A/N: I just freaking love Katy Perry's Dark Horse so much and it reminds me so much of Regina and Emma and SQ that I just had to write it into a story. This is a one shot.

Set in current S3, pre-Henry's memories returning and after Witch Hunt.

This is creative only, no copyright infringement intended. Emma and Regina and all the cast of Once Upon a Time are copyright to their respective creators and Dark Horse is copyright to Katy Perry.

9/24/2017 re-edited.

Also, please review. :)

Dark Horse

The base from the speakers reverberated around the apartment from the older, small boombox system on the kitchen bar.

She had the whole place to herself. The Charming's having offered to take Henry for the day in lieu of Hook, not happy at their select status of 'uncool.'

She reached over and upped the volume until the whole apartment filled with music as she poured herself a tumbler of whiskey.

An image of a certain brunette filled her mind and she shook her head to rid herself of those thoughts before she leaned against the bar.

Her brain had another idea completely. As the lyrics filled the room, emphasized by drum beats, she could see the other woman walking towards her a fireball in hand and a predatory look in sepia orbs.

I knew you were,

You were gonna come to me,

Stiletto heels clicked on cement floor almost along with the music and a slow, seductive smile pulled at plump burgundy stained lips.

And here you are,

but you better choose carefully

Cause I... I'm capable of anything,

of anything and everything

The blonde's eyes closed as if with a will of their own and a memory of the brunette with ruby red offerings laced with warnings flitted behind her eyes.

Make me your Aphrodite,
Make me your one and only,

Pale lashes fluttered back open and the brunette was still there, except she had extinguished the fireball.

Now she was next to her. So close. So vivid. The blonde swore she actually felt hot breath on the sensitive skin just below her ear and smell the brunette's intoxicating musky perfume.

But don't make me your enemy,

Your enemy,

Your enemy

She sucked in a sharp breath. All their head to heads flashed rapidly through her mind and her whole body started to tingle strangely.

The brunette lifted an olive hand and ran long fingers through her hair delicately. She could feel her own blonde tendrils brush across the backs of her own arms and suddenly the brunette was directly behind her. Her right hand reached round and she placed the palm of her hand on her stomach.

She could literally feel the heat spread through her center and her stomach glowed as she unconsciously swayed from side to side. Her head fell back onto a shoulder and the woman's other hand moved to caress her pale cheek and she couldn't suppress the soft sigh.

So you want to play with magic

Boy, you should know what you're falling for

Baby do you dare to do this?

Cause I'm coming at you like a dark horse

Her breath hitched as soft kisses were placed on the nape of her neck with wisps of purple smoke that now billowed round them. The hairs on the back of neck stood up and a wave of pleasure rippled through her and she moaned the woman's name.

Are you ready for, ready for
A perfect storm, perfect storm

Cause you're mine, once you're mine
There's no going back

Her breath became jagged and her heart felt like it was running a beat with the music. She was melting into the other woman that she imagined was holding her.

She completely missed the knock at her door over the sound of the music.

Mark my words
This love will make you levitate
Like a bird
Like a bird without a cage

But down to earth,
If you chose to walk away, don't walk away

She moaned softly, her earlobe grasped by sharp white teeth and nibbled.

She opened her eyes again to look at the image she had created and the room suddenly felt too hot and her dress too tight. The fabric rough against her peaked nipples and she exhaled as sepia met darkened green.

It's in the palm of your hand now baby,
It's a yes or a no, no maybe,

The figure smiled again, chocolate orbs staring intently at her as she stalked purposely forward. Emma's breath was literally taken from her as beautiful, intoxicating, burgundy lips claimed hers.

So just be sure, before you give it all to me,
All to me, give it all to me

"What the hell is going on?" A deep, husky almost angry voice sounded from behind them.

Emerald eyes snapped open. Her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the image that she had conjured in front of her that was now fading before her eyes and it hit her exactly what was happening.

She stood frozen, wondering if she was now imagining the presence of the very person she had been day dreaming about or if she was really behind her. Her question was answered when the stereo was pointedly turned off.

She swallowed, petite pink pulled between pearl whites and she took a deep breath as she turned wide eyed to the other woman.

"Are you going to answer me?" The brunette snapped.

Though she sounded angry, the usual intensity that would be have been present in chocolate orbs was softer and Emma had to stop herself from gulping.

"Um..." The blonde started.

She felt heated embarrassment flood her pale cheeks. She had literally conjured an image of the other woman as the music started and had foolishly played into desires.

