The Double Life Of Regina Mills

Chapter 5

It was Friday, Regina was sitting behind her desk back straight like she was raised not really listening to Snow talk about the need for a bigger budget for the educational system. It was that time of year to review the monetary allocation for the different programs around the town. Sydney was arguing with Snow about how the journalists needed the money more than the educational system,”Journalists? Plural?” Snow asked as she raised her squeaky voice. “You’re the only journalist there! Plus I’d use the word journalist very loosely.”

“Well, if we had more money I could hire another one or two!” The dark skinned man snapped back.

The debates between representatives of the different programs had been going on for almost an hour. The mayor made a mental note that Emma had been sitting in her chair vaguely following the discussion. She’s been too quiet, Regina thought to herself, concerned about what was distracting the sheriff. “Enough!” She had had enough of the childish bickering between her ex-nemesis and her ex-lackey. “I’ve heard everyone’s arguments for more funding, I’ll make my decision soon on who gets what. Good afternoon everyone.”

Just as Emma was rising from her seat and gathering her paperwork she heard, “Ms. Swan, will you remain behind? I need to speak with you.”

It took all of a couple of minutes for the other occupants to clear out of the room leaving the two women alone.

As Regina closed and locked the door, Emma gazed at the mayor, remembering the sight of her olive skin on show for the camera. God I need to get laid. “Yeah I need to talk with you too.”

That statement garnered the brunette’s attention. Strolling back to her desk Regina sat in her ergonomic chair not knowing how to broach the subject she needed to discuss. “How about I go first?”

“Okay,” Was all the blonde responded with, drawing the word out.

Clearing her throat the older woman simply blurted out, “I’m being blackmailed and I need your help.”

Wide forest-green eyes searched chocolate brown ones for deceit and finding none the sheriff stuttered, “Uh….ummm….blackmailed? Why and  by who?”

“Well that’s what I need help with. I need you to find out who it is, Ms. Swan.”

Sensing she was holding something back Emma questioned, “Why are you being blackmailed though? What aren’t you telling me Regina?”

The brunette cleared her throat again summoning courage, “I think it’s time to let you know the truth about where I go when I leave Storybrooke.”

“I figured you weren’t going to conventions, however I also figured that if you wanted me to know you’d tell me. I respect you and your privacy too much to pry.” The younger woman confessed.

With a small thankful smile Regina admitted, “I thank you for that and I want you to know I didn’t not tell you because I was ashamed of it but because of other reasons I don’t want to get into just yet.”

“So where are you going?” The sheriff snapped, getting irritated.

“Before I tell you that I want you to know that I wasn’t getting what I wanted, no….what I needed in this tiny town.”

Getting impatient all Emma replied with was, “Alright.”

“I’m just going to come out and say it.”

As the blonde’s knee was bouncing in anticipation she made the universal sign for ‘Well, spit it out already’ with her hands.

“Here it goes…” She took a deep breath and sputtered uncharacteristically, “I do adult films on occasion and someone, some creep, found out. That’s who is blackmailing me.” Emma tried her best to act shocked but her face and body language betrayed her. Taking in the sheriff’s subdued body language and facial expression she inquired, “Why don’t you look surprised?”