Shopping
“I'm sorry Swan but there clean, not a finger print on them this guy clearly knows what he’s doing” Emma was sat in an interview room of Los Angeles police department. Her old friend August sat across from her. “Fanatics like this eventually get careless, if she gets any more send them my way. I’ll go over them.”
Emma gave him a sideways look. He never volunteered his services, she normally had to beg and plead to get help. Then he would ramble on about tax payer’s money and waste of police time and equipment.
“What?” he asked.
“You never volunteer, what are you up to?”
“Are you kidding? You have met Regina Mills right? Beautiful brown haired woman with Brown eyes that look deep into your soul with just one look” he swooned.
“I didn't think she would be your type”
“Regina Mills is everyone’s type. Just do me a favour and let her know who it was that analysed the letters” he said with a slight smirk and wiggle of his eyebrows.
Emma rolled her eyes snatched the letter from him and walked to the door. “Thanks for your help August.” She left the building and headed back to the Mills mansion.
When she got there she was pleased to see that the PA system was already being changed on the main gates. Along with the new security cameras she had ordered. She drove in and parked next to the limo again. The chauffeur was standing next to it grinning at her.
“I knew your name wasn't Marie Curie”
“Still let me in though didn't you”
She walked to the trunk of her car and started unloading her cases. The driver came and started helping her. Sydney had told her she could set up an office up in the disused summer house that was next to the pool and closest to the main gate. She started unloading the cases, most of them full of guns. And set about organising the room. “So, you’re the driver”
“I'm not just the driver. I also do the occasional car wash” He laughed as he brought another case into the room. “Names David” he offered her a hand to shake.
“Well David” she said taking his hand “I'm promoting you to my assistant. I need to be my eyes and ears around this place.”
He breathed in and scratched the back of his head, “I don’t know if Miss Mills will like that.”
“Well what Miss Mills doesn't know, won’t kill her. Now follow me”
They walked the perimeter of the property. Emma pointing out what changes needed to be made. David following making notes and wincing each time Emma said something that he thought Regina would disapprove of. “Will you stop that. I don’t care if her highness isn't going to be happy with the changes. It’s her safety I'm thinking of, not her happiness.”
“Sorry” He threw his hands up in surrender.
They walked back towards the house and Emma noticed Regina heading towards the garage keys and purse in hand. Emma walked over to her and stopped in front of her “Where do you think you’re going?”
Regina sighed “Not that it’s any business of yours Miss Swan but it’s Sunday and I always do brunch on a Sunday. Now if you don’t mind” She moved to go round her
Emma stepped to the side to stop her “Nope. Sorry to disappoint you, you’re majesty but Brunch is cancelled along with all your other regular activities.”
Regina glared at her seething. “Miss Swan if you do not move out of the way I will personally see to it that you never work in security again. You have no idea what I am capable of.”
“Listen lady I didn't ask for this job I was brought in because some nut job wants you dead, heaven knows why because you’re such a charming person. So unfortunately for both of us until said nut job is locked in a cell I'm in charge of making sure you stay safe. Which means no brunch on Sundays, no Riding on Wednesdays or any other activity you do on a regular basis and from now on where ever you go, I go. You don’t like it? Fine. Take your chances with that no brain gormless dimwit you call head of security and I’ll go work for someone who values their life.”
Regina glared and stepped closer towards her. Emma felt her stomach do somersaults, being this close to Regina was doing all kinds of things to her body but she stood her ground. She wasn't about to let this woman intimidate her.
“Fine” Regina hissed “We’ll play it your way Miss Mills.” She glanced at David who had been watching the whole exchange from behind Emma. “Go get the Limo ready”
David hesitated for a moment and his eyes quickly moved towards Emma which Regina noticed.
“You don’t need her approval as far as I'm aware I'm the one who employs you. So go and get the blasted Limo”
David nodded and ran quickly up the drive.
“Just what do you need that for?”
“Shopping”
“Shopping?”
“Yes I've just had the sudden urge to go any buy a new dress.” With that she stepped round Emma and started to walk to where David was waiting with the Limo. She stopped half way and turned back to Emma “Well are you coming?”
