A.N. For Swan Queen Week .. Roommates ..

(the lyrics mentioned in this story is from the song, Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers) :)

~sqsqsqsq~

First they are drinking buddies. Then, conspirators in Operation Mongoose. And then somehow, Emma finds herself living with Regina and Henry inside the white mansion. More often than not, the couch is where Emma will fall asleep instead of her freshly renovated room. A previous guest bedroom that Regina had insisted needed a new coat of paint as well as Emma's much needed opinion on curtains and bedding.

Despite how comfortable the queen sized bed is, somehow the plush couch is where Emma finds herself most nights, with the dim glow of the television acting as a night light and a sleeping Regina curled up on the other end. Sometimes, Emma will awaken in the middle of the night and mute the television so the steady sound of Regina's breathing can lull her back to sleep.

And sometimes, Regina will wake up in the early morning hours to place an extra blanket over Emma, while pressing a quick kiss to her forehead, before heading up to her own bed.

After a few months of this new living arrangement, Operation Mongoose seems to get pushed farther and farther onto the proverbial back burner. Henry stops bringing it up to either woman, after he witnesses a few mornings of, Regina humming, as she makes breakfast for Emma and Emma in turn, absently brushing a kiss along Regina's cheek, before heading to the station.

The kid starts studying his two moms or rather their interactions with one another more intently and Operation Mongoose turns into Operation Swan Queen in his intuitive mind. Henry doesn't need to find the author to tell him what his Mom's Happy Ending entails. It is playing out right in front of him and he knows, it's only a matter of time before his two mom's figure it out as well.

~sqsqsqsq~

It isn't all colorful rainbows and pretty butterflies though. Regina and Emma still bicker. The only difference is now it is laced with borderline flirting and lingering looks. Any subtle reason Emma has to graze light fingertips along Regina's back or for Regina to glide a hand along Emma's arm, and both women seize it. These innocent touches begin to occur more and more.

Henry chuckles softly to himself as he witnesses this dance the two women are sharing. His eyes shine bright and a smile forms that can quite possibly light up the entire town of Storybrooke. Electricity be damned.

~sqsqsqsq~

What really sets this under foot is when Snow and Charming notice it. And more importantly, when Hook does.

Unfortunately, for his own sake and ego, the pirate never quite learned to take a hint and it isn't until he has the ultimate misfortune of falling upon an eyewitness account that it all becomes crystal clear to him.

He watches with bated breath as Emma comes into view walking with Regina and Henry. Henry, who conveniently jogs a few paces ahead, leaving the space between his two mothers empty and promising. Sure enough, it doesn't take long for Emma and Regina to move closer toward another as they continue to walk. Regina's eyes shine as Emma says something, that makes her lean closer into the blonde. Emma slides a hand smoothly along the older woman's lower back and lets it rest there, as she guides them both up the stairs, and into Granny's Diner.

Hook grits his teeth and sucks in a breath as he realizes, the chemistry and ease these two women have with one another is no match for him. Emma hasn't returned his calls in weeks and when they do stumble upon one another face to face, she always glances away, with a rushed excuse and an even quicker exit.

He knew Emma moved in with Regina to offer moral support after Robin's departure and also so Henry could be closer to Regina during this time but somewhere, somehow things had shifted and he was now seeing first hand Emma Swan and Regina Mills completely smitten with one another.

The pirate flips open his mini telescope to get a closer glimpse and sighs heavily, as he watches Swan and Mills, as they choose to sit next to each other, with Henry across from them, in the cozy booth. He winces as he sees, Regina laugh into the crook of Emma's neck, as Emma drapes an arm around her shoulder. Shutting his telescope swiftly, he walks away with only one thought in mind. How to get his bloody ship back?

~sqsqsqsq~

Regina and Emma both lean over the jukebox, standing so close together that a piece of thread couldn't be wedged between them, when they decide on a song choice. Or rather Emma has decided while Regina tries to stop her fingers from hitting, A 30.

"Whoa .. my love .. my darlin' .. "

The lyrics fill the room and Emma pulls Regina and Henry into a group dance, swaying them both to the music. A group dance that Henry quickly disentangles himself from with a mumble of being thirsty, as he backs slowly away from his two moms.

Of course, it is this inopportune time that Snow and Charming enter the diner, the bell signalling their arrival, silenced from the sweet music that is captivating the room.

"God-speed your love to me .. "

Emma spins Regina and then dips her gracefully as she brings the woman back up into her arms, with lips just inches away ...

Henry holds his breath. Finally.

And then the bubble pops as Regina and Emma are pulled roughly apart by a shrieking Snow. And much to Henry's dismay, Snow and Charming manage to throw a huge bucket of ice cold water over the beautiful dance that he had been skating around.

Henry slumps his shoulders. Damn, so close.

The kid sighs deeply, as Snow's voice turns to an over zealous shrill that only dogs can probably hear and David crosses his arms with a stern glare in his eye. For once, Henry is grateful they aren't all back in the enchanted forest, where a trusty sword would have been equipped to his grandfather's waist. But then, his eyes fall upon the gun that is holstered along the man's hip and he gulps.

