12Mistakes are all mine. I'm so grateful you guys like it. I tried to make it a little bit longer this time around.
A Bounty Hunter after Her Heart
Chapter 2
It was precisely midnight and Emma found that she could neither sleep nor keep her mind off the woman she's now supposed to find. She tosses and turns in bed trying to forget or at least stop thinking about Regina, but failed at every attempt. When she had her eyes closed all she saw was the very image of the brunette smiling at her that morning, and yet if they were open, she seemed to do just the same. There was just no escaping, period. Having enough Emma slams both fist on the bed before sitting up and pulling away the sheets.
She heads for the kitchen and opens the fridge to find what seemed to be a sandwich at one point in its life and a carton of milk. She grabs it, and checked its content. Yeah, that's going in the trash.
Emma tosses the rotten milk in the trash and slams the fridge door close as she lets out a disgruntled huff. Nothing was going her way. She heads back to her room, grabs her keys, red leather jacket, and some cash with her mind set on getting something to eat or drink at a local store.
It was cold out, but that didn't deter the blonde from reaching her destination. No, Emma found herself once again preoccupied with Regina, and imagines how they would meet again. Does she do her job and arrest the brunette? Put the cuffs on Regina, but then that thought led to wondering what it would feel to be so close. Would she be able to resist her?
Ugh. Get ahold of yourself!
She shakes the thoughts quickly and enters the convenience store. A woman behind the counter welcomes her, and Emma nods in return as she proceeds to the aisle containing the cold beverages. She looks through her options.
Okay, here we go...hmm…let's see…we have grapefruit, fruit punch, mango, guava juice, apple…apple…
She licks her lips at the thought.
I bet her lips would taste like—
Emma shakes her head immediately upon where her mind was getting at…again, and settles on an orange juice instead. She was going to go buy it, go home, and take a much needed cold shower. Yes, that was the plan, but the moment she reaches for a juice a reflection of somebody familiar catches her attention. No…it couldn't be? Could it?
Emma's mind begins to race as she turns to follow the woman in question all the way to the corner of the aisle before skidding to a halt the moment the brunette starts to turn her way. She ducks for cover immediately. "That is definitely Regina."
She collects herself for a moment, thinking of a next move. "Your job Emma. DO your job! She's nothing special," Emma lies to herself, convinced of what is right.
With her mind made up concerning the brunette she begins to get up from a crouching position, and found the target gone. "Not again…" Emma laments, disbelief that for a second time lost her target, but from the corner of her eye she spots movement.
She checks the small gap between the store shelves that separates them, and without realizing it Emma's lip forms a smile. She studies Regina and appreciates the space that allowed her to watch without being seen. It was perfect, she's perfect…and if the sight before her wasn't enough to make her forget all the reasons why she believes it won't work between them then watching Regina biting her lower lip would.
Oh why don't you just kill me?
The brunette begins to move and Emma sees herself to be following along. She continues to study Regina, and find herself drawn most by those warm brown eyes. There was something about them, a feeling of authority and knowledge…and something else…
However, before she could continue her train of thought brown eyes landed on her bluish-green ones, and in a fraction of a second Emma is scrambling a way out of the situation. She hides in cover, wishing that she was anywhere but there.
She waits for a moment, sure that she had been caught. Maybe she didn't see me…oh who am I kidding?
Accepting defeat Emma gets up to reveal herself, but discovers for the third time that she lost Regina, again.
"Where'd she go?"
"Looking for me?"
Emma standstills. Oh—shit!
She was caught red handed, but that didn't mean that she wasn't going to try to smooth talk her way out of it. "Oh I was just looking for uh…for…uh…" Emma grabs a few items off the shelf that she had access to, "…these."
Regina stares her down and then tilts her head.
"Don't I know you?"
"NO!" Oh shit! Not good. Not good!
"I do!"
How can she know Mr. Gold hired me?
"You're the woman from the diner!"
