I don't need protecting
“You’re really going to turn down 2000 bucks a week.”
Emma had been enjoying a nice afternoon in her garden, reading her book, till her old friend and mentor had shown up at her door. She turned the page of her book without even looking up “yep” she replied. “I don’t do celebrities. Syd, ESPECIALLY actors. You know this”
She hated letting Sydney down, he had been her mentor, and father figure. But there was one thing she couldn’t stand and that was actors. They never took their own lives seriously and thought they were a cut about the rest. They were dangerous and unpredictable. Two of the deadliest combinations when it came to trying to protect them.
Sydney was at her arm now, trying to get her attention. She rolled her eyes and put her book on her lap. “Have you tried Eugenia, or Leroy. I've heard they’re looking for work”
“Eugenia is interested but, you’re the best. Regina sent me for you personally.” He lied a little but he needed Emma. Regina was in danger and if anyone could protect her it was Emma Swan. “Please Emma, there was a bomb incident a week ago I wouldn't be here if it wasn't important…she’s got an 8-year-old son. They need you”.
Sydney hated using the kid but if he knew Emma like he thought he did, he knew it would peek her interest.
Emma dropped her head to her chest. Using a kid to get her into taking the job was low. Even for Sydney. She took a deep breath “I’ll come have a look, check things over…and then I’ll make a decision.” She stood up then and walked to the back of the garden, she picked up a bunch of throwing knives and started throwing them at a plank of wood she had set up a few yards away. Sydney watched as everyone hit its target. He’d been the one to teach her how to do it, and to always use it as a way to impress potential employers. A small smile started in the corners of his mouth, it was good to see his old protégée again. “Thank you” he tried not to let the relief in his voice come through.
“But Syd, if I agree I want 3000 a week,”
He laughed. “you drive a hard bargain Swan”
“Hey someone once told me. If you’re good at something don’t do it for free”
“That’s a line from batman.” He laughed
She smirked at him “maybe so, but it’s still true”
He walked over to her and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Come by her house tomorrow. I’ll let her publicist know to expect you”. Emma watched him leave and went back to her book. Had she really just agreed to maybe work for an actress. “way to go Swan”.
~~~~~~~
She pulled up to the address Sydney had given her. The gate looked a hundred years old and the P.A system even older. She pushed the buzzer, after a minute and awful lot of static an inaudible voice asked if he could help her, least she thinks that’s what he asked “Emma Swan here to See Miss Mills”
More static “who”
“Hillary Clinton here to see Miss Mills” Jesus this system was awful
“Do you have an appointment”
“the pigs orgasm lasts 30 minutes” She shook her head when the gates opened and made a mental note to put a new security system in. IF she took the job that is. She drove up the winding drive and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw the house…or more correctly the mansion. It was an elegant white and black building, in front of which was circular shaped pool, a covered over walk way ran along the front, held up by pillars. Giving the whole house a kind of ancient Greece feel. She pulled up next a fairly young man washing a limo. He was blonde probably in his late twenties and wearing suit trousers and vest top clearly the chauffeur. He eyed her as she got out her bug.
“Help you?” he asked.
“You the guy on the intercom?”
“Who? You got an appointment?”
“Marie Curie to see Miss Mills”
He wiped his hands on a towel and narrowed his eyes. “Oh yeah, and who set this appointment up?”
“Sydney Glass” least this guy was a little more on the ball then the idiot on the intercom. Even if he didn't know his scientist.
“Miss Mills is in her studio.” He pointed towards the house. Emma turned and walked towards to looming black doors that stood proudly in the middle of the lower level. She knocked and short black haired lady answered. She looked a question at Emma. When Emma didn't speak she rolled her eyes “Can I help you or are you just going to stand there staring?”
“Amelia Earhart to see Miss Mills”
The woman waited a beat and then opened the door to allow Emma to pass. No wonder this woman needed a protecting her staff were frightening enough. The woman led Emma down a long hallway, she could hear the room before she even got to it. The music being played was deafening. Emma walked into the room as was met with chaos. The studio was massive and had been made to look like a scene from Gladiator, gold pillars stood around the room, half naked men dressed as Roman soldiers were stood in a group in front of the French doors that lead out to the front green, in the middle of the floor stood a chaise lounge, with a bowel of fruit in front of it. Sydney spotted Emma and made his way over to her. “I was starting to think you wouldn't show up.”
“I said I would. What is all this?”
“Photo shoot.”
Emma nodded. Still looking on at the room that surrounded her, people were walking in and out from the French doors of the studio, a fairly tall man with a gormless look walked in stuffing his face with a burger and on the lounge, he noticed Emma and narrowed his eyes. “Who’s that” she asked Sydney. He followed her gaze “That’s Robin, Regina’s head of Security.” The music stopped and suddenly she heard a loud screech come from a chair that was just in front of where she stood. A group of people were surrounding it and all looking at a table full of negatives
“Regina, the Bodyguard’s here” Emma hadn’t even noticed Sydney leaving her side. She saw the head in the chair turned towards Sydney
“Sydney I told you I don’t want nor do I need a bodyguard”
Emma glared at him, so much for Regina sent me to get you. He at least had the decency to look a little guilty. “Just say hello. What harm will it do.”