So, Henry does what he does best. He jumps into the line of fire with hands held up and an all knowing wisdom, pouring from his voice. And it helps, a little anyway.

He manages to convince everyone in the confused group that it was a pure celebration of sorts. He had gotten his first role in the school play. Lead role. His parents .. um .. his two mothers were just showing him how to dance. He will need to learn this for his all important part, after all.

Snow sighs a breath of relief that could quite possibly be able to blow the little piggies straw house down and Charming nods his head once, twice. Curious eyes still roam between his daughter and the once Evil Queen. He's secretly not buying his grandson's outburst for a second. He knows love when he sees it, and he knows, he will have to be the sounding board sooner rather than later for Snow's inevitable freak out.

He steps between the two women and peruse the song choices as he boasts to Henry of his and Snow's dancing credentials.

Henry sends thanks to all the small fairies up in the night sky that his ruse worked, as he watches his two moms come together once more, this time to a much more faster beat as Snow and Charming dance next to them. Henry yelps a little as he is pulled into the mix and tries to keep up with the pace.

~sqsqsqsq~

Henry notices the difference between his mom's the next morning, however. There is no breakfast and coffee, just how Emma likes it, brewing. And there is no peck on Regina's cheek, as she reads the paper, Emma had brought in for her. The morning newspaper is in fact, still laying on the front stoop, as Henry steps over it.

Regina's car is gone from the driveway and Emma is just waking up, brushing the sleep from her eyes, in her rarely used bed.

Henry moves the weight of his book bag onto his other shoulder and with a sad glance up at the house, he begins his walk to school.

~sqsqsqsq~

The next few days follow the same way until one night, it just goes back to normal again. The dance picks back up between his two moms.

Almost, like magic. Henry muses.

He doesn't question the universe however, he just enjoys the simple fact that Operation Swan Queen is a go once again. Yes!

~sqsqsqsq~

The truth of the matter was, since that night, since that dance the two women shared, it did in fact jar them into awareness. What was happening between them. In their own respective ways, both women spent a few days, distancing themselves from one another, while they both quietly replayed certain events and aspects that had indeed led them to this point.

And this point being, that both women are madly in love with the other one but just have no idea how to voice it. Yet.

~sqsqsqsq~

Regina spent the few days reflecting on small events that had transpired with the younger woman and how each one made her stomach flutter and heart race. Simple moments, when Emma would look at her as if she alone were responsible for the twinkling of the stars in the night sky. How, Emma would absentmindedly twirl her fingers around the dark strands of her hair, while they watched a movie together. Or how, Emma's hand would always find a home along the small of her back.

How, Emma would drape Regina's legs over her own and rub her feet, knowing she just endured a long day in killer heels. Or how, Regina's hand would softly run up and down Emma's back, after she had to come home late because of a drunken Leroy.

How, they knew the other so well, and had an intimacy that harbored on cotton candy sweet.

Comforting moments swept up and whisked Regina away as she recalled all the times, Emma had tried to save her. Running to protect her from the angry mob after the curse broke, pushing her out of the way from the seeking wraith, helping her to stop the trigger. So many moments, so many memories that had been built between her and Emma, and they all crashed like rolling waves against her.

~sqsqsqsq~

Emma knew when she had Regina in her arms that night, dancing. Before her parents had interrupted, she was seconds from kissing the searing brunette. It scared her though. Scared her enough to distance herself for a few days, to think and go over everything that had indeed led her to this turning point. At the end of it all, she walked away with one clear thought.

She had fallen in love with Regina Mills.

Her laugh, her smile. Her flirtatious smirk. Her keen ability to know how to push all the right buttons in Emma. Just all of it. So much and then some.

~sqsqsqsq~

Henry had felt the change in the air between his two moms. He knew Operation Swan Queen was full steam ahead and he knew just the final scheme .. er .. push he needed to do. So, it was with a much composed face, he randomly asked if he could spend a weekend with his grandparents. He might have felt a little guilty using this trick, if the two in question hadn't been the ones to set this whole thing back to begin with and ruin a perfectly timed kiss. So, he felt it was only fitting that his grandparents should be used to secure his sleeping arrangements, giving his mom's some hopefully, beneficial alone time. Although, thinking too much about that end of things, might just scar him for life, so instead, he stuffed his brain with the all knowing belief that they need some alone time to talk.

Yep, just talk, and figure it out.

~sqsqsqsq~

Regina, of course, puts up a fuss but Emma quickly interjects. She knows what the kid is up to, can see the unmistakable gleam in his eye and thinks, Maybe this is a good idea.

Some alone time to figure it out. This thought has Emma's heart hammering inside her chest and a slight burn rises to her cheeks, which of course, Regina immediately mistakes for Emma coming down with a fever, as she brings hurried lips to a forehead to check. This just makes Emma blush even more as she breathes in the older woman's scent.