" .yes!" Emma lets out a big sigh of relief, and starts to regain some sense of composure. "I am so sorry about that," she offers.
"It's quite alright. A matter of importance came up that needed my attention right away," Regina explains while Emma wished that the brunette had stayed instead. Perhaps they would be having a different conversation right now, but then what about her job? Emma continues to ask questions and runs through all possible scenarios in her head, forgetting the woman in front.
"Well it's getting late. I should be going," Regina announced before taking her leave, and grabbing back Emma's attention.
Regina was nearly out of sight before Emma was about to call out her name, but then the brunette turns to say, "In case it's positive, congratulations."
Huh? Emma doesn't understand those parting words, but everything made sense the instant she saw the boxes of different pregnancy test she grabbed from the shelf. Emma mentally kicks herself for finding another way to embarrass herself, but this time she runs after the brunette to explain.
It took a split second to find her. "Hey!' she yells, and Regina almost doesn't hear, but meets her gaze. Emma crosses the street, and the brunette jokes, "Do I have to worry about you stalking me?"
"What? Ha ha, no. I just wanted to explain that the thing back there. It's not mine."
The brunette looks at her quizzically.
"The pregnancy test—I mean um—it's not mine." Damn it Swan, stop acting like such an idiot.
Regina eyes her in silence for a second before saying, "Okay."
"Okay?"
"Yes."
"Okay then…good…" Emma wasn't sure what else she was expecting to happen. "As long as we're clear about that…I guess…ok, bye." The blonde then turns and walks away. Oh just die already.
"I don't believe I caught your name," Regina yells out, and the blonde wasted no time to answer. "Emma, my name's Emma Swan."
The brunette waits for some cars to pass through and crosses the street to meet the blonde. She ruffles through her purse, and then grabs hold of Emma's left hand to write something. It didn't take time for the bounty hunter to realize that it's a phone number.
Score!
All the feeling of foolishness and embarrassment disappeared in an instant as Regina introduces herself and further excites the blonde when she said, "Give me a call sometime Ms. Swan," and winks before turning around, swaying her hips while Emma watches.
Once the woman was out of sight Emma forgets or rather didn't care for whoever else can see her as she jumped and squealed for delight. Regina fucking Mills just gave me her phone number! Regina fucking Mills just gave me her fucking number to ask her out!
She starts to take her walk home, still singing the same tunes about Regina when it finally hits her that she still had a job to do.
Crap…
When Emma was out of view Regina sank both of her hands in her pocket, and kept on walking as another figure joined her. "Are you sure about her?"
"Positive. Emma Swan, blonde, bluish-green eyes, about your height—"
"Yes, yes, I can see that Jefferson," the brunette halts to a stop and turns to her friend, "but are you sure that she's a bounty hunter?"
"Yes?" He asked, unsure what answer Regina wanted to hear. He studies her reaction, starting to suspect something amiss.
Regina lets out a frustrated groan and begins to walk. Jefferson tilts his head before he picks up his pace to join the brunette and tested a theory. "You know there's no way my information can be wrong. I was with Mr. Gold the entire time he met with her. It's definitely that..." carefully choosing his words, "chick back there." Jefferson formed a grin the moment his friend no longer walk side by side with him.
"She has a name."
He rolls his eyes. Too easy.
"Why does it matter? She's the enemy here, the one you need to watch out for, remember?" He walks back to her, still with a smirk on his face. It wasn't every day that he got to see this side of the brunette, so he intends to enjoy every moment of it.
"I know that, but—"
"Oh don't tell me you like her."
When Regina made no response he added, "Do you?" Her utter annoyance showing Jefferson's eyes went big as he went in for the kill. "You dooo!"
"I do not!" Regina huffs in response and walks away.
"You definitely are infatuated with her," he intrepidly points out.
" .not."
