Chapter Text
Emma Swan took a deep breath in before entering the tall looming skyscraper. She walked into the reception area and was met with an overly cheery blonde woman.
“Hello!” She said cheerfully. “Are you here for the ten year reunion of Enchanted high?” Emma nodded mutely. “Wonderful!” Why is she so damn happy? Emma wondered bitterly. “What’s your name?”
“My name?” Emma frowned. “Why do you need my name?”
“Some people change in ten years.” The woman giggled. Emma forced a tight smile and played with the ring on her finger. As if trying to draw some strength from it.
“My name is Emma Swan.” She mumbled. The woman didn’t even bat an eye at Emma’s grumpy mood and handed her a name tag. Emma grumbled her thanks and walked into the large conference room. The room was overly decorated in Emma’s opinion; there were far too many blue and white balloons for her liking. She shuffled awkwardly and tugged on her red leather jacket, she looked around the room and tried to find someone to socialise with. If she was honest she wasn’t in the mood to deal with the people in this room. She hadn’t given any of them a second thought when she graduated. That was a life left better forgotten.
Emma sighed when she couldn’t see anyone until someone screamed very loudly. “Well isn’t it little miss Emma Swan.” Emma whirled around and came face-to-face to Killian Jones. Oh great.
“Hey Killian…” Emma forced a smile. Killian wrapped an arm around her shoulders and breathed in her face. God is that rum?
“Why are you standing around like a lost soul?” He bellowed. “Come sit with us!” Us?
‘Us’ turned out to be Emma old group of friends. She sat with her old partners in crime, literally, and found it hard not to smile at seeing them again. Lily, Neal, and Killian hadn’t changed a bit. They were still as loud and mischievously as ever. Lily’s greeting was as grand as ever. She threw her arms around her old friend and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“My god you look great!” She exclaimed brightly while waiting for Emma to return her compliment.
“You too Lily.” Emma said honestly. Lily was as beautiful was she was in high school. Neal however had put on some serious weight and what was once a gorgeous six pack had turned into a pot belly.
“Hey Ems.” He greeted and Emma had to try hard not to puke at the raw alcoholic scent that reeked off his skin. He’s almost worse than Kilian. Emma forced herself to keep her smile on her face. She sat down at the table and toyed with the table cloth. Emma sat quietly and listened to how her friends’ lives had developed.
Lily had made a life as journalist for the local newspaper. She said Sydney Glass was a hard boss but she loved her work. She said she was dating some guy but didn’t see it going anywhere. Something about him just being fun, she met him while she was interviewing him for sexual harassment cases against him. Emma couldn’t help but question her sanity.
Neal was content to be the school’s gym teacher. He was currently single and gave Emma a weird wink that made her uncomfortable. He went on and on about how life couldn’t be better. Emma wondered how anyone could love living in their parent’s basement at twenty eight.
Emma was most surprised at Killian’s choice of career. He decided to join the country’s navy. He said soldiers always got the best women and that the open sea had always appealed to him. Emma thought his high school nickname ‘Captain Hook’ fit much better now. Suddenly all eyes were set on her.
“And you Swan?” Neal grinned. “What have you been up to the last ten years?” Before Emma could answered Killian spoke up.
“Robbing banks and stealing cars most likely.” Killian laughed.
“Yea Ems.” Lily joined in. “Have you been keeping up with your friend’s in the police department?” Everyone laughed and Emma swallowed.
“Actually yes.” At that everyone got quiet. “I was just promoted to Sheriff in the town over, StoryBrooke, you might know it?” At Emma’s confession the table burst into laughter.
“You? Sheriff?” Neal burst into laughter.
“Yeah love.” Killian chuckled wiping his eye. “If you’re going to lie at least make it believable.” As they continued to laugh Emma slumped in her seat. She pulled out her phone and sent a text message to the one person she would rather be with.
This sucks. I wish you were here to save me.
Emma shovelled food into her mouth. After her ‘friends’ had stopped laughing they moved to judging their former classmates. Saying who was the same, who was different, was they even made up lives for each person. They mocked those who seemed to be content living a simple life and were jealous of those who achieved greatness. Emma sighed and tried to think of a good excuse to leave the reunion early. Emma reached for her glass of wine when Lily gripped her hand.
“Oh my god.” She gasped. “Is that a diamond ring on your finger? Got yourself a sugar daddy as while as your sheriff position didn’t you!” Emma gritted her teeth to stop herself from snapping at the other woman. Was she always this irritating? Emma was surprised at how much she had changed in ten years. Lily waited for Emma to answer. Emma looked away. She didn’t want to explain herself to them. She was happy now. They wouldn’t understand.
“Holy shit.” She heard Neal whistle low. “Check the legs on that brunette.” Emma rolled her eyes and didn’t bother turning to look. There was only one brunette she was interested in and she wasn’t here.
“She’s beautiful.” Lily said with a hint of jealously. “She looks like a damn queen.” Emma frowned. Brunette? Killer legs? Queen? Turning slowly in her seat she saw the gorgeous brunette looking around the conference room. Her jaw hit the ground when dark chocolate eyes found hers with a smirk. Emma jumped out her seat and ran to the woman. Emma lunged at the woman, wrapped her arms around her and buried her face into her neck.
“What are you doing here?” She asked when she finally stepped back a little to look at the stunning woman.
“I came to save you.” Regina Mills smirked, a playful glint in her dark eyes. Emma grinned and shook her head. She kissed Regina softly on the lips as Regina tightened her hold around Emma’s waist.
“I am so happy you’re here.” Emma whispered. “But what about your court case?” Regina winked at Emma and kissed her a little more deeply.
“I won.” She grinned. “You are now looking at the only attorney to have a winning streak of twenty three cases.” Emma’s eyes widened joyfully and she lifted Regina into the air, spinning her around.
“You are amazing.” Emma smiled and touched Regina’s forehead with hers “So you decided to drive and hour and a half to celebrate at some suckish school reunion?” Regina chuckled.
“No.” She said. “I came to celebrate with you. I don’t care where we are.” Emma’s heart warmed and she kissed Regina again. It was only when someone cleared their throat behind them that Emma realised they had an audience. Emma bashfully stepped away from Regina. Killian, Lilly, and Neal stared at her as if she had suddenly grown a second and third head.
“What. The. Hell.” They said as one. Emma almost found it funny. Almost. Emma cleared her throat and laced her hands with Regina’s.
“Guys I want you to meet the best damn attorney in the country.” Emma said proudly. “I met her when I joined the force.” Emma lifted Regina’s hand and kissed it tenderly. “Regina meet Lilly, Neal, and Killian.” They trio blinked and nodded their hello mutely. “Guys I want you to meet Regina Mills. My fiancé.”