Wendy's Return

Chapter 9 ~ Connection*

It was early morning. The sun had yet to rise, coloring the town in indigo light. Emma Swan hauled herself up the stairwell of her apartment complex; the clacking from her work boots set off a few of the neighbors' pets, no doubt waking a good amount of the complex. She was too tired to care. Her limbs felt like dead weight. She hadn't slept in over twenty-four hours.

Yesterday she had been expecting a quiet, peaceful night. Henry had been with Regina. She had the evening to herself. She had intended to spend it kicking back on the couch with a glass of wine. To relax for a change.

She had just gone to get groceries when-

"FELIX! PLEASE!" Emma remembered the chill that went down her spine hearing Angela's bone chilling screams through the downpour. "FELIX, HELP ME!"

Emma's head throbbed at the memory, which was ironic considering what happened. She looked down at the pale skin of her palms as if expecting them to come back bloody. As if Angela's blood was still stained into her. As if she was still limp in her arms in the middle of the alleyway.

"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"

Emma didn't realize she had made it to her apartment door until she noticed someone was standing in front of it, waiting for her.

Emma's head throbbed more insistently upon the sight. "What are you doing here, Madam Mayor?"

Regina turned toward her with a serene smile carefully placed with burgundy lipstick. "Good morning to you too, Sheriff." Emma felt her pockets for the house key. Regina watched, slightly amused. "I heard about what a trying night you had and thought you could do with some nutrition alongside your caffeine addiction."

Regina held out a small white wicker basket, filled to the brim with an assortment of apples. Red, green, and yellow. Some of the tree limbs still clung to them, proof that they were not store bought and came directly from the mayor's proud garden. From her prized apple tree.

Emma turned to truly gawk at her. Hadn't this woman taken the hint? Didn't they hate each other? Regina took one look at her expression and let the charming facade drop. She thrusted the basket towards her, giving Emma no choice but to take hold of it.

"I know what you think of me, Miss Swan. I know we both can't stand each other."

"Then what is all of this?" Emma motioned towards the apples.

"A peace offering. Our last interaction was a bit..."

Regina had pushed her too hard that day. Emma had finally told her off. Told her the truth. That if she kept taking out her frustrations on Henry, if she kept hurting him, Emma would take her to court. She would fight to get custody of Henry.

Regina sighed, running her fingers through her perfectly styled hair. "I could see you meant what you said to me–"

"I do." Emma challenged her with the present tense of her sentiment.

They locked eyes. For one moment, no, not even a moment, a fraction of an instant she believed Henry. She felt a strange shock run across her arm. The closest thing that came to mind to describe it was an electric current.

For one moment, Emma was staring at the Evil Queen.

"Emma? Did you hear me?"

"No."

Regina gave an aspirated sigh. "I'm backing down. You can walk Henry to the bus before school. You can spend time with him on Fridays after school and Saturdays."

Emma wondered if she had it all wrong. If she was the one that fell on the pavement and cracked her head. Was she even awake? Did she already make it into her apartment, into her bed?