"So what'd you write on her hand?" He asked, remembering the scene between two women just a few minutes ago. His cocky grin increased and infuriated the brunette even further as she was caught red handed.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, knowing it was a futile attempt. Nevertheless she refused to accept defeat or that smug look her friend had on his face.
"You asked her out."
"No."
"You totally did you saucy little minx!"
"I did not!"
"So what did you write?" He asked, daring the brunette to dig herself further down the hole.
Regina let out another groan before accepting defeat and admitted, "I gave her my phone number."
"I knew it! You really did ask her out."
"I did not. I simply gave her a number…to maybe…call me," she explains with a guilty sly smile.
"Same thing sweetie, but hey I think it's wonderful." He truly and honestly did which baffled the brunette.
"You think it's a good idea? How can you even think that? Gold sent her after me. I should be running the other way, not towards—"
"Hey! Hey!" Jefferson reaches in to embrace the brunette after starting to hear the panic in her voice. "It's okay. It's going to be okay."
"How?" It took everything inside Regina to hold the tears at bay. The last thing she needed right now was to show her vulnerability, but the attraction she felt for Emma Swan made her feel guilty.
"Everything will work itself out. I promise," Jefferson whispered and though he couldn't guarantee it, he knew that he would always protect her.
"You don't think I'm a horrible person for…" Regina paused, unsure of what she would call the instant attraction she felt for the blonde, "...for…"
"For wanting to be happy?" He asked meeting Regina in the eye. "Wanting something for yourself does not make you a bad person."
"At such a time like this? When all the stakes are so high?" She questions, not understanding how to justify her attraction towards Emma.
"Especially now! Listen, you're looking at this the wrong way. This woman, Emma Swan, she's the best at what she does. Maybe she can help."
Walking away from his hold Regina flat out rejects the idea of dragging anyone else into her problem.
"Just think about it. If she knew the real reason instead of what Mr. Gold thinks you did, then—"
"No, Jefferson, it's too dangerous already with you helping me. I won't risk putting anyone else's life in danger." They reach her temporary place and Regina takes out the keys from her purse to open it. They enter and Regina takes off her blazer and places it on the couch. She heads to the kitchen with Jefferson not far behind.
He takes two drinking glass from a cabinet while Regina grabs her famous apple cider. Jefferson takes hold of the drink, and pours some in the empty glass.
"I'm here because I want to be, not because I have to be." He hands Regina a drink as he leans back and takes a sip.
"And I thank you for that, but it's not fair dragging anyone else," she points out and takes a drink as well.
Jefferson didn't care. He was going to get Emma Swan to help, but before he could say something Regina's phone rang.
"Shit, is that them?" They both look at each other. The brunette wasn't sure, but she motions for Jefferson to remain quiet.
"Hello?"
"Hi Regina, it's me. I mean its Emma, Emma Swan."
"Emma?!"
Jefferson and Regina breathed out a sigh of relief. She hadn't expected for the blonde to give her a call tonight, to say the least she was taken by surprise at this turn of event. Jefferson on the other hand once more had the smug look on his face. He mouthed to ask the blonde out, but the brunette motions for him to be quiet for the second time.
"I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."
"I'm sorry. I um…did I call in a bad time?"
"No, it's alright. I just got home actually." Regina turns her back to Jefferson who wasn't hiding that he was eavesdropping as they continue their conversation.
"I was wondering if maybe, well perhaps…you'd like to go out. With me that is?"
Regina contemplates on an answer. She had given the blonde her phone number, but after the conversation with Jefferson made her unsure if that had been a right choice.
"Um…to dinner. That is…that is if you want to."
The brunette remains quiet and undecided.
"Yes!" Jefferson yells and Regina jumps at his audacity to answer for her. Fortunately for Regina, the change in the voice didn't register to the blonde who anxiously waited for a reply.
"Yes?"
Regina's attention goes back to the other person at the end of the line. "Yes." She shakes her head at the realization that this wasn't a dream. It's really happening. She just agreed to go on a date with the bounty hunter that Mr. Gold sent after her.
