Gamble Until You Can't

38

A long and stressful week past leaving Emma to arrive back in Las Vegas, the place she'd not set foot in since she left. She was sat in the taxi, growing more and more nervous as she sat. She was so confused why Regina invited her to come stay for a month before the wedding day. No one but Regina knew why Emma was here. The taxi soon pulled up at the large gate, being granted access at Regina's approval, before driving around towards the mansion. As the building came into view, every memory from being there filled her mind.

"We are here, madam" the taxi driver said, parking the car next to the building.

"Thank you, keep the change" she said, handing him a few notes as her eyes locked on the mansion. Emma climbed out the car, grabbed her case from the back and stood staring at the place. The taxi drove away, leaving her just stood looking at it. "How am I back here"

Emma walked up to the door, pushed the doorbell that was heard in every room in the mansion. Regina sat up more at the sound of it, swallowing as she knew who it was. The butler opened the door and gave Emma a smile, welcoming her into the building.

"Hello, Miss Swan. We've missed you" Patrick happily said, smiling politely as he gave a formal nod.

"I missed you too, Pat" Emma said with a big smile, pulling the butler into her arms.

As they started pulling away, the sound of footsteps running down the stairs was heard. Emma looked to see Yun sprinting down the large staircase with a smile. As she got to Emma, she wrapped her arms around her and lifted her off the ground.

"I've missed you so much" she exclaimed in such a happy and relieved tone to her voice.

"Oh me too" Emma added with a sigh of relief, relaxing more into the woman's grip.

Yun placed her down in time for Oxana to get to them, hugging her just as tight as the last. This happened with all of the gamblers except Isabella and Regina. As Emma slipped out of mason's arms, she looked round at the group with a smile. Emma noticed Isabella wasn't there, looking at Yun confused.

"If you're looking for Bella, she's out of town today but will be back soon" Yun replied with a chuckle, knowing exactly what she was talking about.

The sound of heels clicking down the stairs was heard, piercing Emma with the familiar sound. Her head turned towards them, seeing the brunette she was so scared to see. Regina looked different but Emma couldn't figure out why, she was just not the same. Regina stood at the bottom of the stairs, gave a half smile to the blonde and locked eyes with her.

"Hello, Miss Swan" Regina formally said, sounding as if she had only just met the woman.

"Hi" Emma awkwardly replied, giving a smile that matched the brunettes temporary one.

"How have you been" Regina asked, reluctantly taking a step closer into the awkward tension.

"Not too bad, you" Emma questioned back, not sure what to say to this woman right now.

"Quite well. I have to go, I have to do and a wedding to plan. Your room is the one you use to stay in, have a good day all of you" Regina politely said, quickly turning on her heels to go towards her office.

"Whoa" Emma sighed in relief she was gone, feeling the awkward tension off her shoulders.

"Jeez, that was some heavy tension" Tarquin said with a shocked look, unsure why he was surprised by it.

"She seems so different" Emma said with a confused look, still not sure what's off about her.

"Regina's very different" Isabella said, making her presence known in the doorway. Everyone turned round to see her, the annoyed look plastered on her face. "That addiction she had, it got so much worse and she got a knew addiction" Isabella continued in an annoyed tone, hinting about Regina's drinking problem.

"Issy" Emma simply said, seeing the hurt in her eyes that she tried to hide.

Emma pulled the girl into a hug, knowing how much she missed this girl. Emma could see the pain Isabella felt for Regina, not being able to help your best friend is awful. As the girls spilt, everyone was looking at Emma.

"Do you know why your here? No one knows" Heidi asked, placing her hand against the blondes shoulder.

"I don't either. Regina never does anything without a reason, granted her reasons aren't always the best but she always has on. We have to trust her on this" Emma replied, not sure if she is telling herself or the others.

Meanwhile, Regina was stood outside her office, taking long and deep breaths to calm herself down. She pushed her hands through her hair and fixed her outfit, heading into her office. As she walked in, Anita was sat at her desk on her phone.

"What are you doing? I thought you were out" Regina asked, catching the attention of her fiance.

"I was but I came back earlier than planned" Anita replied, smiling up at the brunette in the doorway.

"Well jump up, I have to do some work" Regina tiredly asked, looking as if she didn't give a shit about the woman's return.

"Come sit on my lap and do it" Anita said with a smirk, tapping her lap for the brunette.

"No, get off my chair" Regina demands, looking down at the annoying woman.

"I'd asked what's got your nickers in a twist but we both know your not wearing any" Anita said with another smirk, sliding her hands up Regina's leg. The brunette just looked annoyed, grabbing her fiance's hand and pulling her off her seat. As Anita stumbled away, Regina sat down and tucked herself into her desk. "Really, Gina"

"Yeah, really. Now leave, I'm working" Regina said with a stern voice, not bothering to look towards her.

Anita looked annoyed, yanking the brunette chair to spin and face her. Regina frowned confused but soon felt a hard slap across her cheek. She looked annoyed, kicking her leg out to hit Anita's shin. They were both angry now. Anita leaned down and forcefully pulled Regina's face to kiss her, both going deep but still no passion. Regina then pushed her face off and turned back to her desk, getting on with her work quickly.

"I'll see you later" Anita simply said, heading towards the door and leaving.

Regina sighed in relief, wiped her lips and relaxed in her chair. She found herself doing this daily, fighting and making out with Anita. She opened her draw and took out a glass, a bottle of whisky and a small bag of white powder. She poured herself a drink while using her other hand to tip the powder out. Regina used her card and made it into a line, quickly sniffing it all up off her desk. She then chucked back her drink and slouched onto the chair.

"This is my life now"