Hello From the Outside

Chapter 4

*The night of the accident*

"Wait Regina let me get this straight. You mean to tell me you've never been on a date?"

Regina shook her head. "That is correct Emma, Unless you call sneaking out with your beloved to sit under a tree a date."

Emma chuckled as she nodded, taking a sip of her beer. "Regina?"

The brunette looked up from her glass. "Yes?"

"Who was your beloved?"

The brunette paled and shook her head she spoke in a soft voice "I'm sorry Emma I just can't talk about him with you just yet"

"You don't trust me?"

"I.. Can we just let this go for now?"

Emma shook her head "No Regina we have been friends for like 2 years, you should trust me by now"

Regina scowled and her fiery eyes caught sea green ones "You think this is easy for me?!"

"What being my friend? Wow that's really cold Regina, even for you"

The brunette grounded her teeth together "No you idiot, talking about him"

"Look I just want you to know you can tell me anything ok? I won't repeat it to anyone"

Regina nodded and stood up from her chair across from Emma, she gave the blonde a forced smile. "I'm terribly sorry dear but I'm really tired and I should be going to bed"

"You..You want me to leave?"

The brunette nodded once again "Yes dear, long day tomorrow"

Emma swallowed down the feeling of rejection, and reciprocated the forced smile. "Ok Madam Mayor, see you tomorrow?"

Regina nodded and watched as Emma grabbed her red leather jacket, slipping it on before slipping out the door.

*SCREEEK ...THUMP*

Regina's ripped open her front door No, no, no not again. Please

*Present Day*

Emma continued her pacing, thinking about that night. Frustrated that she couldn't touch Regina. Well at least she can hear me now right? Small accomplishments

The blonde cleared her throat and sat back down next to Regina.

"Regina it's ok"

The brunette shook her head "No Emma it's not, everyone I care about leaves me and I forced you to go home that night. Me, I killed you"

Emma grit her teeth together and kneeled in front of Regina that way mocha orbs could see the sincerity in her green ones. "No Regina you did not kill me. The driver did. I pushed you too hard that night and I see that now. Do not blame my death on yourself. Please"

Regina's breath was coming in hiccups and she stared into Emma's eyes and nodded.

"Ok Emma" she breathed out, and smiled warmly at the blonde.

"There's that smile, I've been waiting for that smile" Emma smiled when she saw a faint blush on the wet cheeks.

Daniel smiled and spoke up from where he was standing in the room. "She's in good hands with you"

Emma bit her lip and nodded "Of course she's my best friend"

Daniel gave the blonde a knowing look, and sat beside Emma looking into Regina's curious eyes "Tell her to let me go" 

"What?!" 

"She can't hold onto me forever, and I'm really tired. I know she's in good hands now so I'm not worried" 

Emma took a shuddering breath "Regina. He said to let him go" 

Regina's jaw dropped and she stuttered, trying to form words but nothing was coming out. She had never even thought of letting Daniel go, he was all she had. She shook her head vigorously, almost like a child who didn't want to eat their vegetables. 

Emma sighed "Regina" she whispered "It's gonna be OK, I'll always be here" Regina's sad eyes stared into Emma's welcoming and warming ones.

"Thank you Emma" she smiled sadly 

"What for?"

Regina got really serious, her smile dropping "For being friends with someone like me"

Emma shook her head "Someone like you? Seriously Regina? You're one of the bestest friends I've ever had, I was honestly waiting for a slumber party invite"

They both laughed a few minutes, the laughter dying down slowly

"Is.. Is he still here?"

Emma looked around the study, seeing no one she caught eyes with Regina and shook her head and shook her head solemnly "No"

Regina let out a sad watery smile and managed to croak out.  "I finally let him go"

TBC