Operation Red Fox

Chapter Seven: Bleeding Through

A/N: I have returned from the dead. Enjoy this very long chapter.

***

Emma had gone out earlier in the morning to get breakfast, though it was her own definition of breakfast. Meaning she was bringing back surgery donuts, bagels with thick cream cheese, and three cups of hot chocolate. To Regina it was dessert, but Emma had offered, and she couldn't refuse.

Henry had gone along with her, and Regina couldn't help but think he was pulling away. Maybe he didn't like Storybrooke after. It was boring compared to the big apple. Maybe he didn't like her. It wasn't like she was able to show off her magic or love him how she truly wanted to. Had she not been getting more confused about her relationship with Emma, Regina would have called off the whole thing by now.

While she waited for Emma and Henry to get back, Regina got dressed. A tight blue dress with a zipper that went around her waist with black stockings underneath and her favorite black heels to match. She put a deep berry lipstick on too, even though it would just come off once she ate.

Making her way downstairs to set the table, she heard a knock at the door. She made a bet in her head it was Snow coming to ask intrusive questions about her and Emma. She couldn't be the only one who noticed the strange looks Snow gave her, but apparently, she was.

To her surprise though, when she opened the front door, she wasn't met by a person but instead a basket of green apples.

Scanning her front yard, she tightened her lips and took in a deep breath to keep herself from tearing up the town to look for her insipid sister.

She grabbed the basket against her better judgment, suspecting one of them was poison, and slammed the door behind her. Only then did Zelena make an appearance. She sat on the dining room table, posture straightened by her heightened pride.

"A gift. From sister to sister," she said.

Regina set the basked down on the counter and crossed her arm over her chest. "What are you doing here?"

"I saw your poor excuse for a tree and I thought you could use something better." She picked up a red apple from the middle of the table that Regina had grown. "Red apples are so sickly sweet, don't you think? People tend to like something... a little sharper."

Regina shot up her eyebrow, finding a riveting yet anger-inducing joy in their banter. "And green apples are just... bitter." She followed Zelena as she walked into the living room and started getting her slimy green hands on all of Regina's possessions. "That's not yours," Regina said, now more annoyed than entertained.

Zelena rolled her eyes and put the candle back down. "Story of my life.

"Zelena, why are you here? Battle royale round two?"

"One fight is enough. Besides, I need you to be at your best for what I have planned. You need to see me succeed. I'm here for sisterly concern, sisterly advice, you know. I wanted to make sure you were all right after our little showdown."

"I'm fine. Great, actually Are you? Not that I care."

"Aw, I love when you worry about me. I'm getting there," Zelena said as she sat down on the white sofa. "This is nice. So luxurious."

"If you stain my nice couch green, then I'll have to throw water on you and my carpet will get stained."

Rolling her eyes, Zelena crossed her legs and spread her arms out over the couch. "You really don't appreciate what you have, do you?"

"Right. Because I got everything and you have nothing. If you want your superpower to be envy, go right ahead. At least you'll succeed at something."