Rebel on the Run

Chapter 5

Regina went home that night at ease knowing that Emma wouldn't be there. It was comforting to think she was safe. It also saddened her that the blonde wouldn't be in her shower, eating her food, and wearing her clothes. She knew she was falling for her, but she also knew nothing would come of it. Regina realized it was a long shot, but she thought that if someone could get Emma a shorter sentence, it was her oldest and dearest friend, Mal. Her real name is Malory, but since taking the job as public defender, her nickname became Maleficent. A nickname she loved so much that she refuses to go by Malory. If anyone did call her that, would regret it shortly after.

"Mal, I need you to do me a favor," Regina didn't even greet her, too wrapped up in what she was going to say to convince her to do it.

"What do you need? And you do realize that it's well past midnight, right?" If it were anyone else, Mal wouldn't have answered, but she knew her best friend wouldn't call her this late without good reason.

There was complete silence before Regina spoke. What she was asking was something she had never asked before. She wasn't sure how well it would go over between them. Mal took on impossible cases, ones no one in their right mind would take, and she had a damn good success rate. "I need you to defend someone that was just put into custody."

"Of course I'll take-"

It's for a serial killer," Regina cut her off, then waited for the wrath. She knew this wasn't going to be pretty.

Mal sighed loudly, making a point to prove her displeasure at this particular request. "Isn't this the same serial killer that you've been hunting down for the past 2 weeks? Why the hell do you want me to defend her? You know how well I do."

"I know your success rate, that's why I'm coming to you. Don't put that much thought behind it. Please, just take the case. Please, Mal?"

Regina sounded desperate, and Mal couldn't turn her down. Try as she might, her best friend had a way to get her to do things that she wouldn't do for anyone else. That's exactly how Regina got her to go skinny dip in the ocean in high school. There was also the time they egged Regina's ex boyfriend's house after she caught him cheating on her with the biggest slut in school. "Fine Regina, but only for you, and you have to be my plus one to Lily's wedding."

"I would've gone anyway. I am invited, you know?"

"Fine, then after this case is over, you owe me an explanation."

"Deal." Regina hung up the phone, and felt triumphant. She didn't think it would be that easy. On anyone else, it would've taken at least 2 hours of convincing, not that she was complaining. She was just curious, really. She decided to take a nice long hot shower, and go over everything that's happened between her and Emma over the last 2 weeks, in agonizing detail. There was nothing she could do now anyway.

-

Regina went to work bright and early. She wanted to let Emma know what was going to happen over the next couple days, plus she had a lot of paperwork to catch up on. She made her round, checking on all the people that were locked up all night. Mostly people that needed sobering up, and were being released today. She stopped at Emma's cell. "Hello." She tried to use a disinterested tone to convey she had no feelings for her. If someone looked in her eyes though, they would know she was faking.

"What do you want? I'm already locked up. What more could you want from me?" Emma was smart. She knew what Regina was doing, and quickly caught on.

"You're public defender will be here in 2 hours to go over the arraignment with you," And with that, she walked to her desk, decidedly working on her paperwork.