Regina's chocolate eyes softened slightly as she watched the blonde squirm.

She had been knocking for a good five minutes at the blonde's parent's apartment and figured the other could not hear her through the horrendously loud music on the other side. It was so loud that the front door had been vibrating every time the bass started and already flaking white paint chipped off with the beat.

She crossed her arms over her chest then pursed her lips and continued to stare at the blonde until it became evident she wasn't going to answer her.

"Well?" She questioned again.

"Nothing?" The blonde answered sheepishly. She reached pale fingers up to scratch at the back of her head.

"Emma," She breathed. "That didn't look like nothing—"

"Well," Emma sighed and looked away. "Just pretend it was, okay?"

"Emma?" The brunette stepped forward but Emma literally shook her off and walked around the other side of the bar. She poured herself another glass of whiskey and downed it in one go.

"How did you get in here anyway?"

"Really?" The brunette countered. "That's what you come back with? With magic, dear."

"Oh," Emma whispered. She mentally kicked herself for her stupidity and the lines of the song wove their way back into her head again.

So you wanna play with magic

She shook her head again and the next second the brunette was beside her. Regina took the glass from her hand and then the bottle from the other before she poured the amber liquid.

"I think we need to talk," Regina stated quietly. "Do you have another glass?"

"Oh, yeah, um... sure," the blonde turned and reached into an overhead cabinet. She handed the brunette another tumbler, "Why... um... what did you want?"

"That can wait for a moment," Regina replied lowly. She reached out to touch Emma's chin only to have her hand pushed away gently. She sighed softly a little hurt at the rebuttal, "Emma..."

"No, Regina," she hissed. "I can't go there right now, okay?"

Emerald eyes looked up pleadingly at her.

"Why?" The brunette questioned and stepped closer before she pressed the cold glass into the blonde's hands.

"Because..." Emma started. Her heart jumped slightly at the warm touch at her fingertips. "Just... because... there is nothing to talk about. You have Robin now and I'm happy for you."

She shifted sideways and took a moment to enjoy the burn of the alcohol at the back of her throat as a distraction. She tried to move further away but Regina only seemed to move closer.

"Emma..."

"Why did you come?" The blonde asked timidly. She willed her bottom lip not to tremble and literally swallowed back tears.

"To reinforce the protective barrier around your parents apartment. Though why they insist on leaving is beyond me... but anyway." Regina stated and watched the blonde visibly relax.

She took a moment to decide how to pursue her questioning disguising it with a sip of the amber liquid, "Where's Henry?"

"With my parents," Emma replied. The corners of her mouth turned up into a slight smile.

"Really? Not with the pirate?" Regina smirked.

"No," Emma answered with a frown. Regina simply raised her eyebrows in response. "What's that look for?"

"Nothing," The brunette dismissed lifting tan fingers and frowning at a chipped cerise lacquered nail.

"No, really, what?" The blonde countered and folded her arms defensively.

"I'll tell you if you answer my question first," Regina answered with a pointedly raised eyebrow. With a click of her heels she crossed the room to stand in front of the blonde.

"Regina..." She breathed her name quietly. The proximity of the actual Queen would always be much more intoxicating than the day dream she had conjured up. She swallowed visibly trying not to stare at cherry stained lips.

"Did you know what you were doing earlier?" Regina asked in a tone close to a whisper.

Her hand of its own accord coming to rest on the blonde's hip and she ducked her head slightly to meet darkened green eyes. "Emma... its okay..."

"No its not," Emma said quietly. "You're happy Regina. I see it. I promised myself that I would leave it be, no matter how hard. Just to see you smile like that— even if its not me who is making you happy... I'd rather see you light up the way you do, knowing you are loved and have the happiness that you so deserve..."

"Emma..."

"No, please don't..." The blonde begged, lifting her hands almost defensively and moving away from the other woman. "It's easier this way..."

"For who?" Regina asked incredulously. Her eyes widened as she tried to hide the hurt as the younger woman backed away from her.

"Don't..." Emma muttered her eyes glazing over with un-shed tears.

"Don't what?" Regina snapped. Her hands lifting to touch the other woman again but lowered them determining that her actions were useless. Her eyes watered, "Don't love you? It's a little late for that Emma..."

"What?" Emma's voice rose slightly in disbelief.

"You heard me!" Regina countered firmly her brown eyes flashing angrily. "You fool for keeping quiet and more fool me for not saying anything and believing you were too good, too much of a Charming to love me... The Evil Queen."

