The Other Swan Sister

Chapter 31

A whole 48 hours has gone by since you last saw Regina and the lack of knowing whatever the hell is going on is killing you.
Emma refuses to tell you much of what is going on out in town because she knows you'll just have to go out and get involved. It's like quarantining in your own house, waiting for the hours to just go by.
You and Emma still, begrudgingly, share a bed and you notice she doesn't seem to have slept yet.
"Em?" You whisper into the darkness.
You notice a rustle next to you.
"What?" She blurts at a regular volume.
"Jesus Christ! You scared the shit out of me." You both can't help but laugh at your sudden jump.
"Sorry." She whispers. "What is it?"
"Can you tell me what's going on? Please!" You moan at her out of annoyance.
"No. You know I can't. Regina is fine, if that's what you're worried about."
"I'm just so bored." You groan and slam your hands down on your sides.
"Well, would you rather be bored or in the clutches of the witches." Emma sarcastically responds.
"Honestly..."
"Don't answer that." She finalises. "Go to bed and stop worrying. Regina can handle more than herself."
"I know." You sigh and turn over in defeat.

Henry and Mary-Margaret are at school.
David and Emma are at the station.
There's nothing to do.
You managed to convince Emma to text you if you can go out for a run or at least a walk at some point today. There's no harm in pretending to be part of the town and blend in, right?

You can go for a run, now. You've only got an hour.
Perfect.

You run way out into the forest, far enough to reach the lake that you and Regina both love so much. You can't help the deep disappointment you feel at the realisation she's not here. Somehow you secretly hoped she'd know you were going there and be able to see you.
After a few quiet moments spent going over what could possibly be going on right now and what Regina's doing, you run back the long way.
Coming up the the docks and passing the big warehouses, you notice two women strutting out of one with rather extravagant outfits on.
Your heart drops.
Is this them?
Is Regina with them?
Could they be up to something she doesn't know about?
They stop in their tracks to watch you run past, keeping a distance and you eye them up hastily in a challenge before continuing on your journey. You notice them utter something under their breath between each other. Hopefully your little stare off didn't spark too much interest.

You stop at Granny's, grabbing a coffee before your dreaded return to what will soon be known as prison, instead of home.
As you exit the diner, you notice the same two women accompanied by none other than Regina, walking up to the entrance. You consciously try to stop your heart from leaping into action and keep your head down this time, despite the desperate urge to see your favourite brunette. You notice eyes on you as you pass the group but don't dare to meet them.
Maybe it's Regina enjoying your little workout sports bra and leggings, or maybe it's those two women sizing you up and taking guesses on who you are.
The feeling of not knowing unsettles you beyond measure and the adrenaline coursing through your veins puts you off your coffee completely.
"Excuse me, darling?" You hear a thick English accent call out to you.
You try to act as nonchalantly as you can, hiding your face by sipping your coffee, even though it's way too hot. Only then do you notice Regina paused in the doorway, waiting for whatever the two women could ask you.
"Do you know where Mr Gold's shop is?" The other blonde lady adds in, her eyes drinking up your body as she does so.
You suddenly feel the urge to cover yourself and become slightly uncomfortable, you know that Regina notices because her jaw twitches.
"It's just down the street there on the left." You answer politely before giving a nod and running back home.
"Thank you, sweetheart." The blonde lady mutters in response, though you've darted off before you could hear her. "She's pretty, don't you think, Regina?" Maleficent taunts, unaware of the truth behind the statement.

You arrive home with your heart still beating wildly in your chest, shutting the door quickly and resting on it before finally finding the urge to continue.
"Good afternoon, m'lady." You hear a familiar voice shoot through you. "What's got a lady like you so uptight on this fine day?" He teases.
"What are you doing here?" You roll your eyes at the smug pirate.
God, did you wish Emma had just continued sleeping with Graham.
"Pleasure to see you too, Swan." He smirks, which only pisses you off even further.
"Aren't you supposed to be out somewhere? You know, like, on the ocean... far away?" You continue with your plans of making yourself lunch.
"I'm sure you'd like that, wouldn't you?" He teases once again, you give him a sarcastic smile in return. "I'll have whatever you're having."
You put your utensils down dramatically and turn to him with a look that could kill; a skill you've picked up from Regina.
"Too bad, Captain Hook." You smugly tease in return. "I'll stick a piece of bread on your spike at best."
"Are you still seeing Regina?" He ignores your comment.
"Are you still seeing my sister?" You toss the question back at him.
"I am indeed. You didn't answer my question."
"Because it's none of your business, guyliner." You spit the words at him.
"So that's a yes. I would've never put the two of you together... you're wasted on her." he digresses and you lose your patience.
"And I would have never put you with my sister because, honestly, anyone in this town is better than you. And god knows she's out of your league, in all aspects. You're a scumbag." You stare him down and only when you've finished speaking do you notice- Emma stood in the doorway.
Great.
"Emma..." You begrudgingly take it back.
"After all the shit you give me for asking you about Regina. I said I would accept and give her a chance for you. Yet you stand there and leap down Killian's throat."
"It's not like that, Em- he just says stuff."
"And Regina tried to kill our parents for years." She responds, crossing her arms across her chest. "You think that's much better?"
"I'm going out." You grab your coat and storm away.
"You can't." Emma grabs your arm firmly to stop you.
"Don't touch me." You spit, pulling your arm from her grip and staring deep into her eyes. "I can look after myself."

You head straight for Regina's house. With a head full of steam and a heart that has been missing her for what feels like forever.
Even if she's not home, at least you tried and felt somewhat near to her. The lake would be your next resort.
Your feet carry you up the driveway and your body knocks on the door, despite your brain screaming at you to just turn around.
The door swings open to reveal a rather dramatic looking Regina, though her face drops dramatically at the sight of you. The blood drains from her face, as it does yours.
"Ivy..." she whispers, careful to step out and slightly close the door behind her. "What are you doing? What's wrong?" She goes to touch you but stops herself dead in her tracks.
"I'm sorry." You whisper, holding back a sob at the release your heart feels with her presence. "I just needed you. I shouldn't have-" you continue before you hear another voice call from inside.
"Who is it, Regina?" A familiar English accent calls, becoming louder.
The adrenaline rush hits you again and you look to Regina for guidance, she looks equally panicked.
"Oh, it's no one. Just one of the teacher's from the school in town." Regina falters, plastering a fake smile onto her face hastily.
"What does she want?" The eccentric lady props her head nosily, between the door and Regina's form, examining you.
"Oh, it's you." She says almost familiarly.
"She looks too young to be a teacher." The older blonde saunters from behind, urging Regina to open the door further.
She's not gonna be happy with me for this.
"Oh, well... I studied straight out of school." You try your best to act natural.
"Why don't you come in for a drink? Regina makes a lovely apple cider."
"No, actually, she was just leaving."
"I was just about to go."
"Nonsense. You have enough for another, don't you, Regina?"
Regina stops for a moment, understanding what she's now got herself into.
"I'm sure I could pour another glass." She says cooly.
You smile falsely, hiding the complete panic behind your eyes.
"Thank you."