Emma breathed in and clenched her fists. This job was going to be the death of her. She walked to the Limo passing Regina ignoring the smirk she got as she went. She bent to get in next to David and saw that Robin had decided to tag along as well…just great she thought. Just bloody great.
They had been out for 3 hours. Regina seemed intent on going in every single shop they came upon. Emma new she was going it to wind her up but she refused to let it get to her. Instead she would make her wait outside whilst she went in and inspected each store. She knew the likely hood of something happening whilst they were out was highly unlikely but her attitude had always been Plan for the worst hope for the best, and it had worked pretty well for her.
“Do you have to stand so close?” they were in what felt like the 300th dress shop and Regina was idly looking through rail upon rail of dresses. Emma just rolled her eyes and watched the windows. Robin was waiting outside. Regina picked up a couple of dressed and made towards to the dressing rooms. Emma stopped her and walked in to give the dressing room a check. “Is it safe? Nobody hiding behind the mirror waiting to pounce?” She grazed past Emma and closed the door. Emma turned back towards the window constantly scanning and eye balling everyone who went past. She watched as Robin lowered his sunglasses to get a better view of a group of women walking along the footpath.
Emma scoffed and shook her head. Some head of security.
“So how does someone like you end up a bodyguard.” Regina shouted over the dressing room door.
“Someone like me?”
“You know a woman.”
“It’s just something I fell into”
Regina opened the dressing room door, she was in a tight royal blue dress the hung in all the right places.
Emma gulped and felt her stomach tighten.
“You fell into being a bodyguard?” Regina pulled the dress down and inspected herself in the full length mirror that was just outside the changing rooms. “How do you fall into being a bodyguard? Did you go around protecting all the smaller kids at school?” She walked back into the changing room and closed the door. Emma let out the breath she didn't realise she had been holding.
“Why the sudden need to know?”
“It’s called conversation dear, or didn't they teach you that at bodyguard school”
Emma sighed “I was a bit of a rebellious child. I met Sydney when I was 16, he took me under his wing, taught me all he knew and well…here I am. Happy”
“Ecstatic.” She came out again, this time in a tight red dress that left little to the imagination when it came to the neck line. Emma looked up at the ceiling and started counting to 10. Regina once again inspected herself in the mirror twisting to and turning, to see what the back looked like. With a small nod to herself she walked back into the changing room.
10 minutes later they were out of the shop and heading back towards the limo. Emma walking in front and trying as best she could to clear a path. She could see David waiting up ahead with his hand on the back door already open. They got closer and Emma moved to the back of the limo. Regina handed her collection of bags to Robin and just as she was about to lower herself into the back seat and young girl ran towards calling out for an autograph. Emma moved forward, her right arm preventing the girl from getting closer and her left hand tried to push Regina into the Limo. Regina slapped her arm away and pushed her back to the rear of the limo. She glared at her before turning to the young girl, posing for a quick photo and signing a small piece of paper. Finally getting into the limo and slamming the door almost catching Emma’s fingers in the process.
“Let me tell you now Swan, I love Regina. I've been with her from day one." They were on there way back to the mansion "Henry is like a son to me so if anyone is going to be keeping a protective eye on her. It’s me.” Robin pointed his thumb at his chest to confirm who he was talking about. “So I don’t need you, coming into my house telling me how to do my job. I've kept her safe this long, and I'm not about to let anything happen to her now.”
Emma just nodded in agreement. Her attention on the wing mirror and the car she was pretty certain had been following them since they’d left the mall.
“David, slow down and let me out here. But don’t stop”
David did as he was told and slowed to a crawl just as they got to the edge of the drive. Emma opened her door and jumped out. Slamming on the roof of the limo and telling David to floor it. The black town car that had been following them, pulled a sharp right and headed towards the rear of the mansion. Emma set off after it pulling her gun out of its holster. She ran along the perimeter trying to keep the car in site. She reached the back gate where the ground was a little elevated and saw the car speed off away from the property. She stood watching the roads for another 10 minutes. Satisfied that whomever it was wasn't coming back she turned and headed back up to the house. preparing herself for the on tirade of abuse that was sure to come her way for stopping the autograph hunting girl. She sighed and muttered to herself “Actors.”