Tale of Two Swans

Ironically Alive

After Emma rather stupidly agreed for both of us to owe Mr.Gold a favor, we told Ashley the good news before bringing Henry home. After dropping him off I sat in the passenger seat, staring at the card Graham had given me earlier. Emma glanced at me as she drove and, catching her gaze, I sighed dramatically and tapped the card on the dash. "We're doing it."

She sighed, turning out of Henry's neighborhood. "Yeah, I know. Make the call." She mumbled, rolling her eyes when I poked her side. I dialed Grahams number, holding the phone to my ear as he picked up. 

"Jackie, hey." 

I smiled as he breathed out my name, echoing his greeting. "Graham, hey... I was going to say it's me but I forgot you already have my number saved in your phone." I mused, turning to wiggle my brows at Emma, making her shake her head. Grahams laugh had me biting my lip. "Yeah, it wasn't hard to tell who was calling when 'Jackie: Life Disrupter' showed up as the caller ID."

I grinned, fiddling with the business card. "Yeah, well, that's what you get for letting me put my contact in your phone. Besides, you put 'Prince Charming'. Rather cheesy, isn't it?" His laugh rumbled through the phone again. "Oh please, you love it." My grin turned cheeky, despite knowing he couldn't see it. "You know it. Anyways, Emma and I were thinking maybe some roots wouldn't be so bad... That deputy job still open?"

"Absolutely." He said quickly, the sound of him shuffling around being heard. Emma and I shared a look as I nodded to her. "Then we're in. Is Regina gonna be okay with this?" He scoffed quietly, "I don't care, it's my department. I'll see you Monday morning." I smiled, surprised but pleased with his response. "Ok, I'll see ya." I say, hanging up shortly after. 

"We'll."

I glance at Emma, "What?" She chuckled, "We'll see him." I scowled as my cheeks began to feel warm. "Right, I know that."

~~

~Graham's POV~

"Then we're in. Is Regina gonna be okay with this?"

Graham scowled, scoffing quietly as he glanced at the bathroom door that he knew Regina was behind. "I don't care, it's my department." The sheriff bit out before he could stop himself, swallowing as he reigned in his unexpected anger. "I'll see you Monday morning."

"Ok, I'll see ya." Jackie responded, hanging up shortly afterwards. He sighed, looking at his now black phone screen. Regina walked out of the bathroom, grabbing her bag as she headed for the door. 

"I have to go. Henry's expecting me home at 5:00. But I'll see you again, at the next council meeting." She said cheekily, sending him a smirk as he blankly looked up at her. "Oh, and don't forget, you left your socks under the bed." She purred, putting on her heels and leaving his apartment. He stared blankly at the door as it closed, his hands fiddling with his phone. What am I doing? 

He sighed, slowly setting his phone aside as his mind started to spiral. He couldn't help but repeat the same thought over and over as he bent down and grabbed his socks from under his bed. What am I doing? What am I doing? What am I doing?  His heart started to beat faster in his chest, and he swallowed thickly as he tossed his socks towards the laundry basket in the corner. He ran a hand through is hair, wincing slightly at the knots that caught on his fingers.  

What am I doing?

"I need to figure out how to end things." He muttered to himself, pacing to his bathroom. Because truthfully, Graham had no idea why he was with Regina. He had no idea how he had even gotten involved with her in the first place. It was like he couldn't help it, in the worst way. He hopped in the shower before the water had even turned warm, suddenly desperate to erase her touch.