Regina sighed, flung her arms in the air “Fine, fine if it means you’ll shut up about it”
Regina stood from the chair and turned to face Emma. Emma knew of Regina Mills. Who didn’t but her face was literally plastered over every billboard in sight. But she wasn’t quite ready ready for just how beautiful she was in person. Her hair was in curls round one shoulder with gold clasps holding small chunks together, a white toga clung to her body in all the right places, and she had brown leather sandals going all the way up her calves, Emma felt her stomach tighten. “Hi”
Regina looked the blonde woman standing in front of her up and down. Tight jeans showing off a slender figure, with a black roll neck, set off with a red leather bikers jacket. Not what you would expect for a bodyguard. “You don’t look like a bodyguard.” she swayed over to her.
“What were you expecting some beefcake with muscles”
“Well actually I meant where’s the suit and stern face. But muscle works as well dear.” She turned back to Sydney “there I’ve said hello. I told you I don’t need a bodyguard. It’s just a few letters, Robin is more than capable to handle some letters” At that Robin who had been watching the exchange from his seat sat up and smirked.
Emma rolled her eyes at him and looked at Regina who was heading back to her seat. “yeah and a fine job he’s done so far. Any Tom, Dick and Harry could waltz in right now and no one would bat an eye lid.”
Regina turned back to her, eyebrow raised. “And what makes you an expert on my security Mmm Ms?”
“Swan, and the fact that I used three different names to get into the property tells me that someone’s been slacking”
“Regina maybe you should here her out. Think of Henry” the voice came from behind Regina, a red headed woman with piercing blue eyes.
“I am thinking of Henry” she snapped “which is why I don’t want her here. I don’t need protecting”
Emma scoffed and shook her head. Actors. This is why she didn't work with celebrities. “Clearly there has been a mistake, if someone could tell me the quickest way out then I’ll get out of your hair”
Robin cleared his throat. “Through that door and across the green.”
“Thank you, Miss Mills.” She gave a short nod and made her way towards the doors Robin had pointed to. She was halfway across the green when she noticed a small boy sat under a tree with his head in a book. He looked up and saw Emma, closing his book he got up and headed towards her. “You’re the new bodyguard aren’t you”
“what makes you think that?”
He shrugs “I hear things.”
“Maybe I'm just a new maid”
“Na I can see your gun”
“You’re a pretty smart kid aren't you”
He gave her a cheeky lopsided grin turned and headed back towards the house. She started to walk off but then she heard Sydney calling her “Swan. Swan wait please, I may not have been entirely honest with you”
“You can say that again Syd. She doesn't want me here, and I won’t work with someone who doesn't even take a bomb threat seriously, kid or no kid.”
Sydney scratched the back of his head, just as he was about to speak a voice came from behind Emma.
“That’s because she doesn't know about it.”
A tall blonde woman appeared at Sydney’s side. She had on a grey business suit and one of those Bluetooth ear things sticking out of her left ear. She held out a hand and Emma shook it.
“Emma this is Katheryn, Regina’s publicist”
“How can she not know about a bomb?” She looked between the two of them.
“We told her it was a small technical fault, it wasn't a big bomb, and no one was hurt, we didn't feel the need to stress Regina out any more than necessary” Katheryn said matter of factly.
“Emma, just come inside and look at some of the letters, please. Regina may not know it but she needs you.”
Emma knew she would regret it but agreed to follow Sydney and Katheryn back into the house. They were in a small room, the other end of the hallway where the studio was. Not much in it, a few moniters which were turned off, Emma saw the PA receiver from the front gate and a computer which was humming away in the corner. Clearly some attempt at a security office. In the middle of the room was a small table, covered in various letters. Some printed some hand written. All of them following the theme of how Regina needed to die. Fanatics. One letter caught Emma’s eye. It had been written using newspaper cuttings stuck onto the paper.
Regina Bitch
You think you’re a queen
And I a peasant
Your salvation can only be regained by a
Long and painful death.
I shall deliver your heart to its everlasting
Hell,
“Very poetic” she handed it to Sydney
“You think this is the same guy as the bomb?”
“Have you had any of these tested? Finger prints?”
“We didn't feel the need to involve any third parties.” Katheryn answered. “There really is no need to worry Regina any more”.
“Oh no a bomb and death threats is an everyday thing I'm sure” Emma was really starting to dislike the publicist, with her stupid Bluetooth headset. “You people have no idea of security; I won’t be able to protect her if she doesn't understand what’s going on”
Sydney looked at her then, “Does that mean you’re in?
She sighed, “Only until we catch this dude. That’s it. And she has to be told about the letters and the threats.”
“I’ll talk to her”
“No” Katheryn jumped in. “I’ll talk to her, you’ll just scare her and I can’t have her scared or stressed” with that she stormed out of the room
Emma rolled her eyes. Publicists, she was pretty sure they were worse than the actors. She and Sydney made plans for her to come back the next day and set up a whole new security system. One that actually worked. Then she took the newspaper letter and left, she had an old friend at the police department who would be able to get it analysed and tested. As she got into her car, she noticed that Regina was watching her from one of the top windows. She gave a wave and got in.