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Chapter Nine: Operation Cheetah-Day Nine

Rewritten: 13/08/2020
Updated: 16/3/2021

When they had returned from their weekend of camping two days ago, it was all Henry could talk about to anyone that would listen. He had given Snow and David play-by-play of everything they had done and then made David promise that they could go on a boys camping trip sometime.

It pained Emma to see Henry excited, trying to make plans with her in the future because she knew she wouldn't be here much longer; her heart was still set on leaving the small town. She knew the only chance to get her to stay was if Regina had something big up her sleeve, but Emma was scared that even that wouldn't be enough.

As much as she preferred to spend time with Regina and Henry, she knew it was unfair on Snow and David if she didn't spend a little time with them before she left. So Emma had gathered everyone in Granny's for lunch.

The conversation between her and her parents had been scarce because they knew everything that happened in the town, so even talking to them about work was hard. She tried to force herself to tell them about leaving town, but she could already picture the disappointment on their faces each time she worked up the nerve.

"Have you seen much of your mom since the trip?" Emma asked.

Henry slurped the last of his milkshake, "No."

Emma waited until everyone had finished their lunch before she left. She told Henry to stay with Snow and David before leaving some cash to cover her part of the bill. She walked out of the diner and jumped into her car, and drove towards the mansion.

The fact that neither she nor Henry had heard from Regina since their trip worried Emma; she didn't like that Regina was on her own most of the time. The brunette didn't have many friends, and it seemed like the only people interested in being around her were her and Henry.

As she walked up to the mansion, she could hear music getting louder, and she thought about leaving, not wanting to interrupt whatever Regina was doing. Curiosity got the better of her because she knocked on the door and waited for Regina to answer the door.

When Regina opened the door, Emma thought she had gotten the wrong house. The woman in front of her wore light-blue denim overalls, one of the straps was broken, so the front drifted down, giving Emma a beautiful view of the sports bra Regina was wearing. Regina's hair was tied up in a bun, and she was wearing glasses just like Emma had worn as a teenager.

"Emma," Regina said softly, taking her glasses off and setting them on top of her head, "Is Henry okay?"

"Uh... he's fine," Emma's eyes scanned over Regina's appearance; she had never seen the former mayor look less regal, but Emma loved it. "I came to check on you. I haven't seen you since the trip, so I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

"Come in," Regina stepped to the side to allow room for Emma to pass. "What can I do for you, Swan?"

Emma's mind went blank; her only intention was to make sure that Regina was okay, and now that she had seen her, she didn't want to leave. "I'm taking you out," she blurted. When she saw the shock on Regina's face, she corrected herself, "I took Henry on a trip, so I think it's your turn."

"Where?"

"Where's your favourite place?"

Regina knew her favourite place was currently inaccessible; her childhood stables back in the enchanted forest had always been the place for her to get away from her obsessive mother and relax. The only place she had to relax in Storybrooke was one that she hadn't shown anyone, not even Henry.

"I can't–"

"Come on," Emma nudged Regina's shoulder with her own, "It's me," Emma wasn't sure why being herself was going to help her; if anything, it usually antagonised the situation, but she was surprised when Regina turned on her heels.