentine's day tomorrow, and this guy, ever the romantic, is hosting a party and a partner is required."
Emma did a double take. Before she could stop herself, she blurted, "Hang on, we're going there as a couple?"
"Yep."
Regina looked positively murderous. "Then why the hell do I need her? I can take Sidney-"
"He's busy with another case, and anyway, I got my orders. You two are going and that's final. So if I were you, I'd get to know each other, 'cause if you plan on surviving Gold's party, you don't just need to act the part. You need to live it." James winked at them. What an idiot. Ruby had said he had a twin brother, who was much kinder, also in the force. Just her luck that the evil brother was her new boss.
Emma's hand was poised on the door of the apartment, ready to knock again, when the door finally opened. To say Emma was gaping was an understatement. Clearly the older woman could probably look stunning wearing a paper bag, since the towel she had wrapped around herself -despite being just a rectangular piece of cloth -managed to show off her curves perfectly. Emma hid a smile and a blush as she saw that the woman had clearly just gotten out of the shower, her hair stuffed inside a towel wrapped around her head, and some strands that had escaped were dripping water onto her bare shoulders.
"You're here early, Rookie." Regina was clearly not pleased at being interrupted with her beauty bath. Emma noticed that Regina gave her a quick once-over, staring at the midnight blue dress she was wearing, but the brunette didn't make any comment regarding her opinion of the dress.
"My apologies, your Majesty," she feigned a curtsy, before continuing, "but I figured that, since you bolted yesterday before I could even say a word and we're supposed to be playing a couple, we should at least get to know each other somewhat, and not look like we're on the edge of jumping at each other's throats," Emma deadpanned. Seriously? She hoped this wasn't going to be her permanent partner if she had to be dealing with this kind of attitude every time.
"Very well. But don't touch anything." Regina opened the door wider to let the blonde in.
"Well, you're letting me breathe at least, I consider that a win. So, colour?"
Regina barely had time to react with a snarky retort to the jab the blonde made before the question threw her off. "What?"
Emma sighed, acting like she was a teacher dealing with a rather difficult child. "What's your favorite colour?"
Regina grimaced. "When did this turn into a sharing session?"
"Did you just not hear anything I said? We're supposed to be dating! What kind of an idiot would I be if I didn't know the answers to some basic questions about my girlfriend?"
Regina discreetly flinched at the term the blonde used. It was true that they were supposed to be dating, but Regina never stopped to think of themselves as girlfriends in this scenario.
When the brunette didn't reply, Emma continued, "Seriously? Didn't you find out those basic pieces of information from your past lovers?"
"No, I didn't."
Emma snorted. "Must be one hell of a love life you got there, your Majesty."
Regina narrowed her eyes at the moniker the other woman had adopted to call her, and felt her fury rising. It was just for one night. She just had to be civil for one night and that was it. "Purple."
Emma smiled at the confession. "That wasn't so bad was it? And red, thanks for asking."
The older woman was positive that if certain laws didn't prevent her from getting away with it, she'd strangle the blonde right then and there. Instead she rolled her eyes. "While you think up of more excellent and stimulating questions, I need to dress."
The brunette left Emma standing in the living room, the latter made herself at home the minute the other woman was out of sight, propping herself on the probably expensive leather couch, feet resting on the table that was probably in the same price range as the sofa.
Not even five minutes later was Regina back, now wearing a Boston PD shirt and shorts. Hell hath no fury like a woman who has her furniture touched, Emma thought wryly as she saw the scowl she was greeted with.
"Have you no class?" This immature woman was really testing her patience.
"Have you got any furniture that doesn't look like it should be in a museum? I mean seriously, do you even sleep in your own bed?"
"You are worse than a child."
"Better a child than a frigid bitch. When's your birthday?"
"Wh-" This was the second time the blonde had managed to short-circuit her thoughts with a disarming question. This was going to be one hell of an evening.
Clearly criminals could clean up well. This was practically a gala, and if they didn't know any better, this would've looked at first to be like any high-society ball.
They handed their invitations at the door, and once Regina finished putting her coat away, she was surprised to see Emma with her arm out, in an offer to take it. The brunette accepted it, and they walked into the party arm in arm. The party was being held in a fancy club with a low ceiling and a clean atmosphere, sparse tall tables and no chairs at all. Everyone was either drinking, mingling, or grinding. Quite a variety of options, Emma thought with a derisive snort.
Together, they made their way over to the cocktail bar, standing with drinks in hand and glancing around the room. They were all business and were actually helping each other to find recognizable criminals around the room.
"Sooooo." One man made their way to them, clearly drunk off his ass. Emma tried to hide any sign of recognition. Well shit, this could go south real fast. He got real close to Emma, and with a breath smelling of vodka, said, "I'm Neal, and you are?"
"Taken." Regina had jumped in, putting a protective arm around her waist. Emma's breath hitched. Man, she never knew Regina could get so territorial and possessive with her partner. Fake partner, Emma reminded herself. She was just playing the part.
Neal had taken the hint, pretty astute for a drunk guy, and stumbled away from them.
Emma willed herself to calm down. She smirked as the hand stayed on her waist. They might be fake dating, but they still teased each other mercilessly. "Thanks for the save, babe."
Regina stiffened, removing her hand like she was touching a burning surface. She cleared her throat, and changed the subject. "I don't believe I know him."
"Cassidy. Guy is a criminal, a good one, he uses his charms to get other people to do the work for him and take the fall if something goes wrong." Emma tried to shrug the matter off with what she had read up on the guy. A couple of years ago she was set on his case but the trail went cold quickly. At least that was the official story.
Emma could sense the jealousy seep into the reply, "If you're so enamored and impressed, maybe you should've flirted with him."
The blonde smirked. She whirled to face the brunette by her side, and said, "Like you said, I'm taken. Plus, what kind of girlfriend would I be if I just left you all by your lonesome with these bad guys?"
Regina didn't have a ready response for this, and she looked away at some cheering coming from the door. As she saw who had arrived, she paled. "Shit."
Emma hadn't been expecting that as her answer, but followed her partner's gaze to the door, seeing the very handsome man coming inside. "Old flame?"
"Not exactly," Regina grumbled. "More like an old assignment."
This wasn't good news. "Let me guess. You arrested him and he hates your guts, and he has your face memorized so he could pick you out of a crowd, therefore ruining this entire operation?"
Regina could only nod meekly.
Emma glanced back. The man, who Emma recognized as the modern day skewed Robin Hood, pilfering from the rich to keep for himself or fund illegal projects, was making his way over to the bar, straight to where she and Regina were standing.
Thankfully he was talking animatedly with his companion and hadn't noticed them yet, leading Emma to make a split-second decision. She turned back to her panicked partner, grabbed her face, and pulled her into a kiss.
Regina barely had time to react, but to the surprise of both women, she melted into the kiss, rather than jump away horrified. Emma wanted to close her eyes and enjoy this, but kept a watch as the bandit passed right beside them - so close Emma could've stuck her leg out and tripped the guy - and didn't recognize Regina.
As Regina let out a moan, it seemed the sound brought the brunette back to reality and now she jumped back, cheeks flushed and eyes wide.
Well this was going to be an even more awkward evening than either had imagined.
Alright! Next up will be the end of the party plus the aftermath the next day.
This is pretty much a cop AU type of deal, just in case it wasn't clear.
Anyway! Let me know what you think, and like I said, the next chapter will be up soon!