"Oh, yeah right!" Emma fired back sarcastically and she felt the heat in her face as her cheeks flushed. Her heart hammering painfully behind her ribs.

"Oh?" Regina commanded. Her eyes stung, she blinked several times as burning tears fell down over cheeks and she wiped them away angrily.

"No, Regina..." Emma implored, realizing how her words had sounded and started to correct herself.

"No, no. You made your intent perfectly clear," She growled and swiveled on pointed heel. Her slender wrist was caught between soft fingers.

"I mean you're not that person any more...You haven't been The Evil Queen for a very long time and for God's sake Regina. You found me making out with a magical figment of my imagination that I created of you... I think that clearly shows exactly how I feel!" She swallowed, her eyes widening and she bit her lip.

She had not meant to say any of that but it had just rolled off her tongue. "So we have kind of already established that I promised I would not bother you. That apparently me being completely masochistic was not planned, I swear. That is also the first time that has ever happened... I swear."

Emma stopped and tried to gauge the brunette's reaction but the woman just blinked. Slowly Regina let out a long sigh before she smiled sadly at her.

"I have simply been trying to be happy, Emma... and Robin has been the only one that showed any interest. But he isn't the one I want. I care about him, I do but he is not the one I dream about." She finished quietly.

"Don't say that if you don't mean it," Emma whispered.

"But I do mean it. I don't love Robin. Emma..." She ignored the protests as she moved swiftly closer.

She pushed aside defensive hands and raised her own to capture the blonde's face. Before Emma could say a word Regina claimed her mouth.

Emma's stomach fluttered crazily, surely this wasn't real. Surely she was daydreaming again but the moan that reverberated against her mouth said otherwise.

She melted instantly into her and kissed her back. She lifted skinny pale arms and wrapped them around Regina's neck, tangling pale fingers into dark hair and pressing herself closer.

She felt rather than saw the other woman flick her wrist. The stereo came to life at a lower volume and filtered music back into the room, as though it wrapped around the pair.

Make me your Aphrodite,
Make me your one and only,

Regina pulled back breathless and smiled sultrily at the blonde. Her chocolate eyes darkened to a near black.

"So... does that live up to your fantasy or do I need to try harder?" The brunette teased.

Emma smiled and leaned into cherry stained lips once more. She drew back, "Yes and no."

Regina raised an eyebrow challengingly in response, "You're definitely gonna need to try a little harder, the fantasy was pretty intense..."

"Pretty intense?" She tilted her head. A smirk pulled at the corners of her painted lips, "Well then, dear. That certainly was not a very accurate day dream then, hmm?"

Suddenly, she backed them up into the bar. Hips connected somewhat harshly with the surface and Emma groaned as green eyes hooded.

Regina laughed huskily before she lowered dark fingers. She slowly lifted the hem of Emma's dress higher, her fingers tracing smooth skin. Emma's breath caught and the brunette pushed at the backs of pale thighs. She helped her onto the counter top while moving between parted legs.

She could feel the heat emanating off the blonde. Soon her own heavy jacket was too much and as if the blonde sensed this, she removed the garment altogether. Revealing a dark navy almost black dress suit beneath. She placed the coat on the bar stool beside them and leaned in once more.

They kissed again until they were both flustered, lips swollen and out of breath.

The pair laughed softly and Emma grew serious for a moment,
"What are you going to do about Robin? I thought he was your true love?"

"So did I." Regina replied honestly. She lifted the blonde's chin so she could look into emerald orbs. "But no matter how many times I'm told that... no matter how many times we kiss or have kissed— it doesn't compare. Not to how I feel when I'm with you..." The brunette admitted in hushed tones.

Emma smiled and sighed softly.

"You know—" She paused trying to find the right words. "We can't... not until... I mean if you wanted—" Emma clamped her mouth shut as she realized her words sounded presumptuous and leading.

"Of course I want you!" Regina exclaimed. "And you're right. We need to start this," she gestured between them both. "The right way and it's not fair to Robin to lead him on. I know this..." She took a breath and added determinedly, "I will end it with him."

Emma leant forward and rested her forehead against the other woman's, "I'll be waiting when you do."

"Promise?" Regina asked nervously.

"Promise." Emma vowed and dipped her chin to place small pink over full red lips.

Are you ready for, ready for,

a perfect storm, perfect storm,

cause once you're mine, once you're mine,

there's no going back.