Emma sighs and wonders just what this weekend will bring.

~sqsqsqsq~

Henry makes a bee line for the door as he yells a quick goodbye, before the door slams shut behind him. Regina stands staring at the closed door until she feels a familiar hand brush along the small of her back. She smiles softly to herself as she turns around. Emma holds out her arms and Regina steps into the comforting embrace. Sweet murmurings of, Henry will be fine, ghosts along Regina's ear and she sighs. Okay.

~sqsqsqsq~

The night goes on like any other. Both women are a little amazed at how comfortable they are with one another, without Henry's presence there, to distract them. They both had a worry or two if it would be awkward between them, but to both of their relief, it isn't awkward at all. They still laughed together and flirted. Although, they both noticed the flirting carried a little more weight to it without Henry being there to dim it.

Regina washes the dishes while Emma dries. Both women excuse themselves to change for bed but then immediately meet back downstairs on the couch, agreeing on a movie, while Emma makes hot chocolate and Regina puts out cookies to share. Both women snuggle up under the blanket while Emma hands Regina her drink, quickly adding some milk to cool it faster.

Simple moments, Regina thinks, as her eyes steal a glance at Emma's features. She chuckles quietly to herself as she watches Emma bite her bottom lip and cover her eyes at the scary scene that is unfolding on the television. Emma scolds her not to laugh and she hopes Regina knows she will be sleeping on the couch with her tonight. After all, she should know all too well how, Emma can't sleep alone after watching a scary movie.

And so, by the end of the second movie, Emma is passed out sitting up on the couch, with Regina dozing next to her. Regina wakes a little while later and nudges the blonde softly, telling her to lie down, before she gets a kink in her neck. Too late, as Emma opens blurry eyes and winces at the sudden pain. Regina quickly gets a pillow placed down before Emma's head lands softly on top of it.

Regina smirks softly to herself because yes, she does indeed know Emma all too well. Just like she knows what is coming next. A quick hand reaches out and touches her wrist, pulling her down to lay next to Emma. The blonde scoots back against the couch, giving Regina more room to get comfortable in front of her. An arm rests lightly along Regina's waist and Emma's breathing evens out once more but not before a lingering kiss is placed into the curve of Regina's neck.

That is something new, Regina thinks, with wide eyes. It is innocent yes, but at the same time, it wasn't.

"Emma .. wake up .. "

'Hmm .. s'tired R'gina .. sleep .. " Emma's lips graze Regina's skin again as she nuzzles into the older woman.

Regina can't control the words that are racing along with her heart.

"Emma, I .. I'm in love with you and I think .. I hope you are in love with me too .. are you?"

Emma's eyes pop open as soon as the word love echoes off Regina's voice.

And before Regina can turn around to face the younger woman, Emma has puffed herself away.

~sqsqsqsq~

Regina sits up, alarmed but really not all that surprised. She sighs and brushes fallen hair away from her eyes. This is Emma. Pure Emma. She waits a moment and then makes her rounds. In search of the blonde. She looks out onto her apple tree, blinking on the outside light, but no, Emma isn't there. They spent many a night sitting under the tree, sharing stories from their respective pasts, getting to know one another. Regina sighs, and shuts off the light. She makes her way up the stairs and to Emma's bedroom. As well as Henry's, just in case, Emma had wanted to take comfort being around Henry's belongings. But both rooms are dark and quiet. She knows Emma would not be in her room. It's the one room oddly enough Emma and her hadn't spent any time in. A fact, she hopes will soon be rectified.

Regina goes back downstairs. She lays down on the couch and puts the television on, as she covers herself up and breathes in Emma's comforting scent that is still lingering amid the pillow. She shuts her eyes and falls asleep eventually.

When she wakes up, early dawn is peeking through the windows and Emma is sleeping sitting up, with Regina's legs draped over her lap and a hand lightly holding a foot and calf.

Regina's eyes dance with love as she sees Emma back in front of her. She sits up and guides Emma gently to her lap as she brushes fingers through waves of blonde tresses. She covers Emma and rubs her back. After awhile, Emma stirs and opens tired eyes, sitting up slowly, so she can face Regina as the older woman cups her face, drawing her close to smiling lips.

"I'm sorry, Regina .. I got .. "

"Spooked?"

"Yeah .. a little .. "

"Where'd you go?"

"Your bedroom .. I knew it was the one place you wouldn't check .. "

Regina's eyes widen as she can't believe it. "Swan .. "

Emma chuckles and kisses her. Finally.

And it is everything both women expected. And then some. It's a kiss that brings them closer together, wrapped up in each other's warmth and heartbeat. A simple kiss for a simple moment filled with pure love and joy.

When they pull apart Regina only has one thing to whisper.

"Lets go to bed, Emma .. I don't know about you, but I for one, am tired of sleeping on the damn couch."

Emma laughs as she pulls Regina into an embrace. "Okay."

~sqsqsqsq~