"Great! I'll pick you up at seven."
"Perfect!"
And with that they said their goodbyes and hanged up. Regina turns to face Jefferson, ready to release her anger for what he has done, and to wipe that cocky grin she knew he had again. Instead however, she hears him count to three before her phone rings once more. She picks it up while Jefferson placed his elbow on a table, rested his chin in cupped hands and watched.
"It's me again. I feel like such an idiot, but I forgot to ask where you live."
"Oh, I didn't even realize that myself."
Jefferson mouthed off a 'no-no' and Regina silently tells him to quit it, and focuses back on the call. She suggest that they meet at the restaurant instead, and Emma accepts. "I'll text you the information." And as Regina prepares to say goodbye she hears the other person at the end of the line call out to her.
"Yes?"
"I'm glad I called you."
The blonde couldn't see it, but Regina bit her lip at those words. "Me too."
They both end the conversation, and this time it wasn't just Jefferson who had a grin on his face.
Meanwhile at some point in time that Regina started conversing with Jefferson, Emma was struggling with her inner thoughts.
She wasn't sure what to do next. There were two options to choose from, neither one seemed to be an appropriate choice. She wanted to resist the brunette, but there was an incessant pull each time they met. It was new, scary, and exhilarating at the same time. What was she supposed to do? Forget her job? Emma felt more lost than she had that morning. Correction, the previous morning now. It was now some time pass midnight and the walk home seemed to be dragging forever than usual.
"Emma!?"
Her attention taken, she turns to see the old woman who owned the diner close to work. Wait, when did I get here? It was the opposite direction of home, and Emma slumps her shoulder at the irony of the situation.
She starts to walk back while the older woman spoke, "I have been you calling forever. Now, what is going on that you seem like a lost puppy?"
Emma lets out a huff before explaining, "It's nothing Grans."
"Nonsense! I know a look when I see one, and you my dear have it." Before the blonde could protest however, Granny had motioned for her to come inside the back entrance of the diner.
"It's really nothing serious," Emma tries again, knowing that at this hour is the time that the old woman was busy working, baking.
"Sit."
Emma doesn't object anymore by the look on Granny's face. "Now, are you going to tell me what's going on that little head of yours, or will I have to force it out of you?"
"It's just some silly little thing at work. I don't even know why I'm letting h-er-um-it bother me," she begins to explains, but Granny interjects and asked, "Does this it have a name?"
"Huh?"
"You listen to me Emma Swan. I have not lived all this time without knowing a thing or two about being in love with someone, and you—"
"Whoa! Whoa!" The blonde jumps at the insinuation. "Who said anything about being in love?"
Granny laughs at the younger woman's instant defensiveness, clearly proving her point. "You may not see it right now, but I assure you that whoever it is…don't let the person pass you by." Pausing for a moment she continues, "Time doesn't stop for anyone. I should know. I've said too many goodbyes in one lifetime."
It was true. Emma hadn't known the old woman for very long, but she knew of Granny's lost.
DING!
They both look towards the direction of the sound. It was the oven, signaling that it was done baking. Granny puts on her mittens and pulls out a fresh batch of bear claws. She takes a brown bag and places a couple inside before heading back and hands it to the blonde.
"Are these?" Emma looks inside and her stomach starts to growl at the sight and aroma. It was getting late, and she prepares to leave. The talk was short, but good. She knew what to do next.
Granny walks her out, but not before reminding the blonde of what she had said. "Oh and do tell Ruby to visit her only grandmother more often."
Emma agrees to do so, and takes her exit.
All alone, she takes her phone out and dials the brunette's phone number. If she was going to do this, then she had better do it now when she was still feeling courageous. At least that was what Emma kept reminding herself as she press the call button. Now, all that was waiting was for Regina to answer.
End of Chapter 2
I'm going to apologize in advance because I have the next chapter planned, but I will be busy.